Here are the finalists for AI Swede of the Year 2023

AI

It is now clear which five candidates are are finalists in the AI of the Year-Swedish 2023, an award presented by the industry and employer organization TechSweden and goes to the person who the jury feels has contributed most to the visibility and development of Swedish AI. The finalists are Carolina BrånbyMax Gordon, Mikael Kring, Magnus Sahlgren and Erika Sjödin.

- There is enormous potential in the use of AI to create value for individuals, business and society. Sweden has many shining stars and role models in the AI field who contribute to responsible and valuable AI development. We are proud to present the five finalists who, through their work and pioneering efforts, show the way towards what is possible and how AI can contribute," says Åsa Zetterberg.

The AI Swede of the Year is awarded by TechSverige and aims to promote efforts, commitment and work in AI that lead to moving Swedish AI forward. The jury consisted of members with expertise in digitalization and AI from business, academia and the public sector. 

 
Jury's motivations:

Carolina Brånby, Lawyer and Policy Officer Confederation of Swedish Enterprise
The EU is in the process of creating the world's first regulation of AI and there are no easy answers. In setting the balance between innovation, security and other interests, Carolina Brånby has been instrumental in reviewing, explaining and bringing together companies and organizations in Sweden to common positions and comments. She has contributed generously with her vast knowledge of regulations of both traditional AI and generative AI, and has been one of the central figures in Sweden when it comes to the new AI Act.

Max Gordon, Associate Professor and Chief Physician Danderyd Hospital
Max Gordon has embraced AI with great openness and enthusiasm to help people in healthcare. He has rolled up his sleeves and through research and diligent work introduced AI solutions to improve the assessment and treatment of patients with successful results. Work that enables patients to receive both faster and better care. He is an inspiration and an excellent example of a person who, based on his profession, has deepened his knowledge of AI to find the best solutions that create benefits.

Mikael Kring, Project Manager RISE
In his previous role as an IT educator at Årstaskolan and now at the Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE), Mikael Kring has worked hard to support students and teachers in using digital tools wisely in teaching. He has a unique ability to make AI accessible and meaningful to a wide audience. In a playful and inspiring way, he reaches out with practical support on how various AI solutions in, for example, video, audio, text and image can be used in school and education. His tireless curiosity and commitment have made AI more accessible and effective for many.

Erika Sjödin, innovation leader Bolagsverket
Erika Sjödin is innovation leader for Bolagsverket's AI hub. Through her development drive in utilizing the potential of AI, Erika shows how an authority can work successfully with this group of powerful technologies while pedagogically sharing experiences and new ways of working linked to AI.

Magnus Sahlgren, Head of NLU Research, AI Sweden
Magnus Sahlgren has with great knowledge, commitment, and enthusiasm helped put Sweden on the map around large language models. As a key person in the development of GPT-SW3, the first large language model for Nordic languages, he has helped lay the foundation for new applications of AI in Sweden and shown that we can be involved in the development of the next generation of AI models. With his great commitment, he spreads knowledge about how language models can be developed and used in industry, authorities and the public sector.

The winner will be announced later this fall.


The jury consisted of:
Daniel Akenine, National Chief Technology Officer, Microsoft Sweden
Aurore Belfrage, tech investor, geopolitical advisor and sustainability strategist
Louise Callenberg, CEO, Singula
Ather Gattami, researcher and entrepreneur, host of the AI Podcast
Daniel Gillblad, co-director, AI Sweden
Amy Loutfi, professor, Department of Science and Technology, Örebro University
Jeanette Nilsson, project manager, RISE
Åsa Zetterberg, director, TechSverige (chairman)

About the AI Swede of the Year:  
The AI Swede of the Year is an award presented by TechSverige. The award goes to a person who has contributed to the development and visibility of Swedish AI. This is the fourth year in a row that the prize is awarded and last year's winner was Jonas Tannerstad, head of electricity and automation at Örebrobostäder AB. Read more about the prize ataretsaisvensk.se.