Finland was among the first countries to develop a national AI strategy in 2017, setting out an ambitious vision to make AI "an active part of every Finn's daily life" by 2022. The strategy, called "AI for Humanity," focuses on four key objectives: enhancing business competitiveness using AI, ensuring top-level expertise and attracting top experts, providing the world's best public services, and making Finland a front runner in the age of AI.
The strategy was developed through a collaborative process involving over 200 people from different sectors of society. In 2019, the government published a final report outlining recommendations for implementing the strategy, underscoring the need for a "visionary approach" to create fair, consumer-oriented principles for AI development.
In 2020, Finland launched the "National Artificial Intelligence Programme – AuroraAI" to promote automation in administration and connect public services. The programme aims to improve service delivery in areas like immigration.
As an EU member state, Finland is subject to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and has updated its national laws accordingly. The Finnish Data Protection Act supplements the GDPR, and the country has also transposed the EU Law Enforcement Directive for data protection in criminal matters.
The Data Protection Ombudsman is the national supervisory authority for data protection, and has made several important decisions, including imposing fines for GDPR violations.
Finland has taken a proactive approach to AI governance, with initiatives such as the city of Helsinki's AI register, launched in 2020, which provides transparency about the city's use of AI systems. A research project called "Civic Agency in AI" aims to develop best practices for AI governance in the public sector. New legislation on automated decision-making in public administration has been introduced, though concerns exist about its compatibility with GDPR provisions.
Finland has stressed the importance of algorithmic transparency and ethical AI use in public services. The Helsinki AI register allows citizens to see how algorithms are used in city services, including datasets used, how algorithms are assessed for bias, and contact information for those responsible for each system.
The country has also focused on digitising public services, with initiatives like the AuroraAI program aiming to connect various government platforms and improve service delivery.
Finland has collaborated with UNICEF to create internationally applicable policy guidance for the use and development of AI for children. This project aims to develop practices for planning safe and inclusive AI solutions that take children's rights into account.
Finland has faced controversy over law enforcement use of facial recognition technology. In 2021, it was revealed that the National Bureau of Investigation had used Clearview AI's facial recognition system without proper vetting. The Deputy Data Protection Ombudsman issued a warning about this use, highlighting concerns about data security and protection laws.
Finland has been active in international AI initiatives. The country has endorsed the OECD AI Principles and signed the Nordic-Baltic cooperation on AI, focusing on developing ethical guidelines and standards. Finland also participated in the US-Nordic Leaders' Summit, committing to cooperation on AI development aligned with human rights, and endorsed the UNESCO Recommendation on AI Ethics. However, Finland is not a member of the Global Partnership on AI.
Finland has a strong record on human rights and receives top scores from Freedom House for political rights and civil liberties. The country has committed to ensuring that AI development aligns with human rights principles, as reflected in its national strategy and international commitments.
Finland stands out as one of the EU's most digitally advanced countries, with a proactive approach to AI development and governance. Its national strategy emphasises creating a "good artificial intelligence society," balancing innovation with ethical considerations.
While risks posed by AI are not the central focus of its strategy, Finland has developed practical solutions for ensuring trustworthy AI, such as Helsinki's AI register. The country benefits from strong European and national data protection frameworks, though some concerns exist about recent automated decision-making legislation.
Finland's collaboration with UNICEF on AI policy for children and its endorsement of international AI ethics principles demonstrate a commitment to responsible AI development. However, it remains to be seen how these commitments will translate into concrete actions and policy changes.
This country report is our interpretation and summary of the "CAIDP Artificial Intelligence & Democratic Values Index 2023". The full report can be found here - https://www.caidp.org/reports/aidv-2023/