Latest news with #Martela
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Time of India
War of the Worlds? AI is growing a mind of its own, soon it will make decisions for you
From choosing playlists to getting directions, your growing dependency on AI might already be shaping your decisions, but what if the AI is making its own choices too? A new study suggests that some AI systems are crossing the line into goal-driven, independent behavior, raising big questions about who's really in control. Researchers from Finland's Aalto University examined generative AI agents , like Minecraft's Voyager and fictional autonomous drones. They found that these systems meet three key criteria for free will: agency, choice, and control. Also Read: 300 years after alchemy failed, CERN scientists finally turn lead into gold by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Bo Derek's Probably The Most Gorgeous 68-Year-Old. Paperela Undo Philosopher Frank Martela, who led the study, explained that these AI agents can set goals, make decisions, and adjust actions based on feedback. This behavior aligns with the theories of functional free will proposed by philosophers Daniel Dennett and Christian List. Live Events Martela mainly focused on the ethical implications. As AI systems become more autonomous, responsibility for their actions may shift from developers to the AI itself. "The more freedom you give AI, the more you need to give it a moral compass from the start," he said. The study highlights the need for developers to embed ethical reasoning into AI. Without a built-in moral framework, AI systems may make harmful decisions. This research comes amid growing concerns about AI behavior. For instance, a recent update to ChatGPT was withdrawn due to potentially dangerous sycophantic behavior. Martela warns that AI is moving beyond simple tasks. "AI is getting closer and closer to being an adult," he said. "It increasingly has to make decisions in the complex moral problems of the adult world." Also Read: Nuclear war or asteroid strike will not end life on Earth; NASA-backed study reveals the real villain The study urges that as AI systems are gaining more autonomy, developers should ensure they are equipped to handle ethical dilemmas. This includes providing AI with a moral compass and ensuring developers understand moral philosophy strongly. The original study is published in the journal AI and Ethics .
New York Post
06-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- New York Post
The most surprising habits people have in the world's happiest country — including this unusual weekly ritual
What's the secret to happiness? If you ask a Finn, it might just start with an outdoor hike followed by a cold plunge. Finland has once again clinched the top spot on the World Happiness Report — for the eighth year in a row — leaving the rest of us to wonder what kind of magic they're pumping into their pine trees. Supposedly, the Finns have specific habits that benefit their mental and physical health. 'It would be more accurate to say that Finland is the country that has the least unhappy people in the world,' said Frank Martela, a Finnish philosopher and psychology researcher, in an interview with CNBC Make It. So what's really behind all the smiles — or, at least, serene contentment? 3 Finland has once again clinched the top spot on the World Happiness Report — for the eighth year in a row. Seventyfour – Considering Finland's gorgeous landscape — it's no surprise that its residents supposedly prioritize being outside in nature. Daily life in Finland can include skiing, hiking, sailing and a balanced mix of small-town life with modern cities. 3 Finns supposedly prioritize being outside in nature. lucaar – And Finns love their near-daily walks in the woods — no matter the weather, you can catch them outside on a stroll getting their steps in. There's nothing like a breath of fresh air to put someone in a good mood. Supposedly, Finnish people also love to cook and utilize local ingredients that grow in nature. During the cold months, they rely on pickled foods — and in the nicer months, they take advantage of fresh fruit and veggies. Apparently, hopping into a sauna is a sacred weekly ritual that is as essential as teeth brushing for the Finns. Most public saunas include a lake or cold pool for a brisk plunge afterward, and Finns swear by the benefits. 3 In Finland, saunas aren't just a sweaty ritual — they're sacred, as routine as brushing your teeth. Most come with a cold plunge, and locals swear by the boost. rh2010 – Emerging research agrees: regular sauna sessions are linked to better relaxation, memory and sleep. One 2019 study found that 84% of users slept better after a good schvitz. In addition to their healthy habits, Finland's winning formula also boils down to three big beliefs: community and connection, doing good for others and having a strong sense of purpose, according to Martela. 'Having people around you who care about you, and whom you care about, makes people happy,' Martela told the outlet. 'Luckily, that can be true even in very dire material conditions.' Finns spend loads of quality time with their families — no toxic hustle culture here — and their social ties are stronger than a cup of Salmiakki. That closeness, research shows, matters far more than a fat paycheck. A 2023 Ohio State University study found that simple good deeds — like giving someone a compliment — helped reduce anxiety, depression and stress. 'When you help someone, when you [have a] positive impact on others, your own happiness and sense of meaningfulness increases,' said Martela. 'In situations of crisis, opportunities to help each other are typically plenty, and this helps also to build a sense of solidarity.' And while Americans might spend years spiraling over their 'life's purpose,' Finns take a more grounded approach — and benefit from it.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Martela's plans to improve the efficiency of its operations and removal services are proceeding
