AI.
Innovation.
Station.
Helsinki is backed by over 60 years of AI research.
Everyone is talking about Artificial Intelligence (AI). While AI is all the rage today, we Helsinkians have been quietly committed to it for over six decades. In fact, Helsinki is home to one of the most powerful AI ecosystems in Europe.
Why Helsinki for artificial intelligence?
3% of Finland’s GDP is devoted to R&D
Finland ranks #3 in global innovation, driven by large investments in research and development. With 3% of our GDP devoted to R&D—set to increase to 4% by 2030—passion for technological is backed by the national government. This has fostered tight-knit collaboration between universities and industry. And five of Finland’s top-ranking AI universities are located right here in Helsinki.
Finland was the first country to launch an ICT Climate Strategy
Green transition is more than a buzzword here; it’s a way of life. Finland leads the charge in green ICT and boasts extensive renewable energy sources. Not to brag, but we were the first country to launch a Climate and Environmental Strategy for the ICT sector. Currently 90% of the country’s electricity production is fossil-free. At 42% our share of renewable energy is the second highest in Europe. And we’re not stopping there. We’ve got big goals and Finns don’t overpromise – we over deliver.
Finland ranks #1 in digitalisation in Europe
Finland ranks #1 in data science and machine learning
47% of Finland’s digital talent pool live in the Helsinki region
With a highly skilled workforce, 82% of IT professionals possess advanced programming skills, and 58% hold a Master’s degree or PhD. This deep pool of expertise makes Helsinki an exciting place for AI innovation. So, what are all those talented people doing here? While there’s a lot to explore in AI, we’re particularly known for research in pattern recognition and machine vision, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Generative AI, and large language models (LLM).
World-class AI institutions
Helsinki’s AI institutions, including the Finnish Center for Artificial Intelligence (FCAI), rank among the top in the world. Our robust ecosystem of over 400 AI startups ensures access to cutting-edge research and development facilities.
Helsinki is home to LUMI the 3rd fastest supercomputer globally
LUMI-HELMI combines CSC’s LUMI supercomputer with VTT’s HELMI quantum computer, forming the most powerful quantum-assisted supercomputing infrastructure in the world. Up to 20% of LUMI’s resources are available to industry and SMEs, supporting their RDI activities.
Finland gives companies a 150% tax deduction for joint R&D projects
Helsinki is a place where government agencies, academic institutions, research organisations, and private companies work together. The Finnish government supports such collaboration by offering a 150%
Free soft-landing services
With unmatched government support, a thriving talent pool, and a global reputation for innovation, Helsinki offers businesses the perfect environment to grow and thrive in AI technology. Discover why so many pioneers call Helsinki home.
AI success stories from Helsinki
Tech Mahindra Innovation Centre
Tech Mahindra, a leader in digital transformation and consulting, chose Helsinki to set up their Makers Lab, due to Helsinki’s status as a top destination for innovation and collaboration in the quantum computing space. The new centre will foster innovation in areas like quantum computing, Generative AI, and Metaverse, tapping into the local startup ecosystem and universities for R&D opportunities across various industries.
NVIDIA’s AI Technology Centre
In 2020, NVIDIA and The Finnish Centre for Artificial Intelligence (FCAI) established the NVIDIA AI Technology Centre (NVAITC) to boost AI research and computational capabilities in Finland, fostering innovation across various sectors.
Silo AI: Europe’s Largest Private AI Lab
Established in 2017, Silo AI is on a mission to build a European flagship AI company, with offices currently in Finland, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, United States and Canada.
Silo AI provides its customers unique access to world-class AI expertise, as well as the Silo OS infrastructure to speed up AI development and deployment.
Hei AI Innovators, welcome to Helsinki
Are you looking to expand your business? can help you identify the right opportunities when starting a business in Finland—whether opening a subsidiary, piloting new products or services, establishing an R&D hub, and more. We can introduce you to key people in the city, from government officials to private companies and research institutions. We’ll also help you access tax incentives, understand corporate tax rates, get access to data sharing and funding opportunities, and offer practical advice on expanding into Europe.
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