AI ecosystem in Finland

FCAI maintains a list of major AI-related organizations, networks, and initiatives in Finland. You can find more information on FCAI partners and collaborators from here.

The page is work in progress. Please suggest additions and corrections to contact at fcai.fi.

 
 

Finnish AI ecosystem


FINLAND’S AI PROGRAM

A growing number of countries have recognised the opportunities provided by artificial intelligence and have prepared a national artificial intelligence strategy. In 2017, Finland was among the first countries to launch an Artificial Intelligence Programme. The objective of the programme was to make Finland a leader in the application of artificial intelligence. On 14.3.2019 the programme’s steering group and secretariat published a report where they comment on the progress made during the programme, and give recommendations for the future. These are examined in the context of case studies from the business world and views offered by a panel of AI professionals.


FINNISH CENTER FOR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Finnish Center for Artificial Intelligence FCAI is the Flagship of Artificial Intelligence in Finland, initiated by Aalto University, University of Helsinki, and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. The Flagship status of Academy of Finland is given to a small number scientifically top-level competence centers that support future knowledge and know-how, sustainable solutions to societal challenges, and advance economic growth by developing new business opportunities. The Director of FCAI is professor Samuel Kaski (Aalto University).

The FCAI Flagship collaborates with companies, organizations and societies that have an interest in AI. This interest may include cutting-edge research, knowledge exchange or education of the personnel, student collaboration and recruitment of young talents, and technology transfer. Therefore, the FCAI ecosystem brings together researchers, companies, students and the public sector interested in use of AI. FCAI can also help in finding connections to other organizations focusing on AI.

FCAI flagship itself maintains the following networks as part of it’s Industry and Society Program: FCAI Industry and Society Partner Network and FCAI Society.

Finnish Center for Artificial Intelligence FCAI is also the home of ELLIS Unit Helsinki that is one of the local units of the ELLIS Society, a pan-European network of excellence focusing on fundamental science, technical innovation and societal impact.

  • Inquiries: contact at fcai.fi

  • Twitter: https://twitter.com/fcai_fi

  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fcai


HELSINKI CENTER FOR DATA SCIENCE

Data Science is an interdisciplinary field focusing on methodologies for extracting knowledge and insights from data thus contributing to different areas of science. The centre builds on the pioneering scientific results of the community and paves way for new breakthrough results across disciplines. The overarching goal of HiDATA is to leverage the synergies of the network in solving significant societal and industrial challenges related to data analysis.


HELSINKI INSTITUTE FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Helsinki Institute for Information Technology (HIIT) is a joint research institute of University of Helsinki and Aalto University, established in 1999. The mission of HIIT is to enhance the quality, visibility and impact of Finnish research on information technology so as to make it meet the highest international standards of excellence, thus facilitating more intensive cooperation between the information industry and universities in Finland and the key international research institutes and universities in this field. FCAI and HiData are both prime examples of high-impact initiatives launched by HIIT.

  • Inquiries: coordinator at hiit.fi


AI AT VTT

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd is one of the leading research and technology organizations in Europe. Of commercialized Finnish innovations, 30% include VTT expertise, and in 2016 VTT was the most active patent applicant in Finland. VTT is the most networked research actor in Finland, and has a significant role in national and global innovation ecosystems which benefit from nationally important VTT research infrastructures, such as BioRuukki, Micronova, and PrintoCent. VTT has a long tradition in applied AI research in many domains, including health and wellness, smart machinery and transportation, remote sensing, cyber security and connectivity, process industry, biotechnology, and energy systems. VTT has been in significant role in building innovation ecosystems which involve AI research and applications, such as Research Alliance for Autonomous Systems (RAAS), Smart Machines and Manufacturing Competence Center (SMACC) in the digital manufacturing domain (300 companies, 40M€ research portfolio/year) and Smart Otaniemi focusing on energy system transformation (29 partners in the first phase).

