AI + ART - Keynotes, Networking & AI Comedy
AI + ART - Keynotes, Networking & AI Comedy
Thursday 18.9.2025, 17.00 - 20.30, Hub Joensuu (Rantakatu 30, 80100 Joensuu)
What happens when algorithms meet imagination? When code collides with comedy, or when artists borrow the powers of machines? AI + ART is an afterwork event where technology, creativity and people interested in them cross-pollinate. You're invited to witness, laugh, question, and connect.
No matter if you’re a total beginner or already building with AI, the evening promises inspiring talks, live comedy performances, some AI art installations and plenty of room to spark conversations. Come curious and leave buzzing with ideas.
The event is free of costs. Snacks and alcohol free drinks available - just remember to register into event from below, 100 seats available!
Event program:
17.00 - Doors Open | Hub Joensuu (Rantakatu 30, 80100 Joensuu)
17.30 - Welcome words by ICT Hub Joensuu | Pinja Konttinen
17.40 - Keynote 1 - Visualizing Aphorisms With AI: an Amateur Artist's Perspective | Heikki Immonen
18.00 - Keynote 2 - Friend or Foe? 5 Simple Ways For Artists to Use AI for Tasks You Can't Do (But Must) | Anniina Löytönen
18.20 - Networking Break - Snacks and Alcohol Free Drinks Available!
18.40 - Keynote 3 - High-End AI-Image Production: The Best Tools & Processes | Anttu Koistinen
19.00 - AI Comedy Show: Me, Myself and I | Joona Kotilainen
19.30 - 20.30 - Networking & See you again!
Also at AI + ART:
- AI art installations to experience on-site (Want to bring some AI art to show others? Send a message at joona@joonakotilainen.fi)
- Networking with local creatives, entrepreneurs and technologists
- Afterwork atmosphere with plenty of room for inspiration and conversation - Welcome to get familiar with #SOHJO2025 Hacks Hackathon Joensuu's Schjerfbeck Estate Challenge Winner, totally new event house called Hub Joensuu!
Keynotes & Shows
Heikki Immonen – Visualizing aphorisms with AI: an amateur artist’s perspective
Startup coach and amateur artist demonstrates how AI can breathe life into curiosity-themed aphorisms and even evoke the “spirit” of a place.
Heikki Immonen is a startup coach and a part-time entrepreneur with a background in natural sciences and systems engineering. Heikki has explored and helped others to discover the use of AI in various ways in innovation, entrepreneurship and product development. Some of his own side-projects have a more artistic component.
Heikki Immonen will share how he as a side project Heikki writes curiosity-themed aphorisms and uses AI-tools to bring a visual component to the equation. He also says few words about awakening “the spirit” of a geographical area with AI.
Anniina Löytönen – Friend or foe? 5 simple ways for artists to use AI for tasks you can’t do (but must)
Digital muralist shows how AI can become a friend to artists, helping with tasks outside their natural skillset.
Anniina Löytönen is a creative entrepreneur,and self-employed digital artist from Joensuu. Anniina Löytönen designs and creates large-scale murals using digital painting. Löytönen's tools may be digital, but her process and way of working are ancient.
In her speech, Löytönen will present practical examples of harnessing artificial intelligence for tasks that she is not good at, but does anyway. Löytönen thinks that AI for Visual artist is more like a friend, not a foe.
Anttu Koistinen – High-end AI-image production: The best tools & processes
Professional photographer and CEO of CasvuAI shares the most powerful image generators on the market, with hands-on tips for fine-tuning and creative concept design.
Anttu Koistinen is a professional photographer, creative AI expert, and CEO of software company CasvuAI. He implements AI training programs for leading Finnish companies and educational institutions, focusing on improving business efficiency through AI-based processes. His client portfolio includes Aalto University, Hanken School of Economics, Humak, Metropolia, and the Management Institute of Finland.
During his presentation, you will get to know the best image generators on the market and learn how to control AI professionally in visual productions. You will also get plenty of practical tips for fine-tuning images and learn how to utilize AI in creative concept design.
Joona Kotilainen – Me, Myself and AI (Comedy Show)
A pioneering stand-up and improv performance where a human comedian shares the stage with artificial intelligence. Funny, unpredictable, and thought-provoking. What happens when machines try to be funnier than people? Will they pass the Turing test for comedy?
Joona Kotilainen is a Joensuu based stand-up comedian, serial entrepreneur, and an explorer of artificial intelligence. He has performed stand up comedy on stages across Finland and, in the past year, has taken a bold step by bringing AI along as his comedy partner. Beyond comedy, and alongside his businesses, Joona has hosted AI art displays and events always looking for new ways to blend technology with creativity and human connection.
Me, Myself and AI is a groundbreaking comedy show where human wit meets machine logic. On stage, Finnish comedian Joona Kotilainen performs with his unusual sidekicks, artificial intelligence based software and machines that talk back, improvise, and even try to out-funny its human partner. Together the human and the robots create comedy in real time, based on the audiences suggestions on the themes, characters, and situations. The result is partly stand-up, partly improv and partly an uncontrolled experiment always based on the unpredictable.
Me, Myself and AI isn’t just about laughs. It’s about exploring what happens when creativity, technology, and humanity collide live on stage.