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Åbo Akademi University leads timely research initiative on human-centred and embodied AI
The Research Council of Finland has granted €2.8 million to establish HUMAIN, a new research infrastructure in Vaasa. HUMAIN is a collaboration between four universities, combining the strengths of each partner in a joint initiative for future human–AI interaction.
At Åbo Akademi University, the project is an interdisciplinary collaboration between Experience Lab and the Information Technology subject cluster. The initiative combines humanistic and technical perspectives to understand and develop the interaction between humans and technology.
– HUMAIN represents a unique opportunity to upgrade and develop Experience Lab’s range of methods for studying human–technology interaction, with a special focus on social robots. It is both a recognition of our work and a chance to further develop our methods, says Yvonne Backholm-Nyberg, Operations Manager at Experience Lab.
Photo: Marie Lillhannus/ Picmi
The initiative also strengthens the region’s innovation environments and supports both industry and public sector actors in their digitalisation and development ambitions. HUMAIN contributes to realising the region’s goals for sustainable technology development and provides opportunities to test new technology, develop production, and build expertise for the future.
– Through HUMAIN, we can combine research and innovation with real needs. We want to promote the responsible, ethical and sustainable development of human-centred AI and robotics for the benefit of both society and the environment,” says Andreas Lundell, Associate Professor of Information Technology at Åbo Akademi University in Vaasa and project manager for the HUMAIN infrastructure.
HUMAIN – Human–AI Interaction Nexus – is a collaboration between Åbo Akademi University, University of Vaasa, Novia university of applied sciences and Vaasa university of applied sciences VAMK.
The project will run from 2026 to 2028 with a total budget of €2.8 million, of which Åbo Akademi University’s share is €700,000. The initiative is part of the Academy of Finland’s initiative for local research infrastructures within the national FIRI programme.
Further information:
Andreas Lundell, Associate Professor of Information Technology
e-mail: Andreas.Lundell@abo.fi
telephone: 050 518 4068
Yvonne Backholm-Nyberg, Operations Manager at Experience Lab
e-mail: Yvonne.Backholm-Nyberg@abo.fi
