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Gathering power for AI in municipalities and civil society

The Riksdag has decided that Sweden should be the best in the world at using the possibilities of digitization. In the digital journey of change that the whole society is now undergoing, artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most transformative technologies. We consider this to be an opportunity for municipalities and civil society that deserves special focus.

This web page has been machine translated. If there are any uncertainties, please refer to the Swedish text.

Welfare's challenges pose eligibility requirements for radical innovation in terms of the design of future public services and how they are produced. Used in the right way, digitization offers opportunities to create an efficient and innovative welfare system that meets the needs of citizens.

Digitization in welfare has been going on for decades, where AI is a new technological element. New technology creates additional needs for competence and abilities in welfare organizations. Expectations for the public sector to be able to deliver even better and more efficient welfare, with the societal challenges that Sweden faces, are high.

DIGG has calculated that a complete introduction of today's AI technology in public administration could mean a financial benefit for society of SEK 140 billion annually.The municipalities are responsible for most of the welfare, but civil society is also an important player in the work to develop it. The possibility of new values, increased quality and efficiency for better welfare and social benefit with the help of AI can be found in all areas related to municipal activities: from care, care and school to public transport, administration and urban planning.

Civil society organizations also have great opportunities to take on new challenges with the help of AI and conduct more efficient and (legally) secure activities. They have good opportunities to become a trusted and innovative player in the collection and use of data based on, at their core, high trust capital among citizens. The issue of AI is brought up to date within civil society, among other things, through sector-wide strategy work in the years 20/21. (NEW).

One of their conclusions is that:

Civil society has good opportunities to develop and create great value for themselves and for all residents of Sweden by using AI and the possibilities of digitization.

Based on the needs and opportunities described above, it is central that municipalities and civil society organizations strengthen their capacity and ability for innovation and insightful priorities in the AI area. It is only when the whole of Sweden can advance its positions in digital development that the whole of society can take part in the greatest benefits.

Both DIGG, Statistiska centralbyrån and SKR note that there are several challenges to realizing the benefits of AI. In order to successfully drive development forward, everything from knowledge support and change management to technical resources is needed. There is also a need for more widespread collaboration and more of a common direction where important questions and needs related to AI can be solved jointly.

Based on the above, Vinnova has decided to implement a multi-year effort with the goal of stimulating and strengthening the capacity and ability of municipalities and civil society to take advantage of the opportunities with artificial intelligence. We call it Gathering Power for AI in municipalities and civil society and it is carried out in collaboration with AI Sweden.

The force collection is a complement to other efforts by the government and other authorities aimed at the public sector and civil society and takes place in collaboration with DIGG (The Agency for Digital Administration), MUFC (The Agency for Youth and Civil Society Affairs) and SKR (Sveriges Kommuner and Regions).

Gathering power for AI in municipalities and civil society - the example of Strängnäs municipality

- Choose a meaningful trip. Then you will be able to complete it. For us it was a report of concern. (Frédéric Rambaud, digitization strategist Strängnäs municipality) - Being curious about AI and daring to be courageous leaders. You go out even if you don't really have the answers. (Frida Fallström business developer Strängnäs municipality)

Så här går det till

  • Welfare's challenges pose eligibility requirements for radical innovation in terms of the design of future public services and how they are produced. Used in the right way, digitization offers opportunities to create an efficient and innovative welfare system that meets the needs of citizens.

    Digitization in welfare has been going on for decades, where AI is a new technological element. New technology creates additional needs for competence and abilities in welfare organizations. Expectations for the public sector to be able to deliver even better and more efficient welfare, with the societal challenges that Sweden faces, are high.

    DIGG has calculated that a complete introduction of today's AI technology in public administration could mean a financial benefit for society of SEK 140 billion annually.The municipalities are responsible for most of the welfare, but civil society is also an important player in the work to develop it. The possibility of new values, increased quality and efficiency for better welfare and social benefit with the help of AI can be found in all areas related to municipal activities: from care, care and school to public transport, administration and urban planning.

    Civil society organizations also have great opportunities to take on new challenges with the help of AI and conduct more efficient and (legally) secure activities. They have good opportunities to become a trusted and innovative player in the collection and use of data based on, at their core, high trust capital among citizens. The issue of AI is brought up to date within civil society, among other things, through sector-wide strategy work in the years 20/21. (NEW).

    One of their conclusions is that:

    Civil society has good opportunities to develop and create great value for themselves and for all residents of Sweden by using AI and the possibilities of digitization.

    Based on the needs and opportunities described above, it is central that municipalities and civil society organizations strengthen their capacity and ability for innovation and insightful priorities in the AI area. It is only when the whole of Sweden can advance its positions in digital development that the whole of society can take part in the greatest benefits.

