HELSINKI, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- Artificial intelligence (AI) and automation are rapidly transforming Finland's workplaces, replacing both manual and expert-level tasks while boosting productivity, according to a survey released Wednesday by the Finland Chamber of Commerce.

The survey found that 22 percent of companies have experienced a decline in manual labor due to AI, while 10 percent reported a reduction in expert work, a sharp increase from last year's figures of 15 percent and 5 percent, respectively.

Despite the changes, the Chamber said AI-driven efficiency is also creating new ways of working and new types of roles.

"These changes are largely positive, enhancing productivity and freeing up human capital," said Suvi Pulkkinen, senior advisor at the Finland Chamber of Commerce. "But they also present challenges at a time of high unemployment and declining skills levels."

Pulkkinen emphasized that jobseekers must be given opportunities to update their skills to keep pace with rapid technological change. While many companies offer internal training programs, 54 percent of respondents said Finland's education system fails to produce enough future-ready talent.

She called for a stronger focus on foundational skills and more flexible lifelong learning, including short, targeted training programs aligned with workplace needs.

The impact of AI and automation is most pronounced in large enterprises, the survey showed. Two-thirds of companies with more than 250 employees said productivity had improved, while half reported a reduction in administrative workloads.

Pulkkinen noted that Finland has "a major opportunity for productivity growth" through technology, but warned that this can only be realized "if human skills evolve alongside it."

The survey, conducted between Aug. 18 and 22, 2025, covered 1,035 companies from various sectors across Finland. Enditem