
Episode #39
Episode 39: Frontier Firms Aren't Built with Technology Alone - with Vesa Nopanen
About this episode: What does it take to become an AI-native organization? In this episode of Knowledge Fika, I sit down with Regional Director and Microsoft MVP Vesa “Vesku” Nopanen, to discuss AI transformation beyond the technology. We explore what organizations are learning from Microsoft 365 Copilot adoption, why culture and change management matter as much as the tools themselves, and how to approach AI governance, cost management, and experimentation in a rapidly evolving landscape. We also explore how different AI models can produce very different results—and costs—for the same task, making model selection an important consideration for organizations adopting Copilot. Vesku shares practical lessons from testing multiple models, understanding when to use which tool, and balancing value, performance, and consumption costs. We also dive into the productivity paradox, lessons from SulavaMEA ’s own AI journey, and practical advice for leaders looking to turn AI ambition into business value. About Vesku: Vesa "Vesku" Nopanen is a Microsoft Regional Director, Microsoft MVP in AI and Microsoft 365, and Principal Consultant for AI-Native Future Work at Sulava MEA. With nearly 30 years in enterprise IT, he helps organizations adopt AI, Copilot, and intelligent agents to create more effective ways of working. A frequent speaker , blogger , and community leader, Vesku is known for turning emerging technologies into practical business outcomes. He is also one of the people behind the AI-Native Workplace Summit 2026 , a free online event exploring how organizations can thrive in the age of AI. Through his writing, speaking, and community work, he shares practical insights on AI adoption, governance, organizational change, and how people and AI can work better together.