  • Inquiries: heikki.ailisto at vtt.fi; heli.helaakoski at vtt.fi; caj.sodergard at vtt.fi


ANALYTICS+

Analytics+ is a growth network of AI and data-analytics companies and experts, and is one of the ecosystem in Allied ICT Finland (AIF). Currently it has over 40 companies and more than 500 data-analytics and AI researchers or experts available via the universities acting in the AIF network. Analytics+ offers to customers or end users a whole set of data analytics products and services easily, efficiently and with good quality. The highlights of the AI offering of Analytics+ companies is available at Analytics+ homepage. To the researchers the network offers new partners/contacts, channel for commercialization, channel for employment, viewpoints of needs and challenges in business. To the Analytics+ member companies the Analytics+ provides both business opportunities like new customer contacts and viewpoints and opportunities for contributing/participating in the latest research and development topics. With the joint offering of Analytics+ companies it is possible to gain bigger deals, even international.


ALLIED ICT FINLAND

Allied ICT Finland (AIF) is the largest research to business ICT network in the Nordics. The FCAI ecosystem (together with Analytics+) forms the AI branch of AIF.


FINLAND’S AI ACCELERATOR

Finland’s AI Accelerator (FAIA) helps Finnish organisations deploy artificial intelligence (AI). The members drive one another toward an AI-first mindset, reaping the benefits together. The accelerator is initiated by the Ministry of Economic Affairs of Finland and Technology Industries of Finland for a time period of 2 years.


AIHELSINKI

AIHelsinki is a series of public lectures on topics touching artificial intelligence. Organised by AI researchers and technologists, we are working to raise the awareness of Helsinki's glorious past and shining future regarding all things AI! AIHelsinki is a member in the NordicAI, a nonprofit organization supporting the Nordic AI ecosystem.


HELSINKI DATA ANALYTICS & SCIENCE MEETUPS

Helsinki Data Analytics & Science Meetups is for people that like to exchange ideas and experiences about data analytics, data science, data management, etc. Common driver is the will to create business benefits, agile development and collaboration.


TURKU BUSINESS REGION – AI

Artificial intelligence, robotics and automation are being combined in the Turku region in an unprecedented manner. The production methods used are the most modern in the world, based on decades of strong applied ICT expertise. Combined with the fastest growth rate in Finland and modern testing platforms, they guarantee a solid growth basis for technology companies.

The international competitiveness of the TechTurku network is enhanced by the strong local collaboration between different industries as well as extensive co-operation networks. The high-tech industry lives on exports, and products and services originating in the Turku region. For instance medical measuring devices, design services, large engines, leading edge mining vehicles, premium cars and modern welding automation create success stories around the world.


TURKU AI SOCIETY

Turku AI Society is a university community researching and promoting the Nordic view on the impacts of artificial intelligence.


AI HUB TAMPERE

AI Hub Tampere is a new artificial intelligence research center hosted by Tampere University and funded by public instruments. The center organizes workshops, helpdesk sessions, experimental piloting and other support for adopting artificial intelligence in local companies. Our principle is to make AI easy to reach, affordable and all our services are free of charge, neutral and equal for all. The center is part of nationwide network of AI centers that is currently being built.


AI Forum

The AI ​​Forum research network is coordinated by Haaga-Helia and other partners are Turku School of Economics, Satakunta University of Applied Sciences, the University of Jyväskylä and the University of Oulu are also involved. In addition, the AI ​​Forum collaborates with the AI ​​Hub (European University Ulysseus Alliance) and a significant number of business partners are also involved. AI Forum aims to bring together the strengths of different research organizations and create a collaborative model that benefits the entire industry. It co-operates in teaching and research, and works closely with companies. 


