AIThink at SuomiAreena: What happens when leadership is handed over to algorithms?

These are the questions we’ll explore at SuomiAreena, Finland’s largest societal discussion forum, on Friday, June 27 at 10:00–10:45.

The streets of Pori will once again fill with ideas, debates, and expert voices, as decision-makers and professionals come together to address the most pressing issues of our time.Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences will host a panel discussion on the Torilava main stage, focusing on the role of AI in the future of leadership and work. As AI continues to reshape work in fundamental ways, leadership is no exception. But how does machine-assisted management influence how people experience their roles – and what makes work worth doing?

The panel will also present fresh findings from the national research project Kone johtajana (“When the Machine Becomes the Boss”), which explores Finnish perspectives on algorithmic management – the transfer of decision-making and leadership tasks to automated systems, digital tools, or AI-driven solutions.

“As algorithms increasingly take over decision-making, we need to ask the big questions. Could we be turned into digital or AI twins that predict and even steer management decisions? Or could AI help us be more human – allowing us to focus on where we truly excel?
At AIThink, we want to understand how AI is reshaping the rules of leadership – and most importantly, how we ensure that transparency, trust, and fairness not only keep up with change, but actively guide it,”
says Sami Masala, Founder and CEO of AIThink.

Joining Masala on stage will be HR, education, and technology experts from Finnish companies and organizations. The panel will be moderated by Lassi Kurkijärvi, CTO at Sofigate and a familiar voice from Yle’s “Jälkidigi”. The Kone johtajana project is funded by the Finnish Work Environment Fund (Työsuojelurahasto).

Event details

When: Friday, June 27, 2025, 10:00–10:45
Where: Torilava stage, Pori Market Square
Open to all, no registration required
Also available for streaming on MTV Katsomo

Panelists

• Lassi Kurkijärvi, teknologiajohtaja, Sofigate (moderator)
• Hanna Niemi-Hugaerts, toiminnanjohtaja, TIEKE
• Niklas Bergström, Vice President, HR Operations, Kesko
• Tuomas Meriniemi, erityisasiantuntija, Tradenomit
• Sami Masala, perustaja ja toimitusjohtaja, AIThink
• Anna Lahtinen, vanhempi tutkija ja projektipäällikkö, Haaga-Helia ammattikorkeakoulu
• AI Panelist, to be announced