The WASP-HS Summer School, hosted by The Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Stockholm from August 21 to 25, has brought together more than 70 exceptional PhD students for a dynamic exchange of ideas. This year’s focus is on the transformative influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on various aspects of society, including jobs, leadership, business strategies, and industrial dynamics.
The ongoing discourse about AI’s ramifications on the job market has ignited widespread apprehensions regarding the potential displacement of human workers. At the core of the conversation lies the endeavor to scrutinize how AI is reshaping the landscape of work. The WASP-HS Summer School has gathered 70 young researchers from diverse corners of Sweden, creating a platform for a comprehensive dialogue on the multifaceted effects of AI on our professional lives.
Lux Miranda, PhD student at the Department of Information Technologies, Uppsala University, highlights the enriching challenges of interdisciplinary collaboration: “Crossing disciplines can be tough due to differing concepts, but it’s enriching. Diverse perspectives from peers can reshape my views, and vice versa.”
Laetitia Tanqueray, Department of Technology and Society, at Lund University, emphasizes the multidisciplinary nature of the experience: “Working so multidisciplinary, you get to see a whole new range of stuff that you did not even think existed.”
The central question of whether AI is symbiotic or destructive in relation to organizational management and business operations is a core theme of the summer school. Throughout the week, young researchers engage in discussions and debates, examining the multifaceted aspects of AI’s impact.
To provide a comprehensive foundation on the topic, experts from academia and the business sector, including AI Sweden, Swedish Center for Digital Innovation, and King, have offered thought-provoking insights through presentations and panel discussions.
Natalie Aleksic, PhD student at the Department of Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Technology at Stockholm School of Economics, reflects on her expanded perspective: “The discussions at the WASP-HS Summer School 2023 have shifted my focus from AI alone to also include its complementary aspects such as on a systems level and networks, as I explore strategies benefiting organizations’ value production.”
Enrollment of the Third Cohort of PhD Students
Christian Balkenius, Professor at Lund University and Director of the WASP-HS Graduate School, celebrates the growth and diversity of the program: “This week, we extend a warm welcome to our latest cohort of PhD students. With this addition, the WASP-HS Graduate School continues to grow. We now boast an impressive total of 89 exceptional PhD students, all hailing from 15 Swedish universities and research institutes, and all with different multidisciplinary backgrounds.”
Throughout the week, the newly enrolled researchers have actively participated in discussions, forming connections with their peers who are already established within the program.
“I start my PhD studies in two weeks so this is my first interaction as a PhD student and it is motivating as you see a lot of people doing interesting and important things, it makes me want to contribute with my own research” says Nicolas Audinet de Pieuchon PhD student, at the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology.
This collaborative spirit aligns with the Graduate School’s vision of nurturing a vibrant and interconnected AI research community, underscoring the profound impact of AI on society.
