Samuli Pöntinen

SAMULI PÖNTINEN
DATA AND AI STRATEGIST &
MANAGING PARTNER

Senior Data and AI strategist, governance consultant and project manager with hands-on experience in technology leadership and implementation. Skilled in bridging business strategy and technical execution.

Selected experience:

Keva 2025 – 2026
Lead AI & Data Strategist & Governance Consultant in strategy renewal.

Large Energy Company 2025
Lead AI Governance Consultant  

Global Consulting Company 2025
Lead AI Strategist for AI Strategy Ramp-up

Yle, Head of Data 2021–2024

Olli Salakari, Founding Partner Arked | Chief Architect

OLLI SALAKARI
PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT | FOUNDING PARTNER 

A versatile technology architecture professional capable of working at all levels, from strategic planning to actual implementation, with a strong understanding of socio-technical systems and top-level communication skills.

Selected  experience:

Large Logistics Company 2025 – 2026
Lead Architect for data and AI platform renewal 

Global Technology company 2025
Lead Architect for technology domain and governance design.

Personalization Systems and Software Lead Architect – Yle 2023 – 2025

Data architect, Yle 2021 – 2023

Jussi Ahtikari, Partner & Principal AI Startegis

JUSSI AHTIKARI
PRINCIPAL AI STRATEGIST | PARTNER

Jussi is a senior AI and technology strategist with over 20 years of experience translating technology, data, and AI into rapidly scaling business value on a global scale

Selected experience:

CTO & Chief AI Officer, Virta 2014 – 2025 
Spearheaded global tech and AI strategies that fueled high-speed international expansion for one of the fastest growing companies in Europe

Example AI projects:

  • Modernized legacy ERP with Agentic AI interfaces.
  • Architected predictive AI for global business intelligence
  • Engineered scalable AI workflows for operational efficiency
  • Automated helpdesk intelligence for streamlined customer operations

JUSSI HEINO
SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER  / DATA ARCHITECT | PARTNER

Technical Project Manager and Data Architect with a track record of leading large data initiatives and platform renewals from business vision to hands-on execution. Combination of deep technical expertise, business knowledge and strong leadership.

Selected experience:

Financial Sector 2025 – 
Project manager & data architect

Manufacturing Industry 2025
Project manager & data architect, data platform migration

Heavy industry 2022 – 2025
Data architect and delivery lead in data platform renewal

Director, Data Platforms – CGI 2021 – 2025

Robin, Lead AI Consultant & Partner

ROBIN ÖSTERHOLM
LEAD AI CONSULTANT

Pragmatic AI expert with a long track record in AI and data development, covering everything from use case design and AI architecture to hands-on implementation. Driven by business value over hype, ensuring technology always serves a clear commercial purpose.

Selected experience:

Pharmaceutical company 2026
Lead Consultant, AI & ML logistics & pricing capability ramp-up

Finmotor 2025 – 2026 
AI strategist and architect of an agentic AI ERP platform

Hartwall 2021 – 2025 
Digital & Analytics development lead

VP & Founder, Nettitalo 2007 – 2020

TEEMU BIRKSTEDT
KEY NOTE SPEAKER | FOUNDING PARTNER & CHAIR

Teemu Birkstedt (PhD, Economics) is Professor of Practice at Turku School of Economics, specializing in AI governance and the future of knowledge work. Teemu delivers executive keynotes on how AI transforms work and competitiveness.

Selected experience:

University of Turku / Turku School of Economics 2019 – 
Professor of practise, AI 

AI Roots Oy 2020 – 2025
Founder & Member of Board 

Bigdatapump 2013 – 2017 
Founder & Senior Strategist

CONTACT US

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Book a meeting with us, give us a call, or send us an email to learn more.

Arked Oy
Business ID: (3473667-3)


Viipurinkatu 12 L
00510 Helsinki

Arked Partners - Olli Salakari and Samuli Pöntinen

samuli.pontinen@arked.fi