Digital Iceland
Collaboration on digital development strengthened at the Nordic level
2nd December 2025
Leaders in the digitalisation of public services in the Nordic countries met in Finland last week. In addition to representatives from Digital Iceland, participants from Digg in Sweden, the Agency for Digital Government in Denmark, Digdir in Norway, and DVV in Finland, which hosted the event this time, were present. From Iceland, Birna Íris, CEO of Digital Iceland, Hlynur Bjarki, Chief Data Officer, and Ragnhildur Helga, Chief Technology and Development Officer, participated in the meeting.
Mynd/Finnish Digital Agency - LinkedIn
„The Nordic countries are all among the world leaders in the digitalisation of public services. By engaging in active dialogue, sharing information and methods, opportunities for synergy and collaboration increase – we can learn from each other and thus achieve greater success,” says Birna Íris Jónsdóttir, CEO of Digital Iceland.
Among the topics in focus where digital accessibility and inclusion, data and data communication, as well as the application of artificial intelligence. Additionally, pressing projects concerning the rebuilding of legacy systems (i.e., legacy reform) are something all nations have in common.
It was useful to hear from colleagues in the Nordic countries, many of whom are dealing with similar projects. Digital inclusion is high on the agenda there because public services need to reach everyone. The message from Finland is clear – only widespread use delivers extensive benefits,” says Ragnhildur Helga Ragnarsdóttir, CTO of Digital Iceland.
It is also a priority for the Nordic countries to implement eID, a digital ID for residents, and adapt it to the European eIDAS project, which aims for cross-border identification.
Data is gold
The utilisation and integration of data are in focus throughout the Nordic countries. To be able to use artificial intelligence, the Nordic nations are working to simplify the governance structure around digital services and the sharing of data to the greatest extent possible.
“Although much has been achieved in recent years, there is still some way to go. Opportunities for efficiency and better services lie largely in data, and therefore the emphasis is strong in this area,” says Hlynur Bjarki Karlsson, Chief Data Officer at Digital Iceland.
In Sweden, work is underway on regulations concerning artificial intelligence, data, and security, while in Norway, an agency, KI Norge, has been established to lead the development of artificial intelligence in the country, both within and outside the public sector. The Danes are currently placing great emphasis on the development of autonomous artificial intelligence or agentic AI.
A suggestion has been made in Iceland to establish a center for artificial intelligence and language technology to assist companies and agencies in implementing artificial intelligence in a practical and responsible manner, support the development of knowledge and skills in the labor market, provide advice on policy-making, handle advocacy in international forums, and promote applied research and infrastructure by building Icelandic-specific data collections and assisting in securing computing power.
