Opening Remarks by Minister Elina Valtonen at the Helsinki Roundtable on AI and International Security

Opening Remarks by Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland Elina Valtonen at the Helsinki Roundtable on AI and International Security at Aalto University on 13 March 2025.

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Your Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a profound honor to welcome you all to the Helsinki Roundtable on Artificial intelligence and International Security. Today, we have gathered an exceptional group of thought leaders and decision-makers from across policy, business, and research—each of you bringing unique insights from different corners of the world.

I extend my deepest gratitude to Aalto University for co-organizing this event with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, and to all our esteemed speakers—many of whom have traversed great distances to be here. Your presence underscores the significance of the topic we are here to discuss.

AI has been close to my heart since my early career. While working in the financial sector, I programmed my first neural network and wrote my master’s thesis based on it. The title was ‘Forecasting the term structure of interest rates with an error-adjusting neural network’. This was almost exactly 20 years ago.

Since then, AI has become not just a niche experiment for self-made nerds like myself but a revolution on the entire society and our culture, which has and will have profound effects on how we work, interact and think - but also, on privacy, the security of our societies and on international relations.

To that end, it is imperative that we address AI’s implications for international security, harness its immense potential to develop our competitive edge, and ensure that its governance aligns with our shared values.

Allow me to share some reflections to spark what I am certain will be a compelling and enlightening conversation.

International Security

The race for technological supremacy is already redrawing the geopolitical map. Both democratic and authoritarian states are investing heavily in AI to gain strategic advantages, both in the physical world and the digital sphere.

AI’s ability to process vast amounts of data, combined with increasing computational power and ever-evolving algorithms, is driving extraordinary progress. On one hand, AI is fueling economic growth, enhancing productivity, and contributing to sustainable development - while robust computation requires masses of electricity. On the other, it introduces complex security risks—ranging from technical challenges like closed versus open models, to ethical concerns over mass surveillance, social manipulation, and the erosion of human control.

From a defense perspective, AI’s dual-use nature presents both opportunities and threats. While AI strengthens our ability to detect and respond to threats, it also lowers the barrier for malicious actors to conduct more sophisticated and rapid attacks.

AI-enabled systems can make battlefield decisions quicker and more accurate.  They can improve intelligence and targeting.

In modern warfare with new types of drones, autonomous vessels and easier access to missile technology, the speed and quality of decision-making is increasingly the decisive factor. 

 We have already witnessed AI’s impact on modern warfare in Ukraine and Gaza. This reality reinforces an urgent need: we must master AI’s role in defense and security today so that we are prepared for the challenges of tomorrow.

Moreover, we must ensure that AI is always employed in accordance with international human rights and humanitarian law. As Finns, we firmly believe that security is inseparable from technological and economic strength. The more resilient and advanced our own capabilities are, the better positioned we are to safeguard our security and influence global rulemaking. At the same time, we must actively work to reduce harmful dependencies in supply chains and enhance our resilience in times of crisis.

Competitiveness

As the rapid adoption of AI systems such as ChatGPT and DeepSeek has shown, AI is evolving at an astonishing pace. The race is far from over, and it is critical that we empower our researchers and businesses to remain at the forefront—not just as participants, but as standard-setters shaping the future.

Europe boasts a strong research foundation, and innovation flourishes best when academia and industry work hand in hand. Finland is host to promising AI startups that require not only the right regulatory environment but also investment conditions that enable them to scale. Both the public and private sectors must do better in integrating AI to modernize operations, boost productivity, and demonstrate successful applications of the technology.

Yet, we must also acknowledge a pressing concern: Europe risks lagging behind its key competitors in AI-driven economic growth. The global economy is increasingly fueled by data, and while the EU has a fast-growing data economy, we must claim a larger share of the global market. AI is not just a tool—it is the key to unlocking Europe's potential.

To truly lead, we must prioritize access to world-class research infrastructure, robust datasets, advanced models, and first and foremost, top-tier talent. Training AI at scale demands significant computing capacity—an area where closer collaboration between the public and private sectors is essential.

The recently launched OpenEuroLLM initiative marks a crucial step in advancing open-source AI capabilities in Europe. Furthermore, Finland is already home to cutting-edge, eco-efficient data centers, powered by abundant green energy and integrated into circular economy systems. Here, AI can be developed responsibly, sustainably, and with a clear vision for the future.

In many ways, setting up an AI company is similar to setting up any company, tech or no. A competitive business environment needs to provide capital as well as human capital and no excessive regulatory burdens or taxes for managing these.

Governance

It is often said that while others innovate, the EU regulates. Yet, ensuring that technology aligns with our values and interests is not only a hindrance—it is a necessity and in some instances also a competitive advantage. Strengthening AI governance is paramount, requiring continuous evaluation of AI models, standardization, and industry-wide certification to enhance security.

While AI’s development is driven by academia and the private sector, its regulatory framework must be shaped through democratic processes. The greater AI’s societal impact, the more essential it is to foster international cooperation to ensure responsible development and deployment.

Europe’s vision for AI governance is rooted in fundamental principles: human-centricity, democracy, rule of law, security, and sustainability. We embrace technological progress while standing firmly by our values. Finland exemplifies this approach—not only in words but in action.

However, AI and its risks recognize no borders. Technology advances at a pace that often outstrips politics, making global policy alignment essential. This is why international cooperation on AI governance—through forums such as the AI Summit process, the G7, OECD, and the United Nations—is so crucial. A rules-based international system serves all of us, but it requires collaboration across governments, industry, and academia.

As we navigate this new technological frontier, closer cooperation among democratic nations is particularly vital. Together, we can ensure that AI is developed and governed in a way that safeguards freedom and counters authoritarian influence in global forums.

Finland has long recognized the significance of AI. Back in 2017, we were among the first countries to launch a national AI strategy, and today, AI remains a top priority for our government. As a small but agile nation, we are well-positioned to host the most competitive companies, accelerate AI adoption across both the public and private sectors, foster an innovation-friendly regulatory environment, and cultivate an AI-literate society built on trust and transparency.

In this very spirit of shared purpose, it is my great privilege to convene and engage with all of you here today. My hope is that through this roundtable, we can forge a common understanding of the challenges ahead and work together toward solutions.

Thank you.