AI Innovation HUB for Business and Education: a dynamic platform for collaboration

Universities of applied sciences (UAS) are known for strong partnerships with business and industry, particularly with SMEs. We build bridges between academic research and practice: we help companies in finding solutions to real life challenges through applied research, and we enable research partners to test and apply theoretical models in practical, real-world settings. This kind of unique positioning enables universities of applied sciences to serve as translators between academic research and the business world, and thus boosting local economic development and regional competitiveness (e.g., Mielityinen 2024).

Research and innovation objectives established across multiple governance levels (Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council 2021; Parliamentary RDI Working Group 2023; European Commission 2024) support the work of universities of applied sciences. Generally, the political goal is to strengthen the collaboration between higher education institutions and business (e.g., Parliamentary RDI Working Group 2023; von der Leyen 2024).

For Haaga-Helia UAS one important means to build bridges between research and practice is by creating joint platforms for different actors to implement various kinds of research, development and innovation work. Networks, or even ecosystems, are often interlinked with these platforms. Haaga-Helia’s AI Innovation HUB for Business and Education is a good example of such platform.

A joint platform to ensure collaboration – AI as the theme

AI Innovation HUB for Business and Education is a platform that Haaga-Helia operates in collaboration with its European University Ulysseus alliance partners. The platform promotes the application of AI tools and methods to meet the current and future challenges of business and industry – particularly in the field of business development and education, but also in other relevant fields. It is a dynamic center for developing joint challenge-driven, transdisciplinary programmes (O’Gorman 2024).

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a theme that practically all organisations in Uusimaa region, Finland and in Europe are currently trying to grasp and utilise in their operations. It is a phenomenon that needs to be managed to survive in the market. However, companies need support and competencies to proceed in adapting AI in their operations and processes, and in learning.

It has been presented that higher education institutions play a main role in supporting organisations in their attempts to gain AI competencies: for example, ASEF Higher Education Innolab (2021), has presented survey results showing that the main role of higher education institutions in AI Innovation Ecosystems should be providing relevant skills for future workforce. ASEF Higher Education Innolab is an intergovernmental alliance established in 1996 to foster dialogue and cooperation between Asia and Europe comprising 30 European and 21 Asian countries, the European Union and the ASEAN Secretariat.

In addition to providing relevant competencies, ASEF (2021) suggested that higher education should serve as hubs that connect all stakeholders in ecosystem and conduct applied research for technology transfer. Open ended responses presented that these roles are important in order ‘to prepare graduates for the labor market; make an impact in society and future generations, to benefit the university itself and the education sector as a whole. (ASEF Higher Education Innolab 2021.)

The AI Innovation HUB integrates RDI and curriculum

AI Innovation HUB for Business and Education answers the ASEF call. AI Innovation HUB – along with other Ulysseus innovation hubs – has been developed since 2020 and is by mention of the European Commission an exemplary structure for collaboration, addressing research and development challenges shared in the region and cities within Europe (Grumbinaitė, Colus & Buitrago Carvajal 2025).

AI Innovation HUB integrates applied research, development and innovation projects and curriculum. It utilises existing UAS infrastructure (HH Labs) and provides a co-creation platform and network for collaboration for private, public and third sector organisations. The Hub is surrounded by two multidisciplinary and multiorganizational research groups, one of which focuses on the application of artificial intelligence in learning and the other in business life. The work is carried out through various research and development projects. Currently, there are about twenty active AI-themed projects and the amount is expected to grow in the future. Picture below represents the entity.

Picture 1. The idea of AI Innovation HUB for Business and Education

A network of companies around AI Innovation HUB

Currently, Haaga-Helia is further developing a network of companies around AI Innovation HUB for Business and Education. The network is open for all organizations that are interested in utilizing AI in their business or in learning. Membership is free of charge.

Members of the network get access to information on current research findings delivered by Haaga-Helia’s various RDI projects related to AI. In addition, members receive invitations to topical events organised by the projects, for example, to disseminate their newest findings. Importantly, organisations get opportunities to proactively take part in developing new projects and in this way develop their own operation together with the UAS.

Maybe the greatest advantage of belonging to the network is, however, getting to share the challenges with other organisations and to co-create solutions together. Often organisations meet similar challenges regardless of their field – and even benefit from co-creation with companies from different fields.

Picture: Haaga-Helia