# Presenting a brand new podcast: The Entrepreneur’s Diary!

> Welcome to our new podcast, The Entrepreneur’s Diary!

## Episode 1: Anne-Mari Pitkänen and AliceAI Learning
**Date:** 07.11.2024

In the very first episode, Anne-Mari, an entrepreneur, CEO, and founder of AliceAI Learning, discusses her startup. The company has a mission that uniquely combines education and artificial intelligence (AI) to address one of the most pressing barriers to employment for international workers in Finland: language skills.

In the debut episode of “The Entrepreneur’s Diary,” we discussed Anne-Mari’s motivations, mission, and goals for AliceAI Learning, revealing the driving principles that can inspire both aspiring and established entrepreneurs alike.

## Addressing Language Barriers in the Finnish Labor Market
Anne-Mari is curious, creative, and skilled at solving problems and helping people. She uses these traits to tackle a real problem concerning foreign professionals in Finland. Although many are highly skilled in their fields, a lack of Finnish language proficiency often prevents them from attaining jobs that match their skill set. The project aims to use this problem as a springboard to develop improvements that help more foreigners access the Finnish labor market.

The mission of AliceAI is to create a more inclusive society by improving the language skills of international workers and native Finns in the workplace. We believe that language learning is a key to social inclusion and career progression. This is especially relevant in fields like healthcare and hospitality, where limited language proficiency can lead to unsafe conditions, poor job performance, and misunderstandings that impact team dynamics and the quality of care.

## The Role of AI in Personalized Learning
The fundamental of AliceAI’s approach is the use of artificial intelligence to accomplish an essentially human task. “We are all very different and have different learning styles, or as we put it, ‘learning climates,'” said Anne-Mari. The personalization of not just content but also the medium through which it is presented is the key to understanding and retention. In AliceAI’s view, personalization is an efficient path to unlocking human potential.

## Entrepreneurship with Ethical Responsibility
Ultimately, AliceAI embodies the belief that business success and ethical responsibility can co-exist. For students considering entrepreneurship, Anne-Mari’s story highlights the importance of balancing ambition with a strong ethical foundation. Her journey is a reminder that genuine impact comes from ventures rooted in responsibility, inclusivity, and a vision that extends beyond profit.

## Podcast Credits
*   **Author:** Kelvin Aliche (kelvin.aliche@edu.savonia.fi)
*   **Co-Producers:**
    *   Matti Laitinen, Innovation advisor, matti.laitinen@savonia.fi, Business Center Pohjois-Savo
    *   Suvi Suutarinen, Mynursie Oy
    *   Jussi Nivamo, Savonia University of Applied Sciences

## Collaboration and Resources
Podcast has been done in collaboration with Business Center North-Savo.

*   **Business Center Pohjois-Savo:** [www.bcpohjois-savo.fi](http://www.bcpohjois-savo.fi)
*   **Entrepreneurship and innovation skills in Savonia:** [https://www.savonia.fi/opiskele-tutkinto/tietoa-opiskelusta/innovaatio-osaaminen/](https://www.savonia.fi/opiskele-tutkinto/tietoa-opiskelusta/innovaatio-osaaminen/)