Reaktor, celebrating its 25th anniversary, is part of Helsinki Design Week’s 20th anniversary program with a series exploring the design and construction of happiness in the age of artificial intelligence.
The past two decades have highlighted the importance of digital and interactive design in shaping the contours of people’s everyday lives. The role of digital design in the development of both society and the private sector will only continue to grow. In particular, advancements in artificial intelligence challenge industry players to reflect on the human conditions and values within which the future is being built.
The 25-year-old technology company Reaktor brings a workshop series to Helsinki Design Week’s main venue, the Cable Factory, focusing on the design of happiness, especially in the context of AI. How can equality and accessibility to essential functions of society be ensured, so that the digital divide does not deepen and people’s equal opportunity for happiness is not diminished?
“Reaktor has been building the Finnish digital society for 25 years. In the era of AI, the significance of digital and human-centered design will only increase. Finnish design expertise and software development are world-class – our collaboration with leading international brands is an excellent example of that.”
Pekka Horo
CEO of Reaktor.
“Now we are taking this expertise to a new level together with Helsinki Design Week. Design is a fantastic export product for Finland, and with this collaboration we want to raise interest in its further advancement. Successful design that increases happiness emerges from multidisciplinary expertise and encounters between different people,” says Pekka Horo, CEO of Reaktor.
The open workshops are available to everyone interested in interactive design for happiness. In addition, during Helsinki Design Week, Reaktor will launch two new initiatives related to interaction design and to citizens’ views on the use of AI in public services.
As part of Helsinki Design Week’s program, Reaktor will publish the Interaction Design Academy Handbook (IDA Handbook), a unique guide to digital interaction design. Its goal is to raise the level of expertise in interaction design and to ensure Finland’s competitiveness in digital design in the future as well.
On Helsinki Design Week’s opening day, the think tank Sitra and Reaktor will launch a virtual AI discussion, inviting thousands of Finns to share what risks or opportunities they see in the use of AI in citizen-related decision-making. Based on the discussion, guidelines for AI development rooted in Finnish values will be created.
“For the entire 20-year history of Helsinki Design Week, the idea has been to create new connections between things, ideas, experiences, and people. By building places and spaces for encounters, we simultaneously build space for chance. As various computational models develop at a staggering pace, fostering chance requires even more attention,” says Kari Korkman, founder of Helsinki Design Week.
“The same ethos of bringing people together is realized in Reaktor’s workshops. It will be fascinating to see what kind of insights emerge during HDW on the significance and possibilities of human-centered design in the era of AI.”
You can register for Reaktor’s open workshops and keynote sessions at https://www.reaktor.com/events/helsinki-design-week. The full Helsinki Design Week program is available at helsinkidesignweek.com.
Event program
Panel discussion: AI in society and decision-making – Safeguarding happiness in the age of AI
Speakers: Hannu Ikäheimo, Director, Democracy Innovations Programme, Sitra
Pekka Horo, CEO, Reaktor
Taina Martikainen, puheenjohtaja, Julkis-muotoilijat & johtava liiketoimintamuotoilija, Traficom
Moderator: Jarkko Kailanto, Principal Coach and Trainer, Reaktor
When: Friday 5 Sept, 16:00–17:00Where: Helsinki Design Week, Suomitalo, Main Stage
Happiness is accessible | Onnellisuus on saavutettavaa
Time: Tue 9 Sept, 16:00–17:00
Host: Henna Kalliokoski
Keynote: Beyond visuals – Creative storytelling with AI
Time: Wed 10 Sept, 16:00–17:00
Hosts: Akseli Kouvo & Jimi Hyvärinen, Reaktor Creative
Behind success is a person who is well | Menestyksen takana on hyvinvoiva ihminen
Time: Thu 11 Sept, 14:00–15:00
Hosts: Reaktor Defence and Security Wellbeing Circle, Tiina Härkönen, and Eero Pitkänen
Miten luomme onnellisia organisaatioita?
Time: Thu 11 Sept, 16:00–17:00
Host: Kati Vilkki, Jarkko Kailanto
Cluttered mind, clear mind – The role of content design in shaping experiences
Time: Fri 12 Sept, 13:00–14:00
Hosts: Katri Blomster, Mari Elomäki
For more information
Anne Karumo
Head of Communications & Marketing, Reaktor
Anni Korkman
Programme Director, Helsinki Design Week
anni.korkman@helsinkidesignweek.com
About Reaktor
Reaktor is a global technology and design consultancy specialized in projects that cannot afford to fail. We combine strategy, design, and technology to help ambitious companies gain a competitive edge and become industry leaders. Our expertise spans the full lifecycle of problem-solving – from pioneering data and AI to strategy, design, development, change management and continuous services – anchored in deep industry know-how and high-performing, multidisciplinary teams. And we don’t do it alone. Through the Reaktor Ecosystem, our clients gain access to over 1,100 specialized experts across 40+ trusted partner firms – amplifying capability, speed, and scale.
Founded in 2000, Reaktor has offices in Helsinki, Amsterdam, Lisbon, New York, and Tokyo, with over 700 employees. Reaktor's customers include Adidas, HBO, Supercell, Cathay Pacific and KONE.
About Helsinki Design Week
Helsinki Design Week (5–14 September 2025) showcases emerging designers and new phenomena in design in collaboration with a wide range of partners. Founded in 2005, Helsinki Design Week is the largest design festival in the Nordic countries. The festival offers residents a platform to engage with the development of the city through design and to participate in discussions about it. The international programme features around 130 events annually, catering both to professionals and the general public. It consists of main events, partner events and satellite events. A key part of the programme is also the Children’s Design Week. Helsinki Design Weekly is Finland’s leading design media, providing weekly phenomena, news and debate on design and architecture. Both Helsinki Design Week and Weekly are owned by Luovi Productions Ltd. Luovi’s services include curation, production and communications. Its projects include, among others, the Fiskars Village Art & Design Biennale and Valo/on.
