Local and regional leaders, EU representatives, municipal executives and digitalisation experts gathered today at Lidingö City Hall for the Local Dialogue “From AI Policy to Practice”, a high-level conference focused on how municipalities and regions can move from AI strategies and regulation to practical implementation.
The event brought together political leaders and public-sector practitioners to discuss how Artificial Intelligence can improve public services, strengthen efficiency, support decision-making and build trust in local government.
The host of the event, Pehr Granfalk, Member of the EPP Group in the European Committee of the Regions, underlined that Europe’s AI ambitions will only succeed if they are translated into practical solutions at local and regional level. “Europe will not become an AI continent through strategies and regulations alone. We will succeed when thousands of practical AI solutions improve everyday life in municipalities and regions across Europe. Our role is to create the conditions for innovation, but also to identify and promote local success stories. Lidingö demonstrates how municipalities can move from discussion to implementation, and that is exactly the kind of example Europe needs more of,” said Pehr Granfalk.
He added that the next step for Europe is to help cities and regions implement AI in practice. “The next phase of Europe’s AI journey is not about writing new rules. It is about helping cities and regions implement them. By identifying and sharing successful local examples, we can accelerate adoption across Europe. Lidingö has shown leadership in this area, which is why the European Committee of the Regions is proud to highlight its work as part of this dialogue,” Granfalk said.
Daniel Källenfors, Mayor of Lidingö stad, welcomed the European Committee of the Regions’ focus on AI in the public sector and stressed that the transformation is already underway. “I am glad to see the European Committee of the Regions highlighting the importance of AI in the public sector. The question is not whether AI will change our societies — it already is. The question is how we, as leaders, ensure that this transformation quickly benefits citizens, with higher quality and efficiency in public services,” said Daniel Källenfors.
He emphasised that AI should not be viewed only through disruption, but also through opportunity. “Artificial intelligence must not be seen only through the lens of disruption or job replacement. The real task is to understand how this technology can create new opportunities, support economic growth and prepare our organisations for the future. Over the past five to seven years, we have seen that AI is not simply a technical tool — it is a driver of transformation. If used responsibly, it can help create new jobs, open new possibilities for young people and strengthen competitiveness. Our focus must be on shaping this change so that technology works for people, businesses and society,” Källenfors said.
The European perspective was presented by Alberto Cirio, President of the Region of Piedmont and CoR Rapporteur on the AI Act. President Cirio underlined that AI can transform public services and strengthen local communities, but only if it remains human-centred, ethical, well-governed and accessible to citizens and public administrations alike. “Artificial Intelligence is an extraordinary tool for public administrations, but it must always remain human-centred, transparent and responsible. Local and regional authorities have a crucial role to play because they are closest to citizens and understand their real needs. AI can make public services faster, more inclusive and more efficient, but only if we invest in skills, data governance, cybersecurity and ethical safeguards. The future will not be divided between those who use AI and those who do not; it will be divided between those who know how to use it, and those who do not,” said Alberto Cirio.
The dialogue highlighted Lidingö’s work as a concrete example of how municipalities can move beyond pilot projects and implement AI solutions that respond to real operational needs. Discussions focused on the EU AI Act, local and regional implementation, governance, data readiness, cybersecurity, procurement and the practical challenges of scaling AI responsibly.
Throughout the day, speakers stressed that the successful use of AI in the public sector requires political leadership, operational ownership and clear safeguards. The discussions also highlighted the importance of data governance, staff training, ethical oversight, cybersecurity and cooperation between municipalities, regions, EU institutions and technology partners.
The conference concluded that Europe’s AI future will depend not only on legislation and policy frameworks, but on the capacity of local and regional authorities to implement solutions that improve people’s daily lives. By showcasing practical municipal experience, the Lidingö dialogue aimed to support a more coordinated European approach to responsible AI adoption in public services.