Denmark invests billions in digitalization strategy 

Denmark is now taking the lead in digitization. The proposed Danish digitization strategy covers seven areas that span the entire field of digitization. In total, almost DKK 800 million will be invested in 25 new initiatives (approximately DKK 1.2 billion).

The biggest initiative in the Danish strategy is the introduction of 'technology literacy' as a subject in schools. The aim is both to give pupils practical knowledge of digital tools and to strengthen their digital skills linked to the opportunities and challenges of technology. TechSverige believes that a common direction is needed for school digitization and in the report A tech agenda for Sweden, we highlight the need for a national digital skills boost among teachers and principals, that digital competence is introduced as a central knowledge area in teacher training and that digitization is consistently integrated into education and school activities to both strengthen and arouse the interest of students.   

AI is a separate area in the strategy. The Danish government is investing money in strategic work, starting with the development of a vision for the area. The Danes are also creating a so-called regulatory sandbox where companies and the public sector can get guidance on future AI regulation. In the meantime, expectations in Sweden are rising as to what the announced AI Commission will be tasked with. The Prime Minister has said that the government has "quietly begun the work of analyzing where Sweden can play a unique role in the development and application of AI". We hope that the Commission will live up to the Prime Minister's words about having a business perspective and no "mumbo jumbo".  

Another major area in the Danish strategy is linked to the green transition and making better use of the opportunities of digitization in infrastructures such as electricity, district heating, water and transport. TechSverige fully shares this view and in TechSverige's report Billion Reasons for 5G , the development of connected smart infrastructures is highlighted as a key area for the green transition and electrification of Sweden. In addition, the area is estimated to provide a positive annual increase in GDP of SEK 10 billion.  

The framework for digital development is increasingly determined by common EU rules for the digital single market. The Danish strategy therefore makes specific efforts to strengthen EU work in order, among other things, to influence future regulation. TechSverige considers that this is also an important part of a Swedish strategy. Sweden needs to take a greater role in Brussels to ensure rules of the game that enable us, as the export-dependent country we are, to become a successful technology nation in competition with Asia and the USA. 

Sweden needs to put in place a clearer and more future-oriented tech and digitalization policy soon. The scope of the Swedish strategy has not been communicated except that connectivity and digitization of public administration will be included. At the same time, the government has announced an AI commission, the Swedish eHealth Agency has been given a mission linked to a national digital infrastructure for healthcare, work has begun on a new strategy for information and cyber security, and so on.  

TechSweden's view is that concrete initiatives based on a coherent strategy are important in order for Sweden to be able to gather strength to continue to be a leader. Denmark has shown the way in some important areas for Sweden too.