Knowit Next: Building Resilience in an Era of Uncertainty

How can organizations maintain their competitive edge when disruptions are increasing and transformation needs to happen faster than ever?

Join UpCloud at Knowit Next 2026 for an executive-level event exploring how digital resilience and sovereignty can strengthen business continuity, competitiveness and growth in a rapidly changing market.

Please note that the event will be held mainly in Finnish, with selected sessions in English.

Event Info

• Date and time: November 4, 2026 • 08:00–13:00 EET
• Location: St. George Wintergarden, Helsinki
• Language: Finnish, English

Cyber threats, geopolitical tensions, artificial intelligence and technology dependencies are affecting businesses faster than many organizations can adapt their operating models. At the same time, leaders are expected to make quicker decisions in an environment where uncertainty and dependencies continue to grow.

The event will examine how these capabilities can also support competitive advantage, enable growth and help organizations operate confidently in a changing market.

During the event, you will hear how organizations:

• Prepare for emerging business and technology dependencies
• Build continuity in a rapidly changing operating environment
• Transform without compromising security or control
• Maintain their competitiveness as risks increase
• Strengthen control over their AI, data and technology choices

The programme includes keynote presentations, real-world cases and expert discussions, followed by an opportunity to continue the conversation over lunch.

Agenda

08:00–09:00 — Registration, breakfast and networking

09:00–09:05 — Welcome and opening remarks
Jesse Kamras, Host
Mikko Järvenkylä, Co-host

09:05–09:40 — Keynote: Decision-making capability is the new operational resilience
Sami Luokkamäki, VP, Architecture, Data & AI, Kesko

09:40–09:55 — The Digital Iron Curtain: Cloud, geopolitics and the battle for European sovereignty
Jan Mickos, Managed Services Director, DNV

09:55–10:10 — Case: Why owning your AI matters
Alex Vieler-Porter, Chief Revenue Officer, UpCloud

10:10–10:40 — Coffee break and networking

10:40–11:15 — Case: Resilience is built through collaboration between organizations
Anssi Kärkkäinen, Director General, National Cyber Security Centre Finland, Traficom

11:15–11:45 — Keynote: How to benefit from ecosystems without losing control
Antti Alsela, Chief Commercial Officer, Knowit

11:45–12:00 — Closing summary
Jesse Kamras, Host
Mikko Järvenkylä, Co-host

12:00–13:00 — Lunch

13:00 — Event concludes

Why Attend

• Gain strategic insights into resilience, sovereignty and business continuity
• Understand how geopolitical and technological developments are reshaping business decisions
• Learn how leading organizations prepare for new dependencies and emerging risks
• Explore how to innovate while maintaining security and control
• Hear why greater ownership of AI infrastructure and data matters