Stockholm, 11 November 2025 – What happens when autonomous systems begin to act, learn, and decide alongside us? This question shaped the discussions at Digitalize in Sthlm ’25, held on Tuesday at Münchenbryggeriet under the theme “AI Everywhere – Exploring the Challenges, Risks, and Opportunities of Autonomous Systems.”
Hosted by Digital Futures, the annual conference gathered leading researchers, policymakers, and industry pioneers to explore how artificial intelligence can help build a sustainable, inclusive, and innovative digital society. With around 700 participants onsite, the event once again positioned Stockholm at the heart of the European conversation on responsible technology.
Recordings of the keynote talks and panel discussions will be published on the Digital Futures YouTube channel in the coming weeks.
Opening the Dialogue on AI’s Societal Impact
The day was masterfully moderated by Paulina Modlitba, founder of We Should Be Friends and KTH Alum of the Year 2018. With a background spanning robotics, human-AI interaction, and digital entrepreneurship, Modlitba has spent more than 15 years bridging academia, business, and creativity, making her an ideal guide for this year’s “AI Everywhere” theme.
The conference opened with co-chairs of the Program Committee, Jörg Conradt, Associate Professor in Neurocomputing Systems, and Viktoria Fodor, Professor in the Division of Network and Systems Engineering — both at KTH Royal Institute of Technology. Together with Modlitba, they introduced the theme, explaining the rationale behind focusing on autonomous AI and its societal, ethical, and technological implications.
Welcoming remarks followed from Olle Burell, President of the Stockholm City Council; Anders Söderholm, President of KTH Royal Institute of Technology; and Siniša Zubić, Research Center Manager at Hitachi Energy Sweden. Burell emphasized the development of Stockholm as a city of innovation and its influence on the global stage. Söderholm reflected on research-driven societal development and welcomed Hitachi as a new partner of Digital Futures, while Zubić highlighted the importance of collaboration between industry and academia in advancing technological progress.
Keynotes: From Surgery to Symbiosis
The first keynote, “Advanced Connectivity in Healthcare – Leveraging Wireless Networks and AI,” was delivered by Dr. Gao Yujia, Consultant Surgeon and Assistant Group Chief Technology Officer at the National University Health System (Singapore). Yujia illustrated how 5G-enabled healthcare ecosystems are transforming hospitals, wearables, and home devices into intelligent, interconnected systems. His pioneering work in mixed reality for surgical training and digital health infrastructure positions him at the forefront of clinical AI innovation.
Before lunch, Marcus Weiland, Vice VD and Deputy Managing Director at Savantic AB, addressed “Meaningful AI in Industry: Creating Value in a Physical World.” Focusing on physical AI, he explored how data, sensors, networks, and human expertise converge to create measurable industrial impact, from manufacturing to logistics. Weiland emphasized aligning AI with business strategy, workforce development, and sustainability goals, highlighting Sweden’s potential to lead in applied AI.
In the afternoon, Dr. Mar Gonzalez-Franco, Research Scientist and Manager at Google XR (Seattle), presented “Towards Human-AI Symbiosis with XR.” Gonzalez-Franco, recognized internationally for her work on immersive interaction, outlined a future where humans and AI collaborate through XR devices, enabling humans to evolve alongside intelligent systems.
Rounding out the program, Dr. Joakim Appelquist, Vice President of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences (IVA), shared insights from the report “Sweden’s Competitiveness and Investment Priorities.” Mapping 48 strategically important technologies, Appelquist highlighted Sweden’s industrial and academic strengths and how targeted investments can enhance national innovation, resilience, and sustainability.
Panels: Navigating Opportunities, Limits, and Human Values
The morning panel “AI – Technology Opportunities and Limits”, moderated by Robert Luciani of Nerv Dynamics, explored how far AI can realistically go. Luciani, a high-performance computing and AI expert, guided a debate among Amy Loutfi (Örebro University), Karim Nouira (SICS.AI), and Emma Strinning Stavrou (Xylem). The discussion addressed foundation models, autonomous systems, and industrial applications, balancing visionary predictions with grounded skepticism about AI’s current limitations in energy efficiency, reasoning, and trustworthiness.
In the afternoon, “AI and Human Values: Who Decides, Who Benefits?”, moderated by Liane Colonna (Stockholm University), delved into the ethical and societal implications of AI. Panelists Johan Fredrikzon, Katja de Vries, and Alexis de Kerchove debated the challenges of embedding human values into AI while respecting cultural diversity and legal frameworks. The conversation highlighted accountability, sustainability, and the broader societal impact of increasingly autonomous systems.
EXPO Sessions and the Partner Fair: Research in Motion
The conference’s interactive EXPO sessions provided hands-on exploration of up to 20 projects per session across four 40-minute periods. From Digital Innovation for Life and Health to Living with Technology, attendees engaged directly with researchers, observed live demonstrations, and participated in discussions fueled by coffee and curiosity. The event app allowed visitors to mark favorite projects and access full project descriptions online.
Running alongside the EXPOs, the Partner Fair showcased Digital Futures’ partners, including AstraZeneca, Ericsson, Hitachi, Saab, Xylem, Region Stockholm, KTH, Stockholm University, RISE, and others such as WASP, MIMER AI Factory, DIGG, and LINK. The fair offered a vibrant arena for discussion, networking, and discovery — giving attendees insight into ongoing projects, emerging technologies, and collaborative initiatives shaping the future. Visitors were encouraged to explore how partners contribute to research and innovation both locally and internationally.
Stockholm’s AI Start-up Ecosystem
A closing conversation moderated by Lisa Ericsson, Head of KTH Innovation, focused on “Stockholm’s AI start-up landscape – from local innovators to global disruptors.” Panelists Elin Mårtensson (AI-BOB), Hamed Mohammadpour (Finna), and Urban Forssell (Digital Futures) discussed the opportunities, challenges, and unique characteristics that make Stockholm a thriving hub for AI innovation. Topics ranged from talent and funding to scaling ventures globally, emphasizing the city’s potential to translate research and entrepreneurship into real-world impact.
Closing Reflections
As the day came to a close, Co-Chairs Jörg Conradt and Viktoria Fodor returned to the stage with moderator Paulina Modlitba to reflect on the discussions, insights, and energy of the day. They thanked the Program Committee and Communications Committee, with representatives from all Digital Futures partners and Digital Futures funded researchers and Future Digileaders presenting their projects during EXPO sessions – and everyone who contributed to making the event a success.
– As the Organizational Chair, it’s been incredible to see AI Everywhere come alive — not just as a theme, but as a mindset. Watching researchers, innovators, and partners connect around ideas that blend technology with human values has been truly inspiring. It reminds me why collaboration is at the heart of what we do at Digital Futures, says Johanna Gavefalk, Communications Officer at Digital Futures.
The atmosphere during the closing mingle reflected that same spirit — open, curious, and collaborative — as conversations continued over food and music, rounding off a full day of learning, inspiration, and new connections.
Special thanks to the event agency Meetx and the tech team at Adapt for their critical contributions in delivering a smooth, engaging conference experience. Also big thanks to our students helpers and Digital Futures Operations team for incredible support through out the day and last but not least all staff at Münchenbryggeriet.
