Finland - Artificial Intelligence 4.0 programme

The Artificial Intelligence 4.0 programme was adopted by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment of Finland in 2022. The programme focuses on the development and introduction of artificial intelligence and other digital technologies in companies.

The objectives of the Artificial Intelligence 4.0 programme 

• Nature smart companies will bring Finland a triple victory in sustainable development by 2035 by using digital technologies. 

• Strengthen AI leadership by investing in the development and introduction of key technologies.

• More digitally advanced finnish industrial SMEs will reach top positions in global rankings. 

• Finland will become an increasingly important player in the development and deployment of AI, data and industrial strategies of the EU. 

Development priorities and packages of measures 

Development priority A.Strengthening high-quality research on key technologies as well as development activities and investments.

• Measure 1: Creating a basis for successful research and development and innovation (RDI) clusters through expertise and long-term inputs.
• Measure 2: Enhancing the impact of key technologies by creating a national RDI agenda to accelerate twin transition.
• Measure 3: Allocating more public funding to technologies, products and services increasing the carbon handprint of digitalisation.
• Measure 4: Ensuring that Finnish companies are ideally placed to use high performance computing in their business operations.

Development priority B. Boosting digital skills and speeding up the adoption of technologies accelerating twin transition in industrial SMEs.

• Measure 5: Establishing digital agents and digital development peer groups as well as a development forum for SMEs boosting cooperation and service matching.
• Measure 6: Launching Industry 5.0 programme for SMEs.
• Measure 7: Preparing a growth programme for data economy.
• Measure 8: Developing micro-credentials and multisectoral learning material on the opportunities opened up by twin transition.

Development priority C. Making Finland an international frontrunner in twin transition.

• Measure 9: Encouraging companies to strengthen their roles and impact in EU-level decision-making, RDI projects and networks.
• Measure 10: Strengthening Finland’s position in transatlantic discussions on technology and trade policy matters.
• Measure 11: Exploiting the business opportunities opened up by twin transition so that Finnish companies can increase their global handprint.

The programme emphasises that inputs should focus on significantly boosting digital skills. In accordance with the continuous learning model, employees are actively encouraged to update their skills so that companies can better keep up with the process of digtalisation and the opportunities it brings.