AI, You, and I
Identity, Industry, Innovation
7th Year of Engaging India @ Almedalen
The 2026 edition of Engaging India at Almedalen centres on the intersection of AI, sustainability, and industrial transformation, with a focus on how India and Sweden can jointly shape pathways for climate action and economic growth. The discussions will explore:
1. The role of AI in accelerating sustainable industry transitions
2. Collaborative innovation models between India and Sweden
3. The emergence of trusted digital and sustainability ecosystems
4. Scaling climate solutions across global markets
Artificial intelligence is reshaping how societies function - how industries produce, how decisions are made, and how we understand human agency in an increasingly automated world. Both India and Sweden have invested significantly in AI, and both are grappling with the same underlying questions: how to harness its potential while ensuring it remains accountable, inclusive, and aligned with human values.
Join us on 23 June 2026 at Engaging India at Almedalen for discussions that explore how Sweden and India can collaborate to shape an AI-enabled future that works for everyone.
Meet the Game Changers of 2026
Fireside Chat
H.E. Anurag Bhushan
Ambassador of India to Sweden
Daniel Westlén
State Secretary,
Ministry of Climate & Enterprise
Pramod Varma
Chief Architect of Aadhaar & Co-founder & Chief Architect, Networks for Humanity
Sara Öhrvall
Senior Advisor & Board Director,
Investor AB, Axfood, Verisure
Darja Isaksson
Director General,
Vinnova
Marco Busch
Global Head-Ag R&D,
PI Industries Ltd
Klaus Kunz
Head of Regulatory Development & Government Affairs,
PI Industries
Presentations
Viral Thakker
Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer,
Credibl
John Diklev
Founder and CEO,
Flower
Shivesh Kumar
Assistant Professor,
Chalmers University
Humanoid Robot
Chalmers University
Panel Speakers
Owe Ronström
Professor Emeritus,
Uppsala University
Swaminathan Ramanathan
Lecturer,
Uppsala University
Ola Hansén
Director of Public Affairs,
Stegra
Rupali Mehra
Founder, Content People AB & Director of Business Development - Nordics, Credibl
Andreas Håkansson
Partner and Head of AI & Data Management,
PwC Sweden
Frida Monsén
Global Head of L&D Strategy & Portfolio,
Vattenfall
Per Andersson
Head of Secretariat,
LeadIT
Björn Johansson
Professor,
Chalmers University
Raine Isaksson
Associate Professor & Docent,
Uppsala University
Stephan Palm
CEO,
Lager 157
Lena Sellgren
Chief Economist,
Business Sweden
Charlotta Brask
Head of Sustainability,
Telia Sweden
Sofia Högman
Trade Commissioner of Sweden to India,
Business Sweden
Kristofer Dreiman
Chief Scientific Officer,
Länsförsäkringar AB
Maria Rosendahl
Head of Industrial Policy, Teknikföretagen
Erik Enecker
CEO and Co-Founder,
Ecometrix
Katarina Björk
Chief Impact Officer, Exponential Roadmap Initiative
Peter Dahlen
Managing Director,
American Chamber of Commerce
Jens Magnusson
Chief Economist,
SEB
Rutvika Acharya
CEO & Co-Founder,
Caplyzer
What happened at Engaging India at Almedalen 2026
Talks
In this address, the Indian Ambassador to Sweden explores the deepening strategic partnership between the two nations, which is rooted in centuries of historical ties and shared democratic values. He highlights how the relationship has evolved into a sophisticated alliance focused on innovation, defense, and economic growth within a multi-trillion dollar market. A significant portion of the speech examines the transformative power of AI, comparing its potential impact to the digital revolution that enabled India’s massive financial inclusion success. The Ambassador advocates for a model where technology serves as a public good, ensuring that advancements remain accessible and equitable for the global south. Ultimately, he envisions a future where diplomacy and industry co-create the policy frameworks necessary to navigate a post-AI world.
This interview with Dr. Pramod Varma explores the critical relationship between Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and the advancement of artificial intelligence. He explains that established frameworks for digital identity and payment systems are essential prerequisites for effectively deploying AI at a societal scale. Dr. Varma introduces Networks for Humanity, a global initiative aimed at fostering an internet of value where economic assets are digitally verifiable and accessible to everyone. He challenges the idea of AI ownership, characterising it instead as a pervasive capability that will be infused into everything from infrastructure to physical logistics. Furthermore, he encourages entrepreneurs to focus on unbundling value chains and developing specialised edge models to solve real-world problems. Ultimately, the discussion emphasises a shift toward an intelligence era marked by high-trust, low-cost transactions and global economic abundance.
