Finnish AI Region Secures Second Term with Top Marks from EU
Finnish AI Region (FAIR) EDIH has been selected to continue operations for a second term with excellent ratings. European Union continuation funding enables service expansion from the beginning of 2026.
Text by Martti Asikainen, 9.1.2026 | Photo by Adobe Stock Photos
We are delighted to announce that Finnish AI Region (FAIR) will continue its work as a European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) having received top marks from the European Union. The second term enables FAIR to expand its services and launch new functions from the beginning of 2026.
During its first operational period, FAIR has established itself as a key player in the Finnish AI ecosystem. To date, over 11,300 people have engaged with FAIR through networking events and training sessions.
Our training programmes have reached 357 SMEs involving 1,072 participants, and delivered 633 AI for Built Environment course completions.
FAIR has provided approximately 355 advisory, testing and funding support services to 264 customers. Our customer companies have raised over €26 million in capital investments, and key performance targets have been exceeded ahead of schedule.
“I’m very proud of how our consortium has succeeded in launching and establishing FAIR EDIH’s service operations beyond our targets, whilst simultaneously adapting to the rapid development of artificial intelligence technologies,” says FAIR’s director Solja Sulkunen.
EDIHs at the Heart of Europe's AI Strategy
The European Union unveiled an ambitious AI Continent Action Plan in spring 2025, aimed at making the EU the world’s leading artificial intelligence power.
The plan rests on four key pillars: AI Factories, European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs), AI Testing and Experimentation Facilities (TEFs), and AI-on-Demand platforms, which particularly support research and innovation.
Digital innovation hubs such as Finnish AI Region form a central part of the European AI infrastructure. From 2026 onwards, EDIHs will serve as gateways to the entire EU AI infrastructure through a one-stop-shop model.
In practice, this means that FAIR will either provide the required service directly or connect companies with the right expert or partner in Finland or elsewhere in Europe.
AI Helpdesk to Launch in Early 2026
FAIR is expanding its service offering at the beginning of next year with a new AI Helpdesk function. It will be open to anyone requiring guidance on AI services. The Helpdesk will support business clients by advising and directing them onwards to AI Factories, testing platforms and services from other European EDIHs, among others.
The Helpdesk lowers the threshold for companies taking their first steps in AI adoption. By offering easily accessible expertise and connections to Europe’s broader AI infrastructure, FAIR ensures that even smaller organisations can benefit from world-class resources and support.
A significant innovation in Finnish AI Region’s services is an AI-powered assessment of compliance with the general AI regulation, which will help small and medium-sized enterprises ensure their technology solutions meet current and future EU requirements.
Comprehensive Service Portfolio
FAIR’s second-phase consortium represents Finnish excellence. The consortium is being significantly strengthened as Tampere University’s research group GPT-Lab joins, bringing internationally recognised AI expertise.
The consortium includes the cities of Helsinki and Espoo, Aalto University as well as the universities of Helsinki and Tampere, Haaga-Helia and Metropolia Universities of Applied Sciences, Enter Espoo, KIRAHub and 28 Digital. FAIR also works closely with the Finnish Center for Artificial Intelligence (FCAI).
EU contact persons who evaluated the funding application particularly praised the strong consortium, in which each partner has a clearly defined role and which complements one another to form a skilled and experienced whole.
“I am particularly proud of our experts,” Sulkunen says. “Grounded in values of a sustainable future and with professional expertise, they strive to do their part in developing Finnish business and public administration.”
FAIR’s activities align with the EU’s strategic priorities. Through its networking and support functions, FAIR participates in building large-scale AI computing infrastructure, improves access to high-quality data, strengthens AI skills and simplifies AI adoption.
Photo: Finnish AI Region’s Director Solja Sulkunen from Business Helsinki.
Second-Phase Consortium Strengthened
FAIR offers a comprehensive range of services to support the development of AI solutions.
Services are divided into five main categories. Testing and development environments provide proof of concepts (PoCs), an AI accelerator, as well as co-development workshops and hackathons. Expert services and consultancy include advisory services, the AI Helpdesk and AI regulation compliance assessment.
Training services strengthen organisations’ AI competence. Access to finance services support access to necessary funding, and networking promotion services create collaboration opportunities between stakeholders. Additionally, we offer data services to improve access to high-quality data.
In its operations, FAIR focuses primarily on AI, supercomputers, augmented reality technologies and cybersecurity. Sector-wise, the emphasis is on health technology, smart cities and digital services, though services are open to all sectors, SMEs and public sector organisations.
Finnish AI Region
2022-2025.
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