Innovations to RDI activities from VAMK’s Megatrend Day

At VAMK’s Megatrend Day this year, the focus was on the significance of AI and innovations in RDI activities. The event explored the role of AI in everyday life and its potential to enhance work efficiency. Additionally, there were discussions on the practical application of AI and its future prospects, inspiring participants to think innovatively.

The topic of the annual VAMK Megatrend Day was AI and innovations. Around 50 VAMK staff members, the RDI Advisory Board of Vaasa University of Applied Sciences as well as stakeholders participated in the event. In his interesting keynote speech, Antti Merilehto, a pioneer in digital business, guided the audience to reflect the role of artificial intelligence in everyday RDI activities.

Artificial intelligence will shape the way we work.

“It is clear that artificial intelligence will shape the way we work. A person who is willing to learn new things and adapt their working methods will benefit from AI. Even now, AI can be a great help in enhancing work efficiency by freeing up time for value-adding tasks,” states Merilehto.

Sture Udd, a serial entrepreneur and innovator, gave a speech on how the opportunities provided by artificial intelligence have already been addressed. After the coffee break, participants had the opportunity to discuss in smaller groups the impact of artificial intelligence on the university of applied sciences’ RDI activities and how best to respond to these changes.

We know that we need to be part of this development, and, in fact, we are living in the most interesting of times.

”If 2023 was the year when artificial intelligence gained public attention, 2024 is the year when technology strengthens and consolidates its presence. This is also true for us at VAMK. Over the past year, we have increased our understanding, developed guidelines related to teaching and learning, and learned to use artificial intelligence, which has already been strongly involved in RDI projects. At last year’s event, we had Risto Linturi as a guest, and we envisioned artificial intelligence from the perspectives of our focus areas: technology, business economics, and social and health care,” says RDI Director Marja-Riitta Vest.

“In 2024, artificial intelligence is present, and we want to understand more about what it means for us and our customers, how it should be used, and how it should be applied. We are testing AI assistants, co-pilots, and our own attitudes towards AI. We know that we need to be part of this development, and, in fact, we are living in the most interesting of times,” continues Vest and summarises the core idea of this year’s Megatrend Day: “On Megatrend Day, we seek a more practical perspective on AI and its utilisation, and we encourage innovative thinking about how we can leverage AI.”