Privacy, Data Protection & AI Use
Our approach
The Institute of Behavioural Futures values transparency, responsible research and careful use of personal data and emerging technologies.
This page explains how personal data may be processed when you interact with our website, services, research activities, publications or communications, and how artificial intelligence may be used in our work.
The Institute of Behavioural Futures operates under JEOS Oy, Finland.
1. Data controller
For personal data processed in connection with the Institute of Behavioural Futures, the data controller is:
JEOS Oy / Institute of Behavioural Futures
Finland
Contact: info@behaviouralfutures.com
Website: www.behaviouralfutures.com
If you have questions about the processing of your personal data, you can contact us using the details above.
2. What personal data may be collected?
Depending on how you interact with us, we may process information such as your name, email address, organisation, professional role, information submitted through contact or registration forms, correspondence, newsletter subscription information, research responses where applicable, and information related to purchases or service enquiries. The website may also generate technical information such as browser type, device information, IP address, referring pages, page interactions and similar website analytics data.
We aim to collect only information that is reasonably necessary for the relevant purpose.
3. Why do we process personal data?
Personal data may be processed for purposes including responding to enquiries, delivering services or digital products, managing registrations and waiting lists, conducting research, communicating about projects and publications, improving the website and services, fulfilling contractual or legal obligations, and maintaining appropriate business records. Where relevant, the legal basis for processing may include:
Consent, for example when you voluntarily subscribe to communications or participate in research requiring consent.
Performance of a contract, where information is necessary to provide a product or service you have requested.
Legitimate interests, for example when responding to professional enquiries, maintaining appropriate business communications, or understanding how the website is used, provided those interests do not override your rights.
Legal obligations, where information must be retained or processed to comply with applicable law.
4. Research data
Research activities may have their own participant information and consent notices where appropriate. Where a research project collects personal data, participants will be informed about the purpose of the research, what data is collected, how it is used, how long it is retained, and any applicable rights before providing their data. Where possible, research data is collected anonymously or with unnecessary identifying information excluded.
Information collected for one research purpose will not automatically be used for unrelated marketing purposes.
4.1. The Quiet Future Report 2026 — Research Participation
Research purpose
The Quiet Future Report 2026 is an independent research and foresight initiative examining societal values, behavioural changes, social norms and perceptions of possible futures across the Nordic–Baltic region. As part of this research, the Institute of Behavioural Futures / JEOS Oy may invite individuals to participate voluntarily in an online questionnaire.
Data collected and use
The questionnaire collects participants' selected country, perceptions of societal change, observations, reflections and imagined futures. Names and email addresses are not required. Responses will be analysed to identify recurring themes, differences in experiences, emerging signals of change and possible implications for future societies. Findings may be presented through aggregated summaries, thematic visualisations and qualitative analysis in The Quiet Future Report 2026 and related research communications. Anonymised quotations from individual responses will only be published where the participant has separately agreed to this use.
Lawful basis and confidentiality
Where questionnaire responses contain personal data, processing is based on the participant's informed consent under Article 6(1)(a) GDPR. Participants are asked not to include identifiable information about themselves or other individuals. Responses containing potentially identifying details will be reviewed and minimised or anonymised where appropriate.
Storage and retention
Questionnaire responses will be collected using Tally and stored in Tally, too. Access will be limited to authorised research personnel. Identifiable or potentially identifiable raw research responses will be retained until 27.06.2027, after which they will be deleted or irreversibly anonymised. Anonymised research findings may be retained in published reports and research documentation.
AI-assisted analysis
AI tools may support the organisation, categorisation and analysis of research themes, in accordance with Sections 12–18 of this policy. Identifying details will be removed or minimised before any responses are processed using external AI services, and appropriate data protection safeguards will be applied. Research interpretation and conclusions remain the responsibility of the researcher.
Participant rights
Participation is voluntary. Participants may withdraw their consent by contacting info@behaviouralfutures.com.
Where an individual response can still be identified, applicable requests for access, correction or deletion will be handled in accordance with GDPR.
Once research data has been irreversibly anonymised, it may no longer be possible to identify or retrieve individual responses.
Further information about personal data processing and data protection rights is provided in the sections of this policy above and below.
5. Purchases and payments
Products and digital materials may be sold through third-party platforms such as Payhip or Stripe. These providers may process information required to complete transactions, provide access to purchased products, prevent fraud, process payments, and comply with financial and legal obligations.
Payment card information is generally processed by the relevant payment provider rather than directly by the Institute of Behavioural Futures/JEOS Oy. Third-party services process data according to their own privacy policies and applicable data-processing arrangements.
6. Website analytics and cookies
The website may use analytics and similar technologies to understand how visitors find and use the site. This may include information such as pages visited, traffic sources, approximate geographic information, device type, and interactions with website content.
Where consent is legally required for non-essential cookies or tracking technologies, those technologies should only be activated after appropriate consent. You can manage available cookie choices through the website's cookie or consent controls where provided.
