Importance of Adjusting to the Artificial Intelligence Age Stated by Estonian President
TALLINN - In the 25th anniversary celebration of the Estonian Association of Information Technology and Telecommunications (ITL) on Thursday evening, Estonian President Alar Karis rallied the tech sector to embrace the challenges and opportunities of the artificial intelligence (AI) era.
"Hear this call, tech wizards! Your involvement in groundbreaking initiatives has been pivotal. Now's the time to proceed. Contributing financially alongside other players in the private sector or lending your expertise in other ways, the task is yours," the president declared.
"If 25 years ago marked a technological revolution, so does now. That's why we've launched a new initiative to help our education system, economy, and society adapt to the AI era," Karis emphasized.
The president emphasized Estonia's ambition to remain a global powerhouse in technology.
"We aim high: to continue leading the world in technology, pushing boundaries, and exploring possibilities. For that, ITL must remain an assertive and demanding partner for the state, as it has been until now," he urged.
The tech sector's economic significance, with contributions amounting to around 10 percent of the nation's GDP, was highlighted by the president.
"When we say e-Estonia is born of the synergy between the public and private sectors, ITL, as the organizer of cooperation within the sector and a partner of the state, plays an essential role," he stated.
While specific initiatives led by ITL to advance the technology sector and AI adoption in Estonia are not directly mentioned in search results, there are broader indications of the country's tech ecosystem and the roles of various organizations and national policies that support the sector. For instance, Estonia is renowned for its digital-first approach, with public services available online 24/7, digital voting since 2005, and the e-Residency program. National policies emphasize cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, and e-governance, collaborations like ITL likely play a crucial part.
International initiatives, such as the Cyber-Security Excellence Hub (CHESS project) and GovStack, involve Estonia and focus on fostering cross-border cybersecurity research, innovation, digital infrastructure, and sustainable digital public services. The technology sector continues to thrive in Estonia with the rise of unicorns like Wise, Bolt, and Playtech, and ongoing AI and digital communication platform innovations.
The Estonian Information and Communication Technology Competence Center, supported by EU funding, sets a strategic research agenda for ICT and public sector services, addressing major technological challenges and driving advancements in AI. It encourages stakeholder involvement from industry and academia, likely including ITL.
In conclusion, while ITL-led specific initiatives are not highlighted in the search results, the tech sector's growth and AI adoption in Estonia are sustained by a thriving ecosystem of government policies, cross-border research collaborations, and international digital infrastructure projects. Industry associations like ITL likely serve as catalysts, bridging public, private, and research sectors to fuel technological innovation and adoption of emerging technologies.
"Moving forward, the tech sector, including ITL, should leverage their expertise to drive educational initiatives, aiming to prepare the workforce for the AI era and bolster technological advancements in the economy," suggested the president.
"Businesses in the technology sector could collaborate with academia, utilizing their resources and know-how to research and develop cutting-edge AI applications, further solidifying Estonia's position as a global leader in AI and technology," it was proposed.
"Artificial Intelligence is poised to revolutionize the economy, and Estonia's tech ecosystem, supported by initiatives like the Estonian Information and Communication Technology Competence Center, will play a crucial role in fostering cross-border collaborations and promoting sustainable digital public services," the president foretold.
