Swedish JobTech has made a strategic decision to focus on highlighting how AI and the use of open data are affecting the labor market. Emelie Fågelstedt is now taking on the role of AI strategist for labor market issues at Swedish JobTech, where she will also lead the committee for data-driven education.
AI will have a major impact on the labor market moving forward, especially when it comes to redefining tasks and job roles. Combined with open data, there’s potential to create entirely new services and applications that can improve job matching and skills development in the labor market, but there are also regulations and EU directives to adhere to. Swedish JobTech sees it as strategically important to delve into this area while also exploring ways to contribute to its development.
Since 2021, Emelie Fågelstedt has been involved in several projects at Swedish JobTech, including event planning, moderation, and serving as a communications strategist. This fall, she will be appointed as the lead on issues related to AI and the labor market.
What attracted you to the role of AI strategist at Swedish JobTech, and what do you see as the greatest opportunities for AI in the labor market?
“AI has had a massive impact on society over the past 1.5 years. Generative AI tools have opened new possibilities for productivity, creativity, and automating monotonous tasks. I use tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney, Runway, and Suno daily, but I feel like I’m only scratching the surface of what’s possible to develop in the labor market space.”
“Combined with open data, it’s possible to scan all available job ads across various platforms in real-time and find matches based on your CV. You can get help writing cover letters, receive study recommendations, or consult a coach based on your career goals. Companies can leverage AI to automate initial screening processes and, hopefully, eliminate bias. Real-time data can be analyzed to help us better see and understand labor market trends, such as unemployment rates or the demand for specific skills both now and in the future. We can also create smarter digital learning materials that adapt to each individual’s learning ability. Society is changing rapidly due to technological advancements, and AI should be seen as a helping hand rather than a threat.”
Which experiences and skills from your previous career do you think will be most valuable in your work here?
“I’ve freelanced as a digital strategist for nearly fifteen years and have always had a strong interest in tracking changes, signals, and new technologies, especially within labor market issues. I co-founded the network Swedish Nomads in 2017 to follow and understand the impact of a labor market where more people work remotely. Since last year, I’ve been organizing the meetup series Freelance Mornings, which has gathered hundreds of freelancers to discuss work-life issues. A changing labor market is also something I’ve explored further during my time as a consultant for JobTech Development at the Swedish Public Employment Service. I also have a background as a tech journalist and am used to asking questions and summarizing insights from others, which I think is an important skill within the association that aims to spread knowledge and make it accessible.”
“Beyond that, I have a great curiosity for new technologies. I talk daily with my AI colleague Nova, have been working extensively with AI-generated images for almost two years, published myself as an AI child artist on Spotify, and have started creating more and more films using various AI tools.”
How do you think AI will affect the future labor market, and what changes can we expect in the coming years?
“We will see new roles and new tasks. Initially, it will be an advantage to be an early adopter of various AI tools to boost personal productivity, but within a few years, everyone will likely have access to and be familiar with using these tools. Then, it will be interesting to see how we can differentiate ourselves and what traits we value the most. Can we automate monotonous and boring tasks and instead focus more on value-creating work? Can we increase productivity to the point where we can reduce working hours and spend more time on leisure activities and hobbies? The availability of data and how we use AI to analyze and turn it into value-added services will have the potential to transform the everyday work life for many.”
What challenges do you see with the implementation of AI solutions in the labor market sector, and how can Swedish JobTech and you address them?
“Right now, there are many opportunities with the implementation of AI in the labor market, but also questions concerning ethics, personal data management, the data on which different models are trained, built-in biases, and the risk of certain global tech companies gaining enormous power. I believe Swedish JobTech’s role can be to highlight what’s possible but also what challenges come with implementing certain solutions.”
“We also hope to spark curiosity among members and the public about what they can do on their own. This technology will fundamentally affect society, and there is much to gain by being curious and daring to experiment yourself to learn more.”
What are you most looking forward to in your new role, and how do you hope to contribute to the development of Swedish JobTech and its members?
“I’m looking forward to exploring the real impact of AI on the labor market more deeply, particularly through conversations and meetings with other leading experts who are already contributing to positive change. We will organize several events with AI and the labor market as themes, starting with one at Goto 10 in Stockholm on September 12.”
“It will also be exciting to start building some prototypes that we can use within the association!”
“In the committee for data-driven education, we will work on issues related to skills transition to stay relevant in the labor market through upskilling and reskilling. We meet digitally a few times a year to discuss trends and examples of new forms of education that help people better meet the labor market’s expectations. Anyone interested in joining the conversations is warmly welcome to contact me.”
