Human-Centric Enterprise AI with Helsinki-based Dr. Anna Lahtinen

Human-Centric Enterprise AI with Helsinki-based Dr. Anna Lahtinen

Author: Caitlin Begg February 28, 2024 Duration: 51:41

In this episode, I discuss practical sociotechnical approaches to enterprise artificial intelligence adoption (especially for small and medium sized businesses) with Helsinki-based Dr. Anna Lahtinen.

Curiously, artificial intelligence could lead us toward a more human everyday—Anna outlines how we may approach this.

We also discuss:

  • Empowering SMEs with Artificial Intelligence - 173 page free guide written by Anna and her colleague Iris Humala
  • aistories.fi - AI stories of companies
  • AI in business free course from Anna and her team at Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences; target group is management and representatives of SMEs (small and medium enterprises) who are interested in developing business with the help of artificial intelligence

Dr. Anna Lahtinen, DBA is a Senior Researcher at Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences in Helsinki, Finland. Anna specializes in the transformation of work life from the perspectives of the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI), evolution of psychological contract, gender roles and women careers. 

Anna has over 20 years of industry, entrepreneurial, startup and academic experience in Finland, across Europe and globally. Anna is an internationally published scholar and a Recipient of “Academic Paper Most Relevant to Entrepreneurs Award” presented by United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship. 

In the research and development projects led by Anna, over 150 companies and organizations have been supported in the past three years to explore AI opportunities and develop AI solutions tailored to their business needs.

Anna and I first met at WORK2023, a future of work conference in Turku, Finland this summer. At the conference, Anna presented alongside Martti Asikainen and Eija Kärnä in the digitalisiation and robotics in working life track, "AI and Robotics in Knowledge Work: Towards Sustainable Value Co-Creation".

My presentations at WORK2023: "Everyday Conversation: The Effect of Asynchronous Communication and Hypercommunication on Daily Interaction and Sociotechnical Systems"; "Joint Optimization of Social and Technical Systems to Effect Organizational Change"; "A Sociotechnical Approach to Digital Communication Dysfunction Avoidance in Remote and Hybrid Work Settings".





There's a quiet but persistent feeling that something essential is getting lost in our digital shuffle. Progression to Analog is a space to examine that feeling, hosted by sociologist and Authentic Social founder Caitlin Begg. This isn't a nostalgic retreat, but a thoughtful exploration of how reintroducing analog elements-whether in communication, work, or leisure-can reshape our daily experience toward something more intentional and, ultimately, more human. Each conversation in this podcast moves beyond simple tool-swapping to ask deeper questions about presence, connection, and the architecture of our attention. You'll hear discussions that weave sociological insight with practical reflection, considering how the textures of a less-mediated life can influence our relationships, creativity, and sense of self. New episodes arrive every Monday, offering a regular pause to consider the pace and quality of the everyday. Tune in for a series that treats the analog not as an antiquated concept, but as a meaningful progression.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 39

Progression to Analog
Podcast Episodes
Why can't we have difficult conversations? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:32
"I think we have a listening problem" -Stephanie from NYC (name changed) I interview six people, explore expert opinions (and share my own) re: why it can be tough to have difficult conversations today.
D̶o̶o̶m̶scrolling is good for you? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:11
Can scrolling be good for you? Yes, if you take out the doom. I explore different perspectives on scrolling, based on Harvard Medical School research, and a perspective from a UVA Professor on 'hope scrolling'. NYC volun…
We live in a simulation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:02
From a ⁠Baudrillardian (versus ⁠Bostrum-esque)⁠ angle of simulation theory, I discuss why we live in a simulation, what that means in terms of everyday life, and how we can deal with it. "THE SIMULACRUM IS NEVER WHAT HID…
One Year of Progression to Analog [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:09
A year ago today, I launched the trailer for Progression to Analog. Twelve months later, I'm reflecting on what a year it was—speaking about Progression to Analog at conferences and universities across the United States…
Could you attend a concert without documenting it? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:52
I explore how phones have shifted the modern concert experience, as well as attending a concert in 2024 without documenting it. I also explore artists' and music lovers' opinions on the matter. Some of the references fro…
Coincé dans l’écran—STUCK IN THE SCREEN [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:28
Just as hostages affected by Stockholm Syndrome may rationalize their captor’s actions, we often rationalize inappropriate or manipulative behaviors related to screens. This is a phenomenon that I call “coincé dans l’écr…
Blocked [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:00
I explore blocking from a sociological perspective. References: ⁠⁠Block Party: How Blocking Someone Became a Dating Power Move⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Psychopolitics⁠⁠ by Byung-Chul Han ⁠⁠Simulacra and Simulation⁠⁠ by Jean Baudrillard Episo…
AI Readiness with Amsterdam-based Rob van der Veer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:37
In this episode, Amsterdam-based Senior Principal at Software Improvement Group (SIG) Rob van der Veer and I discuss AI readiness. Rob is an experienced technologist, advisor, successful entrepreneur, and keynote speaker…
Hi from Budapest! MOME & Brain Bar [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:24
In this mini episode, I speak about the contents of my ⁠masterclass at MOME⁠ (an art an design university in Budapest) and ⁠session at Brain Bar⁠ (Europe's largest festival on the future). Full-length season two episodes…