Presenting Kuopio Health members: Gaoithe Advisory
Gaoithe Advisory: Harnessing the Wind of Innovation
Gaoithe Advisory derives its name from the Scottish word “Gaoithe,” meaning wind, symbolizing the company’s dynamic and transformative approach. Led by Pat Halford, who is also Co-CEO of Fjord Qudra Ltd based in London, Gaoithe focuses on helping clients to accelerate competitive opportunities with AI at an Investor, Board and Leadership level.
Pat’s expertise in leading international teams of scientists, project managers and consultants to build European R&D consortia across health tech, electronics, AI, and robotics/drones spaces give him unique perspectives on how to help Kuopio Health members and other clients in North Savo scale their businesses.
Through practical workshops and projects, Gaoithe drives a mindset shift, helping leaders see the untapped potential within their team’s existing capacity and capabilities.
The Power of AI in Business and Science
AI is reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace, and Gaoithe Advisory is poised to lead the change. Pat thinks that in 2025 we will see a dramatic acceleration in scientific discovery with “AI Scientists” helping to reduce time, cost and friction around new materials, molecules and manufacturing processes.
“Combined with ever-improving multi-modal AIs and agentic workflows, the advantage will be with researchers, startups and SMEs because cost and headcount will no longer be a limiting factor in growth”, Pat explains on the potential of AI.
Gaoithe Advisory envisions advancements in scientific, mathematical and simulation AI capabilities driving rapid innovation, reducing costs, and empowering smaller organisations to compete globally.
Pat Halford. Photo: Eeli Gröhn.
AI and Organizational Change
”AI has the potential to collapse cultural differences, particularly when it comes to language barriers. For instance, in Kuopio, where we have a diverse international community, AI plays a significant role in facilitating communication and collaboration across different languages. This also extends to companies within the Kuopio Health ecosystem, enabling them to expand their services and reach new markets with ease by automating language transitions.”
”However, the real challenge lies not in cultural differences but in the workplace dynamics and management culture. Employees are quick to adopt and experiment with AI tools, often discovering that these technologies can make their work far more efficient. For example, someone in sales or marketing might realise they can accomplish their tasks in half the time using AI. This efficiency, while beneficial, can cause anxiety—especially among employees who fear that management might see AI as a reason to cut jobs. This is where a shift in both management and organisational culture is essential. Another thing to remember is that when you automate one process, say in marketing, it can cause bottlenecks in other teams. So you have to consider organisational workflows as a whole.”
”At the Board and leadership level, there needs to be a mindset change: instead of viewing AI as a threat, it should be seen as an enabler that creates additional capacity. This opens up opportunities for growth, innovation, and strategic initiatives, such as exploring or rethinking mergers, acquisitions, or new investments. At the same time, employees need to feel empowered to communicate with management, highlighting how AI can be a time-saving or efficiency-enhancing tool. By driving open dialogue, organisations can better harness AI to enhance productivity and create new possibilities rather than focusing on potential downsides”, Pat explains.
Gaoithe Advisory’s global footprint includes partnerships with organisations in Norway, Silicon Valley, Europe, UK, UAE and Africa. These collaborations have enabled the firm to bring diverse perspectives and cutting-edge solutions to its clients. Whether advising an insurance giant in the U.S. or fostering agricultural technology ecosystems in the Ivory Coast, Gaoithe’s network is a testament to its versatility and reach.
“At the moment, AI tools like ChatGPT or Google Gemini/NotebookLM can rapidly accelerate businesses of all sizes. But the next step is the rise of autonomous agents that not only perform tasks independently but also check back with users. As more agents are created, an orchestration system will emerge to coordinate their interactions. The challenge will be integrating these agents with human workflows, reshaping jobs, recruitment, and broader HR practices. Additionally, in the coming year, AI models like ChatGPT are expected to gain advanced scientific and mathematical capabilities, enabling breakthroughs in discovering biological materials, molecules, and new manufacturing processes,” envisions Patrick.
Partnership with Kuopio Health
As a proud member of Kuopio Health, Gaoithe Advisory aligns with the ecosystem’s mission of fostering innovation in healthcare. Pat’s connection to Kuopio Health stems from his desire to contribute locally while leveraging his global expertise.
“When I moved from Turku to Kuopio, Mikko Juuti from (at the time) Kasve Oy, told me I needed to get involved because this is a very important ecosystem”, continues Pat.
“What I really like is that the ecosystem goes beyond Kuopio. By using English, it’s easy to promote the ecosystem internationally. I also appreciate the strong presence at major events. The key strength of the Kuopio Health ecosystem lies in its integration of research, large players, and numerous innovative smaller companies working together.”
By introducing AI’s transformative power to Kuopio Health members, Gaoithe Advisory aims to accelerate growth and create new opportunities within the ecosystem.
Looking Ahead
Gaoithe Advisory is set to expand its impact in the coming years. Short-term goals include working closely with Kuopio Health members to drive tangible outcomes, while long-term aspirations involve fostering strategic collaborations and serving as a catalyst for innovation.
“In the next year, I’d like to have a big impact on one or two customers in the Kuopio Health ecosystem by helping them expand or transform into a different type of service”, reflects Pat.
His commitment to bridging the gap between technology and people ensures that Gaoithe Advisory remains a trusted partner in navigating the complexities of the AI era.
Gaoithe Advisory is not just a consultancy—it is a visionary force, helping organizations harness the winds of change and turn challenges into opportunities.