Artificial intelligence and data centers in particular stir up strong emotions in me. Not particularly positive ones, though.
No matter where you go and ask what people value about Finland, the answer is clear: nature, democracy and free education. The answers are pretty much the same, whether the respondent is Finnish or not. Over the years, Finnish values have developed around these, culture has emerged and, in particular, a Finnish sense of pride – humble but steadfast.
More than a hundred data centers are currently planned for Finland. I believe everyone is aware of Google’s illegal logging of over 300 hectares, which, at least so far, has not led to any significant sanctions and it remains unclear how these construction projects will proceed. Google cleared about 330 hectares of forest to make way for a data center before the environmental impact assessment was completed.
So are Finnish values being treated as a joke? Nature is being sold off as “mega-investments” to foreign companies without regard for environmental impacts – not to mention how data center projects conflict with what we want to see happen regarding children’s and young people’s use of social media. We could also discuss what enabling the AI revolution means for the Ministry of Education and Culture’s higher education vision, specifically the goal of raising skill levels. These data center projects are encouraging society to take a massive leap in productivity with frightening recklessness. There are many conflicting perspectives on this that are not discussed nearly enough.
Finnish nature. Democracy. Free education. We have been committed to these things for years. These are our cornerstones. Our values. The sources of Finland’s pride.
Inevitably, this raises the question: if we no longer even protect our nature, the landscape of our souls… then what will become of this other cornerstone, which aims to ensure an equal starting point for applying to higher education? That is, of course, free and accessible education. Socioeconomic background must not be a barrier to applying to higher education. Nor should it be an obstacle to progressing in or completing one’s studies.
Data center projects have proven that Finnish nature is not valued as long as it generates as much money as possible. Unauthorized environmental destruction without proper assessments is turned a blind eye to, as long as it brings tax revenue to Finland. So is there a price at which we’re willing to dismantle the free higher education system? We won’t achieve our vision for higher education by creating barriers to education and lifelong learning.
The downward trend in the Youth Barometer’s results regarding faith in and hope for the future must be reversed by turning the value of education from mere talk into concrete action. We must have the right to live in a healthy and diverse environment. We must preserve the fundamental right to education. Otherwise, the very foundation of Finnish society’s core values will crumble.
The writer is Tamko’s chairperson Saara Ahola