Haaga-Helia has started its second iteration of the Summer School course, AI in business, which welcomes students from all over the world.
Kicked off in June 2026, the course connects students from three different continents. The underlying goal of the course is to address a relevant challenge: connecting the bridge between technical AI knowledge and how to implement that to real business contexts.
Summer School, AI in Business offers students an understanding of the core theoretical knowledge of artificial intelligence, from how artificial intelligence systems work and how they are trained, to what kind of different AI subfields exist. Theoretical knowledge is quickly put to use through different assignments which include for example vibe coding and UI design with AI and a group assignment of creating an AI Business Model Canvas to develop new business models through AI.
The Lecturers of the course Juhani Heikkinen and Nino Ilveskero, from Haaga-Helia and visiting Professor Luka Tomat, PhD, from University of Ljubljana, School of Economics and Business, are also shining a light on responsible and critical viewpoints regarding artificial intelligence.
An important part of the academic programme are also the excursions, which demonstrated how K-Group and Nordea, leading Finnish companies in their own industries, plan and utilize AI in their operations. The message the students received from the company visits was important: how to use artificial intelligence efficiently, but in a safe and responsible way.
Mikke Bergström, K-Groups Transformation Manager in Generative AI, held an inspiring lecture, demonstrating to students how the K-Group uses AI in a responsible, but innovative manner. For example, to improve logistics or to offer customers personalised offers through the K-Ruoka app. Bergström also wanted to underline that students should not be worried about being replaced by AI, but to worry about being replaced by someone who effectively uses AI in their work.
The Nordea visit, held by a delegation of AI and business professionals, included important lessons from working culture to live demonstrations of AI models in practice and tips on how to utilise AI more efficiently. Tomer Shahar, AI Adoption & Efficiency Lead at Nordea, shared concrete examples of how AI use is planned and adopted in day-to-day business operations at Nordea. Highlighting both the opportunities and challenges of implementing AI solutions in a highly regulated financial environment.
