Future of Aalto ARTS

The world is in the midst of an ecological, technological, social and economic transformation that will fundamentally alter our way of life. The scale and complexity of this change is unlike anything humankind has experienced before. To be able to address the challenges linked to this transformation, we need collective and comprehensive new thinking as well as tangible solutions.

Aalto University leads the way in this big transition by providing transdisciplinary knowledge and skills deeply integrated with design, art, business and technology. Solutions to the world’s pressing issues can only be implemented by surpassing traditional boundaries, being bold and enabling renewal. At Aalto School of Arts, Design and Architecture we teach, learn and research creative and collaborative approaches to problem-solving.

We nurture the ability to perceive the world in new ways, to identify hidden patterns, to make connections between seemingly unrelated phenomena, and to imagine the as yet unimaginable. We thrive on variety, imagination and inspiration.

Our work is embedded in the Finnish and Nordic context which strives for a fair, happy and secure way of life for all — while at the same time being enriched with global perspectives brought to the mix by our international students, faculty and staff. As part of Aalto University, our three cross-cutting approaches are linked to sustainability, an entrepreneurial mindset and radical creativity. We're shaping a sustainable future through creativity and collaboration.

AI and Emerging Technologies

Technology is spreading through our lives and creating a new landscape of opportunities. The boundary between what is human and what is machine is becoming blurred. Despite their increasingly sophisticated decision-making abilities, technological systems still need human inputs, such as creative thought processes and reasoning.

The grey area between human and machine is of enduring interest to us at Aalto ARTS. How can artists and designers create and manipulate sound, visuals and games using digital, computational methods, artificial intelligence and machine learning? How can AI help us find strength in weakness, by upskilling users in areas where they are not skilled? What kind of a role can the designer play in AI systems?

At Aalto ARTS, we want to make use of AI and other emerging technologies critically but also creatively. The responsible use of AI takes into account its socio-cultural impacts as well as data ownership issues. (For example, Aalto University is already on a pathway to Proprietary AI.) Also, the complex environmental toll of new technologies needs to be aknowledged. For example, we should find ways to combat the heavy energy use of AI.

As a School there is still a lot of learning and de-learning to be done: we need both field-specific and cross-disciplinary research, more collective understanding of the tools, more experts to help the community and better focus on working habits.

With AI, it’s winner-takes-all. The most likely outcome is that one or two businesses will soon dominate the market. In this scenario, could Aalto ARTS position itself as an advocate of ethics and fair play?

Global polycrisis has become the new normal. Today’s global problems are not just the result of fossil fuels, pandemics or an aggressive invasion. Instead, they are highly interconnected, and together produce greater harm than what they would do isolated. To get out of this mess, humanity needs a major transition from linear economy and growth-orientation towards sustainable, good life within social and planetary boundaries.

Universities have a momentous role to play in creating systemic change to solve the polycrisis. We build and transfer knowledge through multidisciplinary collaboration, we can engage students as well as other stakeholders through public and private partnerships, we can also influence the values and behaviour of the wider public. Our researchers can advise policy makers.

In seeking sustainability, we are bound to face many contradictions. The creativity of Aalto ARTS’ designers, architects and artists may prove to be a source of great resilience in such complexity. Creative professionals master non-linear ways of working, seek to get to the root cause of problems, approach issues in a holistic way and create inspiring visions for the future. These skills — combined with science, engineering, business and policy — could very well accelerate the necessary changes towards a sustainble future. What we still need is even more knowledge-generating skills, collaboration and the ability to understand larger systems. Creating time for curiosity is of the essence. Curiosity towards not only our own fields of excellence but also science, economics, logic, philosophy, more than human ethics…

Student wellbeing

Universities do not operate in isolation. Many of the ongoing challenges faced by society are affecting higher education institutions — and also their students. General living costs are getting higher, the pandemic learning loss is still visible, and the job market is unstable. How are our students coping? Are we doing enough to support and integrate our international students? How can we make our students shine?

Aalto ARTS provides state-of-the-art teaching and workshop facilities as well as a truly transdisciplinary academic community. We encourage our students to develop their own vision and to contribute to wider societal conversations, often challenging the status quo.

It is possible for our students to make unique, tailor-made choices within their study-path. However, they need guidance to become more independent learners. Students can best be prepared for responsibility by supporting general life and learning skills and by emphasizing learning by doing — all with a compassionate approach. We have succeeded when students show initiative and are used to independent working.

Big changes, such as rapid growth in student numbers, will also require flexibility and new ideas from teachers. New pedagogical methods can be used to redefine how we teach and learn. Digital tools can save time and effort as well as open up new ways of working together. Also, students’ peer-to-peer learning could provide some of the answers to issues of today’s ever-changing learning environment.  

We live in the era of rapid changes, and it demands new skills: the ability to tolerate uncertainty, experiment, be flexible, persistent, resilient, and capable of unlearning obsolete thinking and organizational models. Sometimes, it is also worthwhile to pause, make time, and create space for something new.

Radical creativity is one of the three cross-cutting themes of Aalto University's strategy. When creativity is combined with trust and respect for diversity, its innovative power starts to show in teams, organisations, and the world at large. It's only then that we can speak of radical creativity that truly changes the world.

Aalto University is developing its culture, practices, and structures to create optimal conditions for radical creativity. We invite everyone to join our creative community.

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