AI Sweden brings in health data expert: "An important step in turning vision into reality"

Annemieke Ålenius, Head of Department at the Swedish eHealth Agency and senior advisor to its Director-General, is one of the country's leading experts on health data. She has experience as a special investigator for the Swedish Government regarding health data and is also an expert in the European Commission's eHealth group. Her deep expertise in health data and broad national and international networks will be key to creating the practical conditions required to accelerate the widespread adoption of AI.

Sweden is in a strong position

Annemieke Ålenius emphasises that Sweden is in a strong position to succeed with the implementation of AI, if a few key pieces are put in place.

“We need greater governance around how we structure and standardise data. We also need to increase public awareness and see less fear from leadership. If we get all this in place, then I believe Sweden could make very rapid progress,” says Annemieke Ålenius.

Building on the Healthcare Map

AI Sweden's work in the health sector began back in 2019. Initiatives such as Information-driven healthcare and the network of the Regional Reference Group, in which all 21 regions are represented, have laid the foundation for a broad national network. Earlier this year, AI Sweden also released the Healthcare Map (Vårdkartan), a comprehensive survey of AI initiatives within Swedish healthcare, which showed that while there is a great deal of activity in the regions, its distribution across the country is uneven. The Healthcare Map serves as a starting point for determining how AI Sweden, together with others, can support the regions to achieve wider dissemination of all the initiatives that are underway around the country.