To further advance research on artificial intelligence’s (AI) impact on humanity and society, WASP-HS will support five new research clusters for a total of 142,3 MSEK over five years.
WASP-HS will support the formation of five new research clusters to advance understanding of AI’s impact on humanity and society. These clusters will build expertise in AI and autonomous systems in the social sciences and humanities and create interdisciplinary research environments for PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and guest researchers. They will also strengthen the impact of WASP-HS research internationally.
The Research Clusters
Altogether the clusters will receive up to 142,3 million SEK over the next five years.
AI Futures of Culture and Memory
This cluster will explore AI’s transformative impact on human culture and collective memory. It will aim to advance arts, humanities, and social sciences by integrating diverse perspectives to create humane, inclusive, and sustainable AI systems. The cluster will address societal challenges like sustainability, ethics, and inclusion, promoting diversity and transparency in AI development and fostering public trust.
Cluster leader: Anna Foka, Professor in Digital Humanities, Uppsala University
Involved universities and research institutes: Chalmers University of Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Linnaeus University, Lund University, Stockholm University, Umeå University, University of Glasgow, University of Gothenburg, University of the Free State, Uppsala University
AI, Power, and Politics
This cluster will investigate AI’s impact on the political sphere, focusing on information ecosystems, governance, and international power dynamics. It will aim to train researchers, foster collaborations, and test AI governance frameworks. This cluster will bridge theory and practice to critically examine AI’s role in politics and develop tools, policies, and ethical guidelines for democratic societies.
Cluster leader: Simon Lindgren, Professor of Sociology, Umeå University
Involved universities and research institutes: Chalmers University of Technology, Institute for Futures Studies, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Malmö University, Mid Sweden University, Stockholm University, Umeå University, University of Gothenburg, Uppsala University
AI, Structural Change, and the Future of Work
This cluster will examine the impact of AI and related technologies on the labor market, focusing on inequality, labor demand, unemployment risks, job satisfaction, and occupational segregation. Using an interdisciplinary approach, it will integrate data from registers, surveys, and vacancy postings and use qualitative and quantitative methods. This cluster will provide insights into the evolving nature of work and the role of AI in shaping labor market outcomes.
Cluster leader: Oskar Nordström Skans, Professor of Economics, Uppsala University
Involved universities and research institutes: Institute for Futures Studies, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Mälardalen University, Örebro University, Ratio, Uppsala University
The AI Welfare State
This cluster will examine the vulnerabilities introduced by AI in welfare systems, such as false information, dependence on foreign infrastructures, misuse, data disclosure, and bias in decision-making. It will combine technological and citizen-focused analyses to understand AI’s societal impact and develop a theoretical framework for an AI welfare state that supports justice, transparency, and social cohesion. This cluster will aim to inform policymakers and the public about AI vulnerabilities, fostering a well-informed and sustainable AI welfare state.
Cluster leader: Anne Kaun, Professor of Media and Communication Studies, Södertörn University
Involved universities and research institutes: Karlstad University, Uppsala University, University of Gothenburg, Lund University, Örebro University, Stockholm University, Södertörn University
The Rule of AI — AI, Regulation, and Society
This cluster will examine both how AI is regulated and how AI transforms regulatory processes. It will aim to understand the dynamics shaping AI governance and the role of AI in compliance and policy implementation. By fostering interdisciplinary dialogue, this cluster will seek to shape the future of AI governance in Sweden and beyond.
Cluster leader: Martin Ebers, Professor of IT Law, Örebro University
Involved universities and research institutes: Institute for Futures Studies, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm University, Umeå University, Uppsala University, Örebro University
