AI Lounge – Fridays at the LUMI AI Factory Hubs

Event series “AI Lounge – Fridays at the LUMI AI Factory Hubs” organised as part of the European AI Innovation Month

Each Friday during the European AI Innovation Month, LUMI AI Factory is turning its co-working hubs into hybrid AI lounges to organise targeted sessions for AI experts from industry, academia and public sector. 

With this event series, you can join intriguing discussions on large-scale AI models transforming industry, explore the key developments in AI in Science landscape, hear insights from public sector AI, and brainstorm how AI skills should develop in parallel with AI. 

You are cordially invited to attend these talks either on-site at LUMI AI Factory Hub Ostrava and LUMI AI Factory Hub Otaniemi, or you can join us online from the comfort of your own workspace.

The series is scheduled as follows:

23.10.2026 – AI Models Transforming Industry

Time: 11:00–13:00 CET / 12:00–14:00 EET
Program: Webinar from 11:00 to 12:00 CET, followed by networking and a light lunch or refreshments for on-site participants
Format: Hybrid: join online or at the hosting LUMI AI Factory Hubs
Participation: Free of charge, registration required

How are companies moving from experimenting with AI to creating real business value?

This session explores how AI models are being applied in different industries and business functions. Through practical case studies from construction and healthcare, speakers will share how organisations are integrating AI into their operations, navigating industry-specific requirements and regulations, and turning promising ideas into solutions that deliver measurable impact.

Participants will gain insights into practical AI adoption, common challenges, and lessons learned from organisations already leveraging AI in their everyday work.

The programme includes:

• Stanislav Krejčí, Vectorama, presenting Beyond the Chatbot: AI in the Construction Industry.
• Pekka Honkanen, Chairman of the Board and Founder, HippocrAItes, who will share how AI is being applied in the healthcare sector.

Hosted by: IT4Innovations National Supercomputing Center

30.10.2026 – AI in Science

Time: 11:00–13:00 CET / 12:00–14:00 EET
Program: Webinar from 11:00 to 12:00 CET, followed by networking and a light lunch or refreshments for on-site participants
Format: Hybrid: join online or at the hosting LUMI AI Factory Hubs
Participation: Free of charge, registration required

How is AI transforming scientific research and accelerating discovery?

This session explores how researchers are using AI to tackle complex scientific challenges, analyse large datasets, and develop new research methods. Through practical examples, speakers will share how AI is changing research workflows, enabling new approaches across disciplines, and supporting scientific innovation.

Participants will gain insights into the opportunities, challenges, and lessons learned from integrating AI into research and academic environments.

The programme will feature research use cases from academia and research organisations, highlighting how AI is being applied to advance science and generate new knowledge.

Featured speakers:

• Vladimír Ulman, IT4Innovations: The development of artificial intelligence (AI) in bioimage analysis
• Sami Heinäsmäki, House of AI: Combining AI with other fields for business impact

Hosted by: CSC – IT Center for Science

6.11.2026 – Public Sector AI

Time: 11:00–13:00 CET / 12:00–14:00 EET
Program: Webinar from 11:00 to 12:00 CET, followed by networking and a light lunch or refreshments for on-site participants
Format: Hybrid: join online or at the hosting LUMI AI Factory Hubs
Participation: Free of charge, registration required

How can AI help public organisations deliver better services and improve decision-making?

This session explores how public sector organisations are adopting AI to increase efficiency, support evidence-based decision-making, and create more responsive services. Through practical examples, speakers will discuss both the opportunities and responsibilities of AI in public administration, where transparency, trust, and regulatory requirements play a central role.

Participants will gain insights into real-world public sector AI initiatives and the lessons learned from putting AI into practice.

• Local perspective: Josef Procházka, Secretary of the Municipality of Kopřivnice, Czechia. Presenting practical experiences in introducing and applying AI-driven processes.
• National perspective: Wilfred Østgulen, lead of the Borealis work and IT-director at the National Library of Norway.

Hosted by: CSC – IT Center for Science

13.11.2026 – AI Skills for the Future

Time: 11:00–13:00 CET / 12:00–14:00 EET
Program: Webinar from 11:00 to 12:00 CET, followed by networking and a light lunch or refreshments for on-site participants
Format: Hybrid: join online or at the hosting LUMI AI Factory Hubs
Participation: Free of charge, registration required

What skills do organisations and individuals need to succeed in the age of AI?

As AI becomes part of everyday work, the demand for AI-related skills is growing across sectors and professions. This session explores how organisations are building AI capabilities, supporting workforce transformation, and preparing employees for new ways of working.

Through practical examples and expert perspectives, participants will learn how AI skills development can support innovation, competitiveness, and responsible AI adoption.

The programme includes:

• Hanna Nordlund, Director, Digital Service Ecosystems for Education at CSC – IT Center for Science, who will share perspectives on AI skills from the higher education sector.
• Ella Veijalainen, Talent Partner at Ilmiö Talent Agency, who will discuss AI competencies from the perspective of companies and the labour market.

Hosted by: CSC – IT Center for Science