News 05.06.2025

AI is transforming higher education – new AITO framework brings clarity

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming research, education, and innovation faster than ever before. Developed by CSC, the AITO framework offers a practical tool for higher education institutions, research organizations, education providers, and others interested in understanding and responding to this change.

AI development impacts all core functions of higher education: it changes how research is conducted, how teaching is delivered, and how RDI processes are managed. This change is already visible in day-to-day operations and strategic planning in higher education. But how can we make sense of such a complex phenomenon?

Discussions around AI within organizations can often be fragmented. Different perspectives – ethical, societal, and economic, for example – tend to get mixed up. The potential uses, risks, and benefits of AI vary widely depending on the context. It can be difficult to focus the conversation or distinguish between short- and long-term effects.

The AITO framework provides structure and shared understanding

The AITO framework (AI in Innovation, Research, and Education), developed by CSC, addresses this challenge. It provides a structure for exploring how AI affects the core functions of higher education: research, education, cooperation, and support services.

“The AITO framework helps map out and structure not only the concrete uses of AI but also broader future scenarios. It’s a tool that creates shared understanding in a situation where change is both rapid and multidimensional,” says Hanna-Mari Puuska, Director of Digital Service Ecosystems at CSC.

The framework can be used to support exploration in areas, such as:

Research transformation: How are new data analysis capabilities creating entirely new fields of research, or even reshaping established research paradigms?
Skills development: How does AI influence learning, and what are the future needs for education?
Data-informed planning and management: How can insights generated by AI support strategic planning and decision-making?
RDI operations: How do new data sources and methods enabled by AI transform RDI work?

The AITO framework depicted with its four layers — The AITO framework helps clarify how AI is transforming the core functions of higher education.

The AITO framework helps break down AI’s impact across four interconnected levels (see image above):

Technical base: The technologies behind AI development, such as large language models
Applications: Practical tools and solutions built on these technologies
Ability to change: The skills and readiness of organizations and individuals to adopt AI
Effects and impact: The long-term influence of AI on organizations, individuals, science, technology, and the education system

The AITO framework is freely available to everyone. CSC also supports higher education institutions, research organizations, and public agencies in using the framework by offering the AITO training concept.

Co-created with rectors and experts

The AITO framework is grounded in extensive dialogue. In 2024, CSC and the Rectors’ Conference of Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences Arene organized a training program for UAS leadership on the impact of AI in their institutions. In 2025, CSC and Unifi, the Council of Rectors of Finnish Universities, have hosted a workshop series with university rectors to explore AI’s influence.

These discussions brought up a clear need for a shared framework to help identify AI’s opportunities and risks and to deepen understanding of the ongoing transformation. The AITO framework was developed to meet this need and to support progress toward a shared goal for higher education institutions and CSC: to be a global leader in the responsible use of AI in research and education.

“Higher education institutions were looking for a tool that could help make both short-term decisions and long-term strategy more visible. In their training program, the leadership of universities of applied sciences set a goal to become a globally recognized partner in AI development. The AITO framework answers to these needs,” says Antti Mäki, Customer Solution Manager at CSC.

Coming next: Training and a new portal to support AI adoption

CSC offers the AITO training concept to support the use of AI and the AITO framework. The concept has been piloted during spring 2025. In the fall, open training sessions will be launched for all higher education institutions. These trainings will be listed in the training calendar on CSC’s website.

In addition, CSC is organizing tailored training series for different networks and organizations. We are happy to discuss how AITO training could support your organization’s needs.

The inspiring examples, visions, and capability insights that emerge in these trainings and discussions form our shared, valuable AI knowledge base. CSC is curating and organizing this content for the upcoming AITO portal, which will be launched soon.

The AITO framework
The AITO training concept(in Finnish)

More information

Antti Mäki manages collaboration with higher education institutions and supports digital service ecosystems, focusing on AI transforming research, education, and innovation.

antti.maki(at)csc.fi