| dc.description.abstract | Background & Purpose:
This study focuses on challenges to AI adoption in small- and medium sized enterprises (SMEs)
in Sweden, as well as solutions to these challenges. The background, and the reason for studying
the topic, lies in Sweden’s stated vision of becoming one of the world leaders in adopting the
powers of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Despite this vision, the research regarding AI adoption in
Swedish companies, especially in Swedish SMEs, is very sparse.
The purpose of this study is to identify challenges experienced by Swedish SMEs in adopting AI
and, by interviewing companies and individuals with experience in AI implementation,
identifying recommendations on how to solve or mitigate these challenges. These
recommendations are, in the last stages of the thesis, adapted to fit to the context of the Swedish
SMEs, i.e. to the Swedish business culture and to companies with fairly limited resources.
Methodology:
This is a qualitative study in which 10 interviews are held. Three interviews are held with
Swedish AI aspirants, i.e. Swedish SMEs that have a wish to implement AI. The remaining six
interviews are held with Swedish and American companies and individuals that have knowledge
and experience of working with AI. These interviewees are referred to as experts. The interview
findings are analyzed by a thematic analysis based on categories and themes found in the
literature and, in some cases, that emerged during the interviews. The thematic analysis results in
seven challenges and seven recommendations regarding AI adoption.
Findings & Conclusions:
Seven challenges and seven recommendations are found. The challenges include immaturity of
the AI-technology, compatibility with the company, evaluating, developing and implementing
the technology, lack of resources, lack of knowledge, establishing a culture of innovation and the
effects that the external environment has. The recommendations include learning about fields
related to AI, using external forces, embracing being a smaller company, promoting change,
motivating and inspiring with soft factors, developing a culture of innovation and understanding
the specific company context.
Simply put, Swedish SMEs need to thoroughly assess their current capabilities and start learning
about fields related to AI as a first step. Once this is done, they need to evaluate whether to use
external forces (such as off-she-shelf AI solutions and/or consultants) and, if so, to which extent.
They should also take advantage of being a smaller company in the sense that their AI-solutions
can be much simpler than for larger companies. Lastly, they should learn about what country
specific factors that might make the implementation of AI easier or more difficult. Such factors
include Swedes being innovation friendly, the existence of free learning opportunities and the in
Sweden common flat organizational structure. | sv |
