Dalarna has the opportunity. Now let’s make sure we seize it!

AI is no longer just around the corner. AI is here, right in the middle of our daily lives. In Sweden, one-third of the population already uses AI services regularly, and in many professions, the number is significantly higher. At the same time, there is still a great deal of uncertainty about what this technology actually means for us at work, for businesses, and for society as a whole.

That is exactly where Dalarna stands right now. Our latest Innovation Panel, conducted by Novus on behalf of Dalarna Science Park, shows that only 21 percent answered “no” to the question of whether Dalarna is ready to become Sweden’s next hub for AI. But the most interesting finding is something else: a full 36 percent said they didn’t know.

It’s easy to interpret this as hesitation, but I see it more as an opportunity to take action. In times of rapid technological development, knowledge is rarely evenly distributed. When we talk about AI, we quickly run into issues related to energy supply, power grids, and data capacity—complex systems that are difficult to grasp in their entirety. Uncertainty is therefore not a sign of resistance, but rather that we are in the midst of a transition where our understanding has not yet caught up with the pace of development.

At the same time, these issues are becoming increasingly pressing as Dalarna looks set to become one of Sweden’s regions with the highest concentration of data centers.

Our survey also points to a clear trend. More than half—51 percent—view digital maturity as crucial to Dalarna’s future competitiveness. This is a positive sign.

At the same time, our self-image falls short: only 4 percent believe that Dalarna is ahead of other regions, while 60 percent believe we are on par with the rest of Sweden. This is a cautious view—perhaps too cautious. If we look at what is actually happening, we see something different. Companies and organizations throughout Dalarna are taking concrete steps in the field of AI. Interest is high and growing. Over 100 businesses have already participated in the AI boost program we offer at Dalarna Science Park, and more than 300 people have taken part.

And here lies an important insight: the risk right now is not that we are doing too little, but that we underestimate what we are actually doing and therefore hesitate to take the next step. Because this is the moment that will decide everything. Good intentions are no longer enough. We need to strengthen expertise in the business community, in the public sector, and in our leadership.

But above all, we need to understand what is happening. Dalarna is on its way to becoming one of Sweden’s regions with the highest concentration of data centers. That changes the game. AI, data centers, energy supply, and digital skills are not separate issues; they are interconnected and form the foundation for future value creation. If we don’t take that connection seriously, we risk becoming the place where the infrastructure is built, while the value is created elsewhere.

But if we do it right, the picture looks very different. Then we link business establishment to innovation, strengthen our business community, and build the expertise needed to keep more business, more jobs, and more development in the region. Dalarna has everything it needs to succeed.

Now it’s about understanding the big picture and acting accordingly. Because the opportunity is already here.

Now let's make sure we get it.

Angelica Ekholm
, CEO, Dalarna Science Park

About the Innovation Panel

The Innovation Panel is an annual survey conducted by Novus on behalf of Dalarna Science Park.
Number of interviews conducted: 1,022, residents of Dalarna aged 18–65.
Fieldwork period: February 19–March 9, 2026.