WASP-HS

AI and Society: Fresh Perspectives from PhD Graduates
2025-12-08 15:00 - 16:00 (Europe/Stockholm)
Welcome to second webinar in the AI and Society: Fresh Perspectives form PhD Graduates series! Join us as newly minted PhD students from WASP-HS Graduate School discuss their insights into the implications and entanglements of AI for society and humanity in a series of lightning talks.
Program
“Conflicting Aims of Welfare Technology” Maria Arnelid, Linköping University
“The End of a Platform Exeptionalism”Silvia A Caretta, Copenhagen Business School / Women in AI
“How to Build Nice Robots”Jakob Stenseke, Lund University
“Transparency in Trustworthy AI”Kasia Söderlund, Lund University
Registration
Register by 7 December to receive a zoom link.
Register here.

AI Futures: Navigating Ethics, Law, and Heritage
2025-12-16 13:15 - 15:00
Please note that this event is independently organized by a WASP-HS researcher and not the WASP-HS Program Office.
Can AI models be lawfully and ethically trained on copyrighted and cultural heritage–protected materials? This question has become one of the most pressing and contested issues in Sweden’s AI and cultural policy landscape. Recent debates between rights-holder organizations and public institutions have highlighted tensions around copyright, lawful access, and the future of generative AI.
This roundtable, hosted by WASP-HS Research Cluster AI Futures of Culture and Memory, WASP-HS Research Cluster The Rule of AI, the Swedish Research Council Research Environment VOICE and the Swedish Research Council Excellence Network in Ground Breaking Technologies Culture Code at Uppsala University, brings together experts from law, technology, cultural heritage, and creative sectors to foster an informed and respectful dialogue beyond polarized public discourse.
When & where: 16 December 2025, 13:15–15:00, Online event
Type: Workshop
Organiser: WASP-HS Research Cluster AI Futures of Culture and Memory, the Swedish Research Council Research Environment VOICE and the Swedish Research Council Excellence Network in Ground Breaking Technologies Culture Code at Uppsala University
Contact person: Kailin Hatlestad
Invited Speakers
– Jens Västberg – Chief Legal Officer, Riksarkivet (Swedish National Archives)– Love Börjesson – Head of KB Lab, National Library of Sweden– Josefine Engström – Chair, Svenska Tecknare (The association of Swedish illustrators and graphic designers) & Vice Chair KLYS (Swedish Joint Committee for Artistic and Literary Professionals)– Marijn Storm – Partner at Morrison Foerster, involved in GPT-NL development
Each speaker will provide a 5-minute perspective with one slide, introducing themselves and sharing their thoughts on opportunities and challenges related to AI training on cultural heritage data.
Who Should Attend?
Researchers, policymakers, cultural heritage professionals, rights-holder organizations, and anyone interested in the intersection of AI, law, and culture.
Organized by:
– Anna Foka, Professor of Digital Humanities, Uppsala University– Katja de Vries, Associate Professor in Public Law, Uppsala University
Registration
To participate is free of charge. Register here!

Knowledge Exchange: Algorithm Watch
2026-01-12 16:30 - 17:30
We welcome all WASP-HS researhers to exchange knowledge about political aspects of algorithms together with Oliver Marsh from Algorithm Watch, Berlin. The goal of the one hour workshop is to explore strategies to manage the increasingly algorithm-driven society.
Speaker
Oliver Marsh, Head of Tech Research at Algorithm Watch
About Algoritm Watch
Algorithm Watch is a non-governmental, non-profit organization based in Berlin and Zurich. We fight for a world where algorithms and Artificial Intelligence (AI) do not weaken justice, human rights, democracy, and sustainability but strengthen them.
Read more.
Registration
Do you want to join the webinar? Send an email to graduate.school@wasp-hs.org for the link!

Winter Conference 2026
2026-02-04 09:00 - 2026-02-06 12:00
About

Exchange

Posters

Workshops

Program

Registration

The WASP-HS Winter Conference 2026 will be in LUX, the Joint Faculties for Humanities and Literature, at Lund University 4-6 February. It will be filled with workshops, poster presentations, and interactive discussions, with ample opportunity for networking.
Please join us and contribute to the conversation!

WASP-HS Annual Exchange
Encountering DigitalizationWhat happens when interactions are automated and digital agents intervene? Welcome to this year’s WASP-HS Annual Exchange — a dynamic conversation on human-centred digitalization with Prof. Brit Ross Winthereik, Dr. Kash Haresamudram, Dr. Charlotte Högberg and Dr. Malin Heintz.

