Estonian PM: Europe needs the ability to build AI power, not just buy it
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal used the opening of the Tallinn Digital Summit to urge Europe to develop its own AI capabilities and avoid a repeat of its dependence on Russian energy. He also signed, with leaders of more than 30 countries, a call for oversight of the most powerful AI models.
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal (Reform Party) said on Thursday at the opening of the Tallinn Digital Summit that Europe must build its own artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities rather than rely on technology from other countries and companies. He argued that Europe needs to move faster so it does not become dependent solely on technologies developed elsewhere.
Michal noted that Europe has already paid a high price for depending on Russian energy and must not repeat that mistake in the tech sector. Estonia wants to be at the forefront of adopting new solutions and shaping AI's future, he said, but that requires both domestic capabilities and close international cooperation. He said action is needed on three fronts: power, trust and security.
European investment and trust
The prime minister welcomed the EU's plan to invest €200 billion in AI, including the construction of gigafactories. He added that companies also need easier access to financing and investment in Europe.
Estonia's AI approach builds on the principles behind its digital society, aiming to make technology useful and accessible to as many people as possible. Michal presented the Eesti.ai initiative, launched by the government earlier this year. It aims to improve AI skills among 100,000 working-age Estonian residents by the end of 2027 and to support AI-related projects in healthcare, education and public services. Estonia is also drawing up rules for the safe adoption of AI agents, again building on its existing digital identification system and online services.
An international call
Michal stressed that no country can shape the future of AI alone and that international cooperation is essential to keeping the technology under control. He described this as a matter of shared security. Together with leaders from more than 30 countries and the European Commission, he signed the Call for Control of Frontier AI Models, which seeks stronger international cooperation to ensure oversight of the most powerful AI systems. The Estonian leader invited other countries to join the call.
