AI as support for business development – LAB’s Digital Venturing builds competence in education and companies
Technological change and shifting customer behaviours are forcing organisations to reinvent themselves. Digitalisation opens up new opportunities, but making the most of them requires new skills and new ways of thinking. At LAB, a strategic and systematic approach to building digital ventures is being developed at the intersection of education, research, and business collaboration.
LAB’s Digital Venturing is developing an augmented large language model and innovation platform that combines organisational knowledge, innovation processes, document search, and specialised AI agents. This platform supports learning, research, and development in different roles. Integrated into degree programmes, it builds a bridge between education, research, and companies.
“Our goal is to reduce the mismatch between education and the labour market. Companies need new experts, and innovative young people need meaningful ways to develop and make an impact,” says Antero Kivikoski, who leads Digital Venturing at the LAB Institute of Design and Fine Arts.
At the core is the 8-week Digital Venture Building programme, part of degree education, where students and companies work together on digital solutions based on strategic foresight. The programme generates new products, services, and business models that are tested against real customer needs and market-entry scenarios.
The programme is already being piloted. Alongside practical development, it also serves as a research initiative, generating new knowledge on product development, learning, and the role of AI in innovation. This dual focus makes it both a development engine and a source of research insights for LAB.
| What companies need in order to succeed with AI |
While deep technical expertise is not necessary to adopt AI, some basic prerequisites are essential:
Generative AI in particular is now creating new value by improving efficiency, helping structure complex information, and supporting better decision-making. Unlike traditional machine learning or deep learning solutions used for years in production forecasting or customer segmentation, generative AI is widely accessible — and its potential is within reach for all organisations. |
Supportive intelligence, not artificial replacement
Kivikoski emphasises that instead of artificial intelligence, we should speak of supportive intelligence: technology that enriches thinking and acts as a partner in expert work.
Supportive intelligence structures large data volumes, supports teamwork, reduces overlaps, and accelerates decision-making. It also highlights alternative perspectives and weak signals that might otherwise go unnoticed.
“Used wisely, AI can improve quality, speed, and impact in innovation. It’s not about machines doing the work for you — it’s about AI helping you think better.”
Practical value for companies
Through discussions with companies across different industries, a common theme emerges: the need to reinvent.
“Changing customer behaviours, the demands of knowledge-based management, and the growing need for anticipation capabilities all push companies to adapt. What is required now is not just isolated AI tools but concrete examples of how data and AI-native thinking can be integrated into strategy, decision-making, and continuous development. This is how companies can structure information, identify opportunities, and build sustainable competitive advantage.”
For example, industrial companies have explored predictive maintenance concepts, while service firms have tested AI-assisted customer tools. Each case demonstrates how supportive intelligence can generate immediate business value while building long-term capabilities.
LAB’s Digital Venturing ecosystem is growing rapidly, with the aim of forming new commercial partnerships and engaging over 100 students annually in co-development with companies.
“We are experiencing a major transformation, and every company is part of it in one way or another."
"Digital Venturing is an example of how education, research, and business can respond together to the challenges of a fast-changing world.”
In this way, AI is not an artificial substitute, but supportive intelligence — a partner in learning, innovation, and renewal. LAB invites companies, students, and partners to join in building this bridge between knowledge and practice.
