Sami Mäkeläinen

Sami Makelainen is a leading strategic foresight professional with emphasis on mindful adoption of emerging technologies including Artificial Intelligence. His career began in the development of online commerce and banking platforms, transitioning to mobile technology research at Nokia. In Australia, he held pivotal roles at Telstra Corporation and founded its Strategic Foresight practice, where he specialized in harnessing long-term technology trends and their business implications, including in implementation of AI governance. Currently affiliated with the Institute for the Future and running Transition Level, his own AI consulting entity, Sami is a key influencer in ethical AI governance and implementation.

With an MSc in Computer Science, Sami also serves as a Senior Industry Fellow at RMIT FORWARD, in the steering committee for University of Melbourne’s Centre for AI and Digital Ethics, and holds the Vice President position at the Finland Australia Chamber of Commerce. His work centers around teaching mindful application of generative AI and other emerging technologies, their societal impact, and role in building resilient systems. He has facilitated foresight projects globally and enabled organizations in various domains to adapt to a rapidly evolving technological landscape. Sami is the authority for organizations seeking to integrate generative AI into both their strategic and operational planning.