“AI has become a key issue for countries and heads of government,” he noted. “There is no restricting development. Instead, it must be guided, and a balance struck. We must provide a safe environment and put technology to work for the benefit of people.”
The head of state issued a caveat to the development of AI leading to new and far-reaching opportunities. “That also requires us to take shared responsibility,” he cautioned. “By cooperating across borders, we must ensure that the use of AI is safe, responsible and people-centred, and that everyone benefits from its potential.”
President Karis added that as a digital nation, Estonia has something of a head start in this race. “Our AI Leap education programme has attracted a great deal of attention and garnered a lot of positive support,” he explained.
It is on this topic that the head of state delivered the opening address at the Digital Cooperation Day event and took part in a discussion on children’s rights and AI. He also attended a meeting of heads of state and technology experts and opened a discussion, co-organised by Estonia, on the safe, responsible and people-centred use of AI.
Estonia, alongside El Salvador, is leading the first UN global dialogue on AI governance, while in collaboration with UNICEF it is also sharing its experience of educational innovation.
Gallery (Office of the President/Raigo Pajula): https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD5q7a
