Laakkonen's research area at the University of Lapland is deep learning predictive algorithms and next-generation deep learning models in decentralized systems based on human brain function and neural networks. He researched at the University of Oulu (1995-1998) as a stress and performance research group member. He understood the process and data analysis of human brain neural networks and the complexity and dynamics of predictive algorithms in decentralized dissipative systems.

From 2012, Laakkonen has been actively at the University of Lapland as deputy professor, associate professor, director of research, and a visiting associate professor at the University of Versailles Computer Science Department. He has been an expert for the European Commission's Directorate-General CONNECT (Communications Networks, Content and Technology) from 2010 until today.

Laakkonen acted as visiting professor at the Sorbonne University in Paris from September 2018 to December 2019, having extensive domestic and international research networks in information, communication, and information technology and strong evidence of competitive research funding. He has led several industry-oriented national and international research projects, establishing effectiveness and competitiveness to adapt products & services in the global market. In the same way, it has impacted several theses within the same institution.

Laakkonen was awarded funding for scientific cooperation between French and Finnish universities in early 2020. The grant ensured research collaboration with professors and researchers from the Sorbonne Université, Université Paris-Dauphine, and the University of Berkeley's in the field of artificial intelligence. Besides the French Institute in Helsinki, the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, the Finnish Academy of Sciences, and the Finnish Science Association funded the research cooperation.