Estonia has spent years building a reputation as one of Europe’s most digital societies. Every resident has a secure digital ID, most public services are online, and data moves through the X-Road system instead of paperwork.
In January 2026, the government announced a new step in that journey. The programme is called Eesti.ai, and its goal is simple but ambitious. It aims to use artificial intelligence to boost productivity across the entire economy.
From a digital society to an AI-driven one
For more than twenty years, Estonia has focused on digital public services and online business tools. Digital signatures, healthcare, online company formation, and electronic tax filing are all part of everyday life.
With Eesti.ai, the country wants to take the next step. The goal is to move from being a digital society to one that uses artificial intelligence across both the public and private sectors.
The programme was announced on 27 January 2026 by the Estonian prime minister together with several well-known tech founders. It is being run by the Government Office in cooperation with ministries, entrepreneurs, and international experts.
The plan is to introduce AI across a wide range of fields, including industry, education, healthcare, finance, energy, transport, and security.
Why Estonia is investing heavily in AI
One of the main reasons behind Eesti.ai is demographic pressure. Estonia’s population is both shrinking and ageing, which means fewer people are available to fill jobs.
At the same time, global competition for talent is increasing. The government sees AI as a practical solution to this challenge. By automating routine work and supporting human decision-making, the same number of people can create more value.
In short, the idea is to help people focus on higher-value work while machines handle repetitive tasks.
Big economic goals for the next decade
The targets behind Eesti.ai are ambitious. The government wants to double the value of work in Estonia by 2035.
To get there, the plan aims for:
- A 25% increase in GDP within five years
- Around 50% growth, or about €20 billion, by 2035
These numbers show just how strongly the government believes technology can drive economic growth. The core idea is that if AI helps people work more efficiently, the economy can keep growing even with a smaller workforce.
How the programme will actually run
Eesti.ai is designed to operate more like a startup than a traditional government programme. An international advisory council reports directly to the prime minister. The advisory council includes several well-known Estonian tech entrepreneurs and they are expected to meet for the first time in April 2026 and then continue on a quarterly basis.
Instead of funding dozens of small projects, the programme will focus on a few high-impact initiatives. These will likely be in areas where AI can quickly improve productivity, such as manufacturing, education, healthcare, energy, transport, and finance.
Most of these projects will be run as public-private partnerships, combining the expertise of businesses, universities, and the state.
Building on Estonia’s existing digital foundations
Eesti.ai is not starting from scratch. It builds on several existing programmes and systems.
One example is AI Leap, a government initiative that gives tens of thousands of high school students and teachers access to AI tools. The goal is to create a workforce that is comfortable using AI in everyday work.
There are also public-sector AI projects already in use, such as tools that summarise documents or transcribe court hearings while keeping humans involved in the final decisions.
All of this is supported by Estonia’s strong data infrastructure. The X-Road system connects public and private databases securely and by combining AI with this digital foundation, Estonia hopes to create solutions that are difficult for other countries to replicate.
Funding, timeline, and leadership
The Government Office will first review existing support schemes and EU funding options. Additional resources may be secured during the spring-summer 2026 budget revision.
In the early stages, projects will mostly be financed through existing programmes.
Operational leadership of Eesti.ai has been given to Kirke Maar, the former head of strategy at Tallinn University of Technology and leader of AI & Robotics Estonia.
What this means if you want to start a business in Estonia
So what does Eesti.ai mean in practice for founders and entrepreneurs?
In general, the business environment is likely to become even more efficient and founder-friendly.
Faster and more helpful government services
Estonia already offers online company registration, digital signatures, and e-tax filing. With Eesti.ai, those services are expected to become smarter and easier to use.
Less time spent on paperwork means more time for building your product or finding customers.
A workforce that understands AI
Programmes like AI Leap are training tens of thousands of students and teachers to use AI tools.
For founders, this means access to employees who are already comfortable working with automation, data, and modern digital tools.
More opportunities to test and collaborate
The government wants entrepreneurs to be involved in the programme. Pilot projects and partnerships are expected in areas like manufacturing, healthcare, energy, and finance. If your product fits one of these areas, there may be opportunities to test it with real users and receive support from the state.
A realistic and practical framework
It’s important to keep expectations realistic. Eesti.ai is designed to make the business environment more efficient, but it does not automatically give you funding, a bank account, or a visa.
You will still need to meet the normal requirements for tax residency, banking, and immigration if you plan to move to Estonia.
What the programme does offer is a more efficient, data-driven environment with fewer administrative hurdles and more chances to collaborate.
Final thoughts
Eesti.ai shows that Estonia is not planning to stand still. The country built its reputation on digital services, and now it wants to apply artificial intelligence across the whole economy.
The programme is ambitious, and many details are still being worked out. But the overall direction is clear. Estonia is aiming for smarter public services, more automation, and closer cooperation between the government and the private sector.
If this has you considering Estonia for your next venture, we can help with company formation, ongoing management, and accounting every step of the way! Contact us to discuss your options!
