Vinnova will identify strategically important technologies

The government notes that strategically important technology is increasingly at the center of global geopolitical competition, which also has foreign and security policy dimensions.

- What is at stake is who will set the standards of the future and shape the markets and who will have to adapt. Sweden must dare to choose and prioritize in order to achieve excellence, says Minister of Energy and Industry Ebba Busch in a press release.

Vinnova must, in collaboration with the business community and other relevant actors, identify areas to jointly focus on. The work will be based on the EU's initiative to support European industry and increase investment in important technologies in Europe.

Vinnova, in its input to the upcoming research and innovation bill, has also proposed that a technology and innovation strategy be developed in order to make the right investments in the coming decade.

- It is positive that we get this assignment. Technology development is extremely fast and Sweden's investments and positioning in the coming years in critical technology areas will be decisive for future Swedish competitiveness, adaptability and safety, says Ylva Strander at Vinnova, who will lead the work on the assignment.

-Several other countries such as the USA, the Netherlands and the UK have already developed technology strategies that are followed by ambitious investments. It is important that we also think long-term and strategically about these issues. Sweden is good at technology and innovation, but we can't be the best at everything, we need to prioritize and choose where we invest, she says.

It is not yet possible to say which technologies will be identified, but cutting-edge technologies such as biotechnology, quantum technology, advanced materials and general AI are examples of areas that are often highlighted as important for the future.

Vinnova will have dialogues with relevant actors regarding the assignment, including in the form of a survey that will be sent out in the near future.

The assignment must be reported to the government on 31 October. Which investments may then become relevant after Vinnova has delivered the documentation will be a matter for the government to decide on.