ENAIBLER project explores AI innovation in Skellefteå

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The two-day programme provided a deep dive into how one of Europe’s fastest-growing northern cities is integrating AI

02 March 2026 - ENAIBLER project

On 24–25 February 2026, ERNACT led and Interreg Europe funded ENAIBLER project successfully concluded its 6th Study Visit, hosted by Skellefteå Municipality. The two-day programme provided a deep dive into how one of Europe’s fastest-growing northern cities is integrating artificial intelligence and digital innovation to bolster public sector capabilities and community engagement.

Day 1: Strategic Vision & Practical Innovation
The visit commenced with an opening address from Deputy Mayor Evelina Fahlesson, who emphasised Skellefteå’s commitment to a sustainable future through the responsible adoption of AI. The first day focused on the "how-to" of digital transformation, blending high-level policy with hands-on application.
Key Highlights included:

Policy Peer Review: Led by Andreas Hedlund, partners scrutinised the municipality’s evolving AI governance frameworks.
Ethical AI Insights: Prof. Virginia Dignum (Umeå University) delivered an expert lecture on the latest trends in trustworthy and ethical AI specifically tailored for the public sector.
Generative AI in Action: A practical "Working Smarter with GenAI" session, facilitated by Sara Hällgren, demonstrated how automated tools are already streamlining internal municipal workflows.
Co-Creation Workshop: Innovation Managers from Skellefteå Science City and the Skellefteå Municipality led partners through future-oriented scenario exploration to identify long-term AI capabilities.

Day 2: Education, Energy, and Industry
The second day shifted focus towards AI literacy and regional sustainability, highlighting the importance of involving the next generation in policy-making.

Morning: Schools and Policy Gaming A standout feature was the AI Café initiative, a model for continuous dialogue on AI within schools. This was followed by an interactive Policy Builder Game, where ENAIBLER partners collaborated with local secondary school students to design adaptive AI guidelines that align with both national and EU frameworks.

Afternoon: Sustainability and Industrial Use Cases
The programme concluded with a look at AI’s role in the regional economy:

Smarter Energy: Andreas Hedlund demonstrated AI-driven energy monitoring.
Cultural Innovation: A visit to the iconic SARA Kulturhus showcased a climate-positive building management.
Heavy Industry: Use cases from Boliden (mining) illustrated how AI is strengthening safety, automation, and predictive maintenance in vital sectors.

Strengthening Regional Capacity
The Skellefteå site visit underscored the vital importance of collaboration between municipalities, academia, and industry. By grounding complex policy discussions in real-world educational and industrial experiences, the ENAIBLER project continues to bridge the gap between AI theory and practical public sector.

Click here to email Maixa Zabaleta at ERNACT for further information

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