Estonian president: Common understanding important when using AI in schools

TALLINN - Estonian President Alar Karis, who discussed the use of artificial intelligence with students and teachers at Jõgeva Gymnasium on Tuesday, emphasized that a common understanding and equal opportunities are important when using AI in schools.

"Artificial intelligence is changing and disrupting everywhere, especially in education. It is a tool for both students and teachers, an assistant teacher in every student's home. Now that this wheel is no longer being turned back, a common understanding and equal opportunities are important," Karis said.

"The primary task of the school is to teach people to ask questions and evaluate results more critically. Artificial intelligence does not replace, but rather complements. It makes us smarter learners. What is important is how to raise awareness and reorganize the learning process," the president added.

The discussion, which took place at Jõgeva Gymnasium, was attended by high school students and teachers from various fields. The meeting took place as part of the president's two-day visit to Jõgeva County.

In February, Karis, together with the Ministry of Education and Research and private sector initiators, announced a new educational program, TI-Hüpe (AI Leap), under which students and teachers will receive free access to the world's leading artificial intelligence learning applications and the necessary skills to use them wisely in teaching starting from September.

In the first phase of the planned project, 20,000 high school students in grades 10 and 11 and their 3,000 teachers gain access to the best AI-based learning applications on Sept. 1. The goal is then to expand AI Leap to vocational schools and new high school students starting grade 10, covering an additional 38,000 students and 2,000 teachers from 2026.