As we conclude the academic year, we mark one of the most significant moments in university life: the graduation of our students. Warm congratulations to all our graduates, at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Your achievements represent years of focused effort, intellectual development, and perseverance. We are proud of what you have accomplished and look forward to the impact you will make in your fields and in society.

This moment of transition invites both celebration and reflection, not only on what has been completed, but on the broader responsibilities we share as an academic institution.

At a technical university, education and research are deeply dependent on infrastructure. Laboratories, workshops, and advanced digital environments are not peripheral, they are central to how we teach, explore, and innovate. From early-stage undergraduate labs to master’s theses and doctoral projects, these environments form the backbone of hands-on, inquiry-driven learning and technological advancement.

Looking ahead, the accelerating development of AI is likely to reshape many aspects of technical education. Tasks related to computation and coding may become increasingly automated, shifting the emphasis in our curricula. At the same time, this evolution will make the laborative elements of engineering education even more essential. Experimental skills, systems understanding, and the ability to simulate and connect theory with physical reality will remain irreplaceable, and may, in fact, grow in importance.

In this light, Sweden should reflect on how it supports and sustains the infrastructure that underpins progress in science and technology. At the same time, KTH must continue to examine how we organize, prioritize, and develop these resources to meet the evolving needs of education and research.

We also face broader questions about the role of higher education in a changing world. Beyond technical expertise, our graduates must be equipped to think critically, act ethically, and navigate uncertainty with independence and initiative, especially in the use of AI.

These are challenges we embrace, as educators, researchers, and institutional leaders.

To all students, colleagues, and partners: thank you for your engagement and contributions throughout the year. I wish you a well-deserved and recharging summer, with time to pause, reflect, and return with renewed energy.