Peter Sarlin has started as Professor of Practice at the Department of Information and Service Management at the School of Business. He completed his doctorate in information systems science at the Turku Centre for Computer Science (TUCS) and has served as a visiting professor and researcher in several foreign universities. Sarlin is the CEO and co-founder of Silo AI, which specialises in applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning.
'Initially I started off in behavioural sciences, but I became interested in machine learning and information systems science, in which I wrote my doctoral dissertation, as I realized how much value can be created by employing machine learning in practice. As an example, in the latest financial crisis, I realized that the tools used to monitor the stability of the financial system were not capable of solving the modelling problem at hand, which was their task, which is why I introduced machine learning into the field', Sarlin explains.
Before he became an entrepreneur in 2017, Sarlin focused on his academic career. However, his research has always been very practical in nature. Also, the approach of the company that he leads toward the artificial intelligence market is to create value with the help of AI. Its goal is to build Europe's leading artificial intelligence company, linking strong academic skills and knowledge with the practical problems and needs of industry.
Peter Sarlin was brought to Aalto by a unique combination of world-class AI and business research and teaching. His tasks at Aalto also include promoting the applications of top-notch theoretical research into practice in various ways.
'One of my duties at Aalto is to support the new Business Analytics master's programme and to help its graduates to position on the labour market. Silo AI has given me an extensive understanding of the plans and needs of different fields, and I know that in the future there will be a significant need for experts who understand technology, productization, and different business domains', Sarlin says.
'In the future, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and analytics will increasingly move forward as a part of product development. They are no longer a point solution that only requires an analyst, but rather persevering product development at the core of a company. To be able to build world-class AI products, and particularly to lead the development of these AI-driven products, requires precisely the kind of skills and knowledge that can be achieved through the multidisciplinary education programme offered by the School of Business.'
The new professor of practice sees the unique combination of top-quality AI research and the world-class business knowledge and skills available at Aalto University as a great opportunity.
'It's rare to find such a combination even at the business schools that focus on artificial intelligence, machine learning, and applied analytics, because they often lack the technological knowledge that is ultimately needed to conduct top research in AI. I believe that the multidisciplinary skills at Aalto is an opportunity to create significant value in solving the practical problems of industry.'
As his second key task at Aalto Sarlin mentions the support given by Aalto for the utilisation of artificial intelligence in cooperation with the different branches of science in the other schools at Aalto University, such as the one led by Professor Heikki Mannila.
Mannila left his position as President of the Academy of Finland and began on March 1 as professor at Aalto University, where he last served as Vice President 2010–2012
Studying in the Master’s Programme in Business Analytics gives students a unique combination of skills in leadership, business, and technology. Programme graduates are future leaders of the digital and sustainable era. The programme provides students with in-depth knowledge in data-based decision-making and analytics and allows them to specialise in different business domains.
