Where the infrastructure of the future takes shape, the value of the future can emerge

I am leaving Almedalen with a strong conviction that what we are now seeing emerge in Dalarna is not just about new businesses, investments, or temporary attention, but about something much bigger. 

During the week, we met with companies, government agencies, politicians, and organizations that wanted to learn more about developments in our region. What struck me was not just the number of meetings or the fact that our seminars attracted many participants, but the quality of the conversations, which continued long after the program had ended. The questions centered on how Dalarna can become a place where AI, energy, and digital infrastructure not only coexist but also work together to drive innovation and create new opportunities. 

Many people still view data centers primarily as physical and digital infrastructure. But the real potential emerges when academia, the public sector, the business community, and entrepreneurs build knowledge, innovations, and business opportunities on top of it. This became clear at ourDalarna Talks seminar, where the discussion on AI took new steps forward. From the question of whether Sweden should become a leading AI nation to how we actually make that possible—and how large-scale investments can create expertise, new business opportunities, and regional competitiveness wherever they are made. 

One comment from Dalarna Talks that really stuck with me came from Christina Ramm Eriksson, Head of Economic Policy at TechSverige. She pointed out that Dalarna is currently one of the regions where the tech industry is growing the fastest and where the industry’s contribution to GDP is increasing the most. To me, that says something important. Dalarna is taking on a new role in the digital economy. But development doesn’t create value on its own. It needs to be harnessed, connected, and translated into new opportunities for more companies, public sector actors, and entrepreneurs. AI is no longer just a matter for tech companies; it affects how organizations develop their businesses, strengthen their production, engage with customers, and build the skills of the future. That’s why we also need to view data centers as more than just infrastructure. When properly integrated, they can become enablers for AI, digital autonomy, new business models, and a more robust and sustainable energy system. 

Dalarna is now in an unusually strong position. We have a long industrial history, access to energy, strong companies, growing international interest, and an innovation system that works closely with the needs of businesses. But these conditions alone are not enough. We must use them together. Through our work on a regional AI hub, we aim to create an environment where businesses, academia, and the public sector can come together, share knowledge, and turn AI into concrete solutions, while also ensuring that this development is sustainable for the future. We shouldn’t try to be a copy of someone else. We’ll build on Dalarna’s own strengths: our industrial roots, our culture of collaboration, and our ability to move from discussion to action. 

More and more people are now realizing that Dalarna is not only a place where the infrastructure of the future can be built, but also a place where the solutions of the future can emerge. The next step is for us to seize that opportunity together.