Former Finnish Prime Minister Esko Aho called on New Brunswick companies last week to capitalize on the second industrial revolution to prosper in the digital age.

Huddle reported on Esko Aho’s speech in Moncton, and you can read the full report here.

Venn Innovation invited Aho to the region because Finland has developed into one of the most technologically advanced nations in the world, and he provided essential leadership as prime minister in transforming the country’s economy. He had advice on how provinces in Eastern Canada can follow this example.

In his speech, Aho pointed to the book The Second Machine Age, by MIT professors Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew McAfee. “The first machine age made it possible for mankind to cross the border of physical power of human beings and animals. But the next phase is going to be based on the second machine age making it possible to go beyond the limits of our brain power. That is going to happen now.”