7. Newsletters, waiting lists and forms
If you subscribe to a newsletter, join a waiting list, register for an event, participate in a study, or complete another form, we will use the information you provide for the purpose described on that form. Where communication is based on consent, you may withdraw that consent at any time.
Withdrawing consent does not affect processing that took place lawfully before the withdrawal.
8. How long is personal data kept?
Personal data is retained only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, or for the period required by applicable legal, accounting or contractual obligations. Different retention periods may apply to different categories of information.
For example, information associated with financial transactions may need to be retained longer than information collected for a temporary waiting list.
When information is no longer required, it will be deleted, anonymised or otherwise securely disposed of where appropriate.
9. Who may receive personal data?
Personal data may be processed by trusted service providers supporting activities such as website hosting, ecommerce, forms, email communication, cloud storage, analytics, payment processing or other essential digital services.
These providers may act as processors or independent controllers depending on the service.
We do not sell personal data to advertisers or data brokers.
Personal data will only be shared where there is an appropriate purpose and legal basis, or where disclosure is required by law.
10. International data transfers
Some digital service providers may process information outside Finland or the European Economic Area.
Where personal data is transferred internationally, appropriate safeguards required under applicable data-protection law should be used, such as recognised adequacy decisions or approved contractual safeguards where relevant.
11. Your data protection rights
Depending on the circumstances and applicable law, you may have the right to request access to your personal data, request correction of inaccurate information, request deletion of data, request restriction of processing, object to certain processing, receive certain information in a portable format, and withdraw consent where processing is based on consent. Not every right applies in every situation. Requests can be made using the contact information provided on this page. You may also have the right to lodge a complaint with the relevant supervisory authority.
12. Artificial intelligence use
The Institute of Behavioural Futures uses artificial intelligence as a supporting tool, not as a substitute for professional judgement, research responsibility or human accountability. AI tools may be used to support activities such as idea development, language editing, translation, summarisation, structuring information, generating early drafts, exploring alternatives, assisting with visual concepts, or supporting technical and analytical workflows. AI-assisted work is reviewed, interpreted and developed by a human before it is treated as final Institute work.
13. AI-generated images and visual material
Some visual material used by the Institute of Behavioural Futures may be created or modified using generative AI.
Where AI-generated or manipulated visual content could reasonably be mistaken for documentation of a real person, event or situation, appropriate disclosure should be provided. AI-generated illustrative material should not be interpreted as photographic evidence of an actual case, client or research participant unless explicitly stated otherwise.
For example, illustrative characters used in case scenarios may represent fictional situations designed to demonstrate organisational dynamics.
14. AI and written content
AI tools may occasionally assist with drafting, editing, translating or organising written material. However, substantive publications, research interpretations, advisory materials and professional conclusions published under the Institute of Behavioural Futures remain subject to human review and responsibility. AI-generated information is not automatically treated as factual evidence. Research claims and factual statements should be checked against appropriate sources before publication. For text intended to inform the public on matters of public interest, the EU AI Act contains specific transparency rules where AI-generated or manipulated text is published without human review or editorial control. Human-reviewed/editorially controlled material is treated differently under the current framework.
15. AI and personal or confidential information
Personal, confidential, client or research information should not be entered into general-purpose AI systems unless the use of that system is appropriate for the information concerned and adequate privacy and contractual protections are in place.
Where AI is used in professional work, the aim is to minimise the personal or confidential information provided to such systems.
AI tools are not used to make fully automated decisions producing legal or similarly significant effects on individuals unless this is explicitly disclosed and a lawful basis exists.
16. AI in research and advisory work
AI may support research and advisory workflows, but it does not independently determine research findings or client recommendations.
Human judgement remains responsible for: the research question, interpretation of evidence, methodological choices, assessment of uncertainty, final recommendations and published conclusions. Where AI use materially affects a research method or output, that use should be described when relevant to understanding the work.
17. Accuracy and limitations of AI
Generative AI can produce inaccurate, incomplete or fabricated information. For that reason, outputs from AI systems are treated as material requiring evaluation rather than as inherently reliable sources.
The Institute aims to distinguish between:
evidence,
interpretation,
scenario or speculation, and
AI-assisted exploration.
This distinction is particularly important in futures research, where exploring possibilities should not be confused with predicting what will happen.
18. Human responsibility
The Institute of Behavioural Futures remains responsible for its published work and professional services. Use of AI does not transfer responsibility for accuracy, ethical judgement, professional decisions or research integrity to the technology provider.
Where AI supports a piece of work, the final responsibility for deciding whether and how that material is used remains human.
19. External links and third-party services
The website may contain links or integrations involving external services.
The Institute of Behavioural Futures is not responsible for the privacy practices of external websites. Visitors are encouraged to review the privacy information provided by those services where relevant.
20. Changes to this policy
This page may be updated as the Institute's activities, technologies, research practices or legal requirements evolve.
Last updated: 5 October 2026
Contact
Questions about privacy, personal data or AI use can be directed to:
Kristiina Paju
Institute of Behavioural Futures / JEOS Oy
info@behaviouralfutures.com