Under construction - an AI policy 

It has now been more than two years since Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced that the government would set up an AI commission. How far have we come? It could go even faster and there are risks ahead - but it is clear that an AI policy is under construction. 

First, let's note that it is gratifying that Sweden has a prime minister who is committed to the AI issue. So much so that he is criticized when he talks about how he uses the technology in his office. "Many of us are trying to find ways and opportunities to use AI in our work. It's probably best to get on with it. 

The AI Commission has submitted its proposals and some decisions have also been taken by the government. This is welcome. Among other things, the government has followed up with investments in research, developed guidelines for the use of generative AI in the public sector, and acted to make it easier to share data. Seriously, however, the strategy itself is now expected just over six months before the next election. So, no meaningful action will be taken by the government under the strategy during this term. Unfortunately, this is also true for the recently presented digitalization strategy, unless something dramatic happens in the autumn budget. We are keeping our fingers crossed. 

The AI strategy will be developed by the newly established AI Secretariat at the Ministry of Finance. One of its tasks is the laudable ambition to speed up the public sector, which the government acknowledges is too slow. According to the government, in many cases there is simply a lack of "technical infrastructure, data maturity and skills" to develop AI solutions. Perhaps not so surprising and, to a large extent, this is also how it should be. From TechSverige, we of course prefer that the authorities take the help of private companies when developing AI solutions.  

The government has also moved forward with the proposal to start an AI workshop. The Swedish Social Insurance Agency and the Swedish Tax Agency have been commissioned to analyse the technical, legal and organizational prerequisites for a joint AI workshop for public administration and SEK 30 million for the assignment. It should be ready early next year. TechSverige's dialog with the authorities is already underway. 

TechSverige has so far not been against the proposals for a public sector AI workshop with an AI task force. However, we have had very important reservations. Some examples are: that the work must be focused so that private suppliers come first, clear boundaries are needed to avoid end-goal drift and unhealthy competition. Changes are also needed to make it easier to use AI in general. The fact that the Swedish Social Insurance Agency and the Swedish Tax Agency are now referred to as supplier authorities is an unfortunate choice. This could be interpreted as the authorities starting to act as market participants instead of purchasers and demanders.  

Concerns and uncertainty are now growing around AI in the public sector. Good AI companies and suppliers to the public sector are already prepared to deliver more AI solutions. Now there is uncertainty. How will the AI workshop be organized? What will the new relationship between companies and public authorities look like? What will happen in the next parliamentary term?  

There must now be clear and strong signals that AI development should be market-led and that public actors should not engage in extensive proprietary development. The fact that both the AI strategy and the AI workshop are many months away poses a risk. Many authorities and municipalities will wait for the strategy and the workshop. Then not much will get done.  

Overall, we are now seeing how an AI policy is actually taking shape and that is positive. However, it is late in the mandate period. Will this government's legacy be that it mostly made speeches and wrote about AI? We have seen evidence to the contrary. Commitment at the highest level and a number of sharp assignments. If the image of the government's work on AI is to change, it will probably have to shift into a much higher gear in the coming months.  

The budget bill is an excellent opportunity to show whether it is just talk or action in Swedish AI policy. 

Fredrik Sand
Business policy expert, TechSverige