12 November 09:00-16:00Zätasalen, ABF-huset

The rise of AI may shift the balance of power in the labour market. At the same time, research indicates that employer market power depresses wages and working conditions even in countries with strong unions. Who will hold power in tomorrow’s labour market, and what does that mean for productivity, employment and equality?

When: November 12th, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Where: Zätasalen, ABF-huset, Sveavägen 41

Register now to secure your spot! Participation is free of charge, but a cancellation fee applies if you cancel less than a week in advance.

The conference language is mainly English, but the concluding discussion will be held in Swedish. 

Welcome!

Keynote Speakers

Jakob Roland Munch
Professor of Economics at the University of Copenhagen

Jakob Roland Munch is Professor of Economics at the University of Copenhagen and Chairman at the Danish Economic Councils. He will present and discuss the Council’s recent analysis of the links between employer market power, union organisation and wages in the Danish economy.

Keynote 1: Market power, Wages and Employment – Conclusions from the The Danish Economic Council’s Report 2026

Jakob Roland Munch is Professor of Economics at the University of Copenhagen and member of the Danish Economic Council. He will present and discuss the Council’s recent analysis of the links between employer market power, union organisation and wages in the Danish economy.

Read more

Academic discussion

Richard B Freeman
Professor of Economics at Harvard University

Richard B. Freeman is Professor of Economics at Harvard University. He has spent fifty years researching the role of trade unions in modern economies. Freeman will comment on the Danish Council’s conclusions and discuss how AI may affect power in the labour market, along with the challenges and opportunities the technology brings for unions and workers.

Keynote 2: AI and the Labour Market – Challenges and Opportunities for Unions

Richard B. Freeman is Professor of Economics at Harvard University. He has spent fifty years researching the role of trade unions in modern economies. Freeman will comment on the Danish Council’s conclusions and discuss how AI may affect power in the labour market, along with the challenges and opportunities the technology brings for unions and workers.

Read more

Academic discussion

Schedule

09:00

Introduction

Marie Nilsson
President of the Swedish Industrial Workers' Union (IF Metall)
09:05

Keynote 1: Market power, Wages and Employment – Conclusions from the The Danish Economic Council’s Report 2026

Jakob Roland Munch is Professor of Economics at the University of Copenhagen and member of the Danish Economic Council. He will present and discuss the Council’s recent analysis of the links between employer market power, union organisation and wages in the Danish economy.

Read more
Jakob Roland Munch
Professor of Economics at the University of Copenhagen
09:45

Academic discussion

Jakob Roland Munch
Professor of Economics at the University of Copenhagen
Axel Malmkrona
PhD student in Economics at Gothenburg University
Erling Barth
Research professor at the Norwegian Institute for Social Research
Moderator: Daniel Lind
Research director at Facken inom industrins produktivitetskommission
10:30

Break

10:45

Policy discussion

Susanne Spector
Chief Economist at Danske Bank Sweden
Erica Sjölander
Head of Secretariat at the The Swedish Unions within Industry
Erica Färnstrand Damsgaard
Head of the Economic Analysis Department at the Swedish National Debt Office
Andrew Watt
General Director of the European Trade Union Institute
Moderator: Daniel Lind
Research director at Facken inom industrins produktivitetskommission
11:30

Lunch

12:30

Keynote 2: AI and the Labour Market – Challenges and Opportunities for Unions

Richard B. Freeman is Professor of Economics at Harvard University. He has spent fifty years researching the role of trade unions in modern economies. Freeman will comment on the Danish Council’s conclusions and discuss how AI may affect power in the labour market, along with the challenges and opportunities the technology brings for unions and workers.

Read more
Richard B Freeman
Professor of Economics at Harvard University
13:15

Academic discussion

Oskar Nordström Skans
Professor of Economics at Uppsala University
Sofia Bougt-Hernnäs
Chief Economist at the think tank Arena Idé
Richard B Freeman
Professor of Economics at Harvard University
Moderator: German Bender
Chief analyst at Arena Idé, affiliated researcher at Stockholm School of Economics and Harvard Law School
14:00

Coffee and fika

14:20

Policy discussion

Fredrik Söderqvist
Economist at the Swedish Trade Union Confederation (LO) and the Hotel and Restaurant Workers' Union, affiliated researcher at Blekinge Tekniska Högskola
Moa Tivell
Senior Public Policy Manager at the national center for applied artificial intelligence AI Sweden
Jenny Wrangborg
Researcher at the Swedish Union of Commercial Workers (Handelsanställdas förbund)
Moderator: German Bender
Chief analyst at Arena Idé, affiliated researcher at Stockholm School of Economics and Harvard Law School
15:00

Concluding discussion

Ann Öberg
CEO of the industry and employers’ organization Almega
Elinor Odeberg
Chief Economist at the Swedish Union of Commercial Workers (Handelsanställdas förbund)
Anna Seim
Deputy Governor of Sveriges Riksbank and Professor of Economics at Stockholm University
Anders Forslund
Professor Emeritus at the Institute for Evaluation of Labour Market and Education Policy
Moderator: Daniel Lind
Research director at Facken inom industrins produktivitetskommission
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Arrangörer

Facken inom industrins produktivitetskommission
Arenagruppen