Three foundations donate a professorship in the field of media and artificial intelligence to Tampere University
Helsingin Sanomat Foundation, Media Industry Research Foundation of Finland and C. V. Åkerlund Media Foundation are jointly funding a professorship to strengthen research and teaching in the field of artificial intelligence and media.
The aim is to respond swiftly to the challenges and opportunities that generative AI is bringing to journalism, media culture and democracy. Technological and communication expertise come together at Tampere University’s Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences (ITC), offering a unique environment for the professorship.
The donated professorship is for a period of three years, after which it will become a regular tenured position at Tampere University’s Communication Sciences Unit. Recruitment for the role is expected to begin in 2025.
“The media sector is facing a major transformation with the rise of artificial intelligence. The foundations find it is vital to strengthen AI expertise, research and education at Finland’s largest journalism school so that Finnish journalism is empowered, not weakened, by technological progress,” the donating foundations say.
Marko Ala-Fossi, Head of the Communication Sciences Unit at Tampere University, describes the professorship as a great vote of confidence in both the Unit and the multidisciplinary ITC faculty.
“AI is rapidly reshaping the media and communications landscape. Thanks to the foundations’ support, we can now open a strategically significant new research area without having to wait years to do so. Our goal is to strengthen Finland’s position, and especially Tampere University’s role, in AI and media research while promoting the responsible and ethical development of AI in the media sector,” Ala-Fossi says.
Further information
Laura Saarikoski, President, Helsingin Sanomat Foundation
laura.saarikoski [at] hssaatio.fi (laura[dot]saarikoski[at]hssaatio[dot]fi)
tel. +358 40 526 4246
Noora Alanne, Executive Director, Media Industry Research Foundation of Finland
noora.alanne [at] mediaalansaatio.fi (noora[dot]alanne[at]mediaalansaatio[dot]fi)
tel. +358 50 442 1507
Päivi Myllykangas, Executive Director, C. V. Åkerlund Media Foundation
paivi.myllykangas [at] akerlundinsaatio.fi (paivi[dot]myllykangas[at]akerlundinsaatio[dot]fi)
tel. +358 40 743 6417
Marko Ala-Fossi, Head of Communication Sciences Unit, Tampere University
marko.ala-fossi [at] tuni.fi (marko[dot]ala-fossi[at]tuni[dot]fi)
tel. +358 40 190 4149
