Pioneering AI research in Finland - ethics, leadership and innovation

Learning has always been at the heart of my work. I started my career with B2B sales and IT infrastructure solutions. I wanted to learn the features of our servers and also teach them to my colleagues. However, my curiosity about bioinformatics led me to the research world and I found myself working on projects involving big data and machine learning, technologies that paved the way for today’s artificial intelligence. This fascination grew so strong that it became the focus of my doctoral thesis.

After working with sales and research, it was consultancy where everything clicked - it was a kind of combination of both sides: working with clients but also learning new things every day. Consulting offers a unique rhythm: each client project brings a new challenge, often unlike the last. This constant variety keeps me on my toes and continuously learning, which I find deeply energizing. For me, consultancy is about more than delivering solutions -it’s about pioneering. It’s about exploring emerging technologies and approaches and then translating those discoveries into practical tools and processes that help clients thrive in a rapidly changing world.

But my learning hasn’t been limited to formal work or research. Alongside my career, I’ve taken on personal study projects spanning computer science, economics, literature, social psychology, philosophy, and even theology. That never-ending curiosity fuels me still, and right now, I’m especially focused on understanding the potential of AI agents and trust related questions.

Combining interests: From pension industry to AI ethics

I spent nearly two decades working with the pension industry, where I saw firsthand how common mental health issues as a reason for work disability pensions had become, especially among young people. This trend deeply concerned me. At the same time, machine learning and artificial intelligence were advancing rapidly, and the potential of large language models was beginning to surface. That’s when I had the idea to bring these two worlds together: to explore how AI could be used to tackle the challenge of work disability. This became the focus of my PhD.

Over the four years of my doctoral research, AI itself evolved at lightning speed. My goal was to test whether AI could be meaningfully applied to work disability risk prediction. Along the way, I learned not only about the technical aspects of AI but also about its ethical dimensions. For example, what does it mean if an algorithm has assessed a person’s ability to work? What ethical implications does that carry? These questions pushed me to explore explainable AI and develop ways to make sure the decision-making process could be understood and trusted. The journey demanded not only analytical skills but also determination and courage to navigate the many challenges that arose.

From doctoral research to AI-driven solutions

In May 2025, I completed my doctoral dissertation that marked the culmination of years of research and learning. At the very same time, I joined Eficode, and it quickly became clear that I had found the right place to continue growing. Here, knowledge and skills aren’t just appreciated, they’re celebrated.

Currently, I’m also working on project Maisa that studies AI’s possibilities in software development, which has inspired me to explore the question of reliability in artificial intelligence. Since my earlier research days, even AI legislation has advanced significantly, reflecting how quickly the field is evolving. With the rise of AI agents, a key challenge emerges: how can we ensure that artificial intelligence remains trustworthy and reliable?

I’m surrounded by colleagues who share the same passion for growth and continuous learning. Whether you are a junior working on your master’s thesis or an expert doing research for your doctorate, colleagues around you support you and give feedback and encouragement for your research work. Many have already defended their doctoral theses, and others are deep into their own doctoral research. I’m also fortunate to mentor one of them, passing on the insights I’ve gathered over the years and learning from their fresh perspectives in return.

Eficode is a true forerunner in its field, living out our values of “we want to change the world” and “we learn every day” in everything we do. It’s inspiring to be part of such a vibrant, curious community.

Shaping the future of AI through bold innovation

True innovation doesn’t come neatly packaged or ready to use. You can’t just take it off the shelf, open the box, and start using an innovative idea, process, or tool - expecting to jump on the trend or have it change your world overnight without the needed tools and experience. Innovation is a process that needs both analytical skills and courage, and of course, deep knowledge of a certain topic. And good leadership for the right direction.

At Eficode, we live that journey every day. We experiment, challenge assumptions, and work side-by-side with our clients to turn ambitious ideas into practical, impactful solutions. In AI especially, this means pioneering new approaches that not only solve today’s problems but open doors to opportunities we haven’t even imagined yet. I’m proud to be part of a team that thrives on curiosity, collaboration, and bold thinking. I know that if you share that vision, you’ll feel right at home here.