Wikiparas

Transforming society with tech is not as easy as ABC. But maybe we can make it easier to understand what we do with ABC. That’s the idea behind the Wikipare – Compares wiki where we describe terms and abbreviations that we often use.

A

Accelerator
An accelerator is an organisation or programme that helps start-ups accelerate their development and growth. By offering, for example, mentoring, coaching and funding over a short period of time, businesses are given the opportunity to grow quickly.
resources, but it is important that data sharing complies with current legislation.
Access control
Methods and techniques used to restrict access to systems and data based on users’ authorisations.
Aggregated data
Another term for collected data.
AI
Abbreviation for Artificial Intelligence. It is a technology that allows computers to perform tasks that often require human intelligence. For example, the ability to understand language, interpret patterns and make decisions.
Advanced digitalisation
Any use of advanced technologies and methods to streamline, for example, communication, business processes and data management. AI is a technology used in advanced digitalisation.

B

Big Data
A term for large amounts of data collected from different sources, for example via AI, to identify patterns that can be used in change processes.
BI
Abbreviation of Business Intelligence which consists of techniques for analysing business data that can support decision-making within organisations.
Biometrics
The collective name for technologies that can identify individuals based on physical characteristics such as fingerprints and facial recognition.
BYOD
Abbreviation for Bring Your Own Device, which refers to employees being encouraged to use their personal digital devices for work purposes.
BYOAI
Abbreviation for Bring Your Own AI, which refers to employees being encouraged to use their personal AI assistant at work.

C

CBCC
Abbreviation for our Swedish-Norwegian Interreg project Cross Border Cyber Capacity, which revolves around strengthening the capacity of both nations in cyber and societal security. Read more about it here.
Challenge Lab
A collaborative approach we often use to solve complex challenges, where different actors come together around a problem and jointly try to identify solutions.
Cluster
An organisation that brings together actors in a specific industry or sector and promotes development through resource and knowledge sharing. Clusters are usually formed by companies that see the need for a single resource centre that can help strengthen competitiveness and growth.
Connectivity
The ability to connect different devices and systems to enable communication and data exchange. Related to this is interconnectivity, which focuses more on how different networks, systems and devices are connected to each other technically. IoT is an example of interconnectivity.
Cybersecurity
Any security that protects computers, networks and data from unauthorised access, attack or damage. It involves using techniques and processes to keep information safe.
Cyber X
A 12-week accelerator programme for visionary startups in cybersecurity and resilience. The catchment area is the Nordics and Baltics, but mainly Sweden and Norway. The Cyber X programme is run by DigitalWell Ventures, and is developed together with Compare. Read more here.

D

Data-driven innovation
The use of data and advanced analytical methods to develop products, services and processes.
Defence tech
Advanced technology used to improve a country’s defence. It includes everything from weapons and vehicles to communication systems and cyber defence.
Demand Acceleration
Demand Acceleration is a framework for how the public sector can drive innovation and transformation using public procurement as a tool, by increasing demand for sustainable solutions. By starting from the logic of an innovation process and integrating procurement into it, the framework aims to stimulate co-creation of solutions that are both implemented, spread beyond the first customer and further developed over time.
Deeptech
An umbrella term for cutting-edge and research-intensive technologies with the potential for profound impacts on industries and society in general.
DigitalWell Ventures
An accelerator and incubator specialising in helping tech startups. Find out more here.
DWA
Short for DigitalWell Arena, our ten-year Vinnväxt initiative focused on digital health innovation. Read more on the DWA website.

E

EDIH
Abbreviation for European Digital Innovation Hubs. This is an initiative born out of the European Commission’s DIGITAL programme. The aim of the programme is to build the EU’s strategic digital capabilities in AI, cybersecurity and HPC (high-performance computing). This is driven within European digital innovation hubs.
Ecosystems
When we talk about ecosystems from an innovation perspective, we are referring to the interaction between different actors, from businesses and investors to researchers and public actors, that create an environment in which ideas can develop into new solutions. The focus is on how the environment, or habitat, influences the ability of these ‘organisms’ to collaborate, innovate and grow.
Endpoint
An end device within a network, such as a computer or mobile device used to access network resources.
ERDF
Abbreviation for the European Regional Development Fund, also often called the Regional Fund. It is an EU programme that funds development projects in areas such as innovation, productivity and sustainability. Its main objective is sustainable development and employment in all European regions.

F

Facial Recognition
Facial recognition is a biometric technology that uses AI to identify or verify a person’s identity. By analysing unique facial features and comparing them to facial images in a database, AI can determine whether you have access to a specific system, for example.
Facilitate
Being responsible for a process that creates the right conditions and environment for effective collaboration.

