Project
AiADDVA - Adding value by Artificial Intelligence
Project sponsors
Abbreviation
Project type
Focus area
Implementation time
6.9.2021 - 31.10.2023
Project unit
Financing program
European Social Fund (ESF)
Project description
aiADDVA - Adding value by Artificial Intelligence -project offers targeted AI training especially for SMEs in the manufacturing industry in Central Finland.
Manufacturing industry has potential as an enabler of growth and competitiveness. However, one of the drivers of competitiveness in manufacturing, the use of AI, has been neglected in Finland compared to the rest of the world. There is a strong need to strengthen companies' skills and prepare them for the wider use of AI. Companies need expertise that understands the industry, can create AI solutions, and interpret the results so that AI really improves decision-making.
In manufacturing AI can be used for example to optimise production processes, avoid breakdowns, and improve production quality, thus delivering better products and services. Applications of AI in manufacturing include new visualisation (XR), Industrial Internet of Things (IoT), intelligent automation/robotics, predictive analytics, and material-adding manufacturing (3D printing).
The project contributes to the Survival Plan for Central Finland and the regional programme by preventing the skills gap of SMEs and experts in the region and improving growth and competitiveness through an AI-focused training programme. The training also aims to tackle the plight of manufacturing firms in the corona pandemic by increasing their knowledge capital and improving the employability of their staff. The training will be provided by Jamk University of Applied Sciences and JYU University of Jyväskylä.
Jamk is the project coordinator, responsible for project management and communication, as well as for the design, piloting, and evaluation of the training. JYU, as co-producer, is responsible for the content production of the coaching programme and the development of the learning environment. The coaching will be piloted twice during the project to develop it into a more functional form through evaluation and feedback. Multidisciplinary expertise will be utilised in the design of the training, with the participation of Jamk's School of Technology and School of Professional Teacher Education units.
The project is connected to the ecosystem agreement between the City of Jyväskylä and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, which aims to build an ADDVA RDI environment in the area to meet the needs of the renewable industry. The project is part of a wider ADDVA for manufacturing industry in Central Finland. The project will promote the level and applicability of digital skills in the environment and is part of the implementation of the region's survival strategy.
Further information
Kati Valpe-Ojala
Project Manager
+358 50 471 6888
(updated January 27, 2022)
Project results
The core objective of the project is to prevent the skills gap of SMEs and experts in Central Finland and to improve growth and competitiveness through an AI-focused training program. The training will also aim to tackle the plight of manufacturing companies in the corona pandemic by increasing their knowledge capital and improving their staff's chances of advancing in the labor market. The training will be provided by Jamk and JYU (University of Jyväskylä).
The project is implemented through four (4) work packages:
WP1. Content production and development of the learning environment, JYU
WP2. Digi-pedagogical solutions and piloting of the training programme, Jamk
WP3. Mapping, evaluating and feedback collection, Jamk
WP4. Project management, communication, and dissemination of the results, Jamk
The project will build and pilot a coaching program. The coaching includes open MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) online courses and related self-study material, a coaching pathway and group coaching. The coaching will be delivered in a multi-disciplinary way.
Coaching will provide practical information on the potential of AI and its limitations. An important part of the training will also be to improve participants' understanding of the methods for applying AI in manufacturing industry. After the training, participants will understand the key concepts and methodologies related to AI, its main challenges, and potentials, and will be able to apply what they have learned in practice.
The immediate results of the project will be:
- A coaching programme policy/training model
- A pedagogical handbook base and guidelines for its use
- A pilot coaching
- 14 open MOOC deliveries (4 h per delivery), 4 of which are open to all at basic level
- 50 participants in the open MOOCs
- 30 trainees
- 15 SMEs or organisations involved
- 4 live expert lectures/webinars (external expert)
- Practical insights into the development and talent needs of companies in relation to AI
- Digital learning materials (for multi-study)
- Digital learning environment/platform
- Evaluation report
Continuity after the end of the project: the training will also provide opportunities for the implementing higher education institutions, and in particular their teaching staff, to develop and expand their own competences. The project will develop the technology degree programmes of Jamk and JYU by bringing in content and perspectives that have been developed in cooperation with the manufacturing industry.
Further information
Kati Valpe-Ojala
Project Manager
+358 50 471 6888
(updated March 9, 2023)