Time: September 18, 2025, 17.00-19.00 (EEST)
Place: Think Corner (Yliopistonkatu 4) and online
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 companies succeed in technological projects. We will discuss how brokering can:
- Humanize technology
- Make expertise visible
- Promote responsible and sustainable development
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.
Speakers
Eetu Mäkelä (Professor in Digital Humanities, University of Helsinki; Technological Director, DARIAH-FI)
Sarah Pink (Professor and Director of the Emerging Technologies Research Lab, Monash University)
Minna Ruckenstein (Professor of Emerging Technologies in Society, University of Helsinki)
Panel discussion
Moderator: Joonas Aitonurmi (Senior Specialist, Digital and Population Data Services Agency)
Panelists: Eeva Raita (VP, Commercial & Consumer, Futurice), Juuli Hilska (Senior Strategist, Noren) and Antti Rannisto (Insight Lead, Solita)
Organizers
The event is organized by the BROKERS project, the Faculty of Social Sciences and the Faculty of Arts of the University of Helsinki. The event is a side event of EPIC 2025 conference that will be organized in Helsinki September 16–19.