älyn

äly is a Finnish noun meaning intelligence, wit, or mental capacity. It refers to the ability to think, learn, and solve problems. The term can describe human intellect as well as, in everyday usage, the cognitive capabilities of machines. Related forms include the adjective älykäs (smart) and the noun älykkyys (intelligence or cleverness). The genitive form of äly is älyn, used in phrases such as älyn kehitys (the development of intelligence) or älyn käyttö (the use of intelligence).

In modern Finnish, äly forms many compounds that signal smart technology, such as älylaite (smart device), älykello (smartwatch), and älypuhelin (smartphone). For formal discussions of artificial intelligence, the standard term is tekoäly, literally "machine intelligence." The use of äly in compounds emphasizes enhanced function or sophistication rather than consciousness.

Etymology and usage: äly is a native Finnic word with a long-standing presence in Finnish. It remains productive in modern vocabulary, contributing to education, media, and technology discourse as Finland engages with cognitive science, learning, and digital innovation. See also tekoäly, älykäs, älykkyys.