The GPT-Lab Seinäjoki project has successfully concluded, marking a significant step in strengthening the AI innovation ecosystem in the South Ostrobothnia region. Funded by the Regional Council of South Ostrobothnia under the AKKE program, the project has supported the region’s strategy’s “Smart and Skilled” main theme by introducing advanced AI knowledge, fostering research, and enhancing business productivity.
The project’s key objectives included:
- Bringing AI expertise to the region to address the shortage of knowledge capital.
- Promoting AI research, development, and innovation (RDI) through international cooperation, training, and technology forums.
- Integrating AI into businesses across industries, particularly in agriculture, manufacturing, services, and logistics.
- Developing educational content and strengthening AI-related education to build future competencies.
- Laying the foundation for an AI competence center in South Ostrobothnia, ensuring long-term impact.
By strengthening the region’s innovation capacity, the initiative has provided SMEs, IT professionals, students, and developers with tools for AI adoption and mathematical optimization, improving their competitiveness and enabling them to participate in the green transition. The outcomes of the project are reflected in scientific publications, educational initiatives, and new AI-driven demo projects, fostering sustainable development and international networking.
We extend our sincere gratitude to the project’s core team:
Jussi Rasku
Vice head of GPT-Lab Seinäjoki & Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Juha Ala-Rantala
Research Assistant
Joni Honkanen
Research Assistant
Their contributions, along with the support of Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences, local businesses, and industry partners, have been instrumental in the success of this initiative.
As GPT-Lab continues its mission to advance AI research and industry collaboration, we look forward to building upon the insights gained from this project and fostering new opportunities for innovation. In South Ostrobothnia, our work continues in the ongoing AIming for productivity project and in the AI-BASS project, which concentrates on startups and starts on May 1st.
For more information on ongoing and future GPT-Lab initiatives, visit our research portal.