AI Ecosystem in Social and Health Services (SOTE)

The Finnish national AI ecosystem for social and health services (SOTE) is an informal network of stakeholders in the social and healthcare sector, including authorities, businesses and researchers.

The SOTE AI ecosystem network is led by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. The coordinating group also includes the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa (HUS), Una Oy, and DigiFinland Oy. DigiFinland acts as the practical operations coordinator for the ecosystem. The innovation network was established by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health in the summer of 2024.

Introduction to the ecosystem

Join as a Member

All organizations from the private, public, and third sectors can register as free members of the ecosystem. This includes well-being services counties, other public administration entities, technology providers, research organizations, as well as associations and unions.

There are currently more than 250 member organizations (see full list).

SOTE AI Ecosystem Newsletter

The SOTE AI Ecosystem publishes a publicly available newsletter featuring current updates from the ecosystem, examples of AI use in the social and healthcare sectors, and interpretations of relevant legislation.

Please note: the newsletter is available in Finnish only.

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Events

We regularly organize AI Morning Webinars and other ecosystem events. The AI Morning Webinars bring together frontrunners in AI development in the social and health sector. You will hear about the best use cases, network with others, and get the latest updates. AI Mornings are held every other Wednesday from 8:30 to 9:30.
Learn more

Please note: events are held in Finnish.

Studies and Reports

The SOTE AI Ecosystem has produced several studies and reports, including:

• AI Vision 2035 for Social and Healthcare Services
• AI Readiness and Challenges in Wellbeing Services Counties (in English)
• Legal Review of AI in Social and Healthcare
• Mapping of Potential AI Use Cases
• Guidelines for Evaluating Impact

Please note: unless otherwise indicated, studies and reports are written in Finnish.

Pilot Projects

As part of the SOTE AI Ecosystem established by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the publicly owned DigiFinland has launched ten artificial intelligence pilot projects. The initiative includes the wellbeing services counties of Kanta-Häme, Central Finland, Länsi Uusimaa, Pirkanmaa, Ostrobothnia, North Savo, and Southwest Finland, as well as the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa (HUS).

The pilot projects began in early 2025, with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health contributing a total of €2.3 million in funding. The goal of the initiative is to promote the responsible use of AI in social and healthcare services. Project selection emphasized the relevance of the proposed use cases, the potential impact and feasibility of the projects, as well as opportunities to scale the solutions for future national use.

The following pilot projects have been selected as part of the initiative:

• Central Finland – AI Assistant for Professionals
• Pirkanmaa – AI-Assisted Child Service Needs Assessment and Predictive Risk Evaluation
• Kanta-Häme – AI-Based Prediction of Functional Capacity Changes: Rehab Screen
• Kanta-Häme – AI-Generated Summary of Client Background and Risk Information
• Ostrobothnia – LingAI: Real-Time Interpretation
• Central Finland – Real-Time Interpretation
• North Savo – Development and Implementation of AI-Assisted Medication Risk Assessment Tool
• Länsi Uusimaa – AI-Assisted Documentation in the Wellbeing Services County
• Southwest Finland – AI in Cancer PET Imaging
• HUS – AI-Based Tools for Digital Obesity Treatment

Working Groups

Coordination Group
The SOTE AI Ecosystem is led by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. The coordination group includes the Ministry itself along with the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), HUS, and the publicly owned companies Una Oy and DigiFinland Oy.
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Risk Management Group
As part of the ecosystem’s operations, voluntary working groups are established to advance key themes. The first group, founded in October 2024, focuses on risk management in AI solutions.
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MDR Working Group
This group supports SOTE AI Ecosystem stakeholders in questions related to the regulation of medical devices. It shares information about MDR requirements, supports AI pilot projects, and contributes to forming a national view on the interpretation of AI+MDR legislation. The group operates transparently and is open to anyone interested in the topic. The chair is Leena Soininen from DigiFinland Oy.
Learn more

AI Network of Wellbeing Services Counties
This network was established to share knowledge and experiences related to the use and development of AI in the social and healthcare sector. It also supports wellbeing services counties in advancing AI development. The network meets every three weeks and is open to all well-being services counties, HUS, and the City of Helsinki.
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Vision Work

The vision project carried out within the SOTE AI Ecosystem brought organizations together to create a national perspective on the use of artificial intelligence in social and health services. The aim was to improve services for clients and patients, support professionals’ work, and enhance the productivity of service provision. The work resulted in a comprehensive whitepaper and concrete policy recommendations.
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The AI ecosystem facilitates, enables and funds the utilisation of AI in the social and health sector:

• Brings together stakeholders to implement development projects and grants subsidies
• Collects and shares AI use cases and the experiences of pioneers
• Conducts and facilitates national surveys and studies, and promotes international cooperation
• Identifies legislative needs and makes proposals for enabling legislation.

The utilisation of AI has vast potential in the social and health sector. The ecosystem aims to ensure that the effective use of AI:

• Secures high-quality services for clients and assists professionals in their work, freeing up time for the most important tasks, such as personal interaction with clients
• Improves the productivity of the service system
• Creates business opportunities and exports, thereby generating new jobs

We aim for the rapid and impactful adoption of AI technologies while ensuring the safety and privacy of services.

Contact Information

More information in Finnish

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