Estonia: AI Leap Initiative Revolutionizes Education

Estonia has launched the AI Leap 2025 initiative, a comprehensive program aimed at integrating artificial intelligence into the national education system. Starting in September 2025, approximately 20,000 high school students (grades 10–11) and 3,000 teachers will gain access to AI-powered learning applications. The initiative will expand in 2026 to include vocational schools and new 10th-grade students, reaching an additional 38,000 students and 2,000 teachers.

Developed through public-private collaboration, AI Leap builds upon Estonia's legacy of digital innovation in education, dating back to the 1997 Tiigrihüpe (Tiger Leap) program. The current initiative emphasizes the use of smartphones as educational tools, contrasting with policies in other European countries that restrict mobile device usage in schools.

Education Minister Kristina Kallas highlighted that the program aims to enhance critical thinking and digital literacy among students, preparing them for an AI-driven future. The initiative also includes teacher training focused on digital ethics and self-directed learning. By 2027, AI Leap is expected to equip 58,000 students and 5,000 teachers with advanced AI tools, positioning Estonia as a global pioneer in AI-enabled education.