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HELSINKI — Juhani Mykkänen is a tech entrepeneur and AI communicator. He grew the e-commerce platform Wolt from 0 to an $8B exit as co-founder. In the past four years, his focus has been on enabling humanity’s safe transition towards responsible AI, and now he has been appointed Director of Special Projects at the OpenAI Foundation, placing him directly within the inner circle of global artificial intelligence development.
The OpenAI Foundation was established in 2025 after OpenAI’s commercial business was separated from its non-profit arm. The foundation oversees OpenAI’s operations and retains a substantial ownership stake in the company. Operating at an intersection of power, capital, and technological optimism, Mykkänen will serve in an entrepreneurial problem-solving capacity, leading various projects based on organizational need
The foundation has committed $25 billion to initiatives in life sciences and AI resilience aimed at benefiting humanity. Juhani Mykkänen’s specific mandate centers on AI resilience, which includes enhancing model safety, addressing AI’s impacts on youth, and preparing for cyber and biological threats. A key priority for him will be finding ways to engage new individuals and organizations globally to work on these challenges.
In an interview in Helsingin Sanomat, Mykkänen views the future of artificial intelligence with strong optimism, highlighting its potential to revolutionize healthcare and assist in solving complex issues related to climate change and energy consumption. At the same time, he acknowledges significant dangers such as biothreats and cyberattacks, emphasizing that well-resourced institutions like the foundation are essential for building multi-faceted solutions.
When asked whether the foundation can genuinely hold OpenAI’s commercial side accountable or if its funding is sufficient compared to massive commercial AI investments, Juhani Mykkänen declined to Helsingin Sanomat to comment, stating it falls outside his role. Under its governing rules, the foundation is strictly prohibited from spending money on initiatives that advance the commercial interests of OpenAI.
Calling the position a “dream job” during a pivotal era for humanity, Mykkänen reveals to Helsingin Sanomat a plan to relocate to San Francisco to work out of the foundation’s headquarters as soon as his O-1 visa is approved. Despite his move to the United States, he intends to maintain strong ties to his home country and visit Finland on a regular basis.
Photo: juhanimykkanen.com
