AI Policy – Sweden

The following description of AI policy in Sweden provides a snapshot summary of some previous and ongoing initiatives throughout the country. It is regularly updated as feasible, but it is not intended to be comprehensive. 

As of February 2020, there is also extensive information, data, and graphics about Swedish AI policy available at the OECD AI Policy Observatory.

In December 2017, the Swedish government commissioned Sweden’s innovation agency Vinnova to conduct a landscape of AI in the country. That report, “Artificial intelligence in Swedish business and society: Analysis of development and potential,” highlights AI capabilities and prioritizes several initiatives and opportunities for the country.

In May 2018 Sweden released their “National Approach for Artificial Intelligence,” (translated to English here,) a 12-page guiding document outlining the governments’ assessments of what is needed for the country to be at the forefront of AI development and use. The document highlights the government’s goals to develop standards and principles – while acknowledging existing national and international regulations and norms – for ethical, sustainable, and safe AI; to continue to improve digital infrastructure to leverage opportunities in AI; to increase access to data; and to play an active role in the EU’s digitization efforts.

The Swedish government has since carried out several efforts to help realize the strategy. For example, the government invested SEK 40 million in several universities for 2018 and 2019 to help train AI professionals. Sweden’s innovation agency Vinnova has also announced that it will be investing significantly in AI over the next ten years. Additionally, the Swedish Digitalization Minister Peter Eriksson launched an AI Arena in Gothenburg at the Lindholmen Science Park to enable collaboration and strengthen Swedish companies

The country additionally launched a national centre for applied AI research and innovation in February 2019 called AI Innovation of Sweden, which  provides resources, knowledge, data, and capabilities to support collaboration across industries and sectors.

Additional Links and Resources

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