Funidata as a podcast guest: How artificial intelligence is changing higher education
How is artificial intelligence transforming higher education institutions? Listen to the podcast and discover why data makes the difference.
Funidata's Commercial Director, Jarkko Elo, visited the Puheenaihe podcast (in Finnish) to discuss the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the future of higher education institutions. The episode explored, among other things, the importance of data in the development of higher education and how analytics and AI can support decision-making and student guidance. The discussion also highlighted SisuAnalytics, developed by Funidata, which you can read more about in our previous blog post. Next, Jarkko takes a closer look at the themes discussed.
Artificial intelligence is changing higher education institutions
I appeared on Leevi Leivo's Puheenaihe podcast to discuss how AI, science and the future of higher education are intertwined. One key observation emerged from the discussion: AI will significantly change higher education institutions, but not primarily in the way the hype often suggests. The biggest shift will come from how the core processes, data and services of higher education institutions are built.
In the podcast, I also discuss my background in the higher education sector, learning technologies, start-ups, and international edtech companies such as Blackboard and Itslearning, as well as cloud giant AWS and now Funidata. Experience has shown that technology only has a real impact when it becomes part of everyday operations. We saw the same with the transition to online education: twenty years ago, online teaching was considered marginal, whereas today it is commonplace. With AI, we are at a similar turning point.
High-quality data is the foundation of artificial intelligence
From Funidata's perspective, the value of AI only emerges when higher education data is of high quality, consistent and in a form that can be understood and utilised.
When data is well structured and managed, AI can help identify bottlenecks in studies, support decision-making, speed up reporting, and strengthen student guidance. In practice, this means that higher education institutions can move from slow, retrospective reporting towards proactive management.
The student perspective also featured strongly in the discussion. In the future, AI will not only be a tool, but increasingly a sparring partner, guide and service that supports learning. At its best, it can help students progress on schedule, identify suitable study paths and make choices that currently take a great deal of time for both students and staff more smoothly.
Systems and data are crucial
At the same time, we discussed why the digitalisation of higher education can no longer be built on the logic of the old world. If systems remain separate "snowflakes," data stays in silos and cannot support modern analytics or AI.
The Sisu Student Information System is built on a different philosophy: cloud-native, process-driven and designed to utilise data systematically. This enables a better user experience and improved accessibility, while also allowing higher education institutions to make practical, safe and effective use of AI.
In the podcast, we also discussed the broader question of how Finland can maintain its position as a country known for expertise and high-quality higher education at a time when traditional degrees alone are no longer enough to provide a competitive advantage. One thing is clear: higher education must evolve simultaneously in terms of content, technology and structures. AI will not replace people, researchers or teachers, but it can make higher education institutions significantly more effective, agile and better connected to the future of working life.
Listen to and watch the podcast episode
Jarkko's podcast episode is available in full on Spotify (in Finnish) and YouTube (English subtitles available) – we encourage you to take a listen and join the discussion. In the episode, Jarkko explains in more detail about how AI and high-quality data can support decision-making and student guidance in higher education institutions. He also discusses why the structure of systems and data plays a crucial role when institutions aim to utilise analytics and AI in practice.
Interested in AI and SisuAnalytics? Contact us and discuss the topic further with our experts.
