Generative AI - Implications for Swedish and German Applied Research & Businesses

Swedish German AI Colloquium, 28.04.2023

Generative AI has arrived – and it is here to stay!

Generative AI has boomed in the past few months. The rapidly advancing technology is seen by many as a game changer in various fields and industries, thereby changing job profiles and the way we interact with technology in general. The latest edition of the Swedish German AI colloquium showcased several applied research results and put the spotlight on the numerous challenges that researchers, companies, and businesses are facing when it comes to implementing and utilizing generative AI for optimization and value creation. Representatives from AI Sweden, Speech and Language Technology Lab Berlin of DFKI , German AI Association as well as distinguished speakers from research projects at Fraunhofer IAIS and Halmstad University shared their latest work and initiatives with an international audience. Sandwiched between talks, participants of the colloquium engaged in an interactive breakout session and jointly explored the relevance and challenges of generative AI for applied research and businesses, with special focus on Swedish and German projects and industries.

We have to talk to our stakeholders about the impact that Large Language Models will have on our economy. - Daniel Abbou, German AI Association

Unparalleled competitive advantages to those who embrace and master the potential of generative AI

Participants of the colloquium agreed that the advances in generative AI certainly force humans to rethink their relationship with technology. While each project is dealing with different aspects of large models the various speakers stressed the importance of bilateral European cooperation and initiative to harness the immense potential and disruptive power of generative AI. As the sophistication of AI-powered tools continues to advance, it is imperative to not only regulate the imminent dangers posed by generative AI but to embrace the technology as catalyst for human ingenuity. Europe needs to catch up and not leave the field to American and Chinese big tech – otherwise we will be restricted in consumer roles, without decision-making power over the crucial technologies that will shape our society.

More information on AI in Germany and Sweden

AI Sweden is the Swedish national center for applied artificial intelligence (AI), supported by Vinnova, Sweden’s innovation agency, and partners from both private and public sector as well as academia. AI Sweden accelerates the use of AI in Sweden by investing together and sharing with many. As a result of this strategy, partners can leverage the contributions of others to accelerate their own work.
RISE is Sweden's research institute and innovation partner. They work closely with Swedish industry and the public sector on new solutions to ensure competitiveness and a sustainable future. Within AI, RISE has over 100 ongoing projects that explore the value-creating potential of AI in a wide range of domains. RISE Center for Applied AI spearheads these efforts, driving cutting-edge AI research, and exploring innovative applications in collaboration between AI and domain expertise.
The AI Innovation Competition funded by the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) currently includes multiple projects with partners, which develop innovative approaches for AI-based platform economies. The aim is to drive forward the application of artificial intelligence in all relevant areas of the economy, focusing on the requirements and opportunities of the numerous small and medium-sized enterprises in Germany. The BMWK thereby contributes to the fast implementation of the national AI strategy with the aim of establishing Germany as a leading player for the development and application of AI technologies.