Speakers

Brit Ross Wintereik

Professor, Technology and Business Studies, IT University of Copenhagen

Kashyap Haresamudram

PhD in Technology and Society, Lund University

Charlotte Högberg

PhD in Technology and Society, Lund University

Malin Heintz

PhD in Economics, Arbetsförmedlingen

Poster sessions for all
Come and see the most recent PhD project results and give your feedback and contribute with your insights.
Please download and use the poster template for the poster session.Download poster template (.pptx)

Workshops for PhD Students
Bias and Prejudices in AI Training Data
Smashing the cloud with a hammer: Exploring AI through rejection
History a la ChatGPT
AI experts meet AI narratives on Bluesky
Also open for WASP-HS researchers:
AI in Higher Education – limitations and risks

Program

Wednesday, February 4

Time

Venue

PhD students

Senior researchers

9:00—11.30

TBDC214

Workshop

Workshop

10:00—11:30

Coffee

Coffee

11:30—13:00

Outside of LUX auditorium

Poster presentations

Poster presentations

13:00—15:00

LUX Auditorium

WASP-HS Annual Exchange

WASP-HS Annual Exchange

15:00—15:20

Outside of LUX Auditorium

Coffee

Coffee

15:20—18:00

C214

How to write a post doc application

15:20—18:00

B336

Posters that Don’t Suck: From Awkward to Awesome!

18:00-18:30

B336

PhD student council meeting

19:00

Conference dinner with PhD certificate ceremony for all of WASP-HS

Thursday, February 5

Time

Venue

PhD students

Senior researchers

10:00—12.00

Poster sessions by WASP-HS PhD students

Poster sessions by WASP-HS PhD students

12:00—13.00

Lunch

Lunch

13:00—15.00

Supervisor meeting

13:00—16.00

Workshop 3

13:00—16.00

Workshop 4

13:00—16.00

Workshop 5

18:00-

Paradis Biljard

PhD student social activity

Friday, February 6

Time

Venue

PhD students

Senior researchers

09:30—12.00

Oral presentations by PhD students

Oral presentations by PhD students

Registration
Open for WASP-HS PhD students and WASP-HS researchers. Please register no later than January 16 2026.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Name *FirstLastEmail *University *I am *A WASP-HS PhD StudentA WASP-HS ResearcherOther, please specifyPlease let us know your connection to WASP-HS *Title of your WASP-HS project *Name of Supervisor *FirstLastSupervisor's email *I need accommodation: *No I have my own accommodation3-4 February4-5 February5-6 FebruaryRooms are booked at Elite Hotel Ideon. If you travel with partner and/or family, please choose number of nights above and contact graduate.school@wasp-hs.org for additional assistance.PhD student poster presentationsI understand that *I need to book printing of poster at my University's printing agency to ensure that it is ready in time.The poster should be a standing format, maximum size A0I should use the WASP-HS poster templateWorkshopsChoose a workshop! Please rank the five choices: your most preferred as '1st choice' and the least preferred as 5th choice. Read more about the different workshops here: https://wasp-hs.org/event/winter-conference-2026/WorkshopAI in higher education is open both to senior researchers and PhD students in WASP-HS. PhD students have 5 workshops to choose from which is why we have a priority 1-5 🙂Bias and Prejudices in AI Training Data *First ChoiceSecond ChoiceThird ChoiceFourth ChoiceFifth ChoiceI am not joining a workshopModerator: Sarah de HeerSmashing the cloud with a hammer: Exploring AI through rejection *First ChoiceSecond ChoiceThird ChoiceFourth ChoiceFifth ChoiceSixth ChoiceModerators: Martin Lindstam and Victor LarssonHistory a la ChatGPT *First ChoiceSecond ChoiceThird ChoiceFourth ChoiceFifth ChoiceSixth ChoiceModerators: Johannes Widegren, Nasrin Mostofian and Mo von BychelbergAI experts meet AI narratives on Bluesky *First ChoiceSecond ChoiceThird ChoiceFourth ChoiceFifth ChoiceSixth ChoiceModerators: Igor RyazanovAI in Higher Education - limitations and risks *First ChoiceSecond ChoiceThird ChoiceFourth ChoiceFifth ChoiceSixth ChoiceModerators: Valentina Fantasia and Katherine HarrisonPlease choose one of the two seminars/workshops. *Posters that Don't Suck: From Awkward to AwesomeHow to write a PostDoc application (for PhD students who are close to the finish line and for Alumni)Note! How to write a postdoc application has limited spaces available.Lunch Lunch February 4Lunch February 5Conference dinner February 4 *I want to participateI don't want to participateLimited spaces available. Please register if you plan to attend. To minimize food waste, your registration is binding and cannot be cancelled 7 days prior to the event.Social activity for the PhD students February 5 at 18.00- *Yay, I want to participate!I don't want to participateLimited spaces available. Please register if you plan to attend. To minimize food waste, your registration is binding and cannot be cancelled 7 days prior to the event.Supervisor meeting February 5 13-16 *I want to participateI don't want to participateLimited spaces available. Please register if you plan to attend. To minimize food waste, your registration is binding and cannot be cancelled 7 days prior to the event.I have dietary restrictions *NoYesPlease specify *Additional infoPlease let us know if you have any special needs.GDPR Agreement *I consent to having this website store my submitted information so that WASP-HS can respond to my inquiry.Photos *I acknowledge that there will be photos taken on site.Contact Eva Sjöstrand and Hanna Nordin if you don't want to be in any pictures.Submit

