Markus Mäkelä, an artificial intelligence (AI) expert with two doctoral degrees, has been appointed as the head of AI at LUT and LAB. In his new role, he will help the higher education organisations foster an environment of innovation, collaboration, and responsible AI use.
Before his appointment, Mäkelä worked in Aalto University’s administration for research and partnerships. He has previously also held a professorship in software development at the University of Turku. His home campus will be in Lahti, but his work will frequently take him to Lappeenranta.
“The development of AI is at a fascinating stage. The current debate on AI’s influence involves interesting topics such as AI agents or autonomous software companions, multimodal AI, and AI embodied in robots,” says Mäkelä, who started in his new role at the beginning of September.
According to Mäkelä, higher education organisations are playing a significant role in developing artificial intelligence and related work practises.
”AI will improve the planning and implementation of education and encourage active learning. When it comes to research, particularly interesting topics include AI models, technology strategy, digitalisation management, changing work practises, and wider societal impacts,” he says.
LUT already has comprehensive AI expertise based on dozens of years of research. With the new head of AI, LUT and LAB aim to integrate this expertise into their daily operations even more.
Corporate relations and business development as competence areas
Mäkelä has strong experience in digital and organisational transformation, artificial intelligence, analytics, and strategic management. During his career, he has worked in business development and relationship management for 20 years. He has been a research director at Helsinki University of Technology, director of business development at the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra, and head of business development at marine and energy technology group Wärtsilä.
Later, at Aalto University, he led a multidisciplinary institute of over 100 professors. He also oversaw partnerships with significant health care and research organisations and spearheaded the development of two strategic areas of expertise. Mäkelä brings much expertise to his new role, having doctoral degrees in both business and technology and broad research experience in areas from software development to growth strategies in Finland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
According to Mäkelä, AI solutions need to align with an organisation’s strategy, processes, and structure.
“We should talk more about the impact of artificial intelligence on organisations facing different circumstances. In time, AI will bring the operation of teams and organisations to a whole new level as work processes become more agile. It is motivating to see a trained user and AI work well together,” he says.
LUT and LAB leading the way in responsible AI
The appointment of a head of AI is related to a seven-figure donation made by the IoT Forge Foundation earlier this year. The donation’s aim was to strengthen LUT’s artificial intelligence expertise. With this new appointment, LUT and LAB will be integrating AI into all aspects of their operations – from research to education and administrative processes. The objective is to keep leading the way in the responsible use and development of artificial intelligence.
“We aim to become an even better partner in AI research and education for companies and society. The responsible use of artificial intelligence encompasses not only legality but also transparency, ethics, equality, and inclusion,” says Petri Ajo, chief growth officer of LUT and LAB.
LUT and LAB have also hired two new AI experts. More AI-related recruitments may take place in the future.
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Markus Mäkelä
