Zoran Hardi: How Metropolia Builds Bridges Across Disciplines
Zoran Hardi is a graduate of Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, where he earned a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Information Technology. Today, his academic interests bring together information technology, financial engineering, artificial intelligence and the broader impact of modern technologies on human decision making and society.
During his studies at Metropolia, he developed not only a strong technical foundation but also a way of thinking that extends beyond technology itself. Understanding how a system works was only the starting point. Equally important was understanding the problem it solves, the constraints under which it operates and the impact it has on the people who use it.
After completing his bachelor’s degree, he continued his education in an international Master’s programme in Financial Engineering, focusing on quantitative systems, modelling and risk management. He also enrolled in a Master’s programme in Computer and Systems Sciences, broadening his perspective from technical systems to the way they interact with organisations, society and human decision making.
The analytical and practical approach he developed at Metropolia continued to guide him as he moved into financial engineering and systems sciences. Together, these two fields of study complement one another. One deepens his understanding of quantitative models, data and risk, while the other provides a broader perspective on the role of information systems and their impact on people and society.
This interdisciplinary perspective naturally evolved into a broader interest in artificial intelligence and algorithmic decision making. His work explores how intelligent systems influence attention, shape choices and affect human behaviour, bringing together technical, psychological and legal perspectives to better understand both the opportunities and the challenges created by modern AI.
He has written several articles on these topics, connecting technical research with questions of human autonomy, responsibility and the ethical use of emerging technologies. Rather than treating information technology, finance, artificial intelligence, psychology and law as separate disciplines, he views them as complementary perspectives for understanding increasingly complex technological systems.
Looking back, he considers Metropolia the place where this interdisciplinary journey began. Its practical approach to education, emphasis on critical thinking and encouragement of independent learning provided a foundation that continues to shape both his academic development and his broader perspective on technology and society.