News of September

Dear Friends,

The past couple of months as a new entrepreneur have been both busy and rewarding. Here are a few highlights:

• As both a forensic psychologist and hypnotherapist, I recently had the privilege of taking part in the Second Asian Congress of Clinical Hypnosis (ACCH) 2025 in Hangzhou, China. The congress was co-hosted by Peking University, the International Society of Hypnosis (ISH), and the local organizing committee.

  I was honored to present my talk, “The Mind’s Virtual Journey: Digital Hypnosis via Remote Practice, AI, and VR”, where I explored how digitalization and artificial intelligence are emerging as powerful tools in healthcare, therapy, and even hypnosis. whoISHwho.com - Hypnosis professionals around the world. - my whoISHwho - Pia Puolakka

• The video recordings from the 2025 Corrections Technology Conference (CTC), hosted by the International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA), have now been released. Our joint presentation — together with colleagues from Sweden and France — is also available on the ICPA website. In it, we introduced the Nordic model of digital transformation in prisons, highlighting how digitalization and AI can enhance rehabilitation, safeguard fundamental rights, and optimize staff resources. Corrections Technology Conference 2025

• A new master’s thesis has just been published. During my time at the Prison and Probation Service of Finland, I had the privilege of acting as a workplace supervisor for Elina Nurminen’s thesis, “The Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Criminal Sanctions Agency – Current State, Challenges, and Opportunities” (HAMK, 2025).

  The thesis offers a thorough examination of how AI can be applied in the corrections sector, while also addressing the challenges of implementing new technologies in a safety-critical environment. Tekoälyn käyttö Rikosseuraamuslaitoksessa - nykytila, haasteet ja mahdollisuudet - Theseus

• I also spoke at the Young Lawyers’ Day event, organized by the Finnish Bar Association.
  
  Member of Parliament Pekka Haavisto spoke about resolving international conflicts and crisis situations. In my own talk, I focused on how the human mind functions in the midst of crises – and how this understanding can help in reaching agreements and good negotiation outcomes in everyday civil and criminal cases. My years as a forensic psychologist, treating prisoners and assisting lawyers, courts, and the police, have trained me for the toughest situations.

But the best is yet to come ;) Remember to follow my page!

Best regards, Pia P.