Growing AI skills gap threatens Swedish competitiveness
A growing AI skills gap in the Swedish labour market is threatening the country's competitiveness, according to a new global study by PwC. Few Swedish employees use AI to a sufficient extent or possess the right skills for the technology.
What happened?
PwC has published its Global Workforce Hopes & Fears Survey, which highlights that an expanding AI gap poses a threat to Swedish competitiveness. The study reveals that few Swedish employees are using AI to a sufficient degree in their daily work, and many lack the necessary skills for the technology. At the same time, Swedish employees stand out for being less concerned about the impact of AI on their jobs compared to the global average.
Key facts
| Datum för undersökningen | 30 september 2026 |
|---|---|
| Totalt antal respondent i världen | 50 000 medarbetare |
| Rapportens namn | Global Workforce Hopes & Fears Survey |
| Avsändare | PwC |
Why it matters
This labour market divide risks leading to lower productivity and a slower pace of innovation in Sweden compared to the rest of the world. When Swedish employees adopt AI tools and develop relevant skills to a lesser extent than their international counterparts, Swedish industry lags behind in the global market, despite a strong digital infrastructure.
Who is affected?
Swedish companies, leaders, and employees are directly affected by this skills gap. To maintain competitiveness, Swedish organisations need to invest more in skills development and create clearer strategies for how to integrate AI into daily operations.
Impact on the EU
The report highlights a challenge for Sweden in relation to the rest of the EU and global markets. While the EU AI Act places higher demands on transparency and risk management in AI usage, the cautious attitude and low rate of skills development in Sweden risk undermining the competitiveness of Swedish firms as European and international rivals pivot more rapidly.
What else you should know
PwC’s Global Workforce Hopes & Fears Survey includes 50,000 employees worldwide, with a sub-study covering Sweden. The results show that the Swedish workforce is more satisfied with their current jobs and feels less anxiety regarding AI-related job losses than the global average, but that this may contribute to a dangerous level of passivity regarding the technological transition.
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