G

Gamification
Also called gamification or gamification. It is a term for when elements from the world of games are used in other contexts to elicit engagement. For example, earning ‘badges’ for using certain services or a progress indicator that measures progression. Every time you are asked to register a user or upload an avatar, you are exposed to the phenomenon of gamification.
Generative AI
AI that generates content based on data it has learnt from. This can be texts, images and music, for example.
GovTech
Technology that aims to develop the public sector through innovation and digitalisation. This can include streamlining processes, increasing transparency and improving the citizen experience.

H

Hackathon
An event where programmers, designers and people in similar roles work together intensively for a limited time to create innovative solutions such as apps or products.
Hackerspace
A physical space for people with an interest in different forms of technology. The focus is on creating community, sharing experiences and collaborating on different creative challenges.
HDS
Abbreviation for the Health Data Sweden project, which is one of Sweden’s EDIHs (European Digital Innovation Hubs). The focus is on digital transformation of health data. Read more about HDS here.
Healthtech
The use of advanced technologies to improve public health and healthcare. This includes AI tools, apps and wearable devices that increase accessibility, efficiency and quality of care.
Health data
Any information collected about a person’s health and medical conditions. This can include medical records and test results. Nowadays, many people have a smartwatch around their wrist or a smartphone that reads health data, from heart rate to sleep patterns.

I

Incubators
An incubator helps start-ups test their wings and develop. It does this by offering a structured development environment that provides access to business networks, funding, office space and practical resources, for example. As SISP puts it, “The aim is to create a favourable greenhouse in which the company grows and can enter the market and become profitable.”
Innovation
When we talk about innovation, we mean the development of new or improved ideas, solutions or methods where the value is created only when they are used. Whether it is a new product, service or way of working, the focus is on creating real benefits for users or society. Please see the Oslo Manual for a more detailed description.
Innovation environment
An environment that is strategically planned to stimulate innovation. It involves bringing together different actors with the aim of creating an environment that promotes innovation. Examples of innovation environments are incubators, science parks and various forms of test beds.
Innovation support system
A network of resources and actors that support the development and implementation of new solutions. It includes, for example, accelerators, incubators, research institutes and organisations that help companies develop with the support of innovation.
Innovation Commons
A shared knowledge resource that makes it easier to discover how ideas and technologies can create value. Coined by economist Jason Potts, the concept is fundamentally about shared information that helps entrepreneurs understand markets and opportunities. In a broader sense, it is also used to describe shared resources and collaborations within an innovation ecosystem, such as open data, networks and shared environments.
IoT
Abbreviation of Internet of Things, which is a term for the Internet of Things, or more specifically, how things can be connected to each other via smart technology. For example, how different devices in smart homes can interact.
Island operation
A term used in electricity emergency preparedness to describe a limited area, an “island”, where there is own electricity production without connection to the rest of the electricity grid. Compare is currently exploring the possibilities of applying internet islanding to maintain critical digital communications even if the internet connection is down. Read more about it here.

J

Job Automation
The process of using AI and technology to automate repetitive and time-consuming tasks. Through this automation, organisations can increase their efficiency while relieving staff.

L

Language model
An AI designed to understand and generate human language. It is trained on text data to learn grammar, vocabulary and contexts. Language models are used for translation and as a voice assistant, for example.
Latency
English for latency which refers to the delay in data. Latency refers to the time it takes for data to travel from one point to another. Low latency is an important factor in online games and real-time communication, for example.
Low-code
A method of developing applications with minimal manual coding, hence the name signalling a low level of coding. Instead, low-code focuses on various drag-and-drop solutions.

M

Machine learning
Learning technique in AI where computers learn from data. By analysing large amounts of data, computers can detect patterns that can be used to make predictions over time.
Metadata
Data within data that helps to understand the content of a specific data file. For example, in a digital image, metadata includes information about resolution, size, creation date and the camera used.
Multihelix
A model of co-operation in innovation where at least four different sectors work together to solve complex societal challenges. This usually includes industry, academia, the public sector and civil society.

N

Neural network
Also known as neural networks. It is a model in machine learning that mimics the structure of the brain. Neural networks use layers of interconnected nodes, or neurons, to process data and make predictions. This model is mainly used for deep learning in AI.

O

Open Source
An English term for open source software. More specifically, the source code of a software programme is freely available for anyone to use, modify and distribute. It means greater freedom because it is not locked to one vendor and projects are not dependent on the original developer to continue development

P

Phishing
A form of cyberattack where attackers try to trick users into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords or card details.
Pentest
Abbreviation of penetration test, which refers to making intrusion attempts into one’s own IT system to identify vulnerabilities.
Privacy Engineering
English for privacy engineering, which is a field of technology whose purpose is to ensure an arbitrary level of privacy within various systems. For example, it can involve encryption and anonymisation of data. Nowadays, privacy engineering is usually included in the process of developing new technology.
Prompting
Instruction to an AI model with the aim of generating a specific response or specific content. It is a way to control the AI’s behaviour by formulating clear instructions.

