On 12 June, Digital Futures welcomed 86 students to the kick-off of the 2026 Summer Research Internship (SRI) Programme, marking the start of another exciting summer of cutting-edge research and international collaboration.
This year’s cohort brings together students from leading universities in Sweden and around the world, including participants from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). The programme offers students the opportunity to work closely with researchers and mentors in areas spanning digital technologies, artificial intelligence, sustainability and information systems.
The kick-off event, held at the Digital Futures hub at KTH, introduced the participants to the vision and activities of Digital Futures and gave them the opportunity to meet fellow interns, researchers and programme organisers. During the afternoon, the students took part in a series of short presentations, where they introduced themselves and shared the research projects they will be working on during the summer.
In her welcome address, Executive Director Annika Szabo Portela presented the mission of Digital Futures: to shape a sustainable society through digital transformation by building strong interdisciplinary and international research communities. Martin Trapp, Chair of the Summer Research Internship Programme, introduced the summer activities and the team supporting this year’s interns.
The Summer Research Internship Programme has grown steadily since its launch, reflecting the increasing international interest in research and innovation at Digital Futures. This year’s programme includes a range of academic and networking activities, such as panel discussions on research careers in academia and industry, workshops, and visits to leading industrial partners including Hitachi Energy, Ericsson, Traton (Scania) and AstraZeneca.
The programme will conclude on 28 August with the annual Summer Research Internship Poster Session, where the students will present the results of their summer projects to the wider Digital Futures community.
By bringing together talented students from around the world and connecting them with researchers and industry partners, the Digital Futures Summer Research Internship Programme continues to strengthen Stockholm’s position as a vibrant hub for digital innovation and research excellence.
