Appointments
Introducing Qi Chen: Trustworthy AI requires algorithms that can handle unexpected situations
AI developers must focus on safer and fairer AI methods, as the trust and equality of societies are at stake, says new ELLIS Institute Finland principal investigator Qi Chen

The research puzzle of when humans and AI don’t see eye to eye
Francesco Croce works on robustness in multi-modal foundation models

A rap algorithm led him to research language models at Google DeepMind – now Eric Malmi returns ʵ as an adjunct professor
Eric Malmi received his PhD from Aalto University in 2018 with a dissertation that developed AI methods for linking historical records and family trees. At Google DeepMind he has developed Gemini language models and a chess AI. He returned to his alma mater because of ELLIS Institute Finland.

Haoye Tian: I want to build trustworthy AI-driven software tools
Haoye Tian has been appointed assistant professor at Aalto University Department of Computer Science as from 1 September 2025. He aims to create automated and reliable tools that improve the correctness, security and maintainability of real-world software systems.

Aalto University strengthens significantly Finnish film education and research
The teaching and research of film directing at Aalto University is being strengthened with two new professor appointments. Hanna Maylett has been appointed Assistant Professor of Film Directing and Juho Kuosmanen has been appointed Professor of Practice of Film Directing. Furthermore, the teaching and research of film production have also been strengthened with recent new appointments.

Heikki Mannila appointed as Aalto University’s Associate Vice President, AI Strategy and Adoption
Mannila will begin in this position on 1 October 2025 and will also continue in his previous roles as a professor at the Department of Computer Science and as director of the multidisciplinary centre House of AI

Juho Leinonen: Problems with self-regulation can cause students to rely too heavily on AI
New assistant professor Juho Leinonen at Aalto University Computer Science Department explains the difference between experts and novices in the use of AI and how it can be determined whether AI was used in the creation of code.

Lauri Ström appointed Head of Investments
Ström will be responsible for the investment portfolio and investment strategy

Aino Pekkarinen appointed communications manager at the School of Science
Aino Pekkarinen took up her role in August 2025.

ELLIS Institute Finland welcomes 9 new professors as principal investigators and PS Fellows
Institute's first recruitment brings nine leading researchers to Finland

Professor Iiro Harjunkoski has been appointed as Deputy Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Metallurgy
Professor Iiro Harjunkoski has been appointed as Deputy Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Metallurgy for the period 1 September 2025 to 31 December 2026.

Mikael “Miklu” Silvanto started as Professor of Practice at Aalto University’s School of Arts, Design and Architecture
The professorship, established with donated funds, started on the 15th of August 2025 at the Department of Design and will focus on developing collaboration models between people and technology.

Professor Jaakko Aspara has been appointed as Program Director for the School of Business Bachelor’s Degree Programme
Principal University Lecturer Johanna Bragge will continue as Associate Program Director for the Program

Miguel Caro has been appointed as a fixed term Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Materials Science
PhD. Miguel Caro has been appointed to a four-year fixed-term Assistant Professor (2nd term.) position at the Department of Chemistry and Materials Science as of 1 July 2025.

New department heads and deputies appointed at the School of Electrical Engineering
Tomi Laurila will take over as the Head of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Automation, while Tuomas Savolainen will taker over as Director of the Metsähovi Radio Observatory. Ville Viikari and Tapio Lokki will remain in their current roles.

Ville Jokinen has been appointed to a fixed term Associate Professor position in the Department of Chemistry and Materials Science
Ph.D. Ville Jokinen has been appointed five-year fixed term Associate Professor position at the Department of Chemistry and Materials Science as of 1 June 2025. The field of the professorship is Microfabrication.

School of Engineering welcomed four new professors during spring 2025
The new professors introduce themselves.

Anna Kevätsalo appointed as Human Resources Manager at the School of Business
Anna Kevätsalo will start in her new role in June 2025

Prof. Anton Zasedatelev: Light and matter in the quantum realm
The new Assistant Professor aims to develop optical computing technologies operating at the fundamental limits of speed and energy.
