Two weeks ago, I attended a memorial event for a legacy IT system hosted by the Finnish Food Authority (Ruokavirasto), focusing on the old "Integrated Administration and Control System" (IACS) and the Farmer Subsidy Rights Registry (TOR). The event, filled with nostalgic stories and speeches, made me reflect on the digital evolution journey. It really wasn't that long ago when we were using faxes and standalone programs installed from floppy disks for electronic service transactions.
Today, web and mobile apps are somewhat common, yet we still encounter areas untouched by digitalization. For instance, a few months back, I needed to send a paper form to Kela for a tenant's rent payment issue, underscoring the fact that despite huge progress, there's still a lot of work needed in modernizing and digitizing services. Digitalization is indeed a prevailing megatrend, but what does the next chapter look like?
Moore's Law and the acceleration of technological innovation
The conversation about the exponential trend in technological growth brings Moore's Law to mind. Formulated by Gordon Moore, co-founder of Intel, in 1965, it originally stated that the number of transistors on a microchip would double approximately every two years while the cost of computers would be halved. In recent years, advancements in computing have increasingly relied on innovations beyond transistor scaling, such as improvements in chip architecture, energy efficiency, and the use of alternative materials. Additionally, technologies like cloud computing and AI-driven design are being explored as ways to continue exponential growth in computing capabilities without solely depending on transistor density.
Clearly, technological development is not just continuing at a steady pace—it is accelerating, and AI is expected to play a crucial role in this exponential growth. In this rapidly changing environment, it is essential for businesses and entire economies to quickly adapt to digital innovations to maintain competitiveness, especially in the areas of digital solutions and public ecosystems.
What exactly is the EU Data Act?
The EU Data Act signals an urgent call to action, highlighting the necessity of broadening data utilization and introducing "data spaces" to boost the development of digital services and automation. This legislation paves the way for innovative business models and underscores the pivotal role of data. With the surge in data from smart devices, machines, and interconnected systems, AI solutions will thrive. The Data Act aims to empower both individuals and businesses with greater control over their data sourced from an extensive array of origins. Its goal is to foster a data-driven business ecosystem within the EU and enhance users' rights to leverage their own data
The EU Data Act is a legislative initiative designed to improve the accessibility and use of data across the European Union for both individuals and businesses. Currently, many devices, digital services, platforms, and applications collect data, but the ownership often resides with the service provider, not the entity generating the data. The Data Act aims to change this. Its key features include simplifying data sharing and reuse, reducing service costs, and fostering new data-centric services. Additionally, the Act ensures public sector access to private sector data during emergencies and protects businesses from unfair terms in data-sharing contracts. In line with existing regulations like the GDPR, the Act will significantly impact manufacturers, data handlers, and service providers within the EU. It's set to be enforced 20 months after its introduction, specifically on September 12, 2025.
Looking back, it's amazing how fast technology has moved. We're stepping into a world where AI and data are front and center, thanks to huge leaps in computing power, cloud tech, and new rules like the EU Data Act. It's a chance for everyone to dive deeper into the digital world. At Siili, we're excited to be part of shaping Finland's digital future. We bring clear data strategies and hands-on experience to the table. We’re not just talking about the future—we’re here to make it real.
Navigating the EU Data Act with Siili
At Siili, our hands-on work in digital transformation gives us a unique peek into the latest trends across different areas. We've seen firsthand how new technologies, like AI, can make a real difference. It's all about bringing together the best ideas from different fields to make our solutions smarter and keep pushing the boundaries. By teaming up with universities and other groups, we're all about sharing knowledge and learning from each other. This way, we stay sharp and innovative.
We understand the EU Data Act's potential impact on your business and offer tailored consultancy services to help. Our experience across sectors enables us to address your specific needs effectively. We'll help simplify the digital complexities and find opportunities for growth and innovation.
A strong data strategy is key, aligning with your business goals to manage data effectively. It covers data importance, ownership, roles, management maturity, and culture. At Siili Solutions, we are actively navigating the operational landscape and exploring the potential of data spaces through collaboration with both the public and private sectors. We are currently implementing one of the pioneering authority pilots for the transportation data space. We warmly invite you to join us on this journey.
Writer
Jarno Rikama, Director of Public Services & Tampere Site Lead at Siili Solutions
LinkedIn: @jarnorikama