The adoption of artificial intelligence in industry is accelerating as 14 interdisciplinary teams tackle 14 real company challenges at the MAKE AI Buildathon in Otaniemi, Espoo.
The MAKE AI Buildathon brings together around one hundred Finnish industry experts and doctoral researchers to solve real production and manufacturing challenges using AI. Initiated by companies, the Buildathon is based on genuine industrial development needs. The aim is to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence in industry and to strengthen collaboration between companies and research communities. At the same time, capabilities are built through concrete use cases, learning together, and creating lasting competence that remains within organisations after the event.
“The biggest impact of AI comes from people learning how to use the technology. It is transforming how industrial ecosystems continuously improve flows and create added value for customers,” says Christian Sundman, General Manager, Innovation, Wärtsilä.
Wärtsilä has a learning model where 70% is learning by doing, 20% by sharing and 10% in formal trainings.
“From that model, a buildathon covers 90%! For us, this kind of approach fits perfectly, you get to learn by doing and share what you know.”
Bringing together 33 organisations
The idea for the event originated from an expert network meeting within the MAKE in Finland ecosystem led by DIMECC Ltd, where a similar approach to collaborative development proved to be an effective way to learn and innovate. The proven model is now being expanded to the wider ecosystem of over 70 industrial companies. Of these, 13 companies have submitted challenges, with a total of 14 challenges to be addressed during the event.
A total of 33 organisations are participating in the event: 26 companies, six universities, and Technology Industries of Finland.
During the day, 14 interdisciplinary teams will work on concrete company challenges and produce solution concepts or early-stage prototypes.
“Collaboration is not a one-way transfer of knowledge from research to industry, but continuous learning in both directions. Doctoral researchers deepen their understanding of industrial processes and constraints, while companies gain access to the latest research and methods. At the same time, experts from different companies and doctoral researchers learn from each other, share their experiences, and build networks across organisational boundaries. This interaction builds capabilities that continue to live on in both companies and research communities,” says Eija Syrjämäki, Ecosystem Lead at MAKE in Finland.
The aim of this collaboration is to bring doctoral researchers closer to industry, improve their employment opportunities, and ensure that the industry has a sufficient pool of skilled talent in the future.
Companies support teams
Brillian and Wärtsilä have played a key role in organising the event, bringing strong industrial and technological expertise to the Buildathon. They have supported the teams in understanding the challenges, coached the development of solutions, and helped connect business needs with the possibilities of AI. In addition, the companies have provided technical guidance and practical insights that have helped teams turn ideas into viable solutions.
“What makes an event like this valuable is that companies have to start with the data and documentation they already have. And that’s actually more than most people assume. Years of maintenance records, shift notes, and other operational documentation are now within reach for AI. The raw material was always there. The buildathon is where you find out what you can actually do with it,” says Jussi Järvinen, CEO of Brillian.
The MAKE AI Buildathon is organised in collaboration by the MAKE in Finland ecosystem, Brillian and Wärtsilä, Technology Industries of Finland, and the doctoral programmes Intelligent Work Machines (IWM) and DREAM – Mathematics of Sensing, Imaging and Modelling. The MAKE AI Buildathon will take place in Otaniemi, Espoo, on 28 April 2026.
