APR 15 14.00-19.00 2025
EPICENTER HELSINKI

VERGE | The AI Frontier: Creativity, Security & Collaboration


AI is no longer the future—it’s the battleground of today. As the world races to define the next era of innovation, where does Europe stand? More importantly, is Finland keeping up?

This April, Epicenter Verge returns with The AI Frontier, a half-day event in recognition of World Creativity and Innovation Day. As AI reshapes industries, businesses, and the very nature of work, this is a moment to ask the tough questions: Is Europe falling behind? Can Finland carve out a competitive edge? Who is winning the AI race—and why?

Throughout the day, thought leaders, founders, and industry pioneers will take the stage to explore the forces shaping AI’s rapid evolution. The conversation will open with a keynote on Europe’s position in the AI race and whether Finland can catch up, setting the tone for a series of panels and keynotes that cut through the noise and tackle the realities of AI today. Discussions will dive into the power and risks of AI agents, the rising security threats posed by generative AI, and the evolving relationship between AI and human creativity. In-depth workshops will provide hands-on experiences, offering practical insights into building AI-powered solutions and defending against AI-driven cyber threats.

This AI conference is where the conversation shifts from speculation to execution. As technology accelerates, so does the need for real-world strategies that drive adoption, innovation, and security.

Join the people who are defining the next era of AI, see you at Epicenter.


Welcome to VERGE by Epicenter.



AI Experts

Kristo Lehtonen
Director, International Programmes, Sitra

Kristo Lehtonen is​ the Director of Sitra International Programmes. The most difficult problems in Finland cannot be solved by working at the national level alone. Instead, it is often important to promote solutions at the level of the EU or worldwide. This function is responsible for Sitra’s projects that receive international funding, such as WCEF and TEHDAS2. At the same time, we are also building a new support pillar for Sitra.

He has​ previously worked in the private and the public sectors, as a managing director in a technology company, as a special adviser to a minister and in management positions at Nokia and Nokia Siemens Networks.

Andres Archila
Andres Archila, Project Manager – Nexus Incubator, University of Helsinki

Once a metalhead and guitarist, Andres Archila now applies his creativity and strategic mindset

to leading Nexus: Deep Tech, AI, and Sustainability, a mentor driven incubator programme. With

a strong background in business development, matchmaking, and B2B/B2G sales across

industries like apparel, FMCG, and SaaS, he helps venture teams build market-ready

businesses. At Nexus, Andres designs and drives the programme, working alongside mentors,

corporates, investors, VCs, and CVCs to support startups in deep tech, AI, and sustainability.

Annika Madejska
Senior Designer & Digital Ethicist, Nitor

Annika carries a torch for trustworthy and ethical technology. She has become a voice advocating for responsible and sustainable development of technological services, while still being passionate about all the amazing things that tech and AI can do for us. She has worked on cutting edge AI services in the healthcare sector that have been taken into use at hospitals and research institutions around the world, as well as data heavy IoT solutions within the manufacturing industry. She utilises speculative and critical design to flex the ethical muscle and to catch at least some unforeseen and unwanted consequences of digital services.

Annika was one of the key contributors to the 2024 Teaming with AI whitepaper, bringing her knowledge of ethics of AI into the mix.

Antti Heino
Principal AI Advisor, SAS Finland

Antti Heino works as a Principal Advisor on analytics and AI at SAS Institute. For more than a decade, he has been working with many major companies and organizations in the Nordics regarding their AI challenges. A significant part of his work has concentrated on scaling up AI from experiments to complete productionalized systems.

Bartosz Schneider
Principal Data Strategist, Supermetrics

Bartosz is a Principal Data Strategist. He's been helping companies make the most of their data since 2017. At Supermetrics, he's led our Professional Services team, which works with businesses to turn their data into useful insights that drive smart decisions. Now he is working with our CIO to deploy AI powered automations and process improvements to boost our productivity. Before joining Supermetrics, Bartosz worked at Idealo Internet GmbH as a Principal Data Analyst, where he helped teams and stakeholders use data to solve real business challenges. He's passionate about making data accessible and valuable for everyone, from analysts to decision-makers.

Bruna de Castro e Silva
AI Governance Specialist, Saidot

Bruna de Casto e Silva is Saidot’s AI Governance Specialist, bringing nearly a decade of experience in global legal counselling. She supports Saidot’s clients in crafting and scaling effective responsible AI strategies, policies, and governance frameworks. Before joining Saidot, Bruna enhanced her expertise in AI governance and regulation, and AI and human rights, through roles across legal firms, as well as international and research organisations in Sweden, Brazil, and the US. Alongside her work at Saidot, Bruna is pursuing a doctorate in Law and Technology at Tampere University, with a research focus on AI accountability. She also dedicates her time as the Responsible AI Lead on the Women in AI Finland board, advocating for more inclusion in the AI industry.

