Thousands of Finns are being invited to share their views on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in public services. Based on an online discussion organised by Sitra and Reaktor, a rulebook will be created that can be used as training material for language models, for example in digital public services.
International and Finnish studies show that public trust in AI and its developers is low. However, AI and other technologies can help improve the productivity of the public sector, thereby safeguarding high-quality public services in a tightening economic situation. Sitra’s aim is to support a productivity leap in the public sector, for example by harnessing the potential of AI.
To ensure that AI is adopted in a fair and citizen-oriented way, broader understanding and constructive dialogue are needed. That is why the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra and technology consultancy Reaktor are inviting Finns to share what risks or opportunities they see in the use of AI in decision-making that affects citizens.
Citizens can express their views on the Voxit platform, which is designed for constructive dialogue. Participants can propose their own statements to ensure that perspectives important to them are included. The discussion is open to everyone and can be joined in Finnish, Swedish or English. A postal invitation has been sent to 10,000 randomly selected Finns.
“We all should be able to participate in the development of public services that affect our lives. AI touches everyone in one way or another and influences our everyday lives. It is a cross-cutting technology that is increasingly being integrated into public services,” says Marko Aalto, Director of AI and Data at Reaktor.
After the three-week discussion, experts from Sitra and Reaktor will analyse the results. The aim is to increase understanding of how to ensure public trust in AI-powered public services. The material will be used to build a technical rulebook that can serve as training data for language models used in automated decision-making in digital public services. No similar citizen-driven rulebook for AI has been created anywhere else in the world. The long-term goal is to develop an AI model for public services that operates according to citizens’ views.
“Participation in the discussion does not require any special expertise or experience with AI. It is important that everyone has the opportunity to take part. Ideally, citizens’ views will form the foundation for how AI is used in public administration,” says Tiina Härkönen, Leading Specialist at Sitra.
A new kind of discussion platform enables constructive dialogue even among large groups
Citizens’ views will be collected via the Voxit online platform (formerly known as Polis), which is designed for constructive discussion. On this easy-to-use platform, participants engage anonymously by voting on statements related to the chosen topic.
Online harassment or incitement to conflict is not possible, as the platform’s interface does not allow direct commenting on others’ statements. The discussion is anonymous and safe.
The Voxit platform provides real-time insights into how participants’ opinions are distributed. The results show which statements the majority agree on and where opinions are most divided. Using advanced statistical analysis, the platform also groups participants into different opinion clusters based on their voting behaviour. This helps both citizens and decision-makers better understand the topic and strengthens the knowledge base for decision-making.
The platform has previously been used in Finland, for example in several wellbeing services counties in projects funded and supported by Sitra.
Discussion to kick off at Helsinki Design Week
The discussion will be launched on the opening day of Helsinki Design Week, 5 September 2025, with a panel discussion titled “Considering AI in societal development and decision-making – Ensuring the happiness of Finnish society in the age of AI”. Speakers include Reaktor CEO Pekka Horo, Sitra’s Democracy Innovations Programme Director Hannu-Pekka Ikäheimo, and Chair of Julkis-muotoilijat & Business Designer at Traficom, Taina Martikainen.
What do you think about AI, Finland? -discussion is open from September 5, 2025, to September 28, 2025, at sitra.fi/whatdoyouthink. More information about the discussion can be found at sitra.fi/whatdoyouthinkfinland
Contacts:
Tiina Härkönen, leading specialist, Sitra tiina.harkonen@sitra.fi, +358 294 618 406
Anne Karumo, Head of Communications & Marketing, Reaktor anne.karumo@reaktor.com, +358 44 493 8533
Antti Lehtinen, specialist, communications, Sitra, antti.lehtinen@sitra.fi, +358 294 618 310
Sitra is a Future Fund that helps Finland to reform. We anticipate the future. We develop solutions to tomorrow’s challenges in collaboration with our partners. We promote Finland's well-being and accelerate sustainable economic growth. A better future demands action today.
Reaktor is a global technology consultancy specializing 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.
