AI Assistant UMAI leads the way across central government
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has developed a new AI Assistant, UMAI, that enables the handling of security-classified and other non-disclosable data. A pilot project has now been launched with the first groups of users. The Ministry is also serving as a pilot organisation in the development of a common AI platform for central government.
Significantly expanding the scope for AI
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs already uses AI for tasks such as information retrieval and text drafting and analysis. However, its application is often constrained because existing AI tools cannot handle all the information required for day-to-day work. UMAI makes it possible to apply AI to tasks involving non-disclosable personal data and information classified at national security classification level IV.
This significantly expands the range of ways in which AI can be deployed. In future, AI could assist with tasks such as reporting from Finland's missions abroad, preparing situation analyses and handling information related to international political and economic relations.
“In the age of AI, Europe must retain its ability to make its own choices and build sufficient capacity, competitiveness and capability to control critical technologies. Europe must have adequate understanding, competence and functional capacity to assess and utilise AI on European terms. The Foreign Ministry’s AI Assistant UMAI is a concrete example of how these objectives are being put into practice in central government in Finland,” says Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen.
AI streamlines work and strengthens Finland's international influence
Tuomas Tapio, Permanent State Secretary at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, is among the first users of UMAI. He can now use AI in tasks involving security-classified information. He believes it is important to actively explore how AI can be used in daily work.
“I already use AI every day for a wide range of tasks, from gathering information to preparing materials and structuring different options. AI can make day-to-day work easier, sharpen thinking and free up time for tasks that require human expertise and judgement,” says State Secretary Tapio.
UMAI assists with complaints handling and information retrieval
The ministry units participating in the pilot are testing both a general-purpose chat assistant and AI assistants tailored to their specific work processes.
During the pilot phase, UMAI is being used to help prepare matters related to human rights complaints. It is also being tested as a search solution for guidance materials in migration matters, as a translation aid and as a tool to facilitate the processing of requests for administrative review. The aim is to accelerate information retrieval, improve access to information and streamline the handling of migration-related matters.
Towards a common AI platform for central government
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has developed UMAI in cooperation with the Government ICT Centre Valtori and its partner CGI. The project aims to build shared expertise and identify new opportunities to harness AI in expert work. In addition, the Ministry is acting as a pilot organisation for a common AI platform for central government.
The project has attracted interest across central government and among international partners.
“Our goal has been to create the conditions for the secure use of AI, including in environments that require a high level of information security. The progress we have made towards operational deployment shows that the solution has reached the necessary level of maturity. The project has also created expertise and capabilities whose value extends beyond the foreign service and can benefit central government as a whole,” says ICT Architect Mika Pihlasvaara of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs' Information and Documentation Unit, widely known as the 'father' of UMAI.