NNAIW

New Nordics AI Week 2024 — Highlights from a Week of AI Collaboration

by Vattan PS, Lead Organizer / Founder @ Founderly

Uniting Baltic and Nordic AI Ecosystems

New Nordics AI Week (NNAIW) 2024 brought together AI leaders, innovators, and stakeholders from across the Baltic and Nordic regions, fostering collaboration and driving AI innovation. This transformative event series took place from September 2-6, 2024, spanning multiple locations across Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, and Sweden.

Key Statistics

  • Total Events: 19
  • Participating Countries: 5 (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Sweden)
  • Formats: Conferences, Workshops, Networking Events, Seminars, and a Hackathon

Flagship Event: AI/ML Forum — Collaborative Intelligence

The AI/ML Forum, held on September 2, 2024, in Tallinn, Estonia, launched New Nordics AI Week (NNAIW) 2024 with a powerful start. This full-day summit, dedicated to transforming AI insights into action across the New Nordics, convened more than 200 AI leaders, innovators, and enthusiasts from the Baltic and Nordic regions and beyond.

Through a dynamic mix of engaging panels and collaborative roundtables, participants delved into actionable AI/ML strategies driving innovation across various sectors. The forum sparked discussions and partnerships that echoed throughout the week-long series of events, setting a trajectory for transformative AI developments in the region.


Timeline of Events


September 2, 2024

AIRE Club #28 - Extended Networking Event

  • Description: Extended networking after the AI/ML Forum, open to all forum participants.
  • Location: Mektory—TalTech, Tallinn, Estonia
  • Time: 16:30 - 18:30 EEST
  • Host(s): We're grateful to AI & Robotics Estonia for facilitating this valuable networking opportunity.

Cloudflare CXO Networking Dinner with Industry Leaders

  • Description: An invite-only evening collaboration between Cloudflare and AI/ML Forum Tallinn.
  • Location: Ocean 11, Tallinn, Estonia
  • Time: 18:30 - 21:00 EEST
  • Host(s): Our thanks to Cloudflare for joining forces to create this exclusive networking event.

September 3, 2024

AI Act Implementation Roundtable w/ MKM

  • Description: An exclusive roundtable discussing AI Act implementation, focusing on technical and regulatory sandboxes and the competence centre.
  • Location: Joint Building of Ministries, Tallinn, Estonia
  • Time: 10:00 - 12:00 EEST
  • Host(s): We appreciate the collaboration of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications in organizing this crucial discussion.

Innovation Breakfast: AI in Action

  • Description: Exploration of AI's impact across industries, focusing on practical innovation and real-life case studies.
  • Location: Lift99, Tallinn, Estonia
  • Time: 09:30 - 12:00 EEST
  • Host(s): Our gratitude goes to Tilde, Helve, and Lift99 for their joint effort in hosting this insightful session.

The AI Pod at Epicenter

  • Description: Live recording of Sweden's leading AI podcast, followed by networking.
  • Location: Terrace, Epicenter, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Time: 16:00 - 18:00 CEST
  • Host(s): We thank Epicenter for bringing this unique event to New Nordics AI Week.

Real-World AI Applications: Insights from the Experts

  • Description: Expert panel discussion on practical AI applications in business, followed by networking.
  • Location: Bondora HQ, Tallinn, Estonia
  • Time: 17:30 - 20:30 EEST
  • Host(s): Our appreciation to AIPowerment and Bondora for collaborating on this informative event.

September 3, 2024

PyData Tallinn: Meetup #2

  • Description: An evening of learning and networking for Python and Data enthusiasts.
  • Location: Pipedrive (6th floor), Tallinn, Estonia
  • Time: 18:00 - 21:00 EEST
  • Host(s): We're grateful to Isaac, Andreas, and Pipedrive for organizing this community-driven meetup.

AI Enthusiast Exchange: Conversations & Connections

  • Description: Relaxed AI meetup in Kaunas for enthusiasts to connect and share insights.
  • Location: 9 Sky terrace, Kaunas, Lithuania
  • Time: 18:00 - 21:00 EEST
  • Host(s): Our thanks to AIVerslui for bringing this event to Lithuania as part of New Nordics AI Week.

September 5, 2024

Supercomputing for Business

  • Description: Free seminar on how supercomputing can boost company innovations, including insights on Large Language Models.
  • Location: Visitor and Innovation Centre Joki, Putous-auditorium, Turku, Finland
  • Time: 08:30 - 13:15 EEST
  • Host(s): We appreciate the collaborative effort of Finnish AI Region, Location Innovation Hub, HealthHub Finland, Robocoast, Business Turku, and CSC in organizing this seminar.

