Estonia announced today an ambitious nationwide artificial intelligence education program called AI Leap 2025, which will provide students and teachers with free access to the world's leading AI applications and the necessary skills to use them effectively in learning.
The program builds on the legacy of Estonia's historic Tiger Leap programme from nearly 30 years ago, which brought computers and internet early to all the Estonian schools and laid the foundation for the country's emergence as a digital pioneer. AI Leap will be the next such a public-private partnership aimed at integrating AI skills and capabilities seamlessly into education.
"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," said Estonian President Alar Karis, as the initiator of the programme. "Artificial intelligence has permanently changed the world, and like all sectors, the education system must adapt to these changes."
"By implementing the best available technology in the education system and making learning not only smarter but also more personalized with it, it will help Estonia become the world's smartest nation. This way AI Leap helps smart solutions to reach all sectors and increase the international breakthrough capability of Estonians and the Estonian economy," Karis outlined the programme's vision.
The initiative aims to maintain Estonia's educational excellence by providing students and teachers with free access to modern AI-based learning tools. The programme will initially include 20,000 high school students in grades 10-11 and their 3,000 teachers from the beginning of next school year on 1 September 2025. The plan is to expand the programme to vocational schools and new incoming 10th grade students the year after, adding further 38,000 students and 2,000 teachers to the pool.
"Estonia's economic competitiveness depends on how well we can prepare young people for the age of artificial intelligence," said Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas. "In order for AI to support not only learning but also our economic growth, we will invest strongly in teacher training as part of the AI Leap. Well-prepared teachers will be able to implement AI capabilities smartly in schools."
"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," said Linnar Viik, co-founder of AI Leap and one of the original architects of Tiger Leap. "The education system cannot ignore or ban new technologies. Instead, schools must lead the implementation of technology by providing a supportive framework."
International partnerships
In cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Research, teacher training is planned to be conducted by autumn 2025, after which students will be given access to the world's leading AI applications for learning. Negotiations have begun with global leading AI developers OpenAI and Anthropic, with plans to involve others as well.
“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,” said Leah Belsky, Vice President of Education, OpenAI.
“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.”
"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," said Neerav Kingsland, Head of Business Development at Anthropic. ”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."
About AI Leap 2025
AI Leap 2025 is a comprehensive national initiative to integrate artificial intelligence tools and skills into Estonia's education system. The programme will provide AI applications and training to students and teachers across Estonia, building on the country's legacy of digital innovation in education.
To implement the programme, an AI Leap Foundation would be established this spring, with the government and private sector as co-founders. The Foundation would be tasked with the strategic management of artificial intelligence immersion into the education system. March 2025 will see the agreement on the foundation's specific tasks, founding members, and funding model.
The initiative is a broad-based, cross-sector cooperation project developed by the President's Digital Council, Ministry of Education and Research, and assisted by numerous private entrepreneurs, including Taavet Hinrikus, Jaan Tallinn and Kaarel Kotkas.
Timeline Highlights
- Spring 2025: creation of AI Leap Foundation in public-private partnership to steer and manage the programme
- September 2025: Launch with grades 10-11 (20,000 students and 3,000 teachers)
- September 2026: Expansion to vocational schools and new 10th grade students (additional 38,000 students and 2,000 teachers)