Sweden Lags in AI Adoption Despite National Strategy, Survey Finds

A recent global survey highlights Sweden's slow adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) compared to other countries, despite having a national AI strategy aimed at boosting competitiveness. According to the EY Global AI Sentiment Index 2026, which surveyed 18,000 individuals across 23 markets, Sweden is classified among the lagging markets in AI adoption alongside Finland, the UK, and Japan.

Only 32% of Swedes believe AI improves products and services, markedly lower than the global average of 42%. Additionally, 12% of the Swedish respondents see no benefits from AI, nearly twice the global figure, pointing to a significant skepticism. This hesitance extends to everyday use, with only 12% reporting use of AI agents compared to 16% globally. Furthermore, 60% of Swedes have not received any AI training in the last six months, exceeding the global average of 50%, and just 14% have undergone advanced AI training versus 23% worldwide.

Charlotta Kvarnström, a partner at EY, attributed Sweden's cautious stance not to deliberate resistance but rather to a lack of adequate educational initiatives on AI, contrasting Sweden’s rapid digital adoption in the 1990s during the PC revolution. Despite these challenges, Sweden’s national AI strategy, coupled with a transparent regulatory framework and a growing fossil-free infrastructure, offers a promising foundation to attract talent and investment in AI sectors. Kvarnström emphasized that these developments are ongoing and essential for Sweden’s competitive positioning in the emerging AI landscape.

The findings underline the need for intensified efforts in AI education and adoption to realize the potential of AI technology in Sweden. With the right investment in skills and regulatory clarity, Sweden could bridge the current gap and move towards becoming a leading AI nation in the future.