TL;DR:
- The Digital Neighborhood, a coalition of 13 tech firms specializing in Microsoft Cloud and AI services, has established an AI Arm.
- Aki Antman, Founder and CEO of Sulava*, known for its AI and Copilot expertise, will lead the initiative.
- Sulava has been Microsoft’s Finnish Partner of the Year for Modern Work for four consecutive years.
- The move reflects The Digital Neighborhood’s commitment to innovation and its strategic partnership with Microsoft.
- Aki Antman emphasizes AI’s role in reshaping work methods and productivity.
- Helsinki City praises Sulava’s AI journey and its focus on enhancing user experiences.
- Mika Sarhimaa joins Sulava as COO to oversee day-to-day operations.
Main AI News:
In a strategic move that underscores its commitment to redefining organizational operations, The Digital Neighborhood, a coalition of 13 independent tech firms specializing in Microsoft Cloud and AI services, has launched its Artificial Intelligence (AI) Arm. This ambitious initiative will be helmed by Aki Antman, the visionary Founder and CEO of Sulava*, a Finnish brand celebrated within The Digital Neighborhood for its AI and Copilot expertise and excellence in Microsoft Cloud solutions. Notably, Sulava has earned the prestigious title of Microsoft’s Finnish Partner of the Year for Modern Work for an impressive four consecutive years (2020-2023).
The Digital Neighborhood’s dedication to innovation and excellence has forged a dynamic partnership with Microsoft, cementing its status as the Northern European leader in deploying Microsoft’s Copilot. Jean-Yves Charlier, CEO of The Digital Neighborhood, remarked, “Our foray into Artificial Intelligence embodies our unwavering commitment to cutting-edge technology and customer-centric solutions. Our collaboration with Microsoft serves as the foundation for the technological advancements we bring to our valued customers.”
“As pioneers in Microsoft Cloud and AI technologies, we are committed to reshaping how people work, and we are proud to collaborate with Microsoft in delivering AI technology and services that are revolutionizing the business landscape,” Charlier concluded.
Aki Antman, now entrusted with leading The Digital Neighborhood’s AI Arm, brings a wealth of experience and vision to this pivotal role. He explained, “Our journey into AI is rooted in innovation and our focus on harnessing the capabilities of Microsoft Cloud and AI. Already, we have empowered more than 40 of our esteemed customers to enhance their productivity, efficiency, and innovation through Copilot solutions—many even before its public market launch on November 1st of this year. We are thrilled to extend these unparalleled benefits to all our enterprise clients across The Digital Neighborhood.”
Antman underscores the importance of training and the adoption of new working methods in the era of AI, stating, “As a global Microsoft Training Partner, we recognize that both our own staff and all our customers must embrace a new way of working. With generative AI and Copilots enhancing productivity by double-digit percentages, we are witnessing a fundamental shift from information-centric work to a more thought-driven approach.”
The City of Helsinki stands as one of Sulava’s most forward-thinking AI customers. Regarding its AI journey with Sulava and The Digital Neighborhood, it commended the experience, saying, “We are on a learning journey with AI, identifying optimal use cases, harnessing the power of Copilot in IT management, and plotting our next steps for transformation. Our focus is on elevating the user experience throughout our organization, ensuring that everyone can effectively utilize AI in their work. In administration, AI offers key benefits such as efficient information discovery and integration. Collaborating with Sulava on our AI journey has been a 5-star experience.”
As Aki Antman assumes his new role as the Head of AI for The Digital Neighborhood, alongside his ongoing position as Sulava CEO, he will entrust the day-to-day operations of Sulava to industry veteran Mika Sarhimaa. Mika, who joins Sulava as COO, brings a wealth of experience in Microsoft technologies and enterprise customer engagement, having held numerous senior leadership roles at Microsoft and HP. The Digital Neighborhood warmly welcomes Mika and looks forward to benefiting from his profound industry knowledge and experience.
Conclusion:
The Digital Neighborhood’s expansion into the AI sector, led by Aki Antman, highlights the organization’s dedication to innovation and its strong partnership with Microsoft. This move positions them as leaders in Northern European Microsoft Copilot deployments, promising transformative AI technology and services for enterprises. With a focus on productivity enhancement and user experience, this development reflects a broader trend of businesses harnessing AI for operational improvement and customer satisfaction in the tech market.
