Time: September 18, 2025, 17.00-19.00 (EEST)
Place: Think Corner (Yliopistonkatu 4) and online
Livestream: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/think-corner/livestreams
95% of generative AI pilots fail.
A recent MIT report reveals a harsh truth: AI projects often fail because they attempt to replace humans instead of being designed based on collaboration between humans and AI.
What happens when technology is led by human understanding?
The event examines the development of technologies and AI from the perspective of brokers: what is their role in humanizing technology and ensuring successful implementation?
How can technology serve people, not the other way around?
The event delves into how expertise in human and social sciences can help organizations succeed in technological projects. We will discuss how brokering can:
The event brings together researchers, experts, and company representatives to discuss how algorithmic systems and AI applications are developed, and how technology can better serve people, organizations, and society as a whole.
Discussions will focus on the critical role of brokers in the development of algorithmic and sociotechnical systems, and how they can help companies combine the strengths of humans and machines and support organizations during change.
Join us in person or via stream and participate in discussions on how brokering can be the key to success in your company's future technological endeavors. The event will be held in English.
Minna Ruckenstein is Professor of Emerging Technologies in Society at the Consumer Society Research Centre, University of Helsinki. She is the founder of the Datafied Life Collaboratory and leads projects that integrate cutting-edge research on algorithmic systems and AI with classical social scientific concerns, including the formation of values, social ties, and the organisation of society.
Sarah Pink is an award-winning futures anthropologist and documentary filmmaker and Australian Research Council Laureate Fellowship recipient. She is also a Professor and Director of the Emerging Technologies Research Lab and FUTURES Hub at Monash University. Previously, she was a Distinguished Professor and Director of the Digital Ethnography Centre at RMIT University.
Eetu Mäkelä is a professor in Digital Humanities (Human Sciences–Computing Interaction) at the University of Helsinki. At the Helsinki Centre for Digital Humanities, he leads a research group that seeks to figure out the technological, processual and theoretical underpinnings of successful computational research in the humanities and social sciences.
Eeva Raita is Vice President at Futurice, where she leads the Commercial and Consumer business in the Nordics. With over 15 years of experience in emerging technologies, Eeva has built a career shaping how organizations harness digital innovation, AI and data. Previously, she developed Futurice’s strategy and culture practice, helping companies align their organizational models with the successful implementation of technology projects. Her academic background includes a PhD in social psychology, specializing in the social aspects of technology-mediated experiences.
Antti Rannisto is a sociologist, ethnographer and Insight Lead at Solita’s Design & Strategy unit. Much of his current work focuses on helping organizations balance the plurality of values in building data-driven and AI-infused sociotechnical systems. Antti also works part-time at Aalto University on his PhD project with the Finnish Research Council funded project Civic Agency in AI where Antti’s fieldwork follows AI innovation processes within the Finnish public sector.
Juuli Hilska is a Senior Strategist and Researcher at Noren Oy. As a sociologist, she specializes in building strategic direction grounded in human understanding, enabling organizations to generate value both internally and externally. With expertise in co-creation methods and design thinking, Juuli integrates deep insights into strategy, product and service development, and innovation processes. She is passionate about participatory approaches to building feasible ways forward.
Joonas Aitonurmi works as a senior specialist in the Finnish Digital Agency aka the Digital and Population Data Services Agency. He is in charge of the Agency's strategic foresight and research cooperation. He is also a doctoral researcher in the University of Helsinki, where he studies the value of digital public infrastructure. Before joining the government agency, Joonas worked as a journalist (covering tech, Silicon Valley and science) and communication specialist, especially in the field of science.
The event is organized by the BROKERS project, the Faculty of Social Sciences and the Faculty of Arts at the University of Helsinki. The event is a side event of EPIC 2025 conference that will be organized in Helsinki September 16–19.