The success story of e-Estonia has once again caught the attention of international media – this time, Forbes' article specifically highlighted our country's digital literacy and how it's taught from an early age in our education system. In addition to various bureaucracy-reducing aspects, Estonia's innovation in the education sector - regarding the AI Leap - received significant attention.
'By 2027, one-third of our teachers and students will be learning and using AI tools. If you use AI tools smarter than anybody else, you will probably be a winner,' Prime Minister Kristen Michal said in the article.
Forbes pointed out that one of the most important global concerns regarding artificial intelligence is how it affects the job market: statistics show that AI will replace 9.1% of global jobs, but on the other hand, 83 percent of employers claim that employees with AI skills will be retained. With this in mind, Estonia's approach has been to invest in its population through skills development, promoting knowledge and skills in manufacturing, engineering, technology, and IT sectors. 'The only way is to work smarter not in quantity, but in quality. And artificial intelligence helps with that,' Michal said.
The article also featured comments from Linnar Viik, the initiator of the AI-Leap initiative, who said that Estonia is directing its workforce toward a path where residents can use artificial intelligence smartly and efficiently.
'Future jobs won't be taken over by artificial intelligence, but by people who know how to use it better,' said Viik, one of the main architects of Estonia's digital society.
In the eyes of Forbes journalist Mike Minevich, there's a message here that the United States should heed: the workforce needs to understand all the numerous opportunities that artificial intelligence can offer them in building their careers and lives.
But how can Estonia's success story be applied in the United States?
'Usually, success stories can be exported. If [...] one-third of our students and teachers use artificial intelligence tools [...], if we succeed in doing that, our example will likely be used worldwide,' Michal said in response to the journalist's question.
However, artificial intelligence should still be introduced and taught as a tool, nothing more. It is not the ultimate goal of omniscience that replaces education, which is why the ability to think, reason and solve problems remains the core competency of Estonia's education system, the article emphasized.
'Artificial intelligence provides all the answers, and maintaining a critical mind in today's world is very difficult. But it comes from the school curriculum that you should always question facts and use facts, not just read headlines and the answers given,' said Michal. 'This kind of AI lead we're giving to our educators, students and so on, and also using this in businesses and with research and development, will help a lot.'
Education and Research Minister Kristina Kallas pointed out that Estonia's economic competitiveness depends on how well the country can prepare young people for the age of artificial intelligence. Forbes journalist Mark Minevich considers Estonia's approach to artificial intelligence a potential seed for success.
'This kind of long-term thinking and government commitment is the action that sets Estonia up for decades of success,' wrote Minevich, praising Estonia's adaptation to the rapid development of artificial intelligence and the resulting adjustment of the national curriculum.
Bolt President Jevgeni Kabanov also expressed optimism about the AI-Leap, having a positive view toward the cooperation between the state and businesses in advancing education.
'Estonia continues to set an example, demonstrating how public and private sector partnerships can facilitate the adoption of new technologies. This has recently been emphasized by AI-Leap, an educational program that provides Estonian schoolchildren and teachers with free access to AI learning applications,' Kabanov told the publication.