Strengthening AI innovation in Northern Finland

The AI ecosystem in Northern Finland is gaining momentum through a closer collaboration between the LUMI AI Factory and the AIKA ecosystem, coordinated by Kajaani University of Applied Sciences (KAMK). Through this collaboration agreement, organisations across the region will gain easier access to AI expertise, advanced computing resources and opportunities to develop new solutions.

The collaboration brings together complementary strengths. LUMI AI Factory provides access to AI services and world-class computing resources. AIKA brings real-world use cases and a strong regional network that includes startups and SMEs, academic institutions, public sector organisations and large industry players.

Together, the partners aim to accelerate the adoption of AI across Northern Finland, helping organisations turn ideas into practical applications and supporting the region’s long-term competitiveness. The collaboration will create new opportunities across Northern Finland to experiment with AI technologies, develop skills and connect with experts.

As part of this work, the partners will promote each other’s services and collaborate on events, training, hackathons and talent development activities. AIKA will also serve as a regional contact point, helping organisations in Northern Finland connect with the opportunities offered by LUMI AI Factory.

The next joint activity is the AI Expert Tour at the Kainuu Digital Summit in Kajaani, where companies and individuals can meet experts, discuss AI opportunities and receive guidance on how to move forward with their own AI initiatives.

– Our approach in LUMI AI Factory is to go where our potential users already are. We see AIKA2 a highly relevant partner, thanks to their close connections with companies and the hands-on work they are doing to accelerate uptake of AI, says Aleksi Kallio, Director of the LUMI AI Factory Service Center at CSC.