AI Commission raises the bar for government
The AI Commission's report Roadmap for Sweden is a good foundation to stand on. There is breadth in the proposals, and important aspects and insights are added to AI policy. With 75 proposals, it is only for the government to get started - let the Commission's roadmap become the government's strategy.
AI development is moving very fast and Sweden is already behind. Now the government has been gifted with a to-do list from a heavy commission, an experienced chairman and solid work that has been carried out at a high pace. Don't ease up on the gas in Rosenbad!
The fact that the chairman of the AI Commission, Carl-Henric Svanberg, decided to bring forward the publication of the Commission's report with a roadmap has probably only increased expectations - but now the report has arrived. "There's a lot to take in and discuss, but overall this is good for AI in Sweden.
There has been no shortage of drama on the AI issue. Although developments have been going on for decades and TechSverige launched an industry code for AI already six years ago, the last few years have been intense. ChatGPT took the world by storm and showed the power of generative AI. The EU's AI regulation was influenced by the intense discussion on the societal impact of AI that followed. Now the regulation is in force and the consequences are starting to be felt. Of course, it was not a dream start for the EU rules that a world-leading company like Ericsson assessed that AI development will have to take place outside the EU, according to CEO Börje Ekholm (who also sits on the AI Commission!).
There is an urgent need
More and more AI solutions are emerging in everyday life, and although not everything will be right from the start, the government must follow developments closely and act at the same time. As the AI Commission states in its report: "A passive and reactive approach is, according to the AI Commission, the worst and most risky option." As if that weren't enough, the Commission talks about staffing levels, task forces and task forces to get a grip on and drive AI issues forward in the broad way described in the roadmap. We agree. We don't have time to wait for Minister Slottner's digitalization strategy.
The roadmap is a good strategy
The approach of a broad picture of the AI ecosystem in Sweden is similar to what TechSverige described in our reports earlier this year: Present and future of AI in Sweden and With AI as a means. It is a holistic approach that is absolutely necessary.
The roadmap takes a sufficiently strategic approach to the AI issue in Sweden for the government to interpret the almost overly clear signal from the Commission of "danger in delay". The government should start right away. The report also suggests much that is worth acting on.
Electric power for AI power
Electricity supply is a crucial issue for society as a whole. Here, the AI Commission contributes important perspectives, even if its proposals are not the most cutting-edge. However, AI, computing power and data centers cannot be ignored in the future electric power system. Planning and foresight are needed, and Sweden has good conditions. Make the most of them - AI power requires electrical power.
Thin on telecoms
The AI Commission also highlights the central importance of telecommunications networks for development. However, the proposals in this area are limited to studies and analyses linked primarily to EU regulation. It would have been desirable to have a clear focus on improving the investment climate in Sweden by creating clearer rules of the game without unhealthy competition from public actors, reduced sector-specific regulation and improved licensing processes.
Reboot for data centers
The report can also be a much-needed reboot for the issue of data centers and computing power where Sweden has fallen behind Nordic neighbors in both theory and practice. Therefore, it is welcome that the Commission writes about the fundamental importance of computing power for AI and believes that it should have the same status as other critical infrastructure, such as railways and electricity grids, while describing the extensive private investments that have been made in the industry. Cherish them.
Data is raw material for AI
The AI Commission raises several proposals that are fully in line with TechSweden's view on access to data. The Commission suggests that the government should review the rules that lock in public sector data that could create innovation and growth. It's not a day too soon - data is a raw material for true digitalization and AI.
Broadening the discussion on security
When it comes to security issues, the Commission discusses, among other things, digital sovereignty. It is somewhat unclear what this means in the eyes of the Commission. The proposal is also somewhat general - that it is something to be taken into account in essential activities. The discussion needs to be broadened here. AI and the international aspects of digitization also involve strengths that can contribute to increased security and freedom of action. The discussion will continue.
Too much research?
The proposal for funding for research on AI and security is welcome. However, the research elements are generally heavy in the report and will need closer scrutiny. There is talk of billions in investments. This is somewhat odd as, for example, no money is proposed to exempt public data from fees. This would cost a fraction of the investments targeted at universities and colleges. The sections on cutting-edge research predict collaboration with industry. This is welcome, but Sweden's strength will lie in the application of AI in business and society at large.
AI does not stop at borders
The international aspects are also addressed when the Commission highlights the dependence on international resources. This complicates the picture of digital sovereignty, to say the least. However, one conclusion is the same as TechSverige has drawn - the EU and other forums are now central and will require a strong commitment and presence from Sweden - something that the Commission also develops in a later section on leadership and governance. Sweden needs to strengthen its proactive work in Brussels to be able to play a prominent role in AI development in the EU.
Both excellence and breadth for skills
It is good that the AI Commission is discussing broad educational issues, both excellence and breadth must be present for us to succeed. In addition to the concrete proposals for lifelong learning, higher education and popular education, which are good, we hope that the discussion can also be broadened to highlight the debate we have had on the digitization of schools and digital literacy in schools. Without basic digital skills, including AI, throughout primary school, we will have a knowledge gap that is difficult to compensate for afterwards.
One proposal is also that the government should invite the social partners to discuss the consequences of AI. As an employers' organization, these are issues that emerged early on for TechSverige and will be there for the foreseeable future.
Innovation and regulatory burden
Innovation, entrepreneurship and venture capital get their own chapter - the financing of new companies is crucial for innovation. The Commission emphasizes that to safeguard Sweden's position, the general innovation policy needs to continue to focus on stable rules, limiting regulatory burdens and ensuring a well-functioning capital market.
The importance of the regulatory burden is given its own section. The reasoning there is fully in line with TechSweden's view - compliance costs must be reduced. However, the Commission's proposal stops at regulatory sandboxes. Good, but also think outside the box! The proposed AI task force should also be tasked with creating clarity, developing guidelines and providing advice for the business community as well.
Public sector must not become a drag
The public sector's use of AI is given a lot of space. There is reason to examine the proposals more closely. The interfaces with market actors and their role will be crucial. A regulatory review to facilitate the use of private service providers of AI in the public sector is of course welcome. However, we question a review of competition law to enable public authorities to more easily deliver digital services to other parts of the public sector. This is a worrying trend that would risk displacing the business sector and its innovative power. Without it, the public sector will fall hopelessly behind. We need to strengthen dialog and cooperation to make it work optimally.
Svanberg was quick, let's not wait for the government
The AI Commission's report concludes with a call for the government to translate the Commission's roadmap into a strategy by 2025. Here we must raise a warning finger. The government needs to take action now. Writing a strategy takes time. Many of the proposals in the Commission's report are ones the government can start working on immediately. A mature political leadership will find the forms and tools to realize what it wants to be implemented. A staff position, a task force under the prime minister and a task force for AI are new ideas that should be tried, but the key is to work on the issues.
Both Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Minister for Digitalization Erik Slottner have invested in the work of the AI Commission. The AI Commission has now raised the bar.
Half of the parliamentary term has passed. If the government's footprint in AI policy is to be more than paper products, a lot of work is now needed. It is urgent. International AI competition is fierce.
The chairman of the AI Commission, Carl-Henric Svanberg, was right when he said that "many people are waiting for us and our report". Don't let TechSweden's members, others in business and the public sector wait for the government instead.
Peter Kjäll
Business policy expert, TechSverige
Fredrik Sand
Business policy expert, TechSverige