RESEARCH ALLIANCE FOR AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS

Research Alliance for Autonomous Systems (RAAS) is an innovation ecosystem, which facilitates the creation of industrial innovations in different domains utilizing autonomous systems. Autonomous systems are a key application area of artificial intelligence. The focus domains of RAAS are 1) Land transport, 2) Maritime, 3) Mobile work machines and 4) Drone systems. RAAS works as a one stop shop to the best talent in both national and international networks of top researchers in autonomous systems. With its cross-disciplinary approach, RAAS targets to become the world´s most well-known innovation accelerator in autonomous systems of different domains. RAAS involves 200 researchers from its Finnish partner organizations. VTT is the coordinator of the RAAS ecosystem, and the main financer is the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment.

  • Inquiries: kalle.kantola at vtt.fi; hannu.karvonen at vtt.fi


AALTO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SOCIETY

Aalto Artificial Intelligence Society (AAIS) is a new student association with close ties to Aalto University.

 
 

European ecosystems

The High-Level Expert Group on Artificial Intelligence (AI HLEG), nominated by the European Commission, supports the implementation of the European strategy on Artificial Intelligence. This includes the elaboration of recommendations on future-related policy development and on ethical, legal and societal issues related to AI, including socio-economic challenges. The Chairman of AI HLEG, Pekka Ala-Pietilä, is also the Chairman of the Steering Group of The Finnish Artificial Intelligence Programme, and a member of the governing Board of FCAI.

AI Alliance is a broad multi-stakeholder platform which complements and supports the work of the AI HLEG in particular in preparing AI ethics guidelines, and ensuring competitiveness of the European Region in the burgeoning field of Artificial Intelligence.

The European Association for Artificial Intelligence EurAI (formerly ECCAI) is  a representative body for the European Artificial Intelligence community. Its aim is to promote the study, research and application of Artificial Intelligence in Europe.

ELLIS - European Laboratory for Learning and Intelligent Systems involves the very best European academics while working together closely with basic researchers from industry. The mission of ELLIS is to benefit Europe in two ways: 1) We want the best basic research to be performed in Europe, to enable Europe to shape how machine learning and modern AI change the world. 2) We want to have economic impact and create jobs in Europe, and believe this is achieved by outstanding and free basic research, independent of industry interests.

Finnish Center for Artificial Intelligence FCAI is the home of ELLIS Unit Helsinki that contributes to a concerted European effort in machine learning, in particular, probabilistic modeling and Bayesian inference, simulator-based inference, data-efficient deep learning, privacy-preserving machine learning and interactive artificial intelligence.

CLAIRE - Confederation of Laboratories for Artificial Intelligence Research in Europe is an initiative by the European AI community that seeks to strengthen European excellence in AI research and innovation. The CLAIRE initiative aims to establish a pan-European network of Centres of Excellence in AI, strategically located throughout Europe, and a new, central facility with state-of-the-art, “Google-scale”, CERN-like infrastructure – the CLAIRE Hub – that will promote new and existing talent and provide a focal point for exchange and interaction of researchers at all stages of their careers, across all areas of AI. The CLAIRE Hub will not be an elitist AI institute with permanent scientific staff, but an environment where Europe’s brightest minds in AI meet and work for limited periods of time. This will increase the flow of knowledge among European researchers and back to their home institutions.

European Applied AI - In the objective to foster and accelerate AI in Europe, FCAI (Finland) is one of the founding member of an alliance including DTI (Denmark), FranceAI Hub (France), SINTEF and OpenAILab (Norway), AppliedAI TUM and Fortiss (Germany), with a cooperation agreement signed in München on November, 29th, 2018 with the intention to create the “European Applied AI” hub (namely “European Applied AI” or “the alliance”).

The Big Data Value Association (BDVA) is an industry-driven international not–for-profit organisation with 200 members all over Europe and a well-balanced composition of large, small, and medium-sized industries as well as research and user organizations. BDVA is the private counterpart to the EU Commission to implement the Big Data Value PPP program.  BDVA and the Big Data Value PPP pursue a common shared vision of positioning Europe as the world leader in the creation of Big Data Value.