New research group brings reliable and human-centric AI solutions to businesses

The Cognitive Technologies Research Group at Turku University of Applied Sciences builds intelligent decision-making systems and combines disparate data sources into a functional whole. At best, technology development will create new growth in the Southwest Finland region.

In a digitalising society, the biggest challenge for organisations is not a lack of information, but its fragmentation.

A research group has started at Turku University of Applied Sciences to develop cognitive technologies that collect and interpret data from different sources into an understandable form.

– Our goal is to increase the reliability, explainability, and usability of data for decision-making, and to support collaboration between humans and AI at all levels of organisations. This is particularly relevant for industry, services, and the public sector, explains David Oliva, Research Group Leader.

The strength of the new research group lies particularly in its multidisciplinary expertise in managing information systems. According to Oliva, the value of information does not come from its quantity, but from our ability to find meaning in complex data streams.

– Information is created simultaneously by people, machines, sensors, software, and documents, but they often live in their own silos.

– Real-time information improves efficiency, quality, safety, and competitiveness in a global market. We want to be there for manufacturing companies, he adds.

The Cognitive Technologies Research Group brings together experts in artificial intelligence, machine vision, data analytics, and software architecture. The team has already built a modular research and development platform for its own and its partners’ needs.

– We also aim to commercialise new technologies. We want to use the research to build the basis for future scalable products and services that could generate new business in the region, says Oliva.

The research group is currently involved in a project to promote collaboration in the use of cognitive robotics and related technologies in manufacturing industry.

Two development projects will start in January 2026: Industrial AI solutions and Adaptive Intelligence for State-Aware Industrial Optimization (ADINO). The former will accelerate the digital and sustainable transformation of the manufacturing industry in Southwest Finland, while the latter will focus on the efficiency and sustainability of SMEs through AI solutions.