According to a new AI study by Academic Engineers and Architects in Finland TEK and the Union of Professional Engineers, management of artificial intelligence in Finland is largely concentrated in the hands of an AI elite – primarily men aged 40 to 49.
This AI elite mainly holds management, middle management or highly demanding expert roles in IT and is responsible for implementing AI tools in Finnish tech workplaces.
They use AI more frequently and in more diverse ways than others. They have also received significantly more AI-related supplementary training and retraining. They feel that AI has made them more productive at work.
According to Mikko Särelä, expert for industrial and innovation policy at TEK, AI should be for everyone – not just the elite.
“It’s high time to include all employees. AI development must not be left to a narrow group of experts. We need people of different ages, genders, and backgrounds. Only diverse participation ensures that AI solutions serve society fairly.”
Särelä also believes it would be easy for the AI elite to share their expertise already.
“It’s important for companies to identify early AI adopters within their staff and give them opportunities to share experiences, train others, and help the company choose effective AI tools,” Särelä says.
The study also reveals that AI has created new needs in the workplace. Many employees are confused about AI practices at work and feel they need more training.
“Just over half of respondents said that AI usage guidelines exist at their workplace, but they may not be sufficient. There’s also a need for additional training or retraining,” says Susanna Bairoh, TEK’s Research Manager.
About the study
The AI study was conducted as part of TEK's and the Union of Professional Engineers’ annual labor market surveys, using a web questionnaire in October–November 2024. It examined AI usage and perceptions in Finnish tech workplaces. Around 18,900 responses were received, with a response rate of 21%. Of the respondents, 77% were men and 23% women.