AI Trend Seminar 2025: Navigating the era of collective intelligence

Advancements in agent-based technology

A key focus of the seminar was the rise of agent-based AI and its potential to redefine software development. Daniel Gillblad, Chief of AI at Recorded Future and Senior Advisor at AI Sweden, emphasized the practical value of AI agents, noting that they represent "a pragmatic approach to leveraging these technologies for tangible benefits." He further noted their transformative impact, observing that "they are fundamentally reshaping the nature of software." 

This shift towards agent-based systems was echoed by Magnus Nydén, Head of Innovation at AstraZeneca, who highlighted the role of AI in achieving the company's ambitious goal not only our target of delivering 20 new medicines by 2030 but also our commitment to carbon-negative medicine manufacturing by 2030. "Expanding our workforce conventionally cannot achieve this objective," Nydén explained. "AI is a key mechanism we are utilizing to achieve this goal."

Impact on AI, security, and trust

The seminar also addressed the challenges associated with this new era of AI. Nydén acknowledged the ongoing issue of AI hallucinations, pointing out, “The challenge of hallucinations will persist for some time.” However, he expressed optimism about mitigating these issues, adding, “We believe that a combination of techniques can render this challenge nearly obsolete.”

Building trust in AI systems emerged as a crucial theme. Rebecka Cedering Ångström, Principal Researcher at Ericsson, stressed the importance of trust, even when the underlying systems are opaque. "Trust is paramount for the success of AI within organizations, regardless of the visibility of the system, data, or agent involved." Cedering Ångström also highlighted the role of healthy skepticism in ensuring responsible AI development. "Distrust is a necessary component," she stated, emphasizing the importance of critically evaluating AI models and their capabilities.

Implications for business strategy and shifts in the job market

Oscar Täckström, Chief Scientist at Sana Labs, predicted a revolution in the way we work, driven by AI. He cautioned that many organizations are unprepared for this shift, pointing out, "AI will fundamentally transform how we work", predicting the rise of AI agents with PhD-level expertise capable of reasoning, using tools, and being easily scaled within 5-10 years. He advised organizations to focus on integrating AI with existing systems and knowledge and to proactively 'ride the waves of the foundation model' by leveraging current AI abilities and developing strong data infrastructure.

Hannah Birath, an expert on AI's impact on work-life from Akavia, highlighted the accelerated pace of technological change, emphasizing its significant impact on highly educated professionals. "We are witnessing this transformation impacting highly educated individuals," she observed, underscoring the necessity of adaptation.

Birath noted that while Akavia members are generally more curious than worried about AI, with many actively upskilling themselves, the integration of AI in workplaces remains uneven. She also emphasized the strength of the "Swedish model" – characterized by strong unions and collaboration between employers and workers – in navigating these changes, calling it "our superpower."

Geopolitics of AI

Anna Topol, Chief Technology Officer at IBM Research, commented on both the rise of Chinese models and the increasing democratization of AI, stating, “As technology matures, accessibility increases,” and highlighting the lowering cost of AI deployment. 

She also emphasized the global scale of AI adoption, noting that “As of 2024, more than 180 countries have articulated their intentions and plans for AI, which is truly significant,” demonstrating the widespread participation of nations, including low and middle-income countries, in shaping the future of AI.