In this address, Professor Owe Rönström explores the evolving relationship between human identity and artificial intelligence. He suggests that as AI becomes more distinct through its own feedback loops, humans will instinctively seek new ways to differentiate themselves from these machines. While AI excels at logic, large-scale data processing, and structured systems, it lacks the capacity for genuine humor, playfulness, and social spontaneity. Rönström argues that because AI is fundamentally rule-bound, it cannot experience the performative and unpredictable nature of play. Consequently, he predicts that humans will increasingly define their identity through emotional and social nuances like flirtation and art. Ultimately, the source posits that the rise of AI will lead people to value the uniquely human ability to play more deeply.
State Secretary Daniel Westland highlights the strategic evolution of the partnership between Sweden and India, emphasizing a shift from long-standing cooperation toward active implementation of green technologies. This alliance is anchored by four key pillars: stability, economic growth, emerging technology, and environmental resilience. Central to this collaboration is the LeadIT initiative, which seeks to decarbonize heavy industry while utilizing Swedish innovation and Indian scalability to address global climate challenges. Westland underscores that clean energy is the vital foundation required to support both industrial transformation and the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence. Ultimately, the relationship aims to foster mutual investment and co-creation to ensure long-term economic competitiveness and a sustainable future for both nations.
Fireside Chats
This interview captures a strategic discussion between Ambassador Anurag Bhushan and State Secretary Daniel Westlén regarding the evolving economic and diplomatic ties between India and Sweden. The speakers highlight the recent Free Trade Agreement as a pivotal mechanism for reducing market friction and enhancing regulatory predictability for both major corporations and small startups. They emphasize a shared vision for the next five years, aiming to double bilateral trade while collaborating on global challenges like artificial intelligence and industrial sustainability. The dialogue also showcases the LeadIT initiative, which focuses on transitioning hard-to-abate sectors toward greener practices through international cooperation. Finally, the leaders underscore the importance of fostering innovation ecosystems by connecting academia and private industries to drive technological advancement.
In this interview, investor Sara Öhrvall discusses how corporate boards are shifting from simple experimentation to long-term business transformations driven by artificial intelligence. She emphasizes that large organizations should leverage their proprietary data to build unique infrastructure rather than relying solely on common external models. The conversation highlights the potential for strategic partnerships between Sweden and India, particularly in developing industrial and physical AI for manufacturing. Additionally, Öhrvall expresses concern regarding the workforce transition, warning that current preparations for potential job losses and retraining needs are insufficient. She advocates for a proactive approach, suggesting that leaders should overreact to the technology's impact to ensure future stability. Ultimately, the source frames AI as a fundamental shift requiring urgent, top-down leadership and significant capital investment.
In a fireside chat with Darja Isaksson, the director general of Vinnova, regarding Sweden’s position as a global leader in innovation. The conversation explores how artificial intelligence can serve as a catalyst for industrial transformation and the circular economy by enhancing data sharing and organizational trust. A significant focus is placed on the funding challenges faced by Swedish startups, which often rely on foreign capital to achieve international scale. The dialogue also highlights the potential for cities to drive market demand for sustainable technologies through strategic procurement and coordination. Ultimately, the source outlines a vision for systems innovation that balances academic research with rapid prototyping to address urgent societal and environmental challenges.
In a fireside chat between Frida Monsén of Vattenfall and Swaminathan Ramanathan regarding the profound impact of artificial intelligence on professional identity and organizational culture. The speakers explore how AI functions as a learning entity that mirrors human behavior, requiring employees to develop both digital literacy and deep self-awareness to maintain agency. Monsén emphasizes that as AI agents become integrated partners in the workforce, leadership must prioritize transparency and ethical guardrails to foster trust. The conversation highlights a future where work is redefined by human-AI collaboration, suggesting that AI can multiply human intelligence rather than simply replacing it. Ultimately, the dialogue suggests that maintaining a strong, human-centric culture is essential because AI inevitably learns from and reflects the environment it inhabits. This exchange underscores the urgent need for organizations to proactively shape their future structures while the technology is still evolving.
