AI-based interpreting wins “AI Achievement of the Year” at the AI Gala 2025
The Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County has won the “AI Achievement of the Year” category at the AI Gala hosted by the AI Finland network on 17 November 2025.
The award was granted for the rollout of real-time AI-based interpreting in social and healthcare services—a solution that strengthens privacy protection and equality in service delivery while generating significant cost savings. The service is currently used in the region’s maternity and child health clinics, social services supporting integration, targeted services, and at some health stations. To date, AI has carried out approximately 1400 interpretations in real client encounters, including in Russian, Ukrainian, and Arabic.
The AI Gala brings together pioneers in artificial intelligence in Finland and recognises the year’s most significant innovations. The winner of the “AI Achievement of the Year” category was selected based on the societal impact, innovativeness, and scalability.
Jury rationale: “Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County has implemented AI in a way that delivers tangible improvements in social equality and access to services. AI-based interpreting has responded to the region’s growing need for interpreting quickly, cost-effectively, and responsibly. It is an exemplary demonstration of how AI can produce measurable benefits and advance societal equality.”
“We have seen how AI-based interpreting has changed everyday work in maternity and child health clinics, in social services, and in client interactions where mutual understanding is the foundation of everything. It makes service encounters smooth and safe: in the client’s own language, without delays and without an external interpreter. This improves client privacy and lowers the threshold for seeking services. The solution also delivers significant savings,” says Pasi Ojaniemi, Director of Support Services.
“Winning the ‘AI Achievement of the Year’ competition is a wonderful recognition of the bold development work carried out in our wellbeing services county, something that our social and healthcare professionals have embraced with determination and enthusiasm. As a forerunner, we want to demonstrate that responsible use of AI is also possible in client-facing work.”
“Thank you to everyone who has adopted AI-based interpreting and helped develop it through feedback. This is an excellent foundation for continuing towards even more equitable services.”
