Oulu eyed for Nokia-led AI gigateactory

Oulu is being targeted as the site for a multi-billion-euro artificial intelligence gigateactory led by Nokia, according to a report by Kaleva cited by Yle.

Nokia has confirmed discussions about building an AI gigateactory in Finland but has not specified Oulu as the location. Senior Vice President Pasi Toivanen declined to confirm the city or any other potential site.

Former trade minister and current SDP MP Ville Skinnari told Yle he attended a winter presentation where the project was explicitly tied to Oulu. He described it as a Nokia-driven investment worth up to €5 billion, far beyond a conventional data centre.

The European Commission is pushing for gigateactory projects across the EU to reduce dependence on US tech hardware. Its InvestAI initiative aims to mobilise €200 billion in high-performance computing and AI investments, with proposals submitted for six member states and 60 locations.

Toivanen said Nokia is working on a concept tailored to Finland, involving both private and public stakeholders. He expects the Commission to advance the plans this month.