The Research and Innovation Council has reviewed national strategic choices for RDI and invites a panel of experts to assess the impacts of artificial intelligence

The Research and Innovation Council has reviewed national strategic choices for RDI and invites a panel of experts to assess the impacts of artificial intelligence

In its meeting, the Research and Innovation Council examined the status of implementation and execution of national strategic choices for RDI. The meeting included expert reviews of the status of the themes of health and wellbeing and defence. The Council has also decided to establish a panel of experts to assess the impact of artificial intelligence on RDI activities.

Last winter, the Council decided on the national strategic choices for RDI policy and activities. They are intended to consolidate resources, clarifies the needs of the administrative branches and operators on where to direct RDI activities, while further reinforcing the message on Finland's focus points to international partners.

At its 16 September meeting, the Council debriefed the results of this spring's stakeholder survey on the implementation of the strategic choices. The RDI sector has been largely positive in its reception of the choices. The execution and implementation of the choices has already begun through cooperation between various operators, if at differing speeds. RDI cooperation is growing closer in both the health and defence sectors. There is significant growth potential in both areas, but what remains important is reinforcing RDI activities through public demand, among others.

To ensure successful implementation, there should be a clear division of roles and responsibilities among the actors involved. The Academy of Finland and Business Finland has continued to seek closer cooperation in the different choice areas, and it is their funding that plays a key role in implementing and achieving greater depth in the choices. It remains possible to direct and guide the choices through updates to the multi-year plan for R&D funding in the upcoming government term.

These national strategic choices are:

• data and data-based value creation;
• disruptive technologies;
• health and wellbeing;
• climate, environment and the Arctic dimension; and
• security, resilience and defence.

Calling for a comprehensive vision for the development of artificial intelligence

There is an obvious need to examine the impacts of artificial intelligence on research and innovation activities, technological development and the scientific process. The Council finds that there is a need for a comprehensive, national vision on the direction AI should develop, which should be considered in the preparation of RDI policy decisions.

It is for this purpose that the Council has decided to establish the panel of experts. The panel's task will be to study and examine the impacts of artificial intelligence of RDI activities, along with the reinforcing effect of artificial investment on the impact of RDI activities. The work of these experts will supplement other ongoing studies into artificial intelligence from the perspective of RDI.

The Council also states that the Ministry of Finance is currently seeking statements on an amendment to the R&D Funding Act. Among other changes, this amendment would allow for the consideration of innovation funding as R&D funding for up to 50 million euros.

Enquiries: Katri Manninen, Special Adviser, tel. 029 5161152, Johanna Moisio, Secretary-General, tel. 0295 160 625