A new kind of literacy is needed in the Nordics – one that blends our traditional values
with the rapid rise of artificial intelligence. It is time to talk about the Human layer of
AI.
We Nordics pride ourselves on our progressive societies, built on strong foundations of
education, equality, and trust. We are known for adapting, innovating, and embracing new
ideas.
But when it comes to artificial intelligence (AI), are we truly prepared? Or are we only just
waking up to the need for a deeper understanding – not just of the technology, but of what it
means for us as humans?
At a Finland-wide project called Tekoälytalkoot (AI BootCamp), we’ve seen firsthand the
glimpses of the incredible potential when people understand how to use one form of
generative AI, aka LLMs, to enhance their own expertise. During 2025 we have had the
privilege of guiding over 1000 people from various industries through the ins and outs of the
utilisation of Large Language Models (LLMs) and AI concepts.
And the creativity? It has been truly inspiring! From automating dull, repetitive tasks perfect
for AI, to designing entirely new ways of working, our participants are eagerly exploring how
AI can augment their daily lives.
In this project as one part the participant must invent a use-case from their professional lives
and we have yet to see identical ideas. This means we have hundreds of use-cases for AI –
each a testament to Nordic curiosity and our knack for practical innovation. A wider spread
and acceptance of utilisation across the Nordics would likely benefit the region economically
especially if AI was allowed to be used in organisations more widely.
But as exciting as these individual experiments are, a crucial question remains: Are we really
building genuine AI and data literacy, or just scratching the surface?
Beyond the Hype: The Human Layer of AI
This is where I believe the «Human Layer of AI» comes into play and that we at GOODIN are
working on. It is a framework designed to help individuals and organisations truly connect
with AI in a meaningful way. Think of it as three essential pillars supporting our journey with
this powerful technology:
�� 1. AI that Speaks Our Language: Translating AI into Human Understanding
AI, at its core, is just data and algorithms. It does not understand nuances, emotions, or the
unspoken context of our conversations. That is where we humans come in! It takes strong
communication skills and emotional intelligence to take AI’s raw outputs and turn them into
insights that people can actually trust and act upon. This is a classic Nordic strength – our
cultures value clarity, open dialogue, and a practical approach, even when dealing with
complex systems. We here in the North are good at making things understandable.
⚖️ 2. Fair Play: Embedding Ethical & Equal AI Practices
The Nordic model is globally recognised for its commitment to equality. This philosophy is
our antidote to any potential «AI elitism.» AI (& Data!) literacy should not be reserved for tech
gurus or the top leadership; it must be accessible to everyone. This means we need to
actively question biases that might come into AI systems and ensure these tools truly
empower, rather than exclude, any part of our society. It is about ensuring that AI serves the
many, not just the few. We here in the North have in comparison a good bases for Ethical
and Equal Frameworks to apply on AI.
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3. Strong Roots: Nurturing Human Resilience in the Age of AI
AI is evolving at a breakneck pace. Our human development, however, is a slower, more
deliberate process. As we embrace automation, we also have a responsibility to protect what
makes us uniquely human: our capacity for deep, focused work, our boundless creativity,
and our overall wellbeing. Our Nordic traditions of balance (lagom in Sweden, sisu in
Finland, and the general focus on work-life harmony across the region) remind us that
staying true to our human essence is our ultimate competitive advantage. It is about finding
that sweet spot where technology enhances, but never diminishes, our human spirit.
Educated. Ethical. Empowered. The Nordics Can Lead the AI Shift.
The call has been sounded. AI literacy is not merely about learning how to type the right
«prompts» into a chatbot. It is about understanding the profound implications these tools hold
for us as individuals, as communities, and as Nordic organisations and societies.
Are we, the Nordics, ready to answer this wake-up call with the same clarity, equality, and
resilience that have always defined us? The future of our human-AI collaboration depends
on it.
The best place to start developing this new literacy is at the grassroots level of
organisations; let go of control and start developing educated AI literacy as that grows only
through trial and error. People of the Nordics are smart and well educated; lets capitalise on
that to create a more fair AI-driven world. We simply do not have the time to wait anymore;
The time is now.
Want to know more? Contact me.
Kira is a co-founder of GOODIN, a Finland based data and AI company in the Reaktor
Ecosystem. Kira together with her colleagues work on Business Intelligence development,
Data and AI literacy and culture development in organisations and
