TAMPERE, Finland — September 2, 2025 — Tampere University coordinates the third pilot project under the Data Economy Growth Programme initiated by the Finnish Government. Aimed at fostering data-driven growth and life cycle sustainability across the construction sector, this project, titled AI Champion, brings together research organisations and companies to accelerate digital transformation within the sector and enhance its competitiveness through the application of artificial intelligence (AI).
The pilot project centres on high-quality, standardised data as a foundation for developing AI solutions that drive new business and support the creation of more effective processes and sustainable operating environments throughout the construction value chain.
In addition to construction companies, the project involves several AI firms to ensure the effective commercialisation of the resulting innovations and their practical implementation in business operations.
The Data Economy Growth Programme is implemented by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment of Finland.
“AI Champion’s pilot proposal stood out during the application process: it presented a concrete initiative to advance the data economy within the construction sector and aims to foster international growth by leveraging the strengths of an extensive network of partners, each with a clearly defined role. The content of the initiative is also timely and significant from the EU’s perspective,” says Mika Kataikko, Chief Specialist at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment of Finland.
Pilot project accelerates the flow of building services engineering data
At Tampere University, the AI Champion project is coordinated by Associate Professor Piia Sormunen from the Faculty of Built Environment (BEN). According to Sormunen, Finland has made notable progress in data standardisation, and the next key step is to invest in AI research and the development of AI expertise within the construction sector.
“This will not only accelerate the development of the data economy but also reinforce Finland’s position as an international pioneer in sustainable and competitive construction,” she says.
Sormunen provides a concrete example involving building services engineering data.
“Interoperable and standardised data can be transferred across systems and organisational boundaries. The development of AI is essential for effectively utilising this data during planning and maintenance throughout the entire building life cycle.”
Sormunen highlights the importance of collaboration both in generating ideas for the pilot project and in securing access to the Data Economy Growth Programme. Tampere University and the University of Oulu are responsible for conducting the research required during the AI Champion project. Fira, Granlund and Koja/Chiller participate in the development activities as founding members. Business Tampere served as a key advisor during the application phase of the Data Economy Growth Programme.
Other members of the AI Champion ecosystem include ETS Nord, Kiilto, GF BFS, QMG, LVI-Info, STK and Airlyse. Funding has been sought from Business Finland to accelerate the flow of building services engineering data and support AI research.
Read more about the Data Economy Growth Programme.
Further information
Piia Sormunen, Associate Professor, Tampere University, Tel. +358 50 476 6731, piia.sormunen@tuni.fi
Harri Haapasalo, Head of Research Unit, Professor, University of Oulu, Tel. +358 400518 2275, harri.haapasalo@oulu.fi
Otto Alhava, CTO, Fira, 0400 792 493, otto.alhava@fira.fi
Turo Välikangas, Head of Digitalisation, Koja, +358 50 529 3119, turo.valikangas@koja.fi
Tero Järvinen, Development Director, Granlund, Tel. +358 50 323 2934, tero.jarvinen@granlund.fi
Source: Tampere University