Estonia to roll out free AI tools for school students later this year

Keeping up with its reputation as one of the world’s most digitally advanced countries, Estonia has announced an ambitious programme to provide free access to the world’s leading artificial intelligence (AI) applications from companies such as OpenAI and Anthropic to students and teachers in the country. 

The programme, AI Leap 2025 (TI-Hüpe 2025), will be launched on September 1, which is the start of the new school year in the country.  

A government announcement said that in addition to free access, AI Leap will impart the necessary skills to students to use these applications effectively in learning, “marking the next chapter in Estonia's digital society journey.” 

AI Leap will initially include 20,000 high school students in grades 10-11 and their 3,000 teachers. The plan is to expand the programme to vocational schools and new incoming 10th-grade students the year after, adding 38,000 more students and 2,000 teachers to the pool. 

To implement the programme, Estonia will establish an AI Leap Foundation later this year, with the government and private sector as co-founders.  

Some prominent Estonian industrialists involved with the programme include Wise co-founder Taavet Hinrikus, Skype founding engineer, Jaan Tallinn, and identity verification company Veriff founder and CEO, Kaarel Kotkas. 

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The foundation would be tasked with the strategic management of AI immersion into the education system.  

More details on the foundation's specific tasks, founding members, and funding model would be announced in March, according to the statement. 

Building on Tiger Leap 

The programme builds on the legacy of Estonia's Tiger Leap programme which was started in 1997.  

The programme brought computers and the Internet early to all Estonian schools and laid the foundation for the country's emergence as a digital pioneer.  

The Estonian President, Alar Karis, noted that AI Leap will be the next such a public-private partnership (after Tiger Leap) aimed at integrating AI skills and capabilities seamlessly into the country’s education system. 

"Just as the Tiger Leap programme initiated the development of e-Estonia, for which we are still known internationally today, we are now starting a new chapter in the development of our education system and digital society," Karis said. 

He added: "AI has permanently changed the world, and like all sectors, the education system must adapt to these changes." 

The President noted that AI Leap will help smart solutions reach all sectors and increase the international breakthrough capability of Estonians and the Estonian economy. 

Later in the year, Estonia’s Ministry of Education and Research will conduct, teacher training, after which students will be given access to the world's leading AI applications for learning.  

Global companies onboard 

The government has begun negotiations with leading AI companies, OpenAI and Anthropic, and has plans to involve other AI pioneers as well, the statement said. 

OpenAI’s Vice President of Education, Leah Belsky, said millions of students around the world are already using ChatGPT to enrich and personalise their learning.  

“Estonia is setting an example for the world as one of the first countries to fully integrate AI into its education system for the benefit of all students and teachers… We're excited to work with the government to offer equal access to this transformative technology and help ensure its future workforce is AI-ready,” Belsky said. 

Anthropic’s Head of Business Development, Neerav Kingsland, added that Estonia has been an international leader in educational improvement. 

"This initiative shows us what's possible when a country builds on its successes and thinks big about AI and education… By thoughtfully integrating AI tools to help teachers and support students, Estonia is creating a model that other countries will likely follow. We're proud to support Estonia's vision of using AI to help improve the lives of teachers and provide an amazing education to every student." 

Shoring up economic competitiveness 

Estonia’s Minister of Education and Research, Kristina Kallas, noted that the country’s economic competitiveness depends on “how well we can prepare young people for the age of AI”. 

She added that for AI to support not only learning but also the country’s economic growth, “we will invest strongly in teacher training as part of the AI Leap”.  

The Minister added that well-prepared teachers will be able to implement AI capabilities smartly in schools. 

The co-founder of AI Leap and one of the original architects of Tiger Leap, Linnar Viik, noted that in the future job market, the advantaged will not be those who can use AI the most, but those who can use it the smartest. 

“The education system cannot ignore or ban new technologies. Instead, schools must lead the implementation of technology by providing a supportive framework," he said.  

GovInsider previously spoke with Kallas when she met with Singapore’s Minister of Education to explore cross-border collaborations to leverage on respective strengths: STEM-focused Singapore and digital-first Estonia.