The Future of Intelligence: SwedCham Launched ‘THE LUNCH LAB’ with a Deep Dive into AI and Humanity

This week, we hosted our very first THE LUNCH LAB - an experimental discussion format where a small group gathers to talk about big topics. And what better way to start than with the question: “Will AI Make Us Stupid?”

We had a small but perfect group, the ideal setup for these kinds of conversations where everyone gets involved and shares their perspective. The lunch took place at the inspiring MANKS store and showroom, surrounded by beautiful Nordic design - a perfect backdrop for creative thinking.

The discussion about AI was lively and diverse: some saw it as a great opportunity, others as something slightly scary, and a few as a mix of both. The conversation also moved into deeper, more philosophical territory - what is intelligence really? We talked about leadership, education and how the job market might evolve, asking whether it’s the top students who risk being replaced by AI, while those with emotional intelligence, creativity and human connection will be the most valuable in the future.

Everyone agreed that the discussion could have gone on for hours - it was that engaging. Here 3 of our participants in the LAB.

This was our first attempt at this kind of setup, and we’re happy to say it was appreciated! Going forward, we’ll rename the concept to THE FIKA LAB - bringing it closer to the Swedish tradition of having a coffee and a chat. It won’t always be during lunch; it might be a morning coffee session, an afternoon chat, or even a weekend meetup.

If you have ideas for future topics, please reach out, we’d love to hear them! Contact us by clicking herel

And the final vote of the day?

NO, AI will not make us stupid (according to the majority of the group). It will challenge us, and that’s a good thing.

A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who joined and to MANKS for hosting us!