National AI Strategy 2022-2023
Estonia · Strategy · Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications
Our summary
Estonia's strategy for deploying artificial intelligence across public and private sectors, research, and education from 2022 to 2023. It sets targets for expanding AI solutions in government services, building technical competence, and improving data management while promoting human-centred and trustworthy AI principles. The strategy commits at least EUR 20 million in funding and coordinates with related national development plans.
Written by the Index in our own words. It is not legal advice; the official text is the authority.
Inside this policy
Every section of this policy in order. Our notes summarise each one in plain language and do not quote the official text, which is the authority.
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11 sections
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Introduction
Estonia's 2022-2023 AI Strategy continues its prior 2019-2021 strategy by expanding AI deployment across public and private sectors, education, and research guided by human-centred and trustworthy AI principles; public sector initiatives include building baseline AI capacity in bodies without existing solutions and strengthening those with basic deployment skills, with particular focus on data management for findability and reusability. Estonia will contribute at least 20 million euros from 2022-2023 for strategy implementation, with 100 million euros in broader digitisation support available competitively for AI-related initiatives. This strategy serves as Estonia's National AI Strategy under the EU Coordinated Plan on Artificial Intelligence.
Public sector
By November 2021, Estonia had deployed over 80 AI solutions across more than 40 public sector organisations and published 7 open-source AI components, but faced eight main challenges including limited technical capability, insufficient support and resources, lack of competence in data quality assessment, insufficient legal clarity around data processing, difficulty integrating AI with existing systems, and fragmented awareness of available solutions. The strategy aims to establish AI capacity in organisations lacking prior deployment and consolidate capabilities in those with baseline experience, applying human-centred and trustworthy AI principles to improve digital services, with targets by 31 December 2023 of 130 deployed AI solutions, 10 most-used services with AI components, 60 organisations with AI deployment, 40 published open-source components, 10 organisations using the Bürokratt virtual assistant, 15 public services through Bürokratt, 91 percent Estonian speech recognition accuracy, and 1,400 training participants.
Public sector based activities
Public sector based activities include competence and capability building through a data protection panel (launching March 2022) to support lawful data processing, data literacy training starting April 2022 for different public sector groups (260,000 euros budget), a data competence centre to develop guidelines and assessment models, common computing infrastructure based on the Government Cloud, management of open-source AI components and language technology tools, assessment of institutional data science competence, support for AI project launch and implementation, and a data protection sandbox framework for AI testing. Additional measures aim to maintain public confidence in AI and raise institutional awareness of human-centred and trustworthy AI principles through analysing legal and technical options for transparent data processing, developing fundamental rights and data protection impact assessment models, training on AI risks and mitigation measures, and securing flexible funding for data science projects through EU structural funds and national sources.
Private sector
Outlines the government's strategy to increase private sector research and development capacity and innovation in AI and robotics, with specific key performance indicators by 31 December 2023: 180 companies participating in digital maturity assessments, 150 feasibility assessments of AI solutions, 27 demo projects, 450 employees trained, 6-8 AI-based pilot projects supported, and 10 teams completing the AI accelerator programme. The AIRE centre will lead ecosystem development and international networking to support industry adoption of AI and robotics.
Private sector based activities
The private sector AI initiatives include three main support mechanisms: mapping business challenges to develop appropriate policy tools, establishing a national centre for artificial intelligence and robotics through the Estonian EDIH AIRE consortium (funded by the European Commission at EUR 1 million annually, the Estonian State at EUR 400,000, and consortium co-financing at EUR 600,000 for 2022-2028) providing digital maturity assessments, training, consultancy for 25 companies, finance advisory services, and six demonstration projects; and multiple funding programmes including bootcamps with up to 100 participants creating up to 20 joint projects, a six-month accelerator for up to 10 companies, validation of up to 20 pilot projects, grants of EUR 40,000-50,000 per project for 6-8 pilot projects, and EUR 56 million for automation and digitalisation (2022 onwards), EUR 16.48 million for applied research programmes, EUR 8.24 million for innovation and development shares, and EUR 19.84 million for R&D&I awareness and capacity support. Three permanent support services provide expert support for identifying R&D cooperation needs (open since 2019), technology intelligence for identifying technological opportunities and risks (open since December 2021), and intellectual property consultation for developing IP strategies and protection measures.
