Activities
Events
AI-DOC Research Seminar 2025
AI-DOC Annual Research Seminar 2025 Recap
In November 2025, the AI-DOC Annual Research Seminar took place at Otaniemi, offering valuable sessions on machine learning and AI topics. Networking with peers was an important part of the week, allowing participants to connect and exchange ideas.
The seminar week began with a hands-on workshop on reproducibility and open-science practices. Expert talks followed, addressing AI's ethical challenges and legal aspects.
The events were coordinated with AI Day, providing an opportunity to participate in that event on Thursday. The week culminated in an engaging Research Seminar where Professor Laura Ruotsalainen discussed sustainable AI. All AI-DOC students also presented their work through poster sessions, and the PhD Journey session on mobility provided valuable insights into peer experiences.
Explore our event photos below to see snapshots from these insightful sessions!
Events
Aalto Inventors Innovation Training Program
Aalto Inventors Innovation Training Program for AI-DOC Researchers
In the fall of 2025, the Aalto Inventors Innovation Training Program opened its doors to AI-DOC researchers, offering a first experience in innovation designed to transform scientific breakthroughs into real-world impact.
The program featured 8 training sessions held on the Aalto campus in Espoo, from October to January, culminating in a graduation event.
Participants learned from industry and academic leaders, receiving hands-on training in communication, funding opportunities, intellectual property, and business thinking. The program aimed to enhance skills for future careers, offering mentorship across academia, industry, and law, and expanding participants' networks.
The training was well-received, and the program also fosters long-term connections through its Inventors alumni network.
We look forward to continuing our support for innovation within the AI-DOC network.
News
AI-DOC received Aalto Research Impact Award
In the ceremony, AI-DOC was represented by Arno Solin, Sanna-Maija Kiviranta, and Kaisa Pekkala.
The Finnish Doctoral Program Network in Artificial Intelligence (AI-DOC) received this year's Aalto University Research Impact Award along with two other doctoral pilots (CIMANET and QDOC) and ELLIS Institute Finland.
All four still have a lot of work ahead in ensuring even more impact, but this is a great recognition of the work this far.
News
What makes us find AI creative?
Events
Industry Connect
IndustryConnect: Matchmaking in AI and Software Engineering Doctoral Research Pilots
On May 12th, 2025, doctoral researchers, professors, and industry leaders gathered at Clarion Hotel near Helsinki Airport for an enriching afternoon designed to foster collaboration and enhance transitions from academia to industry. Organized in partnership with Technology Industries of Finland, the event targeted doctoral pilots in Artificial Intelligence (AI-DOC) and Software Engineering.
Participants enjoyed a networking lunch followed by sessions where PhD candidates met with industry representatives, discussing research topics and exploring collaboration opportunities. The event featured presentations from Leena Pöntynen and Iida Lähdemäki, providing insights into the Finnish job market and AI initiatives. Jarkko Pellikka from Nokia delivered a keynote speech that inspired participants as they moved into matchmaking sessions. The afternoon closed with open networking, allowing for further connections among attendees.
Photos: Sanna-Maija Kiviranta / Aalto University
Events
AI-DOC launch
The official launch event of the AI-DOC program was held in February 2025. The event took place at Aalto University and brought together over 100 participants across Finland.
Photos: Margot Lepetit / Aalto University
Events
Pre-launch
The pre-launch event was organized together with FCAI’s community event and pre-NeurIPS fest in November 2024.
Calls
AI-DOC recruitment calls
The first AI-DOC call was organized in spring 2024, followed by the second call in autumn 2024. Altogether 100 new PhD students were recruited to work in fundamental AI and machine learning research and in five application areas.
News
Doctoral pilot launching
Finland’s Ministry of Education and Culture has announced the allocation of 255 million EUR to universities for piloting new practices in doctoral education for three years starting in 2024. The proposal from the Finnish Center for Artificial Intelligence flagship, "Finnish Doctoral Program Network in Artificial Intelligence", was granted 100 new doctoral positions (25.5 million EUR). The national consortium across 10 universities will educate 100 new PhDs in artificial intelligence research.