Each summer, the streets of Pori come alive as Finnish experts, decision-makers and influencers gather at SuomiAreena to debate topical issues. This year, Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences is organising not one but two panel discussions delving into the ethical questions surrounding artificial intelligence and the future of leadership.
The panel discussions will be held at Kirkkolava on the banks of the River Kokemäenjoki, at the north-western corner of Keski-Pori Church Park, on Thursday 25 June at 16:00, and at Paviljonki on Friday 26 June at 13:00. Both discussions can also be followed as a live stream via MTV Katsomo.
This marks Haaga-Helia's second appearance at SuomiAreena. This year, the university of applied sciences brings a strong expert perspective to the conversation through two distinct programmes. The panel discussions will explore the role of AI in leadership and how its impacts are distributed across today's and tomorrow's working life.
– Last year's topic on the effects of artificial intelligence on leadership generated an exceptional amount of discussion, both in the media and in working life. This year, we want to take the conversation even further by presenting new, research-based perspectives, says Senior Researcher Anna Lahtinen.
The panel discussions will consider what practical choices the use of artificial intelligence demands, how trust and wellbeing can be built, and how we can ensure that the benefits of development are distributed equitably. The discussions form part of the Kone johtajana (RoboBoss) and ReiluAI (Fair AI) projects, which involve an extensive network of companies and partners.
Stages full of expertise
Haaga-Helia's panel discussion, AI as Leader: How Do We Build Trust and Wellbeing, to be held on Thursday 25 June at 16:00, will examine power, responsibility and fairness in working life. The discussion will present fresh findings from the Spring 2026 Leadership Survey and explore what opportunities artificial intelligence brings to leadership, occupational wellbeing and decision-making.
The panellists include Senior Researcher Anna Lahtinen (Haaga-Helia), Director General Atte Jääskeläinen (Sitra), Country Manager Jens Wiklund (Danske Bank), Deputy Chief Executive Kaius Niemi (Milton Group), Chief Executive Mikael Nylund (Gofore), and Chief Executive Ulla Broms (Foibekartano). The session will be chaired by Saara Hassinen, Chief Executive of Healthtech Finland.
The panel discussion The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of AI, to be held on Friday 26 June at 13:00, will take a deeper look at how the benefits of artificial intelligence are distributed within organisations and what the future of working life might look like.
The panellists are Chief Data and AI Officer Marko Aalto (Reaktor), VP HR Operations Niklas Bergström (Kesko), Haaga-Helia student and Junior Adviser at Sofigate Eemil Saari, Bishop of the Archdiocese of Turku Mari Leppänen, Chair Maria Löfgren (Akava), and Senior Researcher Anna Lahtinen (Haaga-Helia). The session will be chaired by Haaga-Helia's President and Chief Executive Susanna Niinistö-Sivuranta.
Project partners
The partners of the RoboBoss and ReiluAI projects are: Työsuojelurahasto, Abloy, AI Think, Akava, Ammattiliitto Jyty, Ammattiliitto Pro, Atea, Consti, Danske Bank, City of Espoo, Foibekartano, City of Helsinki, Henry, Insinööriliitto, Jensen Hughes, Kesko, Keski-Uusimaa Development Company, Local Government and County Employers Finland, West Uusimaa Chamber of Commerce, NestorPartners, Posintra, Roschier Attorneys, SEKES, Sofigate, STTK, Suomen Yrityskummit, Sympa, Technology Industries of Finland, Terveysteknologia, TIEKE, Toimihenkilöjärjestöjen Opintoliitto, Tradenomiliitto, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Uusimaa Entrepreneurs, City of Vantaa, and Vetcare.
