In the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence (AI), AI Sweden stands at the forefront of Sweden’s AI transformation. As the National Center for Applied AI, AI Sweden is dedicated to enabling the adoption of AI across the private and public sectors by partnering with over 140 organizations. In this interview with the Swedish Chamber, Martin Svensson, Managing Director at AI Sweden, shares his insights on how his organization is driving AI innovation, fostering collaboration, and preparing Sweden for a competitive future in the AI age.
Catalysing AI Adoption Across Sweden’s Ecosystem
Unlike academia-based research bodies, AI Sweden’s emphasis is on applied research and hands-on collaboration with companies. “We are working closely with the companies and organizations that are to using, innovating, and building AI,” Martin explains.
By building partnerships with a diverse range of 140 organizations, including private companies, public sector entities, and research institutes, AI Sweden acts as a collaborative platform that accelerates AI adoption. “Our role is to facilitate collaboration,” Martin demonstrates. “By gathering parts of the Swedish AI ecosystem, we can collectively drive these questions forward.”
AI Sweden’s applied research teams are deeply involved in developing language models and AI solutions tailored to organizations’ unique needs. Beyond AI development, the organization plays a significant role in understanding leadership and organizational strategies necessary for AI success.
Sweden’s AI Ranking: Slipping from 17th to 25th
Sweden’s position in the Global AI Index, which ranks countries based on their AI readiness and capabilities, has significantly slipped over the past year. From 17th place in 2023, Sweden has dropped to 25th in 2024. Martin notes the gravity of this decline: “We are actually falling down the rankings.”
This shift reflects the growing competitive pressure on Sweden, highlighting the need for urgent action to bolster AI initiatives. “It’s not just about technology; it’s about leadership and collaboration,” Martin remarks. He emphasizes that to reverse this trend, Sweden must intensify its AI investments and strategies, ensuring that the country does not lose its position as a global leader in AI innovation.
Bold Leadership: The Key to Embracing the AI Future
The challenge ahead is not solely technological, according to Martin. Bold leadership will play a pivotal role in Sweden’s success in AI. “Not least, the Swedish leadership culture and mentality that has served us very well for decades is perhaps not perfectly ideal for the new era,” he points out. As AI continues to reshape industries, it requires leaders who are willing to embrace change, experiment with new ideas, and adapt rapidly. AI’s potential is endless, but leaders must actively foster change within their organizations. As Martin says, “If you resist change, you will probably not stay competitive or have good progress”. Emphasizing that while AI technologies are ready for implementation, success hinges on leadership that supports and drives transformation.
Six Key Leadership Principles for AI Success
Martin highlights six principles for leaders to consider as they guide their organizations through the AI transition. These principles are focused on mindset, adaptation, and leadership strategies in navigating the AI transformation:
Identifying Leading Sectors and Opportunities for Acceleration
AI Sweden is closely monitoring the EU AI Act, which aims to regulate AI deployment in the EU. Martin acknowledges the need for regulation but stresses that it must be implemented carefully. “We need regulation, but the question is what regulation and how,” he explains. Over-regulation, particularly for smaller organizations, could stifle innovation. “This has already scared off some companies,” noting that some global tech companies have delayed launching their services in Europe.
Martin warns that Sweden must avoid over-interpreting regulations, as happened with GDPR. “If we over-interpret the regulation, like we did with GDPR, it could have negative effects.” He also hopes AI Sweden can help harmonize interpretations of the law at a Nordic level.
Nevertheless, the importance of establishing a clear regulatory framework for AI is undeniable, especially in light of Sweden’s role in the global AI landscape. “We have to find a balance,” Martin emphasizes.
AI Sweden’s Role in Shaping Sweden’s AI Future
AI Sweden plays a pivotal role in shaping Sweden’s AI landscape, focusing on applied research, AI adoption, and ecosystem building. “We have three key legs in the organization,” Martin highlights. The first is applied research, with a team of about 30 people focused on advancing AI applications. The second and fastest-growing area is AI adoption, which focuses on leadership, organizational competence, and fostering change—directly linked to the bold leadership needed to drive AI forward. The third leg is ecosystem development, where AI Sweden helps partners collaborate, share best practices, and create networks.
In its next phase, AI Sweden will focus more on sector-specific initiatives. While the organization has historically taken a horizontal approach, supporting AI adoption across all sectors, Martin emphasizes the shift to more targeted efforts. “We’re diving deeper into sectors like healthcare, municipalities, and energy,” he says. Additionally, AI Sweden aims to explore broader societal use cases, seeking to quantify the collective value of AI solutions that cannot be built by any single organization. “This is something we hope to start tackling by 2025,” Martin notes.
Looking ahead, AI Sweden is leading efforts to establish a Nordic-Baltic AI centre, further cementing its position as a key player in shaping the region’s AI future.
Collaboration: A Call to Action
In conclusion, Martin encourages organizations to embrace collaboration and connect with others to accelerate their AI progress. “Think about what your organization could and should do,” he advises. Pointing out networks such as the Netherlands AI Coalition and the Swedish Chamber of Commerce as valuable resources for companies seeking to deepen their AI engagement. By collaborating and learning from one another, Swedish organizations can strengthen the national AI ecosystem and continue to lead in AI innovation.
By Liv Månsson for Swedish Chamber Insights
