AI Sweden gathers unions and employer organizations in new national council on AI's impact on the labor market

Artificial intelligence is already changing job content, skills requirements, and working conditions in many sectors. For Sweden to leverage the opportunities of AI while managing risks such as skills gaps, proactive and coordinated action is required. The Labor Market AI Council has been created to build shared knowledge and formulate insights and recommendations aimed at both social partners (unions and employers) and policymakers.

From analysis to action

The council's work will follow a clear annual cycle of four roundtable discussions per year, where the social partners will meet with AI experts and researchers. Each meeting will result in an insight report, and the year's work will be compiled into a major report launched at a public event to foster broad dialogue and create a foundation for action.

Broad participation to ensure strong support

The council includes broad representation from the social partners, ensuring it is well-anchored within the public sector, the service sector, and civil society organizations. Participants include Akavia, Almega, Ciko, DIK, Fremia, Svensk Handel, and Unionen.

The first roundtable discussion took place on October 6 at AI Sweden's Stockholm office, centered on the theme "A shared assessment of AI's current impact on the Swedish labor market."

My Salama Meiton, Förhandlare och ansvarig för AI-frågor på Fremia:

"For us, it is crucial to monitor and represent our sector in the Labor Market AI Council. Civil society must be given the conditions to develop in pace with the rest of society. At a time when our members face a tough economic situation, many testify that there is a lack of resources, work tools, and internal legal expertise to keep up with the digital transition. We must find solutions so that our sector does not fall behind."

Victoria Kirchhoff, första vice ordförande Unionen:

"Many privately employed white-collar workers believe that AI will affect their jobs. Unionen sees a great need for skills development in AI. We look forward to working together to gain new insights and future-proof the skills in the Swedish labor market."

Hanna Birath, sakkunnig inom AI och livslångt lärande på Akavia:

"For Akavia, the question of how AI affects the future labor market is central. The Swedish model has been a winning factor in previous structural transformations and can be so in the AI transformation as well. The best conditions for transition, innovation, and increased competitiveness are created by the social partners working together."

Hillevi Good, Chef kommunikation och marknad, på DIK:

"AI is a technological leap that is already impacting the work of many of our members. It offers opportunities for greater efficiency, while also presenting challenges concerning skills development and transition. As a trade union, it is important for us to monitor and influence this development. We therefore look forward to participating in this new forum."