The Swedish AI Commission's roadmap is a welcome and important initiative to strengthen Sweden's position as a leading player in artificial intelligence. The roadmap prioritizes education, research, and responsible AI usage – areas that are essential for driving innovation and long-term development.

“The roadmap demonstrates Sweden’s ambition to lead the way, which is crucial in an era where AI and software form the foundation of value creation across all industries. To achieve this, we need to focus on tangible, value-creating use cases where competence development, collaboration, and innovation are key to driving sustainable growth and strengthening Sweden’s global competitiveness,” says Samuel Skott, CEO of HiQ.

We see opportunities to further strengthen certain aspects of the roadmap. Specifically, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) need greater support to integrate AI into their operations. Many of these companies lack the resources necessary to fully leverage AI, which risks creating a digital divide. By investing in inclusive AI development that benefits both large and small actors, Sweden can ensure the technology is used to create value for society as a whole.

“AI is a powerful tool, but to reach its full potential, we must help businesses at various stages of digital maturity identify the right use cases that deliver real value. It’s not just about developing advanced technology but about making it accessible and practical for everyone – from global corporations to smaller players. With the right focus, Sweden can become a role model for integrating innovation and new technology at scale,” says Shahin Atai, Head of AI at HiQ.

Competence development and innovation are two areas we see as particularly critical. Sweden needs to invest in education and continuous skill-building for the existing workforce to meet future demands. By combining these efforts with a clear strategy for innovation, Sweden can solidify its role as a leading AI nation and strengthen its position on the global stage.

HiQ looks forward to following the implementation of the AI Commission’s roadmap and is ready to play a key role in this transformation. With our expertise and tailored solutions in AI, digital transformation, and cybersecurity, we stand prepared to support companies on their journey and ensure that Sweden reaches its full potential in this domain.

Read more about the AI Commission’s roadmap here.

Bankgirot is taking a significant step toward modernizing Sweden’s payment infrastructure by developing a new, secure, and efficient payment system. In collaboration with HiQ, a future-ready solution is built to meet evolving demands.

This system is part of Bankgirot’s strategy to ensure that Swedish banks and their customers can continue to rely on a stable and secure infrastructure. HiQ is selected as partner in developing the system.

“At Bankgirot, we are proud to continue developing and modernizing Sweden’s payment infrastructure. As new requirements and external influences drive the payment sector forward, Bankgirot will ensure secure and efficient payments in the years ahead. Our partnership with HiQ will help deliver a solution that is both robust and adaptable to future needs,” says Anna Maria Nyström, Chief Product Officer at Bankgirot.

Infrastructure Ready for the Future

As a partner, HiQ will work closely with Bankgirot to build an entirely new solution. With extensive experience in tailor-made digital solutions within the financial sector, HiQ is a trusted partner in infrastructure projects that are essential to society. Bankgirot and HiQ have previously collaborated successfully as well.

“It is a great honor to contribute to Sweden’s future payment infrastructure together with Bankgirot. This type of essential infrastructure demands extremely high levels of functionality and security, and our focus is on delivering a robust and scalable solution that meets Bankgirot’s high standards, will adapt to evolving demands, and enable innovation for decades to come,” says Samuel Skott, CEO of HiQ.

A Customized Solution with High Security Standards

The new system will be custom-built with a modern architecture, providing Bankgirot with flexibility, scalability, and the capacity for ongoing development. The solution will be designed to adhere to the Nordic Payment Council’s guidelines for Credit Transfer (ISO20022).

The system will be delivered in phases over the coming years.

Erik Ridman, Regional Manager for HiQ in Stockholm, heads the partnership with Bankgirot. He describes how new regulations and technologies will shape future payments, with Bankgirot playing a crucial role in securing Sweden’s future infrastructure – a mission HiQ is now contributing to.

“Bankgirot serves as a central component of the financial infrastructure in Sweden. Through our projects and partnerships, we’ve developed a deep understanding of what is required to build systems with high standards for security, adaptability, and innovation in this environment. We look forward to collaborating with Bankgirot to shape the future of payment solutions,” says Erik Ridman.

About Bankgirot

Bankgirot is a Swedish clearing organisation and technology company with over 60 years of experience in providing financial infrastructure to banks. In collaboration with the payments sector, we facilitate transfers between bank accounts and enable seamless transactions between individuals and businesses. We are committed to ensuring the flawless operation of the current payments system while simultaneously developing future-proof solutions. At Bankgirot, we play a vital role in securing and advancing the Swedish payments landscape.

The University of Gävle has been awarded "Best Marketing Website" at the Sitevision Awards 2024. This recognition highlights a successful collaboration where user experience and accessibility were at the forefront.

Together, the University of Gävle and HiQ developed a website with a clear purpose, combining user-friendly design with high functionality. Through thorough impact mapping, every aspect of the website was created with the user in mind, from structure to navigation and interactivity.

The site makes it easy for visitors to find relevant information and intuitively engages both students and staff. High accessibility was a central goal, and we ensured the platform complies with all legal and digital accessibility requirements.

“Our close collaboration with the University of Gävle allowed us to build a platform that not only promotes the university but also facilitates interaction between students, teachers, and visitors. The award is proof that we have created a website that truly makes a difference,” says Malin Almstedt, Project Manager at HiQ.

Looking for an award-winning website or intranet?

At HiQ, we have the experience and tools to create powerful, accessible, and user-friendly websites that meet both business and legal requirements. We specialize in platforms such as Sitevision, Optimizely, Umbraco, and WordPress.

Interested in how we can help you? Learn more and find contact information here.

HiQ has appointed Dan Jonsson as the new regional manager for one of the company's most significant regions. With nearly thirty years of experience in the tech consulting industry, most recently as Division Manager at Nexer, Dan will take over leadership in Western Sweden, where HiQ has long been a strong player in digital transformation and tech solutions.

Dan Jonsson has held several senior national and international roles at Nexer and Sigma, including COO, regional manager, and business unit manager, as well as serving as Chairman of the Board for Sigma IT Poland for the past seven years.

He now joins HiQ, which has a strong history of supporting companies and organizations with critical and customized tech solutions in the region. With nearly 2,000 employees in total, including 350 in the Western region, the tech consulting company is helping drive digital development in areas such as functionality for autonomous vehicles, 5G network development, and digital solutions for industries like medtech and aviation.

“Western Sweden has always been important for HiQ, with a strong business sector and industries that, in many areas, drive Sweden’s digital position. With Dan’s extensive experience in the industry and the region, along with the deep expertise of our consultants, I’m confident we have fantastic opportunities to continue growing in the region. And above all, that we can continue to be a partner to all customers who want to shape the future through digital solutions,” says Samuel Skott, CEO of HiQ.

Dan Jonsson looks forward to taking on the challenge as regional manager.

“I am very happy and honored to lead HiQ’s operations in Western Sweden into the next phase. I have always thought that HiQ has a strong combination of technical expertise and creative thinking, creating a strong market position. This impression has now been reinforced, and I have been particularly impressed by the employees’ passionate commitment and pride in delivering innovative solutions in IT and tech,” says Dan Jonsson, Head of Region West at HiQ, and continues:

“With this as a foundation, I see great growth opportunities for HiQ in the Western Swedish market, especially when advancements in AI and other technologies open up entirely new opportunities to create customer value.”

Dan Jonsson will assume his new role on September 2, 2024. In addition to his regional leadership, he will join the management teams for HiQ Sweden and HiQ Group. He is replacing Simona Bamerlind, who has transitioned to the role of Vice President of Sales & Partnerships at HiQ.