Projects

Project description

The Advancing sport and exercise measurement and data expertise (CEMIS-SPORT) project is a significant step towards a winter sports testing, research, training and exercise environment in Vuokatti, where raw data will be in the hands of RDI-teams. The project investigates and develops data-based services and solutions for collecting and understanding data related to high-performance sports, sports venues, elite athletes/exercisers, and the environments they occupy.

The first work package focuses on the development of data-based services and explores new possibilities for the collection and use of exercise/sports data. We will develop indoor and outdoor positioning systems and a new equipment testing system and we will explore the possibilities of integrating the use of wearable electromyography into endurance sports measurements. We will develop an adaptable shooting test by creating replaceable grip and trigger force measurement options and adapting tools to track aiming from laboratory to field conditions. We will develop mass spectrometry analytics to analyze concentrations of cortisol and its metabolites, which can be monitored from a (workplace) wellness perspective. We will also develop cell culture tests to evaluate the absorption of nutrients in the gut as well as their possible inflammatory responses.
The second work package examines solutions for collecting sports participation and sports venue/environment data. The work package includes a benchmarking session of existing methods and an investigation of the best data collection methods for the Kainuu region. We will develop methods for monitoring venue visitors, air quality, and energy consumption, aim to improve our ski testing capabilities, and investigate the benefits of “salt-free salt” for ski sports and regional operators.
The third work package ensures cooperation between the main implementer and sub-implementers, as well as dissemination of information regarding the project both regionally and possibly nationally. We will also share the results in international networks and utilize them for continuous regional development.

Project description

The main objective of the AIKA 2 project is to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in
Kainuu and the broader business network in Northern and Eastern Finland in their transition to
the digital era. The sub-objectives of the project include:
• Continuing the development of the AIKA service portfolio to meet the needs of local
businesses, with a focus on data analytics, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and other current
digitalization technologies.
• Improving the adoption of technology and competitiveness in local SMEs through a “test before
investment” service focused on digitalization.
• Strengthening regional development by identifying similar areas and innovation clusters and
building international collaborations with them. Through benchmarking regional economic
impact, the project aims to share best practices and increase international networking in the
Kainuu region.
• Implementing the AIKA Training Academy, providing regular and diverse training to the
project’s target groups on the possibilities, tools, and impacts of digitalization, along with
success stories and examples.
• Disseminating the project’s results widely to the target groups, utilizing the project’s training
and events, AIKA website and social media, communication channels of the implementers,
traditional media, and newsletters. 
 
The AIKA 2 project aims to comprehensively address the goals of digital transition, increased business productivity and strengthening workforce skills. The collaboration between Kajaani University of Applied Sciences and CSC will evolve, offering new opportunities for businesses, and the expertise of the implementers in data and digitalization will further strengthen. The project’s work packages will pilot artificial intelligence and data analytics to enhance business productivity, seek new knowledge from abroad, and organize easily accessible training in the Kainuu region. Thus, the content of the project aligns with the diverse requirements of supporting digital transition, with a focus on the use of artificial intelligence, data analytics, and other current digitalization methods in business.
 
Kajaani University of Applied Sciences implements the project with CSC. The project will be carried out from 2024 to 2027.

Project description

The ‘AIRA – AI Solutions for Sustainable and Productive Knowledge Work’ project aims to co-develop new operating models for the utilization and implementation of generative AI in knowledge-intensive and innovation-oriented work organizations, aiming to increase productivity and sustainability.
The AI revolution is creating a significant change in Finnish working life and has far-reaching effects for employees, companies and organisations. When utilised effectively, generative AI can make knowledge-intensive work more efficient and improve its quality. However, the rapid development and implementation of AI can pose challenges to employee well-being, for example by increasing cognitive workload, social isolation or by increasing expectations on productivity.
The AIRA project responds to these challenges by co-developing, testing and evaluating Al-based solutions, which support employee wellbeing, strengthen innovation capacity and increase resilience and productivity in knowledge-intensive and RDI work.
The project maps out the best Finnish and international solutions for the utilization of generative AI in the workplace and organizes five national co-creation workshops that bring together people with extensive expertise and experiences on the use of AI. Based on the learnings from the co­creation workshops, long-term pilot experiments are organized in diverse work environments, during which solutions for the implementation of generative AI are tested, developed and applied. 13 pilot experiments will take place in micro and SME companies operating in Kajaani, Oulu, Tampere and Helsinki. A comparison group of pilots will take place at the Oulu and Kajaani universities of applied sciences and the city organizations of Tampere and Helsinki. KAMK and Oamk are responsible for measuring the project’s impacts and analyzing the results, utilizing the QWL-survey and Al-maturity model. Dissemination of results is ane of the key objectives of AIRA. The results will be published in scientific publications and a national webinar series. As part of its dissemination strategy the project will carry out effective stakeholder engagement.
The AIRA project is designed to implement the most relevant national and regional strategies including Terveellinen työ 2023-2025, TYO2030, Uudistuva ja osaava Suomi 2021-2027 ja and Section 4.2 of the Government Programme. Development of working life and well-being at work. The project aisa supports the Smart Specialisation Strategies and provincial programmes of the participating provinces, as well as the digitalisation and ethical AI objectives of the participating cities, the EU Baltic Sea Region Strategy and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The AIRA-project will result in a better understanding of the impact that rapid advancement of AI can bring to employee well-being and the potential solutions that are available to solve these challenges. The project will help employees and organisations to better manage the risks and challenges that come with the ‘AI revolution’. The project’s human-centered approach ensures that changes are sustainable and promote both business goals and employee well-being. The operating models for the successful implementation of generative AI that are developed during AIRA can be applied and utilized widely in diverse workplaces, promoting a sustainable and productive working life that is ready for the challenges of the future.
Project partners:
– Forum Virium Helsinki Oy
– Tampereen kaupunkiseudun elinkeino-ja kehitysyhtiö Business Tampere Oy
– Oulun Ammattikorkeakoulu Oy
– Tampereen kaupunki
– Kajaanin Ammattikorkeakoulu Oy