    Both DIGG, Statistiska centralbyrån and SKR note that there are several challenges to realizing the benefits of AI. In order to successfully drive development forward, everything from knowledge support and change management to technical resources is needed. There is also a need for more widespread collaboration and more of a common direction where important questions and needs related to AI can be solved together.

    Based on the above, Vinnova has decided to implement a four-year effort with the goal of stimulating and strengthening the capacity and ability of municipalities and civil society to take advantage of the opportunities with artificial intelligence. We call it Gathering Power for AI in municipalities and civil society and it is carried out in collaboration with AI Sweden.

    The force collection is a complement to other efforts by the government and other authorities aimed at the public sector and civil society and takes place in collaboration with DIGG (The Agency for Digital Administration), MUFC (The Agency for Youth and Civil Society Affairs) and SKR (Sveriges Kommuner and Regions).

  • The power assembly consists of tools, support. Within the framework of the investment, AI Sweden will support municipalities and organizations in civil society in a number of different ways in the practical implementation for at least four years. Vinnova contributes with project financing. The force collection is divided into 6 action areas.

    1. Mobilization
      A broad mobilization takes place where the target group is invited for learning, collaboration and help in getting started.
    2. Arena for collaboration
      A central part consists of creating a platform and a forum for collaboration and exchange of experience within the target group. AI Sweden continuously informs about activities and provides the collaboration platform my.ai.se.
    3. Structural capital
      Through its expertise and interaction with the target group, AI Sweden is gradually building up a portfolio of valuable tools that everyone can use to get ahead. It is, for example, about documentation of experiences, guides, methodology, use cases, etc
    4. Funding
      During the gathering of forces, Vinnova offers four calls for proposals where the target group and involved companies can seek financial support for their project. More information can be found below.
    5. Support for project
      AI Sweden will support the project that Vinnova finances. They will also facilitate cooperation and that important experiences from these project are made available to the entire target group.
    6. National coordination
      AI Sweden and SKR run an AI council for Sweden's municipalities where common needs and opportunities are identified, prioritized and actively driven forward. One of Vinnova's calls for proposals supports broad collaborative projects for building joint capabilities.

    On AI Sweden's website and their other channels, you can get more information about what is concretely offered as it is built up.

    In order for the work to have the greatest imaginable effect, it is valuable that as many municipalities and actors from civil society as possible get involved in the gathering of forces. The decisive factor is not whether you use AI today, the decisive factor is whether you are curious about how the business can utilize a completely new toolbox.

  • Funding opportunities from Vinnova also create conditions for putting ideas into practice. During three periods, it will be possible to apply for funds for concrete development projects, and in addition there will be a call for proposals tailored to produce shareable resources and solutions.

    Vinnova's planned calls for proposals within the framework of the venture

    • Start your AI journey: For organizational learning and practical use of artificial intelligence. One-year pilot projects are financed through two identical calls for proposals which are open May - September 2022 and 2023 respectively.
    • Scaling up of AI solutions with municipalities and civil society. Financial support for early adopter AI solutions that have potential to scale widely within the target audience. The call for proposals is open from March 2023 and closes in May 2023.
    • Gemensamma AI-förmågor in municipalities and civil society. Financial support for collaborative projects where several municipalities and/or civil society organizations come together to jointly build increased AI capabilities. The call for proposals is advertised from June 2023, is open from 1 November 2023 and closes on 3 April 2024.

  • The collection of forces lasts for at least four years and has four basic objective. It is best seen as a broad set of different efforts and values that the target group can adopt according to their own needs and interests. The pool of power must be valuable to all organizations regardless of AI maturity, size and available resources.

    1. Increasing AI maturity of the target audience

    The collection of forces should support the target group's maturation journey from interest and initial learning to a higher maturity based on practical experience, work with technical infrastructure and data and organizational ability.

    2. Active cooperation and coordination

    The target group must be given the opportunity for forums and tools for collaboration and concrete collaboration. The gathering of forces must also enable improved regional and national coordination around issues and needs of strategic importance for the target group so that common priorities can be set and implemented.

    3. Building up and making structural capital available

    AI Sweden must, in collaboration with the target group and supporting actors, work to ensure that the experience, knowledge and other values that are created are converted into structural capital that is made available to the entire target group in the form of articles, guides, policy proposals, use cases, tools, etc.

    4. Synergies with the entire AI ecosystem

    The gathering of forces must create the conditions for the target group's work with AI to take place in the best possible synergy with the entire AI ecosystem and the rest of society - from industry and startups to academia, authorities and regions.

  • Kraftsamlingen is a collaboration between Vinnova and AI Sweden. Vinnova is responsible for calls for proposals and project financing, while AI Sweden runs the actual assembly and its communication.

