Page 92 - The Annual AI Governance Report 2025 Steering the Future of AI

The Annual AI Governance Report 2025: Steering the Future of AI

According to the Freedom on the Net’s 2024 Report, Estonia ranks second in the world for
safeguarding digital rights and ensuring online freedom. We prove that it is possible to protect
privacy and foster a secure digital environment, where human rights are respected.

These results have been achieved through experiences and having the courage to test and Annexes
develop solutions. It is why we are also investing in AI sandboxes, training programs, and
competence centers to support both public and private sector actors in understanding and
complying with emerging regulations.

To enhance transparency and accountability, the citizens of Estonia can always see when and
how their personal data is accessed across state systems. We have also launched an Algorithm
Registry to document and explain how AI is used in public administration. These innovative
tools help ensure that AI in government is not only powerful – but also explainable, fair, and just.

Thirdly, I would like to talk about education. We know that any major transformation starts with
education. If we want an AI literate society – meaning, resilient and ready for the future – we
need to integrate these new tools into school curriculum.

That’s why, as part of our AI Leap initiative, we are providing 20,000 students and teachers
in Estonia with free access to leading AI-powered learning tools. Responsibility is of utmost
importance here as well. As evidence builds that misguided use of Large Language Models
can have a negative impact on people’s thinking skills, we are designing the AI Leap to counter
this. This requires both transforming mindsets and teaching methods, and building responsible
AI tools.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Therefore, AI governance is not only a national challenge or a national accelerator – it is also
a global one. Technology does not care about borders. Deepfakes, surveillance misuse, and
algorithmic manipulation threaten democratic processes everywhere. That’s why Estonia
supports the creation of non-binding global principles for AI governance, developed through
inclusive, multistakeholder cooperation.

We are therefore deeply engaged in many international forums. We support the Global Digital
Compact, which defines global principles for an open, secure and inclusive digital future, as well
as the Open Government Partnership, which advances transparency and citizen participation
in governance.

We proudly co-chaired the Media Freedom Coalition for two years. And in 2025, Estonia have
taken up the chairmanship of the Freedom Online Coalition, continuing our commitment to
safeguarding human rights in the digital age.

We believe that international cooperation and learning from each other are essential to ensure
that AI develops in a way that serves our societies, democracies, and shared values.

In October this year I will host the Arroiolos Group meeting of Presidents in Tallinn, where we
will discuss the driving force and power, but also challenges of AI.

In the same spirit, the Tallinn Digital Summit will take place on 9-10 October 2025 which I kindly
invite you all to attend.

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