In May 2018, Sweden issued its National Approach to Artificial Intelligence, aiming to make the country a leader in harnessing AI opportunities to strengthen welfare and competitiveness. The strategy emphasises sustainable AI that is ethical, safe, secure, reliable, and transparent. It focuses on education and training, research, innovation, and framework and infrastructure development.
Sweden's AI strategy is part of broader digital transformation initiatives, including the Digital Agenda and collaboration with other Nordic-Baltic countries. The country aims to develop rules, standards, norms, and ethical principles to guide AI development and use, while also promoting international cooperation.
Sweden has played an active role in shaping European AI policy, particularly during its Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2023. The country has endorsed various international AI principles and frameworks, including the OECD AI Principles, the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI, and participated in the development of the EU AI Act.
Sweden is also a member of the Global Partnership on AI and has contributed to regional initiatives such as the Nordic-Baltic cooperation on digitalisation and AI. The country has stressed the importance of human-centric and trustworthy AI as a competitive advantage.
As an EU member state, Sweden is subject to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and has implemented additional national legislation to supplement it. The Swedish Authority for Privacy Protection (IMY) is the main national supervisory authority for AI-related issues.
The IMY has taken action in several high-profile cases involving AI and data protection, including fining a school for unlawful use of facial recognition technology and investigating the police's use of Clearview AI. However, concerns have been raised about the need for stronger oversight and regulation of AI systems, particularly in public administration.
Sweden has taken steps to promote algorithmic transparency, both through its data protection framework and specific initiatives. The country has launched projects to increase public administration's ability to make open data available and conduct open and data-driven innovation.
However, controversies such as the Trelleborg case, where a municipality implemented fully automated decision-making for social benefits, have highlighted the need for greater transparency and accountability in AI systems used by public authorities.
Sweden maintains a high score for political rights and civil liberties according to international assessments. The country's approach to AI governance centres ethical considerations and human rights protection, as reflected in its national strategy and international commitments.
However, concerns have been raised about the potential impact of AI on discrimination and the need for stronger legal protections. The Equality Ombudsman has warned that current anti-discrimination laws may not be sufficient to address the challenges posed by AI and algorithmic decision-making.
While Sweden has made significant progress in developing its AI strategy and promoting ethical AI, challenges remain. These include ensuring effective oversight of AI systems, particularly in public administration, addressing potential discrimination and bias in AI algorithms, and balancing innovation with privacy and human rights protections.
The country's position on AI regulation, favoring a more flexible approach over strict rules, has raised some concerns about its commitment to implementing strong safeguards. As Sweden prepares to implement the EU AI Act, it will need to establish robust national supervisory mechanisms to ensure AI systems comply with human rights standards and ethical principles.
This country report is our interpretation and summary of the "CAIDP Artificial Intelligence & Democratic Values Index 2023". The full report can be found here - https://www.caidp.org/reports/aidv-2023/