Why are you waiting with AI?

Sweden’s AI strategy calls for skills development

The strategy clearly highlights skills development as essential for competitiveness and welfare. We can't stop just wanting to use AI. We must understand it, lead it, and use it responsibly.

You know that the opportunities are massive. AI can make production more efficient, improve customer service, and create more efficient and new business models. Without sounding like a prophet of doom, AI may be the difference between the end for a business and remaining competitive. For others, it may mean more time for value-creating work in the company, time with family, or personal interests.

Why is your company not using more AI?

Barriers we need to take seriously

A report from Statistics Sweden (SCB) shows that many companies hesitate. The two main barriers are a lack of relevant skills and concerns about breaking rules related to data protection and privacy.

These are important signals.

A lack of skills is not only about technology. It is also about understanding what AI is useful for, how to choose the right use cases, and how to lead change. Without this understanding, initiatives often stop at a pilot stage.

At the same time, AI transformation requires new forms of leadership. Taking advantage of initiative, creativity, and problem solving across the company rarely works with a traditional top-down logic. We need leadership that provides direction while also allowing space for learning and shared responsibility in daily work.

Concerns about data protection are just as understandable. AI relies on data. If handled incorrectly, it can harm both trust and business value. This is why technical knowledge must be combined with legal and ethical awareness.

Sweden has recognised these signals in the national AI strategy, and the direction is clear. However, each company need to contribute and be responsible for its own transformation.

How to get going with AI

We see that those who succeed take small and structured steps. They begin by raising the shared level of knowledge so everyone gains a basic and common understanding of AI. They set aside time for learning during everyday work and create spaces for questions and shared learning. In those spaces, people feel safe to test ideas, share experiences, and adjust along the way.

Lifelong learning, which the AI strategy highlights, is something we at RISE care deeply about. We run several initiatives that support practical skills development in AI.

Through AI på jobbet and AI-steget, we help companies build a solid foundation in AI. The programmes combine theory, which creates a shared understanding, with hands-on testing of tools used in everyday work.

In RISE AI Partnerskap, we bring together companies and organisations that want to develop together. Participants share experiences, challenges, and solutions.

Right now we are also organising a AI-event in Kittelfjäll. It targets companies in Västerbotten that want to work practically with AI while also strengthening team-spirit in a shared mountain experience.

So, why are you waiting with AI? 

Do you recognise the skills gap that is slowing your use of AI? Read more about the initiatives above or get in touch with us. We would be happy to tell you more and/or tailor a solution that fits your organisation.