The new RDI project develops collaboration to support the Finnish AI Innovation System

The main objective of the AI-TIE project (The AI Innovation Ecosystem for Competitiveness of SMEs) is to support SME’s in developing and growing their business through the identification and utilization of AI-based solutions to innovate new products and services as well as to sell and deliver these to customers.According to European studies, large companies benefit most from artificial intelligence technologies, while small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) find the use of artificial intelligence challenging. Nevertheless, it is SMEs that have a lot of untapped potential in terms of using artificial intelligence to grow their business.The Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council has awarded European Regional Development funding and state funding to create a bundle of services directed at SMEs to facilitate the planning, piloting and adoption of AI-based solutions.

AI innovation ecosystem as a new collaboration arena in Finland

The AI-TIE project encourages companies to develop digital and web-based solutions in addition to physical products to ensure business viability in crises, such as the Covid-19 pandemic. The same solutions facilitate the development of environmentally friendly carbon-neutral business operations.The project also assists companies with developing their internal business processes and making them more efficient.According to Finland’s artificial intelligence accelerator FAIA, Finland should focus more on co-operation in the field and the creation of a Finnish artificial intelligence ecosystem in order to be able to strengthen its position at the top of the international artificial intelligence arena (2020, State of AI in Finland).For this reason, the project develops an AI innovation ecosystem as a new collaboration arena where SMEs, large companies and corporations, higher education institutions, expert organizations and other key stakeholders can come together and offer their products and services with the objective of increasing sales. As a result, SMEs’ digital competencies and change flexibility increase.

Finland should focus more on co-operation in the field and the creation of a Finnish artificial intelligence ecosystem in order to be able to strengthen its position at the top of the international artificial intelligence arena.

FAIA: State of AI in Finland, 2020

Specific focus on cleantech and wellbeing, social and health industry

The project advances the development of industry-specific AI competencies and applications. The fields of cleantech and wellbeing, social and health industry are of specific focus in the AI-TIE project. The objective is to move the AI discussion from a general level to industry-specific training, mentoring and acceleration.The industry-specific focus also aims to ensure the wider impact of the AI-TIE project. The immediate effects include the promotion of social and cultural sustainability and equality through the development of an AI accelerator that expedites innovative solutions in the field of wellbeing.

The objective is to move the AI discussion from a general level to industry-specific training, mentoring and acceleration.

The project also advances the development of AI applications in the cleantech industry and can therefore have a notable impact on improving environmental competencies.The project produces and offers to SMEs training, materials and web content on the business use of AI to help increase AI competence among SME staff. Additionally, the project adds to the AI competence of experts working with SMEs, and improves experts’ abilities to communicate effectively about the possibilities of AI.

Wide partner network advancing artificial intelligence in business

In the project, a wide partner network supports multi-actor dialogue on artificial intelligence as a business phenomenon. The project is implemented by Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences and Laurea University of Applied Sciences. Haaga-Helia as the project coordinator contributes to the consortium with its know-how on entrepreneurship, business development and business process digitalisation. Laurea as the second project implementor shares its expertise in innovation ecosystems and co-creative processes.The main collaboration partners are Finland’s Artificial Intelligence Accelerator FAIA as a part of Technology Industries of Finland, and MyData Global, the developer of the internationally renowned MyData model.The project is conducted in collaboration with the Helsinki Region Chamber of Commerce, West-Uusimaa Chamber of Commerce, East-Uusimaa Development Organization Posintra, Regional Federation of Finnish Entrepreneurs of Uusimaa, NewCo and Health Capital Helsinki.

Further information on the AI-TIE project:

Project Manager Anna Nikina-Ruohonen
Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences
anna.nikina-ruohonen(at)haaga-helia.fi
tel. +358 50 505 7784Project Specialist Mikael Seppälä
Laurea University of Applied Sciences
mikael.seppala(at)laurea.fi
tel. +358 50 476 4279
Health Capital Helsinki