Digitalisation is both an opportunity and a risk. Finland must lead with quality, not just speed — getting it wrong at scale is expensive and hard to reverse.
Public sector digitalisation specifically requires interoperability, open standards, and accessibility for everyone — not just those comfortable with digital interfaces. Vendor lock-in is the largest long-term risk: when public services are built on proprietary platforms, the public sector loses negotiating power and flexibility. As a software professional I have seen many times how procurement decisions made without technical consideration create dependencies that cost more to exit than anyone is prepared to pay.
The human dimension matters too. Digitalisation must not exclude people who struggle with online interfaces — GP appointments, benefit claims, and permit applications must remain accessible through non-digital channels. Efficiency gains should not be achieved by forcing the most vulnerable to adapt to the most convenient channel for the provider.
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AI helps secure municipal services, but it is not free
In Konnevesi, AI cut processing time for road grants from two months to days. Kirkkonummi is too small to act alone — but collaboration makes change possible.
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AI changes what developers get paid for
AI does in two minutes what used to take a developer two weeks. The price of code is collapsing — but what will developers get paid for instead?
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Chat control: parliament was right
The European Parliament rejected the extension of the chat control law. The police statistics are real, but parliament was still right — here is why.
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Digital independence is built one step at a time
Digital independence is built in every procurement decision. Helsinki chose Finnish UpCloud as the platform for its core public services system.
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Digital independence is a necessity
Finland's digital services depend on US platforms. As the US becomes unreliable, digital sovereignty is no longer optional — it is a necessity.
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2026 is the year of AI
AI is changing society — but perhaps not as you imagine. The biggest changes will be in private life and in the everyday lives of children.
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AI cannot do everything
AI has been presented as a solution for improving public services. It may have a role, but cannot replace people or clear strategic planning.
