Finland can become an AI country if things are done right

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We are publishing articles on our website from the “Vision 2040 – When Things in Finland Were Done Boldly and Without Prejudice” essay collection. Peter Sarlin from Silo AI envisions that more companies will be founded in Finland during the 2030s than ever before, if hings are done right.

It’s the year 2040. As Finns enjoy the sunshine, there’s an optimistic vibe in the air. We live in a world where smart digital services and products are a natural part of our daily lives. But no one talks about artificial intelligence (AI). Instead of intelligence being limited to the products of big tech companies, Finnish businesses are thriving and competitive because of it. Finns take pride in the fact that local companies have created leading digital products. Finnish companies have made significant investments in product development, coming up with innovative digital products and services to tackle global challenges like renewable energy and sustainable food production.

We live in a world where the sun shines. The news reports that global CO2 emissions have dropped to a sustainable level. According to the UN Climate Panel, the investments made in recent decades to combat climate change are paying off.

I reflect on the changes in the world and Europe over the past decades. The early 2020s, shaped by global crises and regional conflicts, feel distant now. Thankfully, by the end of that decade, we managed to turn things around and make better use of our strengths. With advanced technological expertise, digital maturity, and a pro-growth mindset, our country has become home to many globally competitive tech companies. Over the past ten years, traffic fatalities in Finland have dropped sharply. Investments in new technology and infrastructure have made this possible. Autonomous cars have made traffic not only safer but also given people more time to rest or work instead of driving. I think about how this once-impossible reality became true, thanks to the vision of Finnish policymakers. Finland was the first country in the world to fully allow self-driving cars on its roads.

Looking back at the broader changes in decision-making over the past 20 years, I feel fortunate to have had a front-row seat as the head of an AI company. A major shift happened in Finland in the late 2020s, when public and political discussions moved from focusing on risks, regulations, and cuts to opportunities and growth. Bold investments were made, like supercomputers to support AI development. Finland understood that companies wanted to succeed in using AI—not just by buying smart products but also by developing their own AI technology, creating long-term competitive advantages.

Entrepreneurship itself didn’t get easier, but the rules set by society became more predictable and were created collaboratively with all stakeholders. We didn’t settle for the lowest common denominator; instead, the supportive environment encouraged people to take risks—and it paid off. Never before have so many companies been founded in Finland as in the 2030s. Increased entrepreneurial activity brought more tax revenue, and new technologies like AI helped lower the cost of providing services, solving some societal challenges. Concerns about national debt and high taxes are now mostly memories of the past.

As I continue my journey, I meet an old friend. We agree that if Finland hadn’t been so supportive of entrepreneurship—investing in technology, cutting-edge research, and reasonable regulation—we wouldn’t be experiencing such a bright present. We reminisce about the past, and my friend happily shares how he now has much more time and energy to play with his grandchildren. I think about how, in the end, that’s what it’s all about. People who become technology entrepreneurs do it to help others. That’s why I became an entrepreneur myself—to build AI for people and free up their resources for the things that matter most.

Peter Sarlin, Silo AI