Minimize risks and create full benefits with AI

AI is high on the agenda, at EU, national, political and media levels, and rightly so. AI is disruptive. It is a group of powerful technologies that can perform complex tasks that normally require human intelligence and judgment. Like all major technological advances, it has a broad impact on society, the labor market, academia and business. Today's debate illustrates the complex picture of hope and despair linked to AI.

It is worth remembering that AI is not new, but the result of many years of research and development. Already today, AI is being used successfully in many different application areas. In healthcare, AI can be as transformative as X-rays or Elekta's beam knife, to name other technological breakthroughs. In tech, AI is now a natural tool among many to streamline processes and solve problems that were previously impossible or required enormous resources.

However, powerful technologies require responsible use and that their power is channeled into the right areas. AI is already having a major impact on our society and is an important part of how we will meet the major challenges of the future in areas such as welfare, productivity, sustainability and climate. Used correctly, this tool can become a cornerstone of many of the solutions needed to achieve climate goals, for example, by enabling energy efficiency improvements.

That future AI needs some form of clear rules is not disputed. However, it is often said in the debate that AI is unregulated today. This is not true. AI is already subject to rules on product liability, GDPR, discrimination laws and liability rules. The EU is also currently developing new rules for AI. The aims include both creating incentives for investment in AI and ensuring that AI use is safe. It is important that these rules do not become too burdensome, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises, or unnecessarily hinder innovation and new smart solutions for the benefit of society and individuals. There is global competition around AI, and the EU must be able to assert itself while maintaining core values and rights.

We welcome the debate that is now taking place. Already in 2019, TechSverige, together with industry representatives and others, adopted an industry code for the responsible use of AI. We update the code continuously. As an industry, we see it as important to act wisely on these issues. Properly managed, the risks will be minimized and the great potential of AI can be put to good use.

The industry code is based on three principles

The industry code is available in Swedish and English on the TechSverige website.