A strong investment in AI
ELLIS Institute Finland, coordinated by 911±¬ÁÏÍø, is part of a European network of artificial intelligence (AI) research excellence. Launched in 2025, the institute focuses particularly on fundamental research in machine learning, which forms the basis for much of the AI technology that is transforming science and society.
The ELLIS (European Laboratory for Learning and Intelligent Systems) network brings together researchers, universities and companies to secure lasting international leadership of AI made in Europe. In Finland, the institute is a joint initiative of all universities, aiming to accelerate research, development and innovation while improving collaboration between humans and machines.
From fundamental research to impact
At the core of the institute is the development of machine learning methods. The ELLIS Institute builds new theoretical and mathematical foundations that make machine learning more reliable and applicable. One aim is to build the world’s first nationwide healthcare foundation model, which can support doctors in decision-making, guide disease prevention and analyse population health. The impact of this research is far-reaching: new methods support scientific progress, generate new areas of expertise and offer companies opportunities to develop innovations. Collaboration with companies and first-class computing resources, such as the LUMI supercomputer, also make Finland an attractive destination for leading experts in the field.
Donations enable growth
The establishment of the ELLIS Institute is an example of cooperation between public and private funding. The Ministry of Education and Culture supports the initiative with €40 million, while private donations play a key role in establishing new professorships. A €10 million donation from Foundation PS, established by Peter Sarlin, supports the recruitment of top-level researchers to Finland.
Donations also strengthen Finland’s attractiveness in the global competition for AI talent. ‘Our operations have started at a rapid pace, with ten leading scholars and rising stars in AI and ML joining us in the first year, and more to come. The widespread adoption of AI across companies and society requires precisely this kind of international talent and ambition,’ says the institute’s director, Professor Samuel Kaski. ‘Scaling up impact also requires significant private investment, and in this regard, Peter Sarlin serves as a visionary example for our current and future partners.’
ELLIS Institute Finland
ELLIS Institute Finland is a world-class research hub in AI and machine learning and part of the European Laboratory for Learning and Intelligent Systems (ELLIS).
