During the visit, the Dean of the School of IT, Professor Gert Jervan, emphasised that AI extends far beyond IT—it is inherently interdisciplinary. “At the university, we are integrating AI solutions into both education and research. In collaboration with the AIRE Centre, dozens of Estonian industrial enterprises have been piloting AI solutions to create and grow businesses,” he added.

TalTech’s Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, Ingrid Pappel, noted that the university has already established both activities and a framework for integrating AI. “We know how to empower both teaching staff and students for AI. For example, we have a number of academia leaders who serve as exemplars in this field, and we collaborate with other Estonian universities to share best practices,” Pappel said.

President Karis was also introduced to the activities of the AI Centre of Excellence (AIRE) and to TalTech’s new Bachelor’s programme in Informatics and Artificial Intelligence. Sven Nõmm, the Centre’s director, explained that the centre supports the university’s research groups in drafting scientific project proposals and maintains contact with public sector organisations to ensure that AI solutions are effectively incorporated into our digital state.

Ago Luberg, the programme director for the Informatics and Artificial Intelligence degree, provided an overview of the need for and process of creating the new programme. Luberg explained how AI is integrated across courses and into the work of teaching staff and students. “For example, AI helps educators efficiently provide feedback on student work, and we have even created a chatbot assistant that students can interact with as needed to progress in their studies,” he described.

At the end of the meeting, the focus shifted to the AI Centre of Excellence’s work, and Karl Pärtel, founder of Raiku Packaging Ltd, presented a packaging material made from wooden slats that offers an alternative to bubble wrap.