02 May 2025
AI and Fairy Dust: Cutting Through the Hype with Reaktor
Reaktor Joins MPD Q&A&I Podcast
In this thought-provoking episode of the MPD Q&A&I podcast, Reaktor’s Vice President of AI, Marko Aalto, and Vice President of Industrial, Markku Myllylahti, discuss the practical realities of implementing AI in manufacturing, and why so many companies still fall short of achieving real value.
While artificial intelligence is often portrayed as a silver bullet for industrial transformation, the Reaktor duo cautions against superficial solutions that lack a solid business foundation.
“It kind of feels like every problem, every challenge that companies have, they try to sort it out with AI. It becomes like fairy dust to them, something that will magically solve every problem. But it’s not like that,” says Marko Aalto.
“Many companies see AI as an add-on, a product you can buy and add as an afterthought, as if you could just sprinkle it into existing processes and products. But our experience shows that AI is more of an enabling feature. With it, you can build entirely new and more interesting features and products,” adds Markku Myllylahti.
The episode highlights a key theme: AI is not a tool, but a capability. Successful adoption requires more than outsourcing pilots or investing in isolated technologies.
This alignment means starting from clear business needs, building internal competencies, and developing use cases that directly support productivity, efficiency, or quality improvements on the factory floor.
From Fast Progress to Future Preparedness
The field of AI evolves at an increasingly rapid pace.
“Many companies might not have realized that the price of AI and related technologies has gone down tremendously. It’s now much faster to try out and develop new things. Software projects used to take months or even years, but nowadays, when we talk about a proof-of-concept, we’re often talking about just weeks, or even days. The iteration speed, and how quickly these new things can be implemented and tested, is something new. Most organizations haven’t yet realized how cheap and fast it is to try things out,” Myllylahti notes.
The conversation turns toward how companies can prepare, not just technologically, but organizationally. Aalto and Myllylahti emphasize that keeping up with change isn't about chasing the latest tools but about building readiness for continuous adaptation. Companies that succeed are those that understand where AI fits into their operations today, and where it can unlock future value tomorrow. That requires investing in both talent and mindset.
In the discussion, they reflect on how some of the most forward-looking companies they’ve worked with are already restructuring teams, redefining roles, and rethinking traditional processes to ensure they are ready for what comes next. This includes making room for experimentation, enabling rapid iteration cycles, and embedding AI considerations into every level of decision-making.
Reaktor invites you to continue the discussion at their side event during Manufacturing Performance Days, on June 4th from 9:30 to 11:30 at Tampere Hall.
About the Podcast
The MPD Q, A & I podcast series, part of the Manufacturing Performance Days, dives deep into the role of AI in creating new digital business models, advancing technologies, and leading sustainable transformation. Through candid conversations with leading professionals at the forefront of AI transformation, the series offers listeners first-hand insights into the future of AI-powered manufacturing.
Listen to the full episode on
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6pGWM4s3yglncQSBegQ8DM?si=e8301cc31c03483f
Apple Podcasts