Theme day on how AI delivers real value to businesses

The AFAIR research profile at Jönköping University has become a key driver of AI development in industry. That is the view of several of the companies that participated in the inspiration day on 21 May, which focused on how AI creates real value for the business sector.

Bufab is one of twelve participating companies in AFAIR, a collaboration between the School of Engineering and Jönköping International Business School and the business community aimed at developing advanced AI solutions that strengthen the industry.

“AFAIR has been of great importance to our AI journey and has led to several AI-focused courses for professionals at Jönköping University, which a whole group of our employees are now taking,” says Helena Häger.

Creating tangible benefits

The more than 90 participants from 26 companies at the inspiration day took part in lectures, new research, and future outlooks on AI.

“I like the research perspective and getting input from other companies. Plus, almost all the companies that came here today were our customers, so this was truly a goldmine for us,” says Helena.

"Has been crucial"

Nils-Erik Ohlson, NEO, Planning Specialist at Siemens Energy in Finspång and a recent PhD graduate in production systems from Jönköping University, was another of the speakers at the inspiration day. He emphasized how AFAIR has helped Siemens develop an AI-based tool to optimize safety lead times.

“For us, the research collaboration within AFAIR has been crucial in enabling us to work in a more exploratory and data-driven way. We’ve bounced ideas off researchers and experimented our way to developing tools that we otherwise wouldn’t have developed in the same way,” says NEO.

He also highlights the value of working together with other companies within AFAIR.

“It’s incredibly valuable to see how others do things. We build networks, benchmark, and gain insight into what AI work looks like in different industries. It gives us both inspiration and direction.”

"That is why AFAIR is so important"

Kristina Sollander is an Assistant Professor in Work Organisation at the School of Engineering and Deputy Profile Leader of the AFAIR research profile. She explains that the idea behind the inspiration day was to create a meeting place where companies and researchers could explore the opportunities and challenges of AI together – without pretending there are any easy answers. Many companies are wondering how work methods, decision-making, and responsibility will change as AI technology becomes part of everyday life.

“That is precisely why AFAIR is so important. By combining technical AI research with organizational and logistical perspectives, and by working in close collaboration with industry, the research profile can contribute both scientific depth and practical relevance. We hope to contribute new perspectives for companies and foster connections with partners who are embarking on the same journey. For us in academia, this is a fantastic opportunity to listen to their needs and develop collaborations that make a real difference,” says Kristina.

Read more about AFAIR here