Digia Implementing AI Finland's AI Training for Corporate Management – Targeting 1000 AI Innovations

The training is conducted as an efficient six-hour session focusing on the business impacts of AI, not the technology itself. AI utilization ideas are broadly brainstormed, and as a result, participating companies will have a plan to implement 1-2 concrete and feasible AI ideas.

The AI 1000 concept has been refined through a pilot involving the management team and board of Telinekataja.

"We successfully clarified the situation and mutual understanding of AI's role among Telinekataja's management and board during the training. Prioritizing the collected idea drafts as an interim task sparked lively discussions, even heated debates. It is the management's task to define where to focus AI utilization. AI Finland's training excellently serves this purpose of defining a common language and will," says Telinekataja board member Anna Tapio.

"If Finland wants to grow and rise, the growth-creating potential of AI must be recognized and utilized. I highly recommend AI Finland's training for executives and board members," Tapio says.

"AI is not about small change" – Owners and boards need a shake-up

According to Karoliina Partanen, leader of the AI Finland network, Finland is now experiencing the first primary transition phase of the AI wave. Discussions are lively, and solutions are developing at a rapid pace.

"In Finland, however, we are stuck in utilizing AI too narrowly, mainly for operational efficiency and optimization. The greatest shake-up in investments and innovations is needed from company owners and boards, rather than operational management. This is not about small change," Partanen says.

According to the Nordic State of AI survey published by AI Finland and AMD Silo AI in February, companies in all industries and sizes are already investing millions of euros in AI-based renewal. Digia's AI surveys have also revealed that the leading companies are already gaining clear benefits from AI, but much more could still be achieved.

"The board and the management team have the necessary overall vision and the greatest financial interest. The most important thing is identifying the right problem or goal that AI can solve. The goal could be, for example, the autonomy of devices, the digitalization of sales, or the transition from product business to service business," Partanen explains.

The AI 1000 program is designed to awaken companies that need more information about AI's possibilities and what kind of investment would bring the most significant growth.

Leading players in the field joined forces – "Finland's AI Big 5"

The training content of the program has been developed together by Finland's leading AI players, Digia, Fujitsu, Futurice, Gofore, and Sofigate.
"Finland's top professionals have joined forces – here is Finland's 'Big Five'. The best part is that this expertise is now available through a compact training program," says Ville Mäkinen, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the Digital Solutions area at Digia.

"I want to challenge companies to think about their future AI vision and ambition level. AI has many possibilities as part of existing services and processes, but I would like to see more innovations and how AI is used to develop new services and businesses. So, from AI-assisted thinking towards an AI-Driven perspective," Mäkinen says.

"How companies adopt AI is a significant competitiveness issue at the national level. Finland simply cannot afford to be left behind. At Digia, we have been promoting AI transformation for years and have had a dialogue with top management, so we understand the pain points and challenges that company management sees in the matter well. We believe there is a clear need for this type of training," says Juhana Juppo, CTO at Digia.

Technology Industries of Finland offers support for training to its member companies

At the end of 2023, Technology Industries of Finland announced a €10 million investment to accelerate AI utilization in Finland. Part of the investment is now being redirected so that it is more comprehensively available to all member companies. As part of this package, Technology Industries of Finland will compensate a significant portion of the AI 1000 training costs for its member companies. The training is entirely free if a member company is also a member of the AI Finland network.

For other companies, the training price is determined by turnover, which is cheaper for AI Finland network member companies. Companies can also join the network during the training – this way, they will have access to the support offered by AI Finland even after the training.

The program is also supported by key entities in Finnish corporate management, from the Central Chamber of Commerce to the Growth Group. The training sessions will be led by trained IT service providers from different parts of Finland who are part of the AI Finland network. AI Finland is responsible for coordinating the entire program.

Applications for the program are open. You can also apply to be a trainer on the same page.

Read more and sign up for the AI 1000 program here