A workshop, a factory and a bigger sandbox - is that all AI requires?
The government is moving forward with investments in AI in the budget. This is a good thing. There are several proposals for AI and data and SEK 479 million in 2026, with around SEK 500 million estimated per year for 2027-2030. This will be enough for a workshop, a factory and a reinforced sandbox, among other things.
The initiative will, for example, contribute to the foundation for a Swedish AI factory at Linköping University. This is welcome and it is good that the government emphasizes that it will help to strengthen the conditions for companies to develop AI solutions with the help of computing power and test environments. Speaking of AI factories, Sweden was about to lose this very opportunity when the decision on government co-financing for EU funding was delayed until just days before the decision. Many of us fought for this, which is why it is good that the budget now allocates money for co-financing so that European AI initiatives have a Swedish home. That clarity is needed.
The Privacy Shield Authority will develop its regulatory sandbox for AI services. Providing more opportunities for companies and municipalities to test AI solutions from a privacy perspective can help reduce compliance costs and encourage innovation. TechSverige has previously pointed out the importance of putting the opportunities for businesses at the center and what the EU AI Regulation means in practice. It's good that this is making an impact - in this initiative and in the government's stance on speeding up the implementation of the regulation. However, for such an important issue for business competitiveness, the budget for this is anemic compared to other initiatives.
The proposal for the sandbox is also linked to the assignment given to the Swedish Social Insurance Agency and the Swedish Tax Agency to create an AI workshop, something that TechSverige commented on recently. If done right, an AI workshop would make it easier for more public organizations to embrace AI development. But there is clearly a risk of end goal creep and unhealthy competition. Clear boundaries are needed and private providers must come first when developing AI solutions.
It is good that the government is continuing its efforts to make more data from the public administration available. The focus here must be on ensuring that data in electronic format is easily accessible with low or no fees. Reviewing the rules and fees that apply to individual registers and databases may be more important than generally organizing the work on data in public administration - although it is not unimportant. Data is useful when it is used. It is excellent that the government is taking this work forward.
At budget time, it is of course important to look at both what the government wants to spend and how much. But as is often the case, the government often has several important roles. Wallenberg Investments is starting the company Sferical AI, which will develop advanced AI infrastructure for Swedish companies. The company is being started together with four Wallenberg-owned companies and is an investment of "several hundred million kronor". We need more investments like this in Sweden. The Sferical AI initiative also signals what companies need and it would therefore be wise to look at how the government's investments can strengthen such initiatives for the greatest benefit.
The government's budget proposals on AI are very welcome and a good start. Much more will probably be needed.
Peter Kjäll, Industry Policy Expert
Fredrik Sand, Industry Policy Expert