    The investment takes place in collaboration with DIGG (The Agency for Digital Administration), MUFC (The Agency for Youth and Civil Society Affairs) and SKR (Sveriges Kommuner and Regions). The power gathering is coordinated by a reference group in which all five organizations are included.

    • Fredrik Weisner is responsible for the power collection at Vinnova.
    • Rebecka Lönnroth is the AI Swedens programme manager.

  • There are many ways to take part in and get involved in the gathering of forces, regardless of which organization you belong to or what role you have. We look forward to an increasing number of organizations contributing knowledge and activities to the pool of forces.

    The best way to gain visibility is by visiting the AI Swedens website for the venture and following them via newsletter and on linked in. AI Sweden has a mobilizing and coordinating role and will increasingly make available information and advertise initiatives in the coming months.

    You can also benefit from joining the AI Swedens online service My AI. My AI is a community for sharing and collaborating on use cases and domain knowledge in AI. A growing number of municipalities and civil society organizations have joined and are sharing what they are doing, what they can do and what they want to do. It is an excellent platform for finding inspiration, activities and collaboration partners.

    Vinnova will announce the calls for proposals in good time on Vinnova.se and we will organize information meetings in connection with them.

  • Here we list funded project within the investment.

Gathering power for AI in municipalities and civil society - the example of Strängnäs municipality

- Choose a meaningful trip. Then you will be able to complete it. For us it was a report of concern. (Frédéric Rambaud, digitization strategist Strängnäs municipality) - Being curious about AI and daring to be courageous leaders. You go out even if you don't really have the answers. (Frida Fallström business developer Strängnäs municipality)

News

Support for AI in municipalities and civil society

Page

Fredrik Weisner: We could make AI our thing

Funding

Gemensamma AI-förmågor in municipalities and civil society

Så här går det till

  • Welfare's challenges pose eligibility requirements for radical innovation in terms of the design of future public services and how they are produced. Used in the right way, digitization offers opportunities to create an efficient and innovative welfare system that meets the needs of citizens.

    Digitization in welfare has been going on for decades, where AI is a new technological element. New technology creates additional needs for competence and abilities in welfare organizations. Expectations for the public sector to be able to deliver even better and more efficient welfare, with the societal challenges that Sweden faces, are high.

    DIGG has calculated that a complete introduction of today's AI technology in public administration could mean a financial benefit for society of SEK 140 billion annually.The municipalities are responsible for most of the welfare, but civil society is also an important player in the work to develop it. The possibility of new values, increased quality and efficiency for better welfare and social benefit with the help of AI can be found in all areas related to municipal activities: from care, care and school to public transport, administration and urban planning.

    Civil society organizations also have great opportunities to take on new challenges with the help of AI and conduct more efficient and (legally) secure activities. They have good opportunities to become a trusted and innovative player in the collection and use of data based on, at their core, high trust capital among citizens. The issue of AI is brought up to date within civil society, among other things, through sector-wide strategy work in the years 20/21. (NEW).

    One of their conclusions is that:

    Civil society has good opportunities to develop and create great value for themselves and for all residents of Sweden by using AI and the possibilities of digitization.

    Based on the needs and opportunities described above, it is central that municipalities and civil society organizations strengthen their capacity and ability for innovation and insightful priorities in the AI area. It is only when the whole of Sweden can advance its positions in digital development that the whole of society can take part in the greatest benefits.

    Both DIGG, Statistiska centralbyrån and SKR note that there are several challenges to realizing the benefits of AI. In order to successfully drive development forward, everything from knowledge support and change management to technical resources is needed. There is also a need for more widespread collaboration and more of a common direction where important questions and needs related to AI can be solved together.

    Based on the above, Vinnova has decided to implement a four-year effort with the goal of stimulating and strengthening the capacity and ability of municipalities and civil society to take advantage of the opportunities with artificial intelligence. We call it Gathering Power for AI in municipalities and civil society and it is carried out in collaboration with AI Sweden.

    The force collection is a complement to other efforts by the government and other authorities aimed at the public sector and civil society and takes place in collaboration with DIGG (The Agency for Digital Administration), MUFC (The Agency for Youth and Civil Society Affairs) and SKR (Sveriges Kommuner and Regions).

  • The power assembly consists of tools, support. Within the framework of the investment, AI Sweden will support municipalities and organizations in civil society in a number of different ways in the practical implementation for at least four years. Vinnova contributes with project financing. The force collection is divided into 6 action areas.