Innovation Breakfast: Artificial Intelligence in Action

  • Description: Breakfast event exploring AI's impact across industries, with a focus on customer interaction and new regulations.
  • Location: Riga, Latvia
  • Time: 09:30 - 12:00 EEST
  • Host(s): Our gratitude to Tilde and Helve for bringing this event to Latvia.

PyCon Estonia 2024

  • Description: Two-day conference exploring Python's impact on technology, particularly in AI and Machine Learning.
  • Location: MEKTORY, Raja 15, Tallinn, Estonia
  • Time: 10:00 - 17:00 EEST (continues on Sept 6)
  • Host(s): We're grateful to Python Estonia for aligning this significant event with New Nordics AI Week.

AI in Organic Growth & Marketing

  • Description: Workshop exploring real-world examples of AI revolutionizing marketing and organic growth.
  • Location: Workland Vabaduse, Tallinn, Estonia
  • Time: 16:00 - 18:00 EEST
  • Host(s): We thank Marju, Seva, and Workland for their collaboration in organizing this workshop.

EU AI Act: Spotlight on AI Cybersecurity

  • Description: Event exploring the EU AI Act and its intersection with cybersecurity.
  • Location: Saturn, Teaduspargi 6/1, Tallinn, Estonia
  • Time: 17:00 - 19:00 EEST
  • Host(s): Our thanks to Tehnopol for organizing this timely discussion.

AI-Driven Startup Scaling with Remote Talent

  • Description: Interactive workshop on AI-driven strategies for managing remote engineering teams in startups.
  • Location: SpringHub, Tallinn, Estonia
  • Time: 17:00 - 19:00 EEST
  • Host(s): We appreciate Kontorva's contribution in addressing this crucial aspect of startup growth.

AI, Build my future

  • Description: Event exploring the balance between leveraging AI for efficiency and maintaining quality in startups.
  • Location: Startup House Riga, Riga, Latvia
  • Time: 18:00 - 20:30 EEST
  • Host(s): Our gratitude to Finnu, TechChill, Riga TechGirls, StartSchool, and Startup House Riga for their collaborative effort in organizing this event.

The AI Advantage: Hacking Regulatory Compliance

  • Description: Workshop for SMEs on mastering regulatory compliance using AI.
  • Location: Coinspaid Office, Tallinn, Estonia
  • Time: 18:30 - 20:00 EEST
  • Host(s): Our appreciation goes to Sweephy and Coinspaid for addressing this important topic.

September 6-8, 2024

AIxWeb3 Community Brunch

  • Description: Monthly gathering of the Estonian Web3 Community for networking and updates.
  • Location: Tallinn, Estonia
  • Time: 10:00 - 12:00 EEST
  • Host(s): We thank the Estonian Web3 Chamber and Solidato for bringing this collaborative event to New Nordics AI Week.

AI for Ukraine Recovery Hackathon

  • Description: A cross-border hackathon addressing critical challenges for Ukraine's recovery using AI, held simultaneously in Estonia and Ukraine.
  • Location: Estonia and Ukraine
  • Time: 17:00 EEST (Sept 6) - 17:00 EEST (Sept 8)
  • Key Outcomes:
    • — Helsing Prize for Best AI Solution: AfterMath (Estonia) and Sparonix (Ukraine), each receiving €2,500
    • — Mental Health Challenge Winners: AIREST (1st), YouME (2nd), AnlnspiRise (3rd)
    • — 11 teams (8 Ukrainian, 3 Estonian) selected for Challenger Accelerator pre-acceleration program
    • — Audience Choice Awards: MercuryMine AI (Ukraine), GR2 and Magical Child (Estonia)
  • Host(s): We extend our deepest gratitude to Challenger AI for organizing this impactful hackathon.

Conclusion and Next Steps

New Nordics AI Week 2024 showcased the region's commitment to advancing AI technology and fostering cross-border collaboration. From the high-level AI/ML Forum to hands-on workshops and hackathons, the events provided valuable insights and networking opportunities for participants across various sectors.

As we reflect on the week's success, we're already looking ahead. Our mission to boost AI progress in the Nordic and Baltic regions continues, and we're eager to build on the momentum generated during NNAIW 2024.

We want to hear from you! If you have ideas to contribute to our region's AI progress, we'd love to know about:

  • Event ideas for NNAIW 2025
  • Education initiatives to build AI skills
  • Proposals for AI competence center development
  • Collaboration opportunities between organizations or countries

Get in touch with us via email or follow us on social media @founderly to stay connected and contribute to shaping the future of AI in the New Nordics.

Together, we can make the Nordic and Baltic regions a global leader in ethical, innovative, and impactful AI development. Join us in continuing this important dialogue as we work towards NNAIW 2025!