Kaitera Talks: Matti Latva-aho - Will Oulu retain its lead at the turning point for wireless technology?

Oulu has established itself as an exceptional hub for wireless technologies, a phenomenon that combines local expertise with the core of global progress. Instead of an individual success story, Oulu has a long arc of evolution where research, education and collaboration with industry have created a self-sustaining ecosystem. This growth has created skills and influence that span several generations of technologies and are indisputably present at the forefront of European and global 6G development.

New challenges have arisen for our times. As mobile networks have become essential to our critical infrastructure, will they remain operationally reliable in all circumstances? These networks are serving both civilian and public authority purposes, which emphasises the dual-use and security aspects of these technologies. In addition, artificial intelligence is rapidly changing both the functioning of these networks as well as the services built on them, which opens up a wealth of possibilities but also a host of new dependencies and risks. Are we prepared for the coming transformations in Oulu?

Matti Latva-aho is the Vice Rector for Research at the University of Oulu and a Professor of wireless communications, with over 35 years of experience in mobile telecommunications research. Latva-aho has served as the Director for the National 6G Flagship Programme and been a central figure in European telecommunications research for three decades.