Research Opportunities at the Intersection of Society, Life Sciences, and Technology
2026-05-07 09:00 - 2026-05-08 17:00
A Joint Conference between DDLS, WASP and WASP-HS
Uniting Sweden’s life science, machine learning and artificial intelligence communities, we welcome researchers from all disciplines to explore new research opportunities in a changing world.
Participants will have the opportunity to network, be inspired by excellent international keynote speakers, and take part in the latest research in Sweden. In addition to plenary keynotes, the program will offer a panel discussion, a poster session and ample time to mingle.
Practical Details
DatesMay 7-8, 2026
VenueUppsala Konsert & Kongress
Program
TBD
Background
Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program (WASP), the SciLifeLab and Wallenberg National Program for Data-Driven Life Science (DDLS), and Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program – Humanity and Society (WASP-HS) are collaborating through joint research projects and events with the ultimate goal of solving ground-breaking research questions across disciplines.

AI for Humanity and Society 2026
2026-11-10 12:00 - 2026-11-11 12:15 | Stångs Mjärdevi, Linköping Science Park, Teknikringen 7, Linköping, Sweden
About

Keynotes

Program

Registration

More

Robots and Autonomous Systems in Everyday Life

How can we live amidst and with robots? How do they impact human work and our understanding of social relationships and societal values? Complex organizational work is needed to make robot fleets run smoothly and bring forward societal concerns about care, safety and responsibility. Join the WASP-HS conference AI for Humanity and Society 2026 themed “Robots and Autonomous Systems in Everyday Life”.

Robots and autonomous systems have left the laboratories and are now entering homes, schools, hospitals and public spaces. They are becoming part of everyday life. Being a material and mobile manifestation of artificial intelligence, robots raise new questions about autonomy and agency in relationships with individuals.
This year’s conference, Robots and Autonomous Systems in Everyday Life, will explore how individuals, organizations, and societies are impacted when robots enter our daily life, shedding light on how humans work to make autonomous systems at home in the world. WASP-HS welcomes researchers, industry leaders, policymakers, and civil society to come together to make sense of emerging developments and to discuss agendas for humane futures with autonomous systems and AI. Through panels, keynotes and an interactive reception, we will engage with topics such as coordination and interaction with robots as a form of embodied AI, robots in education, regulatory and policy issues related to autonomous systems, as well as the roles robots and autonomous systems may play in care and crisis.
The WASP-HS AI for Humanity and Society 2026 conference fosters human-centered perspectives on robots and autonomous systems, offering a space to examine emerging challenges and to jointly imagine possible futures — where robots and autonomous systems can foster human relationships, contribute to inclusive public spaces, and stimulate meaningful work. We warmly welcome you to join us in Linköping-Mjärdevi at Linköping Science Park (Teknikringen 7) on November 10–11, 2026.

Keynotes

Steve Benford

Dunford Professor of Computer Science, University of Nottingham And UKRI Turing AI World Leading Research Fellow

Janet Vertesi

Associate Professor, Princeton University and Associate Director of the Keller Center for Innovation in Engineering Education

Preliminary Conference Program
Conference program may be subject to change.

Tuesday, November 10
12:00 Registration opens
13:00–13:15 Welcome and introduction
13:15–14:00 Panel 1: Coordinating human and robot bodies
14:15–15:00 Panel 2: Educational robots and AI
15:00–15:30 Coffee Break
15:30–16:15 Opening keynote: Steve Benford
16:30–18:30 Interactive Reception

Wednesday, November 11
08:30 Registration opens
09:00–9:15 Welcome and opening
09:15–10:00 Panel 3: Policy and regulation of robots

10:00–10:15 Coffee Break
10:30–11.15 Panel 4: Robots and AI in care and crisis

11:15-12:00 Closing keynote: Janet Vertesi
12:00-12:15 Closing and announcement of 2027 conference

Registration
Registration opens in spring 2026

Conference Chairs

Hannah Pelikan

Assistant Professor at Linköping University and a Pro Futura Scientia Fellow at the Swedish Collegium for Advanced Study

Airi Lampinen

Associate Professor in Human–Computer Interaction at the Department of Computer and Systems Sciences at Stockholm University, Sweden
