- 10 companies participated in the first AI Business Academy course
- The course, organized in cooperation between the University of Turku and Åbo Akademi, will also be organized next spring
- For companies, the course provided an understanding of AI’s potential for business development
Artificial Intelligence, AI, and its exploitation is becoming one of the cornerstones of enterprise innovation and competitiveness. For most companies in the Turku region, AI is still distant and vague, but for some, it is already commonplace. However, interest in it is growing.
During the fall, 10 companies in our area explored the fundamentals of AI and considered the opportunities that it has opened for their own business in the first AI Business Academy, a collaboration between the University of Turku, Åbo Akademi and business organizations. A total of 18 people received the certificate.
– At our regular meetings, we have heard about the AI that companies’ representatives have simultaneously mirrored in their own business. For many companies, the idea of using artificial intelligence has changed during the course. There is a clear message that there is a need for companies to open up basic information, and AI Business Academy was created for that purpose, says Michael Lindholm, TechTurku Network Manager at Turku Science Park Oy, who coordinated the course.
According to Lindholm, it has been important to bring together interested companies. The course also strengthened the discussion between companies and universities on the use of artificial intelligence.
– Over the next few weeks, experiences and feedback will be collected. On Thursday, January 30, 2020, participants and those interested in next spring’s course are welcome to join the meeting.
One of the graduates is Kalyan Kumar Pasumarthy. He is the founder and CEO of Shri Services Oy in Turku. The company’s systems and services are used by, among others, telemarketing companies. Pasumarthy believes artificial intelligence will help the company can provide new and more powerful tools. One such program would be artificial intelligence that makes it easier and quicker to analyze calls.
– The course clarified my understanding of where and how to get started and what kind of processes can utilize artificial intelligence. I also got information about the technologies, the data needed and the quality and quantity of it, says Pasumarthy.
Outi Keski-Äijö, Program Manager responsible for Business Finland’s AI Business program, also participated in the closing session of the pilot course that ended in December. Business Finland supports the program with the goal of growing Finnish digital services business in the global market. He reminded the participants of the key point of the financing provided by Business Finland.
– The most important thing is how the use of artificial intelligence affects the company’s operating profit. That is why it is important for a company to have a clear picture of the value it can bring to its customer by using new technology. It is not always easy, and success will not always be achieved in the first attempt. It is therefore a good idea to always contact us before submitting your application for funding. This course has been the first step of many. Also, cooperate, it is not forbidden, Keski-Äijö urged.
The first AIBA training was provided by the University of Turku in cooperation with Åbo Akademi University. The co-ordination was provided by Turku Science Park Oy and other partners included the Turku Chamber of Commerce, Turku Entrepreneurs, Auria Clincal Informatics and Turku City Data. The majority of funded was provided by Fitech.