R&D and education
Estonia emphasizes expanding research funding and educational development in AI and information technology across general, vocational and higher education levels, integrated into the Education Strategy 2035 and the R&D&I 2035 strategy. The strategy highlights the importance of language technology for Estonian and ensuring access to supercomputing infrastructure through the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking, with baseline AI research funding of approximately EUR 1.5 million annually.
R&D and education-based activities
The section establishes five education initiatives: at least five ICT in-service training modules for 2,000 participants on AI awareness, IT electives and teacher training through ProgeTiiger from primary to secondary school, AI integration into vocational training, increases in IT PhD students to 80-100 per year, and AI electives in non-ICT postgraduate studies with additional assessment weight. R&D support covers AI and machine learning, information science and analytics, and robot-human collaboration as focus areas in the R&D&I strategy. Four R&D and infrastructure activities are specified: inclusion of AI topics in the R&D&I strategy roadmap, EUR 3 million per year funding for AI research projects in 2022-2023, EUR 3.57 million for Estonian language technology resources and infrastructure including a centre of excellence for transnational solutions, and EUR 660,000 in 2022 (total EUR 2 million for 2021-2026) for high-performance computing access through EuroHPC and LUMI supercomputing consortium for Estonian research institutions and companies.
Data as an enabler
Recognizes that data availability and quality are essential for AI development, including support for Estonian language technology. The strategy aims to increase open data disclosures to 1,800 datasets in the data portal by the end of 2023, improve data discoverability, and raise the overall maturity of data management practices.
‘Data as an enabler’ based activities
Implements data management improvements through training data stewards, deploying management tools, and strengthening legal frameworks; promotes open data access via a public portal and institutional support; and establishes priority datasets including Estonian language datasets to facilitate AI development. Activities involve Statistics Estonia, MEAC, ISA, and the Institute of the Estonian Language, with budgets totalling EUR 3.8 million.
Legal framework
This section outlines Estonia's approach to developing legislation governing AI. It describes the previous strategy's attempt to create an AI regulation framework, the shift in focus following the European Commission's 2021 AI initiative, and current objectives to finalize amendments to the Administrative Procedure Act establishing conditions for automated administrative decisions, while participating actively in EU and Council of Europe legislative processes to develop human-centred and trustworthy AI rules that respect fundamental rights.
Activities based on the legal framework
This section presents five legislative and diplomatic activities for the period, assigned to Estonia's Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The activities include drafting amendments to the Administrative Procedure Act to enable automatic administrative acts, participating in EU negotiations on the Artificial Intelligence Act to represent Estonian interests, contributing to civil liability rules for AI through consultation and negotiation, engaging with the Council of Europe's Convention on AI, and maintaining involvement in international AI policy development to advance Estonia's interests.
Controls
What this policy requires, forbids, grants or penalises, one control at a time and in our own words. Each control links to the official text, which is the authority. This is not legal advice.
Drafted by the Index Drafted automatically from the official text, not yet reviewed by a person.Reviewed Checked by a person against the official text.
Themes covered 7 of 35
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Risk and scope 0 of 4
- Risk classification, not covered
- Prohibited practices, not covered
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- Impact assessment, not covered
Data and privacy 1 of 4
- Data subject rights and consent, not covered
- Cross-border data transfer, not covered
- Copyright and training data, not covered
Transparency and records 1 of 4
- Labelling of synthetic content, not covered
- Technical documentation, not covered
- Record keeping and logging, not covered
Technical safeguards 1 of 4
- Human oversight, not covered
- Bias and non-discrimination, not covered
- Testing and evaluation, not covered
Assurance and lifecycle 0 of 4
- Conformity assessment and certification, not covered
- Registration and notification, not covered
- Incident and breach reporting, not covered
- Post-market monitoring and corrective action, not covered
Rights and protected groups 0 of 4
- Automated decision-making rights, not covered
- Children and vulnerable groups, not covered
- Biometric identification and surveillance, not covered
- Whistleblowing, complaints and redress, not covered
Roles and organisation 4 of 6
- Supply chain and provider-deployer duties, not covered
- General purpose and foundation models, not covered
Enforcement and sectors 0 of 5
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- Sector rules: health, not covered
- Sector rules: finance and insurance, not covered
- Sector rules: employment, not covered
- Sector rules: education, not covered
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Public sector based activities 4 controls
- ObligationApplies to: Public authorityDeadline was Drafted by the Index
Public authorities should establish a data protection panel involving relevant agencies to support lawful processing of personal data and help solve implementation problems.
