Doctoral pilot programme produces the best experts in artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence has swiftly entered working life. It brings with it new types of job roles that have not yet been defined. The City of Espoo is getting a preview of what is to come through collaboration with the AI-DOC doctoral pilot programme.

Wollsten explains that Espoo is collaborating with Aalto University at the ecosystem level, which includes the Finnish Center for Artificial Intelligence (FCAI) coordinated by Aalto. When AI-DOC was launched, the city was proposed a partnership in a doctoral thesis project.

Lucy Truong's doctoral research examines language models and generative artificial intelligence as part of the city's multilingual customer service, i.e. how these affect people's physical or digital encounters.

‘Improved productivity will come later’

‘We are particularly interested in serving multilingual customers, how people respond to new channels, and how they trust the information. Of course, we also expect improved productivity, but that will come later,’ says Wollsten.

Truong had already completed her master's thesis on the same topic in collaboration with Espoo and worked for the city, so the choice was easy. 

‘We saw an opportunity here, combined all the good things and encouraged Lucy to pursue a doctoral degree. This is a really good, natural combination,’ says professor Tom Bäckström, who is supervising the thesis.

For doctoral students interested in entrepreneurship, AI-DOC runs its own Aalto Inventors Innovation Training Program to encourage them to set up their own start-ups.

'Throughout autumn 2025, there have been excellent speakers and case examples, including those who have already exited as well as early-stage founders. Aalto University already has a strong track record in launching deep tech companies,' says the director of the AI-DOC programme, Professor Arno Solin.

"These individuals were selected from a very large pool of 3,500 applicants from around the world, and they would be in demand in many places. They are familiar with the latest methods, as well as the opportunities and risks associated with artificial intelligence. These doctoral students represent the future of the field and its most talented experts. They represent a huge resource and opportunity for companies.”

Most of the doctoral students are from abroad, but hope to find employment in Finland. This is why supporting them in creating networks with Finnish companies is particularly important.

Various forms of collaboration on offer

AI-DOC has actively sought out company partners and offers various levels of partnership. The partners include both long-term strategic corporate partners and new smaller entities.

'Sometimes we conduct joint research, a thesis may have an advisor from the partner organisation and we work in close collaboration. There are also working life mentors from the business side,' Solin explains.

The contribution of the company to the project can be related to the use of methods or applications, or to working life and industrial needs.

'For instance, mentoring can help an expert in AI methods find a common language with experts in fields like medicine, materials science or other specialised areas.'

In 2025, AI-DOC organised a joint industry event with Technology Industries of Finland and its AI FInland network. The experiences were so good that more similar events are planned to follow and new business participants are welcome. 

Solin advises that companies should not yet view doctoral students solely from a recruitment perspective – the thesis projects are still in their early stages and will continue for a few more years.

'It is a tremendous resource and opportunity for companies to get involved in collaboration already during the doctoral research phase. For many companies it might be a new thing that collaboration can also take place through research projects. This is easier for large companies and startups, but not everyone has prior experience in this.'

'Our own expertise also increases'

ABB is one of Aalto University's long-term strategic partners, so participating in AI-DOC was natural. ABB is involved in three doctoral pilot programs funded by the Ministry of Education and Culture, of which AI-DOC is one.

Matti Kauhanen, Technology Director of ABB's Drives unit, lists the many benefits of the collaboration: 

'Doctoral students are potential future employees, but we also get to develop our own expertise through collaboration. We gain new out-of-the-box ideas and fresh perspectives.' 

According to Kauhanen, the utilisation of artificial intelligence at ABB is about developing the system level to the next level. The projects are strongly related to the company's competitiveness and the expansion into new areas.

"Just because you are the market leader now does not mean you will remain there. You have to renew yourself, which is why these projects are important. A short doctoral thesis is unlikely to generate new innovations. However, you may find a seed that, over the years, could evolve into a new business idea and grow into a significant business.'  

Text: Heidi Hammarsten

All doctoral thesis projects in the programme can be viewed by subject area on the AI-DOC website. We are happy to connect companies and students, and there is a demand within the programme for company mentors, for example.

Please contact Sanna-Maija Kiviranta for more information.