Dr. Joyce Xinyi Tu
Senior AI & Operations Consultant, PwC Finland

Dr. Joyce Xinyi Tu is a Postdoctoral Researcher at Aalto University's DigiTwin Lab, Senior AI & Operations Consultant at PwC Finland, and Scientific Advisory Board Member at the Metavethics Institute. Her expertise spans Industry 5.0, Industrial metaverse, digital twins, extended reality, applied AI, alongside digital manufacturing and supply chain operations. Xinyi also holds roles as Visiting Scholar at the University of Cambridge’s Cyber Human Lab, Mentor at the Women in AI Finland community, as well as Working Group Member of several key Industry 5.0 and metaverse standard initiatives, including FORGING Expert Forum and Metaverse Standards Forum.

Juha Sulkakoski
Founder, Upseller

Serial entrepreneur with eight startups and a passion for innovation. Thrives on building new ventures and pushing boundaries. With over a decade of experience in chat, chatbots, and AI, he is the founder of Upseller—a company dedicated to developing next-generation AI chatbots for sales and customer service.

Kalle Saarikannas
Senior GTM Lead, AI at Work & Modern Work, Microsoft Finland

Kalle Saarikannas leads the AI at Work & Modern Work solution area for Microsoft Finland. He is responsible for the go-to-market (GTM) strategy for the Modern Work product portfolio, including the AI-powered Microsoft 365 Copilot, in Finland. In his role, Kalle has a unique vantage point to observe how current themes, such as AI, are shaping the Finnish working environment both now and in the future.

Maria Koskinen
AI Policy Manager, Saidot

Maria serves as a Legal Expert at Saidot, specializing in AI regulation with core expertise in the EU's AI Act. She focuses on key AI-related areas, including data protection, privacy, cybersecurity, and intellectual property, addressing the complex regulatory challenges in the evolving digital era. Maria also brings hands-on experience in practical AI governance to ensure safe and compliant innovation. Prior to joining Saidot, she built her expertise in technology regulation, with a particular focus on telecommunications.

Markku Korkiakoski
CEO, Silverskin Information Security Oy

 Markku Korkiakoski is a decorated professional known for his strategic approach to cybersecurity challenges. He is an experienced keynote speaker and an avid digital trust promoter with a robust history of driving awareness and fostering an understanding of the complexities of cybersecurity. In recent years, his keynotes have included the topics of information operations and social engineering and the role of technological evolution in them.

Marko Aalto
VP, Data & AI, Reaktor

Marko is an experienced software and data & AI consultant with hands-on experience, boosted with entrepreneurial background. He thrives in the intersection between technology, data and business. Currently at Reaktor, for past 12 years, and leading Reaktor’s data & AI offering.

Oguzhan Gencoglu
Co-Founder & Head of AI, Root Signals

Oguzhan Gencoglu, Co-Founder and Head of AI, Root Signals He is also running his one-man AI advisory, Laconic. His expertise areas are 𝗺𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 and 𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮-𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴, as well as entrepreneurship and business strategy. He has several years of experience in building and leading AI teams for developing, deploying, and scaling production-grade ML/AI solutions. Nowadays he works as a hands-on AI expert, advisor, and board member in various companies while cooking something new with his team at Root Signals.

Oona Matinpalo
Data Privacy Lead, Cyber Risk, Deloitte

Oona Matinpalo leads the data and privacy service offering in the Cyber team at Deloitte Finland. At Deloitte, Oona advises clients on diverse matters ranging from GDPR matters to AI Governance. In addition to consulting, Oona has experience in an in-house data privacy role from the forest industry where she worked for two years. She was responsible for developing data privacy governance within the company’s global Human Resources, leading DPIA processes and establishing monitoring practices. She also took part in the implementation of a new data privacy management tool.

In her free time, Oona is the chairwoman of Tivia ry and a member of the International Association of Privacy Professionals’ Women Leading Privacy Advisory Board. In addition to data privacy, HR and cyber, she is interested in leadership of global virtual teams and annually lectures about the subject at Aalto University School of Business.

Pasi Helenius
Country Manager, SAS Finland

Pasi is the Country Manager of SAS Finland, a global leading AI and analytics software vendor. He holds 15 years of experience of helping customers in all industries in the AI market as a Consultant, Data Scientist and analytics leader. In addition to leading SAS Finland he is currently heading SAS’s solution business for Fraud and Risk solutions across Nordics.

Paul Chang
Machine Learning Engineer, DataCrunch

Paul is an ML engineer in the AI team at Datacrunch, where he focuses on advancing the Pareto frontier of efficiency and quality in generative AI. He holds a PhD in machine learning from Aalto University and has worked across various ML roles including data scientist and research scientist at different companies. His current interests include agentic workflows and developing solutions that elevate chatbot technology to achieve the next level of productivity gains.

