TAIMI
Table of contents
Project description
TAIMI addresses Finland’s intertwined challenges of labour shortages, skills mismatches and migrant integration in the context of rapid digitalisation and AI. The consortium (Aalto, Hanken, University of Helsinki, University of Jyväskylä, LUT, VTT) is multidisciplinary and brings together researchers and experts in Social Sciences e.g., Social Policy for JYU, Business, Computer Science, and Design to co create research based, scalable solutions with municipalities, workers, employers, unions, NGOs, and migrant led organisations. TAIMI focuses on sectors where transformative disruption e.g., from AI, and shortages are acute, and approaches AI both as an opportunity and a risk requiring ethical governance and inclusive design.
Technological Transformation, Migration, and the Reshaping of Work Today - The team of University of Jyväskylä handles Work Package 1 which examines how digital disruption by way of e.g., algorithmic management, robotisation and AI intersect with migration and new work forms and shape both the labour process and industrial relations producing, and what the result of this disruption is. The study uses two migrant‑dense sectors: care and on‑demand transportas case studies. WP1 asks the following questions among others:
- How and why employers implement algorithmic tools, AI and automation in these sectors;
- How technological changes affect migrant workers’ professional/work lives;
- How foundational concepts such as ‘employment’, ‘work’, ‘skills’, deservingness/DEI) are redefined; and
- What the changes imply for the attraction, retention and integration of migrant workers.
WP1 pays close attention to gendered, racialised and class‑based impacts of tech change and embeds ethical AI and equity principles throughout its design.
Methods & Planned Activities (2025–2031)
Design: Mixed‑methods, longitudinal, comparative case studies in care and on‑demand transport.
- Historical mapping (20–30 years in care; less in on-demand transport): regulatory, technological and migration shifts shaping labour process & relations.
- Surveys (multiple waves): employers/workers on adaptation to AI, fairness, job security, algorithmic control, skill development.
- Multi‑stakeholder interviews: managers, union reps, Finnish & migrant workers (≈60 per sector).
- Ethnographic participatory data collection: migrant co‑researchers record real‑time events & diaries.
- Participatory analysis and co-learning workshops/labs: cross‑actor interpretation and co‑creation of solutions.
Timeline & Phases
- Phase 1 (2025–2027): Historical mapping, 1st survey wave, initial interviews & ethnography, first participatory workshop.
- Phase 2 (2028–2030): 2nd survey wave, follow‑up interviews & ethnography, workshop series, policy toolkit co‑design.
- Phase 3 (2030–2031): Dissemination, policy briefs, stakeholder events, publications.
WP1 Deliverables
- AI‑readiness & fairness toolkit for collective bargaining and employer adoption.
- Comparative case study reports (care, on-demand transport, IT, automotive).
- Policy briefs to ministries and social partners (the labour process, social dialogue).
- Public engagement outputs (campaigns, workshops, podcasts, social media).
- Academic publications (≈12–20 peer‑reviewed articles).
WP1 Partners & Stakeholders
- Trade unions: Trade Union for the Public and Welfare Sectors (JHL), The Finnish Union of Practical Nurses (SuPer), PAM courier [The Union of Health and Social Care Professionals in Finland (Tehy), Finnish Transport Workers' Union (AKT), Suomen Taksiliitto (Finnish Taxi Owners' Federation), Taxi United Association, Finnish Post and Logistics Union (PAU)]
- Regional and municipal actors/institutions: Keski-Suomen hyvinvointialue/Wellbeing Services County of Central Finland (HYVAKS), Helsinki University Hospital (HUS), City of Jyväskylä and International House Jyväskylä etc.]
- Third sector & civic: Start‑up Refugees, [Justice4Couriers]
- Employer and platforms: Care sector employers – Public and Private; On-demand transport facilitator
- International research mobility: Planned exchanges with Zaragoza University (Spain); European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research (Austria).
The project is expected to continue from 2028 to 2031.
SKILLS – Skills, Labour Supply and Migration in Future Finland (An SRC programme)
SKILLS examines how Finland can ensure sufficient labour and adaptable skills amid demographic change, with strong emphasis on migrant integration, AI and digitalisation as cross cutting themes, and systemic, multidisciplinary research co created with stakeholders. TAIMI is one of five funded SKILLS consortia.
Strategic Research Council (SRC)
The SRC is an independent body within the Research Council of Finland that funds high quality, long term research with major societal impact. SRC programmes emphasise multidisciplinarity, interaction with knowledge users, and solutions to grand societal challenges.
Research Council of Finland (RCF)
RCF funds excellent, responsible and high impact research across fields and supports the uptake of results for society’s benefit. It hosts the SRC and communicates about programmes, calls and impact.