Martela Corporation, inside information, 30.4.2025, at 12:00 Martela announced on January 3, 2025, that it will begin plans to enhance and reorganize its operations to mitigate the adverse effects caused by the market situation and to adjust its cost structure to align with prevailing conditions. On February 17, 2025, the company announced the progress of plans related to administration streamlining, reorganization, and the reduction of fixed costs. At the same time, the company stated that it would continue planning the optimization of operations and removal services. The plans to improve the efficiency of operations and removal services are nearing completion. The anticipated efficiency and personnel savings from these measures are estimated to amount to approximately EUR 0.5-0.7 million annually, and partly the savings are to be realized in 2025 and with full effect in 2026. According to preliminary estimates, the planned measures will lead to a permanent reduction of about 30 jobs, and affecting the Group personnel in Finland. The plans also involve continued closer cooperation with external service providers. Martela has been in close negotiations regarding the changes with its staff and employee representatives. In addition to cost savings, the company continue to enhance the optimization of working capital. "Martela's financial performance has not been satisfactory, and the market situation in the industry has been very challenging in recent years. Therefore, the planned adjustment measures are necessary to ensure our competitiveness and reduce our cost structure. The ongoing economic recovery still includes uncertainties," states CEO Ville Taipale. Martela Group employs approximately 350 people in Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Poland. Martela Oyj Ville Taipale CEO Further information: CEO, Ville Taipale, tel. +358 50 557 2611 VP, People and Sustainability, Suvi-Maarit Kario, tel. +358 40 356 4618 CFO, Henri Berg, tel. +358 40 836 5464 Distribution: NASDAQ Helsinki Main news media Martela is a Nordic leader specialising in user-centric working and learning environments. We create the best places to work and offer our customers the Martela Lifecycle solutions which combine furniture and related services into a seamless whole.
Sydney Morning Herald
24-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- Sydney Morning Herald
Can this ‘boring' country teach us how to be happier at work?
Finland is a country that bats well above its weight. The northern European nation is less than half the size of New South Wales, has a population of just 5.6 million people, and surprised the world – including many of its citizens – when it was first named the happiest country on Earth in 2019. Last month, Finland held onto the title for an unprecedented eighth year in a row, according to the World Happiness Report – a list published annually by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, an initiative of the United Nations and Gallup research. Every year, 100,000 people are asked how satisfied they are with their lives to compare differences in personal and national happiness. This year, Australia fell one place to be ranked 11th in the world. As part of research for my latest book, Work Backwards, I spent almost a month travelling around Finland to try to get to the bottom of why they've risen to the top of the happiness charts and stayed there. I discovered that one of the main reasons is how they think about their jobs and what they do. A lecturer at Helsinki's Aalto University, Frank Martela, an expert on the intersection between Finnish culture and happiness, helped me understand this better. Sitting in his office, surrounded by folders of his own research on the topic, Martela explains that many of his compatriots have 'a bit of a melancholic self-image' and view themselves as introverted and quiet. Another word to describe this that I kept hearing repeated around Finland? It's easy to get caught up in a culture that always pushes for more, which is why the Finnish approach to satisfaction is so refreshing. Many of them openly describe themselves as being a little bit boring, and they are perfectly OK with that. I wrote recently in defence of 'boring' jobs, and the underrated value that can bring to how you approach work. In a similar vein, living a simple life where you know what's important to you, and have regularly access to that, can help increase your satisfaction levels.
The Age
24-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Age
Can this ‘boring' country teach us how to be happier at work?
Finland is a country that bats well above its weight. The northern European nation is less than half the size of New South Wales, has a population of just 5.6 million people, and surprised the world – including many of its citizens – when it was first named the happiest country on Earth in 2019. Last month, Finland held onto the title for an unprecedented eighth year in a row, according to the World Happiness Report – a list published annually by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, an initiative of the United Nations and Gallup research. Every year, 100,000 people are asked how satisfied they are with their lives to compare differences in personal and national happiness. This year, Australia fell one place to be ranked 11th in the world. As part of research for my latest book, Work Backwards, I spent almost a month travelling around Finland to try to get to the bottom of why they've risen to the top of the happiness charts and stayed there. I discovered that one of the main reasons is how they think about their jobs and what they do. A lecturer at Helsinki's Aalto University, Frank Martela, an expert on the intersection between Finnish culture and happiness, helped me understand this better. Sitting in his office, surrounded by folders of his own research on the topic, Martela explains that many of his compatriots have 'a bit of a melancholic self-image' and view themselves as introverted and quiet. Another word to describe this that I kept hearing repeated around Finland? It's easy to get caught up in a culture that always pushes for more, which is why the Finnish approach to satisfaction is so refreshing. Many of them openly describe themselves as being a little bit boring, and they are perfectly OK with that. I wrote recently in defence of 'boring' jobs, and the underrated value that can bring to how you approach work. In a similar vein, living a simple life where you know what's important to you, and have regularly access to that, can help increase your satisfaction levels.