Shanshan Hou
User Experience Designer, Thermo Fisher Scientific

Shanshan is an AI enthusiast and multidisciplinary product developer exploring how human-centered AI can reshape products and workflows by bridging design, neuroscience, and machine learning. Drawing from her background in Human-Computer Interaction and computational neuroscience, she believes decoding how the brain interprets the world can inspire more ethical, human-aligned AI. Her hands-on projects focus on complex systems that collaborate with users—using behavioral insights to create intuitive tools that learn with people, not just from them.

Passionate about democratizing AI, she merges technology and design to solve real-world problems, prioritizing transparency and accessibility while addressing risks like bias

Teppo Hudsson
AI Advisor, Recordly

Teppo is an AI Advisor at Recordly. He has years of experience in building, scaling, and investing in AI solutions. He’s not just talking about AI; he’s built three production-level AI services that generate over €1M in revenue each year. He’s also consulted 100+ founders on modern project management and tech architecture and led AI initiatives in large corporations. Teppo is all about making AI work smarter, not harder. Teppo’s philosophy includes integrity, trustworthiness, and transparency; so that businesses not only adopt AI but actually see a strong ROI from it.

Topi Manu
AI GTM Lead - Nordics, Google

At Google Cloud, Topi Manu is currently the AI GTM Lead for the Nordics and a Sales Champion and Evangelist for Agentspace in EMEA North. Topi joined Google Cloud in November 2022. Topi was also a Co-founder of Fourkind, a boutique AI-consultancy acquired by Thoughtworks in (2017-2021). Before this Topi worked in tech consulting, digital agencies and in the automotive industry.

Moderator, Joey Bayer
Head of International Community, Epicenter

Joey Bayer has been responsible for creating conversations that matter for more than 16 years.

From creating the space, to connecting key players, to driving / setting the agenda, Joey brings together individuals for moments that both transform and inspire.

Over the course of his career, Joey has hosted the world's most fascinating and influential people - from world leaders, like Bill Clinton, to iconic legends like Liza Minelli, to the CEOs of today's Fortune 500 companies.

Joey's intuitive ability to connect with others, his passion for people and dialogue, and ability to get directly to the heart of the discussion have earned him a reputation of trust and respect with leaders around the world, and made him a central figure in today's most important conversations.

ABOUT VERGE

Step into VERGE, the new global event series by Epicenter—the house of innovation.

At VERGE, we stand at the tipping point of what’s next.

Designed for those who dare to explore, challenge, and redefine the future, this is the movement that is set to amplify innovation on a global stage.

And to be on the verge of something is not easy to describe, it's a feeling. Simply put, you have to be in the room to fully grasp it. See you at Epicenter.

EXCLUSIVE OFFER: GET YOUR HEADSHOT BY ROBERT FRANKO

We’ve partnered up with the incredible Robert Franko, a master of portrait photography, to offer updated, high-quality headshots for all attendees who want to invest in their personal brand. 

Exclusive Verge Offer:

  • 2 professional headshots
  • Expert guidance from Robert to capture your best look
  • Deal: Only €59!

Note that spots are limited! Secure yours at Verge and walk away with a headshot that truly represents you. 

See Robert’s work HERE
Secure your spot HERE

Agenda

14:00

Welcome

Grab a sweet treat and a drink.

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The Lounge - First Floor
14:20

Opening Remarks

The Lounge - First Floor
14:25

Opening Keynote -​Global AI Race: Can Europe & Finland Catch Up?

The AI revolution is moving fast, but is Europe—and closer to home, Finland—still in the mix? The US and Chinese digital giants lead with investments in AI. Perception is that Europe struggles with regulation, fragmented investments, and slower adoption. Who is winning and can Finland still carve out a competitive edge in AI innovation? What will it take to not just participate—but lead?

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The Lounge - First Floor
Kristo Lehtonen
Director, International Programmes, Sitra
14:47

Break

14:52

Panel - AI Agents & Intelligent Automation: The Next Evolution of Workflows

The Lounge - First Floor
Bartosz Schneider
Principal Data Strategist, Supermetrics
Shanshan Hou
User Experience Designer, Thermo Fisher Scientific
Paul Chang
Machine Learning Engineer, DataCrunch
15:00

Workshop - How To Control GenAI Models- HOSTED BY RECORDLY

This workshop will showcase interactively with the audience how different context types can affect the response of a GenAI model. This includes also the demonstration of technical requirements in each kind of context type when you include them from shared resources.

