Four Swedish parties omit AI from election manifestos

Artificial intelligence is absent from the election manifestos of four of Sweden’s eight parliamentary parties, according to a review by SVT. The technology is already affecting jobs, schools, healthcare and defence, but has received limited attention from politicians.

“I am concerned. I think many Swedes are thinking a lot about AI and are worried, and that creates a gap between people’s concerns and what is being discussed in the election,” Sylvia Schwaag Serger, a professor at Lund University and chief executive of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences, told SVT.

The Sweden Democrats, Left Party, Christian Democrats and Green Party do not mention AI or artificial intelligence a single time in their manifestos.

Centre Party gives AI most space

The Centre Party is the only party to give AI its own policy section. It mentions the technology 19 times, the most of any party.

The Social Democrats mention AI eight times. Because their manifesto is considerably shorter, however, AI receives the most space relative to the overall length of the document. Both parties focus, among other issues, on how AI will affect jobs, the labour market and economic growth.

The Moderates and Liberals mention AI five times each. Their manifestos address deepfakes and disinformation, as well as the need for greater knowledge about AI.

“AI has already begun to affect large parts of our society. The economy, the labour market, future pension systems, the tax system and education are all affected,” Schwaag Serger said. “I can hardly think of a social issue in which AI will not play a role.”

AI has not become a major election issue

In the United States, AI has become politically divisive. Data centres’ large electricity demands, the risk of AI eliminating jobs and how powerful AI systems should be regulated have all become political disputes.

In Sweden, however, AI has so far failed to become a clear point of conflict between the parties.

“For issues to rise high on the political agenda, there needs to be a clear conflict,” said Henrik Ekengren Oscarsson, a professor of political science at the University of Gothenburg.

“More parties need to want to argue with each other and see strategic gains in raising the issue as a conflict. That does not seem to exist.”

In responses to SVT, the Centre Party called for a national AI centre, investment in education and stronger AI security. The Christian Democrats highlighted AI expertise for start-ups, education about AI-driven disinformation and the sharing of AI solutions across the public sector.

The Left Party said AI should be developed to strengthen welfare and improve working conditions rather than concentrate power among a few actors. The Sweden Democrats called for long-term investment in research, expertise, computing power and practical applications.

The Social Democrats proposed a Swedish AI programme to prepare the country for the technology’s effects on the labour market and economy, including support for young people entering the workforce and transition assistance adapted to AI development.