This blog post summarizes key insights and lessons shared in the presentations on artificial intelligence at the CDOIQ Nordic Symposium 2025. It explores foundational AI theories, models, platforms, and regulatory frameworks that support data analysis, management, and governance. The post highlights how AI can address complex challenges by enabling deeper data insights and powering next-generation product pipelines. Real-world case studies illustrate the practical utility of AI in data-driven initiatives, showcasing its transformative potential. Additionally, it offers an overview of emerging AI applications in governance and strategy, providing guidance for professionals navigating this rapidly evolving landscape.

Navigating AI Regulation: Workday’s Strategic Approach

Jens-Henrik Jeppesen is the Senior Director of Corporate Affairs for EMEA & APJ at Workday, where he leads public policy initiatives across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific. Based in Brussels, Jeppesen and his team advocate on key issues such as AI regulation and digital transformation, engaging with policymakers and shaping responsible tech policy. Before joining Workday in 2020, he headed the European office of the Center for Democracy and Technology and held senior government affairs positions at Intel and Dell. A graduate of Copenhagen Business School, Jeppesen is widely recognized for his expertise in global technology policy.

In his presentation at the CDOIQ Nordics 2025 Symposium, Jeppesen addressed the pressing need for effective AI regulation in an increasingly fast-paced global environment. He spotlighted Workday’s forward-thinking approach to the EU AI Act, calling for developer-led impact assessments that balance innovation with accountability. Central to Workday’s policy stance are the principles of human oversight, fairness, and transparency, which are reinforced through global engagement and a robust internal compliance program. His core message: Responsible AI should amplify human potential while preserving public trust—not just tick regulatory boxes.

Jeppesen’s insights underscored that meaningful AI governance requires more than legal compliance—it demands strategic foresight, ethical commitment, and proactive design. He argued that empowering developers to conduct impact assessments fosters both innovation and accountability. His key takeaway: Companies must integrate fairness, transparency, and human oversight into the very architecture of their AI systems. By aligning AI strategy with evolving frameworks like the EU AI Act, organizations can build trust and secure sustainable business value.

AI Bots Simulating Players in Global Game Design  

Ville Suur-Uski is the Head of Data, Analytics, and Insights at Supercell, a renowned mobile game developer headquartered in Helsinki. With over 15 years of experience in analytics and data science, he leads Supercell’s data strategy, supporting game performance analytics, marketing insights, and player behavior research. His leadership fosters a culture of collaboration, transparency, and empowerment—ensuring that teams make smarter, insight-driven decisions across the company’s globally successful gaming portfolio.

At the CDOIQ Nordics 2025 symposium, Suur-Uski shared how Supercell’s approach to game design is being revolutionized by AI. From humble beginnings with Clash of Clans and minimal data infrastructure, the company has evolved into an advanced ecosystem where reinforcement learning bots simulate thousands of game scenarios overnight. These virtual AI collaborators help refine gameplay, uncover bugs, and enhance creativity—all while supporting Supercell’s lean and agile production model. He described how AI is not just optimizing mechanics, but blurring lines between gaming, media, and entertainment by delivering personalized, abundant experiences.

Suur-Uski emphasized that the adoption of AI represents more than technological advancement—it marks a cultural shift. A key lesson is the need to integrate AI in ways that support and empower creative teams, using data to inform rather than override design choices. He illustrated how small, agile teams can achieve large-scale impact when equipped with intelligent tools that simplify complexity and boost innovation. Ultimately, AI bots are not just transforming Supercell’s development process—they’re reshaping the future of interactive entertainment itself.

Realizing the benefits of Data & AI: How Tietoevry’s SmartGen Suite Drives Business Results

Janne Vihervuori, Head of Solution and Business Development at Tietoevry Tech Services, leads the development of modular AI solutions like SmartGen Suite to help enterprises rapidly realize business value from artificial intelligence. With a strong foundation in enterprise architecture and IT strategy, he designs scalable and secure systems for real-world challenges. Bharath Vijayaraghavan, Lead AI Strategist at Tietoevry Tech Services, brings a rich background in data and AI innovation, focusing on practical, user-centric applications. Together, they champion a vision of enterprise AI that merges technical precision with human-centered design.

During their session at the CDOIQ Nordic 2025 symposium, Vihervuori and Vijayaraghavan addressed the “hidden dragons” of AI adoption—four overlooked but critical challenges that organizations must confront to unlock AI’s full value. These include managing messy unstructured data, building ethical and human-centric systems, navigating complex security landscapes, and reimagining user experience as a conduit for insight rather than interface aesthetics. They stressed that meeting regulatory requirements like the EU AI Act is just the baseline; real responsibility involves crafting transparent, trustworthy, and sustainable AI. Security, they noted, must be holistic—protecting not just data, but system integrity. And perhaps most striking was their call to redefine UX as a gateway to intuitive, empowering interactions that make data indispensable.

Their key takeaway was that meaningful and scalable AI success demands disciplined, holistic execution across four pillars: data management, ethical responsibility, security, and user experience. Unstructured data must be harnessed to unlock deeper intelligence; AI systems must reflect long-term values, not just short-term compliance. Security should be addressed through interdisciplinary collaboration that anticipates rather than reacts to risk. Finally, UX must evolve into a strategic asset—driving adoption, clarity, and real business value. Their SmartGen Suite embodies this ethos, making enterprise AI not just possible, but practical and people-focused.