Q

Quantum Computing
A term for so-called quantum computers, which use quantum mechanical phenomena to perform calculations significantly faster than ordinary computers. Quantum computing is therefore suitable for processes where complex calculations need to be solved in a short time.

R

Redundancy
Security based on the fact that the same function or data exists in multiple locations and that different systems, components or copies can replace each other if something goes wrong. This reduces the risk of disruption or data loss if one of the sites goes down.
Research institute
An organisation that has research as its sole or main activity. As opposed to a university, for example, which also focuses on education.
Reuse of data
Data reuse means using existing data for new purposes instead of collecting new data. It saves time and resources, but it is important that data sharing complies with current legislation.
RFI
Abbreviation for Request For Information, which are written requests that are often used as part of a market analysis when you want to get information from suppliers, for example, before designing a procurement.
Robotics
The technical field of robots, i.e. machines with the ability to perform tasks automatically. Robots can be used in many different areas, not least in the manufacturing industry, where they perform tasks that can be dangerous for humans.

S

Societal transition
Societal transition is a broad term for when society fundamentally changes. It has happened many times throughout history. Above all, we aim for innovation to not only create growth, but also to help society change in a certain direction, for example to become more sustainable. We want to accelerate this process with the support of tech and innovation.
Scale-up
Based on the OECD definition, a scale-up is a company with at least 10 employees and an average profit of 20% over the last three years. In a broader sense, it is a company with an established business model that is in a growth phase and wants to scale up.
Science park
A creative and productive environment where ideas can be developed into commercial successes. A science park often brings together businesses, research institutes and academia to promote technological innovation.
SME
Abbreviation for Small and Medium Enterprises.
Social robots
Robots designed specifically to interact with people on a social level and provide various forms of service. Social robots are used, for example, in the hospitality industry.
Startup
A start-up focussed on developing an innovative product or service with the potential to scale up. The focus is on developing and validating a scalable business model.
Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth
A national government agency that manages various EU programmes and allocates funding to projects that provide sustainable growth and increased employment in various areas.
System innovation
System innovation is about changing several parts of society at once. For example, habits, rules, technology and organisations. It often involves both small steps and larger changes that together lead to something new and more sustainable in the long run. It is based on a coordinated approach where everyone involved works horizontally in the same direction instead of working vertically in closed silos.
Synthetic data
Artificially generated data that mimics real data. This can be useful in machine learning when there is not enough real data. As synthetic data is not taken from reality, it enables development without affecting the privacy of individuals.

T

Test bed
A physical or virtual environment where different actors can work together to develop and test products or services, for example.
Transition
A process of change in which a system or a society adapts to meet new challenges or new goals as a result of changing conditions.
Twin Transition
A concept for the dual transition that takes place by combining digitalisation and sustainability. We are running a project in this area together with OpenTech and Bron Innovation, which you can read about here.

U

UAV
Abbreviation for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, which is the name for unmanned flying vehicles that can be remotely controlled or fly autonomously. Drones fall into this category. Unmanned aerial vehicles are common in modern warfare, but are also used for surveillance and delivery of goods to hard-to-reach places.

V

Vinnova
Sweden’s innovation agency and the government’s expert authority on innovation policy. Vinnova’s mission is to strengthen Sweden’s innovation capacity and contribute to sustainable growth. This is done, among other things, by supporting innovation initiatives.
VR (Virtual Reality)
Technology that creates a digital, simulated environment where the user can experience and interact with a computer-generated world. A virtual reality in short.

W

Wearables
A term for wearable devices that are designed as clothing or accessories. Through sensors, they can collect data and provide useful information in real time. Examples include smartwatches that measure health data.
Welfare technology
Digital technology that aims to maintain or increase the safety, activity, participation or independence of a person who has or is at increased risk of having a disability.

Y

Yottabyte
The largest unit of measure practically used in data storage today. In everyday life, we rarely deal with units that are above the terabyte scale. For comparison, 1 YB is equivalent to a full 1 trillion TB.

X

X-lab
A term for an experimental test environment where new ideas, technologies or ways of working can be explored. We also often use it as an abbreviation for Visitors eXperience Lab Värmland, a project we run together with Visit Värmland and the Centre for Service Research (CTF) at Karlstad University. The aim is to develop the Värmland tourism industry through data-driven innovation. Read more about the project here.

Y

Yottabyte
The largest unit of measure practically used in data storage today. In everyday life, we rarely deal with units that are above the terabyte scale. For comparison, 1 YB is equivalent to a full 1 trillion TB.

Z

Zero-Day Attack
A special type of cyber attack that exploits previously unknown vulnerabilities in a system. The fact that neither the developer nor the public is aware of the vulnerabilities means that no defences have been developed.

Ä


Change tracking
Change tracking is the process of documenting all changes made to a document or file over time. It is particularly useful when collaborating on shared documents, where multiple people may make updates and changes.

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