The Hype Is AI. The Difference Is Human.

AI is everywhere - in our workplaces, our social medias, even in our pockets. And there is no doubt, we all must have had this question atleast once - 

Will AI change the way we work, or will it only matter when humans know how to apply it? 

Well, to explore this, we spoke with Viktor Rapp Bjälemar, Tech Lead and member of our AI Advisory team at Knowit Connectivity, Sweden. And he was clear: Of course, AI is revolutionary, but the real disruption happens when we decide how to use it. 

Let’s dig deeper! 

Case in Point: A Virtual Courtroom That Trains Our Future Judges 

AI is the most talked-about technology in years. But Viktor is clear: not every solution needs it. 

“The important part is not to use AI just because it’s AI,”  he says. “The real question is how it benefits the end result.” 

When AI is applied with purpose, the impact is clear. One project Viktor highlights is our collaboration with AWS and the Swedish Courts. 

Traditionally, training notaries required costly, time-consuming mock trials with people playing every role. Instead, in collaboration with Swedish National Courts Administration (Domstolsverket), Knowit developed a VR courtroom simulator where each persona - defendant, witness, prosecutor, is played by an AI agent. 

Trainees can practice more often, in lifelike scenarios, at a fraction of the cost. 

“Instead of needing ten mock trials, you can have ten trainees practicing at the same time,”  Viktor explains. “It’s more time-efficient, cost-efficient, and creates real societal value.” Here is a little information about the VR Court case: Court simulator with generative AI | Knowit 

AI can transform industries when applied to real problems. But tools alone don’t create change - it’s people who make the difference. 

The Hidden Cost of AI: Sustainability    

One rarely discussed angle is AI’s environmental footprint. Large language models consume enormous amounts of energy. Viktor points out a simple but powerful example: asking ChatGPT instead of using a search engine. It may seem trivial, but at scale, those choices multiply into huge energy costs. 

We address this by using smaller models when possible, optimizing prompts, and helping clients design more sustainable AI solutions. 

It raises a bigger industry question: is AI sustainable enough to scale responsibly? 

The Human Factor 

For Viktor, culture is what turns new technology into meaningful outcomes. What makes AI truly work isn’t the algorithms, but the way we teach, share, and grow together. That means investing in training, workshops, and shared resources so that every consultant, from junior developers to senior architects, builds a solid foundation in AI. The goal is simple: to make the technology accessible, not...... intimidating!

Change, of course, is inevitable. And while some worry that AI could make junior roles redundant, Viktor takes a more balanced view: certain tasks may disappear, but new skills, adaptability, critical thinking, and ethical judgment, will matter even more. 

“Companies like ours need to keep recruiting and training talent. The key is adaptability.” 

Instead of being replaced, the next generation of consultants may grow into roles that demand sharper critical thinking, stronger ethical judgment, and the ability to work side by side with AI. 

The Future Demands Responsibility 

Every new technology brings challenges, and AI is no exception. Left unchecked, it risks doing more harm than good. That’s why Viktor stresses responsibility: building in security from the start, making sustainability a priority by choosing smaller, smarter models, and ensuring human oversight at every step.  

As he puts it, don’t build something you don’t understand, because without people in control, AI has no real value. AI accelerates, but there is a need to set the direction for it to work. 

If someone’s only AI strategy is to “add AI,” they’re already behind. The future belongs to those who ask harder questions:

Does it add value? Is it secure? Is it sustainable? 

If not, it’s not innovation.