22% Finnish firms see AI primarily as a growth driver: survey

Just 22% of Finnish companies focus on business growth through AI over boosts in internal efficiency, according to a Corporate Pulse survey commissioned by OP Pohjola.

In one in three companies, investments in AI are steered by caution instead of striving for potential growth, said OP in a press release on Thursday referring to the survey.

When it comes to AI, Finnish companies are currently focused on improving operational efficiency. In the survey, half of the companies surveyed with a turnover of at least 200 million euros are not primarily looking for business growth through AI.

Among the companies surveyed, 22% said they focus on growth, while 28% did not take a stance.

At the same time, one in three companies say that their investments in AI are steered by caution, rather than by striving for potential uses.

Of the companies surveyed, 45% disagreed with the statement and 21% neither agreed nor disagreed.

"It is interesting that a relatively large proportion of the companies surveyed did not take a stand on what they are looking for in AI or what factors steer their decisions. Companies understand that we are on board a fast-moving train, and that they can’t afford to get left behind. From the perspective of growth and innovations, however, it would be extremely important that companies take the time to consider their strategy and ensure that their investments in AI are headed in the right direction," said Katja Keitaanniemi, Chief Executive Officer of OP Corporate Bank.

According to Eurostat, 38% of Finnish companies that employ at least 10 people used AI-based technologies in 2025, the second-highest utilisation rate in the EU after Denmark.

Several surveys have found that Finnish companies are more cautious in seeking growth than their international counterparts. The same phenomenon can be seen in the use of AI.

"Finland leads Europe in the use of artificial intelligence, but that alone does not mean that we stand to win the race over AI. If we think too small and settle with adding another horse in front of the cart, so to speak, we probably will never invent the automobile," Katja added.

Although Finnish companies make extensive use of AI, just 15% of companies that responded in the Corporate Pulse survey say they have the capability to reliable measure the impacts of AI on business.

Despite the difficulties when it comes to metrics, 48% of the companies surveyed believe that they know what kind of business value they are seeking through AI.

The results of the survey support the overall picture given by an earlier study OP Pohjola and Accenture released in 2026.

In that survey, 71% of business executives said that their organisation is focusing on the benefits of AI for operational efficiency.

Only 11% of those surveyed used AI with a clear strategic mindset, and 70% did not report that AI had provided measurable business impacts. At the same time, 38% estimated that they would increase investments in AI by at least a quarter during the next two years.

"In the AI race, the deciding factor is not how many employees use AI agents. What really matters is where future export products, intellectual property rights and business models will be created. If Finland remains only a consumer of technologies developed elsewhere, the benefits to added value can escape to other countries," Keitaanniemi said.