Estonian State Chancellery Announces €5 Million Tender for AI Training Under Eesti.ai Initiative

The Estonian State Chancellery has announced a €5 million tender for training residents in artificial intelligence. The tender is part of the government's Eesti.ai initiative, launched in January, which aims to drive economic growth through AI.

The tender is divided into four parts, covering the organization and delivery of in-person and online training, as well as larger events. The training program consists of two four-hour masterclasses tailored to different skill levels: 65% for those already using AI, 30% for beginners, and 5% for advanced users.

Plans call for at least 100,000 working-age Estonian residents aged 18 and over to participate in a masterclass or short course in 2026–2027. At least 75% of the masterclasses will be held in person, and training will be organized across all Estonian counties. Service providers will be responsible not only for content but also for participant recruitment, marketing, registration, feedback collection, and reporting.

The program is part of the "Most AI Literate Nation" initiative, which aims to boost Estonia's productivity and increase the use of AI in both the workplace and the public sector. The tender follows a three-month pilot phase from April to June, designed to gather feedback on the most suitable training formats.

Prime Minister Kristen Michal has said the initiative could grow Estonia's economy by 25% in five years. Eesti.ai team leader Kirke Maar noted that 2026 is just a launch year, so it will not be realistic to measure the initiative's economic impact by year's end.

In June, the initiative received €11 million from the supplementary state budget, of which €5.2 million was allocated to the State Chancellery for implementing the "Most AI Literate Nation" skills development program.