Rapid AI development is driving the economy – and entrepreneurship research
When Professor of Entrepreneurship Mikko Rönkkö is asked what he finds especially interesting in entrepreneurship, he reflects on his own identity. Although he has also been an entrepreneur, he considers himself first and foremost a researcher and teacher. His background in entrepreneurship makes it a natural choice as a subject for his research and teaching.
In December 2025, Rönkkö gave his ceremonial lecture among other newly appointed professors. His professorship is in the Jyväskylä University School of Business and Economics.
The professorship’s areas of responsibility include research into entrepreneurship, which is currently a subject of great interest, as well as the expectations and transformational pressures of society. The goal is to convey the latest research knowledge to the Master of Science (Economics and Business Administration) students, so that they gain a good understanding of the diversity of entrepreneurship and the possibilities it offers.
I have worked as an entrepreneur and have been involved in setting up three companies,” Rönkkö says.
“I have also helped my friends in their start-up efforts. At the initial stage of my career at Aalto University, I worked a lot with entrepreneurs. I also worked in projects that had companies as external funders.”
YouTube lectures reach researchers worldwide
Rönkkö publishes lectures on his YouTube channel, where he deals with the methods of quantitative research – causal inferencing, instrumental variables, structural equation modelling, and other topics of statistical methodology, which are rarely found so deeply and clearly discussed in one place. The content is directed especially at researchers in management and leadership, and organisational studies, who need technical expertise without taking a course in pure statistics or econometrics.
The channel has gained more than 11,000 subscribers and 1.2 million views –numbers that indicate there is a genuine international need for this content. Most people in the audience are not JYU students but researchers from around the world.
“The videos are publicly available and particularly benefit my postgraduate students,” Rönkkö says.
AI is reflected in entrepreneurship research
AI is a topic that is strongly reflected in entrepreneurial activities and entrepreneurship research as well.
The use of AI tools is rapidly changing companies and the economy. Six months is already a long time in AI terms. According to Rönkkö, we must accept the development of AI technology and its growing role in society.
For example, in a survey that we conducted a good year ago in the field of software development, most companies reported that they already used AI-supported software. AI tools are also increasingly present and available in support of companies and decision-making.”
The researcher’s own everyday example: During the past year, Rönkkö has tried to reproduce the analyses in one of his published articles using AI. In spring 2025, the agent was able to mostly reproduce the study with human assistance in about an hour. By the summer, it managed to reproduce the article without errors in about 15 minutes, and by early autumn the time had come down to about five minutes, and AI no longer needed any human assistance in reading the PDF file.
When testing in late autumn, AI found an error in the article, which Rönkkö himself had not noticed.
“Tools must be tested and used,” he states. “Many people are currently using AI like a search engine, but the potential range of applications for this technology is much wider.”
Research provides a view into the integration of AI technology in start-ups
Entrepreneurship researchers widely agree that the impacts of AI need to be investigated, but specific research questions are still being outlined.
“In our own research, we looked at the perceived benefits of AI in terms of productivity, quality and innovation. In the project we are now starting, we look at the role and development of trust when AI technology is integrated into the offerings of start-ups.”
These AI phenomena are also reflected in entrepreneurship as an academic subject, and also in business and economics studies more generally. Many people adopt AI tools fearlessly and experimentally, whereas others are not keen to follow technological development even though they ought to do so.
“Training on how to adopt these tools must be provided,” he adds.
Business growth benefits for Finland – not just other countries
Rönkkö feels it is important to collaborate with businesses and their support organisations in research.
We need to conduct concrete research that has an impact on companies. At the same time, the research must also be empirically and methodologically transparent and reliable.”
Rönkkö also aims to increase understanding of internationalisation. One of his goals is to ensure that Finnish innovations are not sold abroad too early and in small quantities, but that they can be grown in Finland.
“This would ensure that the country becomes more than just a product development lab for the big tech giants. Fortunately, the Finnish startup and venture capital field has developed enormously in recent years."
Teaching students about entrepreneurship and the economy
Entrepreneurship and business phenomena, such as corporate capitalization and unemployment, are daily news, so research and expertise are needed in these areas as well. However, when considering the impact of research on decision-making, Rönkkö believes that such larger social issues fall more within the field of economics.
“Entrepreneurship research focuses more on what individual entrepreneurs or companies do,” he says.
“Our job is to ensure the impact of research by teaching better and increasing students’ understanding of entrepreneurship in the economy. A research-based approach helps in this.”
Encouraging students to think broadly about entrepreneurship
According to him, small doctoral and master’s groups are particularly rewarding: he gets to know the students and the discussions go deeper.
I have been teaching since the early years of my own studies, and I am delighted when I get to share a student’s insight.”
Will the students themselves also become entrepreneurs?
“In larger lectures, I notice how students may be confused when I ask how many of them have been entrepreneurs or are currently running their own businesses. Many are, and it may be coding, consulting, or photography, for example.
I encourage students to think about entrepreneurship in a broad and diverse way. But you shouldn't push anyone into becoming an entrepreneur if they don't have a passion for it.”
For Rönkkö, the most important thing is that a graduate with a master's degree in economics and business administration has a good overall understanding of business operations and the economy. Entrepreneurship can also be seen as a career stage.
Straight from the ski track to the interview chair
Rönkkö came to the interview wearing his ski gear. His commute is also well suited for running or cycling. His spouse, university lecturer Miia Sainio, works at the Faculty of Education and Psychology in Ruusupuisto. The couple has teenage children and as a family they enjoy a wide range of physical activities with their teenage children.
However, the professor admits, "I do spend quite a lot of time at home on the computer."