Panel Discussions
This panel discussion explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping the industrial landscape, specifically focusing on the strategic partnership between Sweden and India. Experts from finance, trade, and heavy industry examine whether AI functions more as a productivity accelerator or a technical complication within the global economy. While speakers highlight AI's potential to optimize decarbonization efforts and speed up knowledge transfers, they also express concerns regarding its high energy consumption and data security. The dialogue emphasizes that while significant capital is flowing into AI infrastructure, its true impact on global GDP remains dependent on human trust and measurable efficiency gains. Ultimately, the participants advocate for trusted interdependence between nations to ensure technological advancements support a sustainable and equitable industrial transition.
This panel discussion explores the transformative role of artificial intelligence in shaping a sustainable industrial future. Experts from economic, environmental, and technological sectors debate whether AI serves primarily as a tool for productivity or a catalyst for fundamental business model reinvention. Key themes include the technology's potential to democratize climate data, identify new growth areas within planetary boundaries, and address inefficiencies in carbon-heavy industries like construction. While some participants express optimism regarding innovation and job creation, others caution that realizing these benefits requires high-quality data and a focus on social equality. Ultimately, the speakers emphasize that AI's impact depends on strategic human direction and the continuous upskilling of the workforce.
This panel discussion explores how artificial intelligence can function as a "Swiss army knife" to drive the green transition across various Swedish industries. Experts from sectors like infrastructure, energy, and finance discuss the necessity of building sustainable data centers and utilizing "sovereign AI" to ensure data security and environmental responsibility. Innovative startups present new technologies, including membrane-free electrolysis for cheaper green hydrogen and AI-managed home energy subscriptions that simplify grid flexibility for consumers. The conversation highlights a shift from retrospective sustainability reporting to using predictive AI models for real-time decision-making and ethical industrial production. Ultimately, the participants emphasize that horizontal collaboration and standardized disclosure frameworks are essential for scaling these innovations globally. The dialogue underscores that while AI requires significant energy, its application in smart grids and circular business models is vital for meeting climate targets.
Presentations
Viral Thakker presents a case for how artificial intelligence can serve as a catalyst for the global energy transition and climate innovation. He highlights that while energy demands are shifting rapidly due to geopolitical factors, current climate data often lacks the accuracy needed to survive professional audits. To address this, his company, Credibl, utilizes a constellation of specialized AI agents designed to automate reporting, verify data quality, and provide expert decarbonization advice. These tools help organizations navigate complex regulatory standards while optimizing their carbon reduction strategies through precise modeling. Ultimately, Thakker argues that sustainability and economic prosperity are compatible goals when supported by trustworthy, high-speed technological solutions. This approach aims to move AI from a mere software feature to a core, reliable team member in the fight against climate change.
This presentation introduces Flower, a rapidly expanding Swedish energy technology firm focused on accelerating the global transition to renewable power. Founder & CEO John Diklev explains that the company utilizes an AI-driven optimization platform to manage a diverse portfolio of flexible assets, such as batteries, electric vehicles, and industrial plants. By predicting market trends and weather patterns, the system ensures these resources operate with maximum efficiency to stabilize the electrical grid. The company also acts as a strategic intermediary, absorbing the risks of intermittent wind and solar production to provide predictable energy costs for industrial consumers. Ultimately, Flower aims to make sustainable energy more affordable and bankable by reducing the capital intensity required for green infrastructure. This comprehensive approach addresses the "energy trilemma" by balancing sustainability with financial viability and national sovereignty.
Shivesh Kumar introduced a humanoid robot and a quadruped named Fido to demonstrate the current state of physical and cognitive AI. The discussion highlights the Moravec’s paradox, explaining that while AI excels at complex mental tasks like math, achieving human-like physical dexterity and movement remains a significant challenge. These machines are being developed for diverse roles ranging from factory manufacturing and nuclear power plant inspection to serving as interactive university tour guides. Beyond technical specifications, the speakers explore the societal implications of robotics, including their impact on future career choices and the potential for AI to navigate complex global sustainability issues. The session concludes by suggesting that humor and emotional connection may represent the next major milestone in the evolution of human-robot interaction.
Engaging India was started in 2019 during Sweden's official Almedalen Week as a multidisciplinary platform for thought-leaders, academia, governments & industries to engage, exchange, and collaborate on ideas of development, innovation, and knowledge sharing.
Since then, it has established itself as a premier platform connecting India and the Nordics. Engaging India at Almedalen is our annual flagship seminar held during Almedalen Week in Sweden. Each year, the seminars focus on innovation ecosystems, frameworks, innovation, and sustainability convening thought leaders from government, industry, academia, and civil society.