Sitra, Aalto University and Lovable launch the AI Summer Program – students to develop new solutions for the public sector

Sitra is launching the new AI Summer Program together with Aalto University and Lovable. The programme offers students the chance to strengthen their AI skills by working on real and concrete challenges faced by the public sector. Selected students will be offered an eight‑week paid summer position. The application period closes on 17 May.

During the summer, students will work with different public authorities to address practical bottlenecks and service challenges. They will develop digital solutions for tasks such as automating routine work, improving the clarity of citizen communication and prototyping new digital public services. Participating organisations include the Finnish Heritage Agency, the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri), the Finnish National Agency for Education, the National Police Board of Finland, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela) and the Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom).

Aalto University is responsible for programme delivery and student supervision. Lovable provides AI‑based tools that enable rapid prototyping and user testing. Sitra funds the programme and contributes its expertise on public sector needs and productivity potential.

The AI Summer Program is part of Sitra’s broader work to accelerate public sector productivity improvements. The results of the programme will be compiled into a playbook that can be used widely across the sector. The operating model developed through the programme can also be expanded to other higher education institutions.

“We believe the most impactful solutions are created when the public sector, companies and universities work closely together. At the same time, we want to support students’ access to summer jobs, strengthen the attractiveness of the public sector as a workplace and offer young people the opportunity to use their skills to build a better future,” says Kirsi Hanhisalo, Senior Lead at Sitra.

The solutions developed during the summer can demonstrate how the public sector can renew itself when services and processes are re‑imagined from the ground up.

“Instead of small incremental improvements, we need bold renewal to build better solutions for citizens, businesses and society as a whole – while using AI responsibly,” Hanhisalo sums up.

Data and AI open new opportunities for a significant productivity leap across the public sector. Together with its partners, Sitra is working to accelerate substantial productivity improvements in Finland’s public administration.

The programme is open to Aalto University students. Read more on Aalto’s website.