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Passion, The Lounge - 2nd Floor
Teppo Hudsson
AI Advisor, Recordly
15:02

Keynote - Beyond the Chatbot: Generative AI’s Next Big Leap

This keynote explores how AI is moving beyond simple text-based interfaces into multimodal AI, AI agents and sophisticated ​role-specific AI solutions. We’ll dive into how the evolution of AI, including solutions like Microsoft 365 Copilot, is transforming productivity, collaboration, and the future of work itself.

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Revelation Space - Second Floor
Kalle Saarikannas
Senior GTM Lead, AI at Work & Modern Work, Microsoft Finland
15:24

Panel - AI & Humans: Who’s Really in Control?

The Lounge - First Floor
Andres Archila
Andres Archila, Project Manager – Nexus Incubator, University of Helsinki
Annika Madejska
Senior Designer & Digital Ethicist, Nitor
Dr. Joyce Xinyi Tu
Senior AI & Operations Consultant, PwC Finland
15:29

Keynote - From Fear to Trusting AI – Regulation, Safety & Competitive Advantage

As AI advances at an unprecedented pace, trust has become the defining challenge for businesses, policymakers, and society. How can we embrace AI’s potential while effectively mitigating risks like bias, misinformation, security threats, and regulatory uncertainty? In this keynote, Bruna de Castro e Silva, AI Governance Specialist at Saidot, will guide us through the transition from AI skepticism toward responsible adoption. She’ll debunk the common fallacy that governance inhibits innovation, emphasizing that robust safeguards can enhance rather than stifle AI’s potential. Bruna will also explore the evolving regulatory landscape, highlighting how global policies are shaping AI governance and business compliance. Additionally, she’ll share strategies for building transparency and accountability, ensuring AI systems remain safe, fair, and reliable. Ultimately, attendees will learn how shifting their perspective on AI governance from a compliance burden to a competitive advantage can enhance trust and reputation. This session provides a pragmatic, forward-thinking approach to AI trust, equipping organizations with the tools needed to navigate AI adoption responsibly and proactively.

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Revelation Space - Second Floor
Bruna de Castro e Silva
AI Governance Specialist, Saidot
15:56

Break

16:01

Panel - The Rise of AI Security: Defending Against AI-Powered Threats

The Lounge - First Floor
Maria Koskinen
AI Policy Manager, Saidot
Markku Korkiakoski
CEO, Silverskin Information Security Oy
Oona Matinpalo
Data Privacy Lead, Cyber Risk, Deloitte
16:06

Keynote - The AI-Enhanced Workforce: Adapting to the Future of Work

As AI moves beyond task automation, it fundamentally reshapes the way we work, learn, and innovate. In this keynote, Antti Heino, Principal AI Advisor at SAS Finland, shares his insights from over a decade of helping major Nordic companies scale AI from pilot projects to fully operational systems. Antti will explore how businesses can successfully integrate AI to boost productivity, improve decision-making, and foster innovation—without sacrificing critical human expertise. He’ll address how organizations can strike the right balance between human intuition and AI-driven efficiency, ensuring employees adapt confidently and effectively to the evolving workplace.

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Revelation Space - Second Floor
Antti Heino
Principal AI Advisor, SAS Finland
16:33

Keynote - The Next Frontier—AI & the Physical World

AI is no longer confined to screens—autonomous systems, AI-powered robotics, and multimodal models are revolutionizing industries from manufacturing to logistics. What does this mean for the future of automation and human-AI interaction?

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The Lounge - First Floor
Topi Manu
AI GTM Lead - Nordics, Google

Keynote - Unlocking Real-World ROI with Gen AI Chatbots

Generative AI chatbots aren’t just theoretical—they’re delivering measurable returns in sales and customer service today. In this keynote, Juha Sulkakoski, Founder of Upseller, dives into how leading Nordic brands are successfully integrating Gen AI chatbots into their operations, enhancing customer experiences, accelerating sales cycles, and driving tangible business outcomes. Through real-world cases, practical examples, and actionable insights, Juha will outline how companies can leverage conversational AI to generate clear, quantifiable ROI.

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Revelation Space - Second Floor
Juha Sulkakoski
Founder, Upseller
16:55

Break

17:00

Panel - Hype vs. Reality: What’s Actually Working in AI Right Now?

The Lounge - First Floor
Marko Aalto
VP, Data & AI, Reaktor
Oguzhan Gencoglu
Co-Founder & Head of AI, Root Signals
Pasi Helenius
Country Manager, SAS Finland
17:30

Closing Remarks

The Lounge - First Floor
17:35

Networking

Head over to Mikonkatu 5 for drinks, snacks and the best networking in town.

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The Inner Yard- Mikonkatu 5
20:00

Thank You and Goodbye!

Thanks for coming, we hope to see you again soon!

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The Inner Yard- Mikonkatu 5

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