According to Ago Luberg, a lecturer at TalTech's School of IT and the programme director for the Informatics and Artificial Intelligence bachelor's programme, the IT sector is facing a shortage of high-level experts capable of developing, evaluating, and managing AI systems.

“In the future, deep knowledge of artificial intelligence and the skills to create and develop it in various fields will become indispensable in the IT sector,” explained Luberg. "Artificial intelligence is the greatest driver of innovation in the first quarter of this century, and soon we will see solutions in Estonian companies that we cannot even imagine today. However, for technology to develop in the desired direction, we need knowledgeable and competent AI leadership at all levels."

Labour Market Needs and Shortage of Specialists

This aligns with the findings of the latest labour market assessment by OSKA, which indicates that to maintain and grow the competitiveness of Estonia's economy, there is a pressing need for specialists with modern ICT solution development skills at all levels of employment.

According to the study, the number of workers in core ICT roles across the economy and public sector is projected to grow by at least 1.5 times by 2027. Across ICT and other economic sectors, as well as the public sector, more than 2,600 new ICT specialists will be needed annually.

One such field is neural networks. Luberg pointed out that many of us already interact with neural networks, for example, through ChatGPT. Artificial intelligence, however, has the potential to bring a qualitative leap in almost every area—from medicine to the defence industry.

There is already a demand for specialists who can understand and further develop these topics, and this need will only grow in the future.

Ando Saabas, head of Microsoft Estonia's AI development team, stated that AI has become integral to all company products and work processes.

“Nearly all programmers use tools like GitHub Copilot, and AI tools are similarly built into and used in Office and elsewhere,” said Saabas. He also noted that, beyond language models, artificial intelligence is deeply embedded in many products—for example, improving audio or video quality in conference calls or detecting cyberattacks in servers.

Career Opportunities in IT and AI

For those considering a career in IT and aspiring to work at companies like Microsoft, strong programming and problem-solving skills, as well as foundational knowledge in key computer science areas such as databases, compilers, algorithms, and machine learning, are essential.

While deep expertise in all these fields isn't expected, a strong foundational knowledge that enables quick learning and adaptation is a significant advantage for a successful candidate.

Saabas emphasised that studying informatics and artificial intelligence provides solid foundational knowledge in a field that is increasingly critical to society. “Programmers and AI specialists have vast career opportunities. Even if someone changes their field later, the skills gained are invaluable. Most industries are so intertwined with IT that the knowledge will always be useful,” Saabas affirmed.

Nominated for the “Teacher of the Year” award and popular among students, programme director Ago Luberg acknowledged that rapid technological advancements demand greater flexibility and adaptability from the higher education system.

“Innovative skills must be taught in innovative ways, and that’s why we place a strong emphasis on learner-centred approaches. A bachelor’s degree is, of course, the first step, but it’s an essential foundation for achieving greater things in IT,” added Luberg.

A Learner-Focused and Practical Curriculum

The programme bridges higher education with labour market needs not only in terms of content but also through its learner-focused approach.

The “Informatics and Artificial Intelligence” curriculum was developed with input from educational psychologists to offer a more flexible and student-friendly learning experience alongside scientific knowledge. The programme includes project-based courses that allow students to apply their knowledge in practical situations and prepare them for real-world professional challenges.

In addition to technical knowledge, the programme also focuses on developing essential skills such as teamwork and project management, which are highly valued by employers.

The bachelor's programme is a significant opportunity for students to acquire specialised knowledge in a rapidly growing field. The programme will be taught in Estonian, making it particularly accessible to native speakers who wish to gain expertise in artificial intelligence while studying in their own language.