Companies believe "AI will explode in the next five years"

The survey showed that more than 70 % of respondents already work with AI in some form, of which 40 % have just started their AI journey. 83 % believe they need more AI skills and believe that AI will be crucial for their industry in the next five years. The survey also shows that most people think they need to start with AI now to be competitive in the future.

- This survey confirms that our AI competence project is timely and that there is a great need for education and development. AI competence offers both public organisations and industry a network for exchange of experience and opportunities for skills development, says Mattias O'Nils at Mid Sweden University, who is the initiator of the AI competence project.

- The responses from the companies show the importance of strengthening the expertise in AI at Västernorrland’s business community. Above all, it is important to find how AI can concretely contribute to developing the companies’ production and operations," says Lars Oscarson, project manager at Bron Innovation.

The project started one year ago has arranged several inspirational lectures and workshops. During the spring, a short education was conducted where participants learned the basics of AI. An AI workshop for the real estate industry was also organised in June, where invited speakers from the real estate company Diös presented how to create business benefits with AI.

- We plan for more workshops during the autumn, and then we turn to other industries, including manufacturing industry. We want to support AI development in our region, says Peter Vomacka from Samling Näringsliv, who runs the project AI competence together with Mid Sweden University and Bron Innovation.