Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the world — and Sweden risks being left behind. The Swedish AI Commission, chaired by Carl-Henric Svanberg, has presented its report A Roadmap for Sweden to the government. The report outlines 75 concrete proposals aimed at strengthening Sweden’s global competitiveness in AI, emphasizing an urgent need for political leadership and strategic investment.
The Commission stresses that AI now affects every part of society and calls for centralized national coordination. One key recommendation is to establish an AI task force reporting directly to the Prime Minister, empowered to accelerate decision-making and implementation. Such governance, it argues, is essential to ensure AI is integrated into society in a responsible and sustainable way.
Education and skills development take center stage. The report calls for a comprehensive national initiative to boost AI literacy — including public education, teacher training, and programs that prepare the workforce for technological transformation. Building strong competence across sectors is described as critical for Sweden’s long-term success.
For the public sector, the Commission proposes creating a shared AI infrastructure, referred to as an “AI Workshop,” led by the Swedish Tax Agency and the Social Insurance Agency. The aim is to foster smarter, more efficient public services through stronger collaboration between academia, industry, and government — supported by investments in cutting-edge research and high-performance computing.
A significant focus is also placed on data security and responsible use of information. To leverage Sweden’s valuable data assets, the report suggests introducing fair compensation models for rights holders and establishing a National Institute for AI Safety to manage technological risks and challenges.
To stimulate innovation, the Commission proposes subsidized access to advanced computing power, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises. This, it argues, is key to driving innovation and strengthening Sweden’s global competitiveness.
The proposed initiatives would require around SEK 2.5 billion annually over the first five years — a major commitment, but according to the Commission, one that is crucial if Sweden is to keep pace with global AI development.
