In a unique two-day event at Rokua National Park, Finland, 35 researchers and educators from the University of Oulu’s Department of Industrial Engineering and Management gathered to explore the practical applications of artificial intelligence. This retreat offered an ideal blend of intensive learning and the serene beauty of nature.

At the event’s core was LessonLab’s Taito platform, designed to facilitate the creation of AI-driven applications without requiring advanced programming skills. Participants were divided into small groups, each tasked with brainstorming and developing an AI application from scratch. Within just five hours, these groups turned their ideas into functional prototypes.

Here are the key applications that emerged:

• Defence Bot: A prototype aimed at enhancing security protocols, developed by a team focused on real-world defense technology challenges.
• AI Dog Hobby Assistant: An application to assist pet owners in managing their pets’ activities, showcasing AI’s practical use in everyday life.
• Home Gardener: A tool to help users optimize their gardening practices through AI, blending technology with one of humanity’s oldest hobbies.
• Abstract Reviewer: Designed to streamline the academic review process, highlighting AI’s potential in education and research.
• Tutor Teacher AI: An educational assistant that helps teachers provide personalized instruction, addressing specific student needs.
• Venla & Veikko Ikiteekkari: An innovative application exploring AI’s use in interactive storytelling, pushing the boundaries of conventional AI use cases.

The Venla & Veikko Ikiteekkari group focused on developing their application at Rokua National Park. © Petteri Annunen.

These projects, developed in just a few hours, demonstrated the participants’ creativity and Taito’s potential to address diverse challenges through rapid and easy development. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many participants eager to continue developing their applications or start new projects. The experience provided valuable insights into Taito’s possibilities and limitations, guiding future research and development.

With access to the Taito platform, the University of Oulu is poised to continue innovating and exploring AI-driven solutions. Monthly workshops are already planned to build on the work started during this retreat, fostering ongoing collaboration and growth.

If you’re interested in learning more about LessonLab’s Taito platform, please contact here. For more details on the Rokua experience, reach out to the author.

Author

Professor Jaakko Kujala, University of Oulu

jaakko.kujala@oulu.fi