    1. Mobilization
      A broad mobilization takes place where the target group is invited for learning, collaboration and help in getting started.
    2. Arena for collaboration
      A central part consists of creating a platform and a forum for collaboration and exchange of experience within the target group. AI Sweden continuously informs about activities and provides the collaboration platform my.ai.se.
    3. Structural capital
      Through its expertise and interaction with the target group, AI Sweden is gradually building up a portfolio of valuable tools that everyone can use to get ahead. It is, for example, about documentation of experiences, guides, methodology, use cases, etc
    4. Funding
      During the gathering of forces, Vinnova offers four calls for proposals where the target group and involved companies can seek financial support for their project. More information can be found below.
    5. Support for project
      AI Sweden will support the project that Vinnova finances. They will also facilitate cooperation and that important experiences from these project are made available to the entire target group.
    6. National coordination
      AI Sweden and SKR run an AI council for Sweden's municipalities where common needs and opportunities are identified, prioritized and actively driven forward. One of Vinnova's calls for proposals supports broad collaborative projects for building joint capabilities.

    On AI Sweden's website and their other channels, you can get more information about what is concretely offered as it is built up.

    In order for the work to have the greatest imaginable effect, it is valuable that as many municipalities and actors from civil society as possible get involved in the gathering of forces. The decisive factor is not whether you use AI today, the decisive factor is whether you are curious about how the business can utilize a completely new toolbox.

  • Funding opportunities from Vinnova also create conditions for putting ideas into practice. During three periods, it will be possible to apply for funds for concrete development projects, and in addition there will be a call for proposals tailored to produce shareable resources and solutions.

    Vinnova's planned calls for proposals within the framework of the venture

    • Start your AI journey: For organizational learning and practical use of artificial intelligence. One-year pilot projects are financed through two identical calls for proposals which are open May - September 2022 and 2023 respectively.
    • Scaling up of AI solutions with municipalities and civil society. Financial support for early adopter AI solutions that have potential to scale widely within the target audience. The call for proposals is open from March 2023 and closes in May 2023.
    • Gemensamma AI-förmågor in municipalities and civil society. Financial support for collaborative projects where several municipalities and/or civil society organizations come together to jointly build increased AI capabilities. The call for proposals is advertised from June 2023, is open from 1 November 2023 and closes on 3 April 2024.

  • The collection of forces lasts for at least four years and has four basic objective. It is best seen as a broad set of different efforts and values that the target group can adopt according to their own needs and interests. The pool of power must be valuable to all organizations regardless of AI maturity, size and available resources.

    1. Increasing AI maturity of the target audience

    The collection of forces should support the target group's maturation journey from interest and initial learning to a higher maturity based on practical experience, work with technical infrastructure and data and organizational ability.

    2. Active cooperation and coordination

    The target group must be given the opportunity for forums and tools for collaboration and concrete collaboration. The gathering of forces must also enable improved regional and national coordination around issues and needs of strategic importance for the target group so that common priorities can be set and implemented.

    3. Building up and making structural capital available

    AI Sweden must, in collaboration with the target group and supporting actors, work to ensure that the experience, knowledge and other values that are created are converted into structural capital that is made available to the entire target group in the form of articles, guides, policy proposals, use cases, tools, etc.

    4. Synergies with the entire AI ecosystem

    The gathering of forces must create the conditions for the target group's work with AI to take place in the best possible synergy with the entire AI ecosystem and the rest of society - from industry and startups to academia, authorities and regions.

  • Kraftsamlingen is a collaboration between Vinnova and AI Sweden. Vinnova is responsible for calls for proposals and project financing, while AI Sweden runs the actual assembly and its communication.

    The investment takes place in collaboration with DIGG (The Agency for Digital Administration), MUFC (The Agency for Youth and Civil Society Affairs) and SKR (Sveriges Kommuner and Regions). The power gathering is coordinated by a reference group in which all five organizations are included.

    • Fredrik Weisner is responsible for the power collection at Vinnova.
    • Rebecka Lönnroth is the AI Swedens programme manager.

  • There are many ways to take part in and get involved in the gathering of forces, regardless of which organization you belong to or what role you have. We look forward to an increasing number of organizations contributing knowledge and activities to the pool of forces.

    The best way to gain visibility is by visiting the AI Swedens website for the venture and following them via newsletter and on linked in. AI Sweden has a mobilizing and coordinating role and will increasingly make available information and advertise initiatives in the coming months.

    You can also benefit from joining the AI Swedens online service My AI. My AI is a community for sharing and collaborating on use cases and domain knowledge in AI. A growing number of municipalities and civil society organizations have joined and are sharing what they are doing, what they can do and what they want to do. It is an excellent platform for finding inspiration, activities and collaboration partners.

    Vinnova will announce the calls for proposals in good time on Vinnova.se and we will organize information meetings in connection with them.

  • Here we list funded project within the investment.

News

Support for AI in municipalities and civil society

Page

Fredrik Weisner: We could make AI our thing

Funding

Gemensamma AI-förmågor in municipalities and civil society

Questions?

Fredrik Weisner

Operations manager for the power collection

+46 8 473 31 80

Last updated 21 September 2023