The Age of Enterprise AI – AI Agents

Seppo Kuula, CEO of Cloud1, is a seasoned tech executive and Doctor of Science in Technology, recognized for driving growth at companies such as Siili Solutions, Enfo, and Unikie. He now leads Cloud1 with the ambition of positioning it as the Nordic frontrunner in enterprise AI solutions built on Microsoft technologies. Emil Sievinen, CTO of Smartbi, brings deep expertise in applying AI and machine learning to industrial-scale problems. With a strong foundation in data science, Sievinen is focused on transforming cutting-edge research into tangible business outcomes through Smartbi’s practical, impact-driven approach.

At the CDOIQ Nordic 2025 symposium, the duo spotlighted the emergence of enterprise AI agents—shifting from simple copilots to autonomous digital co-workers. These agents aren’t just chatbots; they’re evolving into decision-makers, workflow orchestrators, and direct contributors to economic growth through intelligent automation. This transition marks a fundamental departure from traditional analytics, embracing real-time execution and goal-driven strategy. The presenters emphasized that the success of these AI systems depends not only on algorithms but critically on robust data governance. High-quality, well-managed data is essential, and hyper-automation is no longer theoretical—it’s a strategic imperative. Starting small and leveraging existing infrastructure emerged as key to unlocking scalable enterprise AI.

The presentation delivered several vital lessons. Adopting AI agents effectively requires a phased approach, beginning with manageable use cases and gradually scaling complexity. High-quality data, strong governance, and clear frameworks are non-negotiable for reliable outcomes. AI agents are designed to augment—not replace—human capabilities, and success lies in building systems that foster collaboration between people and machines. The speakers urged enterprises to capitalize on familiar tools and platforms for integration, avoiding the need to reinvent their tech stack. As AI agents evolve, organizations must define roles, monitor performance, and ensure ethical use. Their practical roadmap encourages disciplined innovation grounded in trust, transparency, and long-term impact.

Data Intelligence, Moneyball, and Raoul Wallenberg: a Journey in Data and AI

Ari Kaplan, Head of Evangelism at Databricks, is a globally recognized expert in data, AI, and sports analytics. Widely known as “The Real Moneyball Guy,” Kaplan helped shape analytics departments for Major League Baseball teams like the Cubs and Dodgers. Before joining Databricks, he brought AI innovation to McLaren’s Formula 1 strategy team and served as President of the worldwide Oracle users group during pivotal acquisitions. A published author and international data advocate, Kaplan is celebrated for blending compelling storytelling with frontier technology.

At the CDOIQ Nordics 2025 symposium, Kaplan presented a thought-provoking perspective on the transformative power of data and AI. He framed Moneyball not as a story, but as a mindset—showing how data-driven decision-making is revolutionizing everything from sports to historical research. From player selection in baseball to pit stop timing in Formula 1, AI strategies have outmaneuvered intuition. He also highlighted Databricks’ Lakehouse architecture as a game-changer that unifies structured and unstructured data for streaming, BI, and machine learning. Notably, Kaplan shared how AI analysis of historical records has unearthed new insights into Raoul Wallenberg’s legacy, demonstrating the role of data as a force for truth, impact, and progress.

Kaplan’s talk emphasized key lessons for data professionals and business leaders alike. First, unconventional metrics often outperform traditional ones when supported by robust data. Second, AI is only as effective as the data it draws upon—quality, accessibility, and integration are essential. Third, technologies like Lakehouse architectures enable a seamless continuum from raw data to intelligence. And finally, AI is not just shaping future outcomes—it’s reshaping how we interpret the past. Organizations that embrace this data evolution are better equipped to challenge assumptions, unlock insights, and drive meaningful innovation.

Advancing Data Leadership for Business and Society

The CDOIQ Nordic Symposium forms part of the international CDOIQ Program, originally founded at MIT, and now extended to the Nordic region through collaboration with Aalto University Executive Education and Professional Development and a network of community partners.

An overall summary of the entire event, including speaker highlights and thematic insights, is available here Link to the CDOIQ Nordic Symposium Post-Event Summary, and the previous reflections on the other main track sessions is here:Link to the CDOIQ Nordic Symposium 2025 Sessions on Data Governance and Leadership.

For inquiries regarding CDOIQ communities and activities, please reach out to the appropriate regional organizers here: Link to the global CDOIQ Society website. Sami Laine serves as the contact for the Nordic region.

Author: Udyant Kumar is a doctoral researcher at Aalto University School of Business, where he delves into the intersections of strategic management, sustainability, and organizational innovation using AI and Data. His academic journey includes advanced studies in business and management, grounded in a commitment to producing research that informs both theory and practice.

Before entering academia, Udyant accumulated substantial industry experience across sectors such as consulting, corporate strategy, and entrepreneurship. This hands-on background gives him a unique edge in his research—allowing him to bridge the gap between complex academic models and real-world business challenges. His work often reflects a blend of rigorous analytical thinking and practical insight, shaped by years of navigating dynamic business environments.