Danica Kragic Jensfelt is AI Swede of the Year
- Sweden has many AI stars and as a country we need to be far ahead in development. One of the stars that shines the brightest in Sweden but also internationally is Danica Kragic Jensfelt, who is a very worthy winner of the AI Swede of the Year 2021. "For many years, Danica has been the spider in the web around the largest AI initiatives in Sweden and, through her unique personality and ability, has inspired, mobilized and led the Swedish AI development in both academia and industry," says Åsa Zetterberg, Director of TechSverige and chairman of the jury.
Danica Kragic Jensfelt is a professor at the Department of Computer Science and Communication at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), where she also heads the KTH Center for Autonomous Systems in Robotics. She is a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences and the Young Academy of Sweden. She also sits on the boards of the Wallenberg Foundations' owner companies FAM, SAAB and H&M.
The jury's motivation reads:
"With her world-leading research and many years of pioneering work, she shows the possibilities of the technology and puts Sweden on the international AI map. Her leadership, heavy board assignments and collaborations contribute to greater collaboration that drives urgent development in AI on a broad front. She is the researcher and expert who, with her work in the borderland between academia and industry, builds trust and who, with unique qualities and a colorful personality, attracts attention, makes visible and concretizes how technology can make our lives better for both the individual and for the development of society. The AI Swede of the Year is a true role model who, with his work, deep knowledge and passion for the human side of technological development, inspires, engages and contributes to real change."
This year's jury consisted of:
Anna Hörlén, AI Coordinator, City of Stockholm
Christian Guttmann, Global Head of Artificial Intelligence and Data, TietoEVRY
Daniel Akenine, National Head of Technology, Microsoft Sweden
Daniel Gillblad, Co-director, AI Sweden
Elena Fersman, Head of Global AI Accelerator, Ericsson
Fredrik Heintz, Assistant Professor, Linköping University and Chairman of the Swedish AI Society
Sarah Wamala Andersson, Professor of Health and Welfare Technology, Mälardalen University
Åsa Zetterberg, Director of TechSverige (Chair)
About AI Swede of the Year:
The AI Swede of the Year is an award presented by TechSverige, formerly IT&Telekomföretagen. The award goes to a person who has contributed to the development and visibility of Swedish AI. Read more about the award at aretsaisvensk.se