Substantial donation to strengthen AI research
The forthcoming 13 professorships represent a significant step in strengthening the AI research ecosystem in Finland and Europe and in promoting long-term competitiveness in the field of artificial intelligence, while also supporting the activities of the international ELLIS Institute. Foundation PS, established by Peter Sarlin, aims to continue supporting world-class AI research in Finland, with a particular focus on the activities of the PS Fellow network formed through the professorships.
"In today’s world, AI is a key driver for competitiveness and growth, and Finland's success relies on world-class expertise and talent. To succeed, we must strengthen our AI capabilities in research, education, and industrial applications. My donation is intended to foster and grow an attractive environment for world-class AI expertise and breakthroughs across multiple disciplines. Together, we can accelerate Finland’s and Europe’s competitiveness on the global AI stage," says Peter Sarlin.
"The University of Oulu has a long and successful history in artificial intelligence research, and artificial intelligence is centrally involved in the profiling fields of our university. The new professorship is an important investment in research and the future", says Arto Maaninen, Rector of the University of Oulu.
"Oulu's strengths in the field of AI lie in the areas of machine learning and artificial intelligence, such as computer vision, edge computing, wireless networks, information security and medical technology. The donation is a great demonstration of the significance of the field, promoting AI and the importance of artificial intelligence research," says Jukka Riekki, Dean of the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering at the University of Oulu.
"This donation towards ELLIS Institute professorships will strengthen and expand our already world-class expertise and competitiveness," says Samuel Kaski, Aalto University professor and director of ELLIS Institute Finland. "The ELLIS Institute will enable us to ambitiously recruit global talent."
Peter Sarlin is the co-founder and CEO of Silo AI, Europe’s leading private AI lab. The company’s acquisition by US-based AMD was the largest AI acquisition in Europe‘s history. Sarlin, who holds a PhD in machine learning, also serves as Professor of Practice at Aalto University, specializing in machine learning and artificial intelligence.
Peter Sarlin established Foundation PS to strengthen Finland’s and Europe’s AI research ecosystem and competitiveness. By funding professorships and supporting world-class research, the foundation aims to drive innovation, attract top talent, and solidify Finland’s and Europe’s position as a global leader in AI.
Finnish Center for Artificial Intelligence FCAI is a community of experts in artificial intelligence in Finland, initiated by Aalto University, University of Helsinki, and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. FCAI is one of the Research Council of Finland’s Flagships. ELLIS (European Laboratory for Learning and Intelligent Systems), founded in 2018, is a European network of leading AI organizations that focuses on fundamental research, technical innovation, and impact. ELLIS is creating a network of research sites distributed across Europe and Israel consisting of ELLIS Units and ELLIS Institutes.
Currently, there are 41 ELLIS Units and 1 Associate Unit in 17 countries. Prior to Europe’s second ELLIS Institute in Finland, the first ELLIS Institute was set up in Tubingen in 2023. The long-term goal is to establish a set of world-class ELLIS Institutes, each acting as the core of a local AI ecosystem.