Unlocking Potential: How Nordic Enterprises Can Harness Generative AI for Business Growth
In recent years, the buzz surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) has reached a fever pitch, yet many Nordic companies remain wary of leveraging its full potential. A new study by Tietoevry Create reveals that a mere 17% of IT decision-makers in Finland and Sweden believe AI is currently generating a significant commercial impact.
The Current Landscape of AI Adoption in the Nordic Countries
While AI has been utilized in various capacities for years, many organizations are just beginning to explore the potential of generative AI. The study highlights that 52% of Nordic organizations are still in the early stages of AI deployment, with only 7% reporting widespread use of AI tools across their workforce.
AI’s Role in Business Operations
Currently, AI plays a supportive role in several key business areas:
- Customer Service: 42%
- IT Management: 41%
- Research and Development: 36%
Despite the apparent advantages of AI, various barriers hinder deeper integration within businesses. The top challenges include:
- Complexity of integrating AI into legacy systems (31%)
- Shortage of internal AI expertise (29%)
- Difficulties in identifying the right use cases (27%)
Why Companies Hesitate to Embrace AI
This hesitance has led many firms to adopt a cautious approach, with 65% expecting only gradual growth in AI’s role, typically limited to specific departments. The primary motivation for adopting AI is efficiency, cited by 65% of respondents. Other reasons include:
- Modernization (37%)
- Cost reduction (33%)
- Enhancing customer experience (32%)
Interestingly, while AI is seen as a tool for improving work-life quality and reducing repetitive tasks, concerns over job losses are relatively low.
Insights from Tietoevry Create
Thomas Rosqvist, the global director of AI-enabled future at Tietoevry Create, stated, “More efficient use of AI tools could significantly free up experts’ time for creativity and innovation. This raises hopes for a shift in focus from cost-cutting and efficiency to the genuine competitive advantages that technology can enable. Currently, companies are seeking AI realism instead of hype.”
Security and Regulatory Concerns
Security and regulatory issues also weigh heavily on organizations, with two-thirds of companies in Finland and Sweden expressing concerns over data protection and AI-related risks. The uncertainty surrounding generative AI regulations further limits full-scale deployment.
Rosqvist added, “In the future, AI has the potential to help solve many societal challenges. Even today, we are supporting our clients in creating cost-effective and sustainable services with the help of AI – solutions that benefit not only individual organizations but society as a whole.”
Study Methodology
Tietoevry Create’s study was based on a combination of qualitative interviews and a quantitative survey. The research included ten in-depth interviews conducted between January and March 2025, alongside a broader survey of 415 IT decision-makers that took place in February 2025. The final report is anticipated to be released in early May.
For more insights on AI trends and applications, visit Tietoevry Insights. You can also check out related articles on Forbes.
