Digitalisation and artificial intelligence are transforming society, work, and everyday life faster than ever before. At the same time, the environmental, social, and ethical impacts of AI raise key questions. This webinar examines the environmental and societal dimensions of AI and digitalisation, and offers insights into the sustainable use of technology, individual agency, and responsible conduct in the digital world. Presenters include Professor Arash Hajikhani (VTT) and Senior Expert Tiina Härkönen (Sitra). 
 
The first key-note speech is in English. The second one in Finnish. Teams live captions will be available. 

Price: Free for Loimu members. Loimu organizes the event with union YKA.

Programme 

14:00 Foreword 

14:05 From Energy-Intensive AI to Sustainable Intelligence: Reducing Carbon Footprints through Digital Innovation  
Dr. Arash Hajikhani, VTT  

The development and use of AI consume energy, depend on natural resources, and generate emissions. This keynote presentation explores the environmental impacts of AI and the broader data economy, highlighting how digital solutions can be designed and implemented more sustainably throughout their entire life cycle. It also examines how AI, despite its own energy demands, can be harnessed to address climate challenges and drive environmental efficiency.    

• How can AI systems be developed and deployed to minimize their environmental footprint?    
• What strategies enable sustainable digital transformation across industries?   
• In what ways can AI contribute to climate change mitigation and resource efficiency?  

14:45 Questions and comments 

14:55 Tekoäly, luottamus ja yksilön toimijuus (AI, Trust and Individual Agency) 
Note! This key-note is held in Finnish.  Teams live captions will be available. 
Johtava asiantuntija Tiina Härkönen, Sitra  (Senior Specialist Tiina Härkönen, Sitra) 

Digitalisation has already transformed our society profoundly, and now it is AI’s turn. It will touch nearly every aspect of our daily lives. An individual’s ability to influence the direction and use of this development is limited if technology companies are the only voices being heard and the broader societal discussion about impacts is ignored. 

• How can organisations that adopt new technologies address people’s concerns and strengthen trust in the responsible use of AI? 
• And how can Finnish democracy be preserved in the age of artificial intelligence? 
• Finally, we will take a look at the results of an extensive public discussion on AI.

15:20 Questions and comments 

15:30 Event ends 

Key-note speakers 

Dr. Arash Hajikhani is a Research Professor at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and an Adjunct Professor at LUT University. His work focuses on data-driven and advanced AI-enhanced methods for innovation and technology management, particularly in measuring and assessing Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) systems. 

Senior Specialist Tiina Härkönen, Sitra 
Tiina works at Sitra in the Democracy Innovations programme, within the Democracy Technology team. She explores how new technologies, such as artificial intelligence and democracy technology solutions, can enhance people’s participation so that Finnish democracy can be preserved and continue to develop. Before joining Sitra, Tiina worked mainly in information technology companies in business management and development roles. 

Register through Finnish event site