- ObligationApplies to: Public authorityDeadline was Drafted by the Index
Public authorities should commission training and raise awareness about data literacy across different target groups in the public sector.
- ObligationApplies to: Public authorityDeadline was Drafted by the Index
Public authorities should provide centralised training courses and guides to contractors, specialists, developers, and managers of AI projects.
- ObligationApplies to: Public authorityDrafted by the Index
Public authorities should develop and implement the Bürokratt virtual assistant platform to simplify interactions between the public and the state.
Private sector 2 controls
- ObligationApplies to: Public authorityDrafted by the Index
Public authorities should support the AIRE centre for robotics and artificial intelligence to create an ecosystem and international network for industry AI and robotics deployment.
- ObligationApplies to: Public authorityDrafted by the Index
Public authorities should raise awareness about AI in the private sector through AIRE and develop new policy interventions for AI-focused projects.
Private sector based activities 7 controls
- ObligationApplies to: Public authorityDrafted by the Index
The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications should map the challenges that private companies face in developing and deploying AI solutions.
- ObligationApplies to: Public authorityDrafted by the Index
The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications should gather an overview of best practices in other countries for supporting AI adoption.
- ObligationApplies to: OthersDeadline was Drafted by the Index
The Estonian EDIH AIRE consortium should assess the digital maturity of at least 50 businesses and map their capacity to implement AI and robotics solutions.
- ObligationApplies to: OthersDrafted by the Index
The Estonian EDIH AIRE consortium should carry out at least five training sessions for industrial companies on AI and robotics use and funding opportunities.
- ObligationApplies to: OthersDrafted by the Index
The Estonian EDIH AIRE consortium should provide one-to-one expert consultancy to at least 25 industrial companies on their potential to develop and implement AI solutions.
- ObligationApplies to: OthersDrafted by the Index
The Estonian EDIH AIRE consortium should advise companies on how to access national and European-level financing for AI and robotics development projects.
- ObligationApplies to: OthersDrafted by the Index
The Estonian EDIH AIRE consortium should launch at least six demonstration projects to test AI and robotics solutions with partner companies.
R&D and education-based activities 4 controls
- ObligationApplies to: Public authorityDrafted by the Index
The education ministry should establish ICT in-service training and retraining modules spanning at least five areas to build AI awareness across different levels of entrepreneurship.
- ObligationApplies to: Public authorityDrafted by the Index
The education ministry should support the development of IT electives with curriculum materials and teacher training that integrate AI topics and examples from primary through secondary school.
- ObligationApplies to: Public authorityDrafted by the Index
The education ministry should integrate AI skills and tools into vocational education and training curricula, particularly for roles like software developer where AI capability is now essential.
- ObligationApplies to: Public authorityDrafted by the Index
The education ministry should increase the number of IT professionals and researchers through support for sustainable higher education in ICT.
‘Data as an enabler’ based activities 3 controls
- ObligationApplies to: Public authorityDrafted by the Index
The government should systematically implement data management improvements including training for data stewards, deployment of management tools and updating legal frameworks to address AI project obstacles.
- ObligationApplies to: Public authorityDrafted by the Index
The government should actively increase the accessibility and machine-readability of open data holdings through portal development, institutional guidance and technical improvements to national registers.
- ObligationApplies to: Public authorityDrafted by the Index
The government should establish and designate priority datasets in six EU-defined categories and additional Estonian categories, including language datasets critical for Estonian language technology sustainability.
Activities based on the legal framework 5 controls
- ObligationApplies to: Public authorityDrafted by the Index
The Ministry of Justice should draft amendments to the Administrative Procedure Act to establish a legal basis for automatic administrative acts.
- ObligationApplies to: Public authorityDrafted by the Index
MEAC and MJ should participate in negotiations of the EU Artificial Intelligence Act to represent Estonia's interests and prevent over-regulation.
- ObligationApplies to: Public authorityDeadline was Drafted by the Index
The Ministry of Justice should present Estonia's views on civil liability rules for AI in public consultations and future EU negotiations.
- ObligationApplies to: Public authorityDrafted by the Index
The Ministry of Justice should participate in negotiations of the Council of Europe's Convention on Artificial Intelligence to advance Estonia's interests.
- ObligationApplies to: Public authorityDrafted by the Index
MEAC and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should participate in international AI policy and legislative development to promote Estonia's interests and ensure compliance with human-centred and trustworthy AI principles.
Change history
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