Minister of Employment Marttinen launches study on AI’s impact on working life

Minister of Employment Matias Marttinen has appointed three artificial intelligence and labour market experts to study the impact of AI on working life in Finland. The aim is to propose measures that will ensure Finnish society is well equipped to respond to the changes brought about by artificial intelligence in working life.

“The rapid advances in artificial intelligence have already transformed the way work is performed and organised, as well as the way the labour market functions. As the use of AI spreads to new areas, it will affect occupations and workers in different ways. Instead of focusing on worst-case scenarios, we must take the initiative and find the best ways to utilise artificial intelligence, prepare for changes in working life and manage its impacts,” says Minister of Employment Matias Marttinen.

The three rapporteurs appointed by Marttinen are Maija Hovila, Chief Data & AI Strategist at Futurice, Teemu Roos, Professor of Computer Science at the University of Helsinki, and Mika Maliranta, Director of the Labour Institute for Economic Research LABORE and Professor at the Turku School of Economics.

Study to assess effects on work life and skills needs in different sectors

Artificial intelligence can increase productivity and improve the quality of work. This would improve Finland’s competitiveness and boost economic growth. However, AI can also rapidly change competence needs in the labour market, creating uncertainty in sectors where automation may replace most tasks.