Before summer, I had the pleasure of representing Intric at Almedalen. On AI Sweden’s stage, I spoke about the potential and future of artificial intelligence in the public sector. It was an inspiring experience to share the stage with industry leaders and innovators and to discuss how AI can transform and improve public services. A vital dialogue.
The public sector is facing monumental challenges — demands for increased efficiency, the need for data-driven decisions, and the ongoing pressure to improve citizen services. We must deliver more welfare with fewer resources. Some say AI is an opportunity. I say it’s a necessity. So how do we act and navigate to fully harness this potential?
In my presentation, I shared the success factors I’ve observed in our most forward-thinking customers. For those who couldn’t attend, I want to highlight the key takeaways here — short and to the point.
From my perspective, successful organizations have three things in common: the right leadership, the right tools, and a mindset of platforms over projects.
To successfully implement AI, you need more than just technology — you need strong leadership. The leaders who thrive in this space are courageous and goal-driven.
AI is unfamiliar territory for many. Generative AI models are non-deterministic — the same input may produce different outputs each time. This unpredictability can feel uncomfortable compared to traditional systems, but it’s also what makes generative AI powerful. Leadership must be brave enough to embrace this.
Courage alone isn’t enough. Organizations need a clear direction — not necessarily fixed coordinates, but a compass that guides decision-making. In a fast-moving field like AI, flexibility is key. Rigid plans risk becoming outdated before implementation. Goals should be directional: “We want to explore technologies like A in area B,” rather than “We will use technology A with framework B for process C.”
Having the right tools — ones that are simple, open, and secure — is critical. Once an organization commits to increasing AI adoption, challenges quickly arise around infrastructure, skills, and regulation.
AI systems require specialized hardware like GPUs, unlike traditional CPU-based systems. Intric provides access to leading AI models (OpenAI, Anthropic, Meta), some of which are hosted on GPUs in Sweden — ensuring data never leaves the country.
Operating AI systems requires new skills. But the real magic happens when domain experts understand how to work with AI. That’s why Intric focuses on a user-friendly interface and extensive training to build real competence.
Public sector organizations must comply with strict regulations — from GDPR to the new EU AI Act. Intric was built with compliance in mind from the start, making it easy to understand and meet legal requirements.
This final message is about mindset. There are strong reasons to adopt platforms over isolated projects.
Unlike standalone AI projects, platforms allow for continuous development. Each improvement builds on previous progress. Projects often result in “proof of concepts” that go nowhere after initial goals are met. Platforms ensure a path forward.
Platforms also make it easier to share solutions. When one department or municipality develops something on a common platform, others can benefit — reducing duplication, lowering costs, and accelerating AI adoption across the organization.
In contrast, projects are often built in silos and are difficult to replicate or adapt to new use cases.
Implementing AI in the public sector is complex and never truly "done" — but it's also something we can’t afford to postpone.
Organizations that combine courage and direction in leadership, equip themselves with the right tools, and adopt a platform-first mindset will lead the way toward a more efficient, innovative, and high-quality public sector.
This was my message at Almedalen 2024.
Curious to hear more about what’s possible with Intric?
📩 Book a meeting with us: david.wallen@inoolabs.com