Clear News | Friday 27.2.2026

Kela and machine decisions. Learning Finnish. Sea ice and tourism. Weather.

Machines will start making a large part of Kela’s decisions

First, about the reform of Kela.

Machines are starting to make a large part of Kela’s benefit decisions. So far, only about 20 percent of decision-making has been automated.

An information system worth almost 600 million euros is being acquired from the USA. It will automate approximately 80 percent of decisions.

Initially, the machine decides, for example, on survivor’s pension.

The law states that discretionary benefits cannot be fully automated. For example, social assistance is a discretionary benefit.

Minna van Gerven, professor of social policy, says that machine decisions can reduce human judgment.

Machines will start making some of Kela’s benefit decisions. This could mean the loss of jobs for perhaps 1,000 people.

Then about language studies.

Many universities of applied sciences encourage international students to study Finnish, and they can receive grants for this.

The grants are intended for students from outside the EU and EEA. For them, the academic year costs around 10,000 euros, so a grant is necessary.

At the Southeastern Finland University of Applied Sciences, you can receive a scholarship of 200 or even 5,000 euros.

The aim is to give students better access to internships and jobs in the region.

Many universities of applied sciences support learning Finnish with grants.

Anjali Bistaa from Nepal is studying to become a nurse. She wants to learn Finnish and stay in Finland to work.

Finally, about winter tourism in Lapland.

Sea ice attracts tourists on the Finnish-Swedish border. Tornio in Finland and Haparanda in Sweden attract foreign tourists.

A large floating center will be completed in Tornio’s Toranda event center in March.

In addition, a kota village has been established on the ice of the Bothnian Bay.

Sea ice attracts tourists on the Finnish-Swedish border. Tourism is also expected to grow from the train connection between Tornio and Haparanda.

Still a weather forecast.

It will snow in the north on Saturday.

There may be a little drizzle in the south.

In the north it is a few degrees below zero. Elsewhere the temperature is above 0 degrees.