Latitude59: it is a celebration of innovation, a spark for brave ideas

Good morning, everyone, and welcome to Tallinn. 

It is a true delight to open this gathering of brilliant minds, bold thinkers, and passionate dreamers. 

Latitude59 is a celebration of innovation, a spark for brave ideas, and an invitation to dream big. Here, we imagine not just the future, but how we will build it together.

We find ourselves at a fascinating and challenging moment. The global economy has been rattled by waves of disruption – from pandemics and energy uncertainty to shifting geopolitical tides. And now, more than ever, we are witnessing the slow unraveling of open global trade, as new restrictions and barriers rise.

Yes, some of these barriers may open short-term opportunities. But let us not lose sight of the bigger picture. Trade barriers ultimately hold back entrepreneurs, limit market potential, and make us all poorer. That is why we in Europe must increase competitiveness – and our technology sector is one of our greatest engines for doing so.

This conference is a chance to unleash our imaginations. Let us dream of technologies and solutions that might sound bold or even impossible today – but that, with courage and collaboration, can be made real tomorrow.

Estonia’s own journey proves what is possible. We are a digital society where nearly every public service is just a few clicks away. But this did not happen in a vacuum. It happened because the public and private sectors joined forces. And now, Estonian tech firms are helping others around the world go digital too.

Just yesterday, we had the honour of welcoming the President of Botswana. And yes – Botswana’s tax systems run on digital platforms developed by Estonian companies. Thirty years ago, even we might have thought this was out of reach. Today, it is our new normal.

We are also reimagining education. Estonia has launched the “AI Leap” initiative, bringing artificial intelligence tools to high school classrooms and training teachers to use them. 

Our students are already engaging with AI. Now we are helping them do it in ways that enhance learning and open up new possibilities.

Even though Estonia ranks among the best in global education comparisons like PISA, we are not standing still. We are moving forward, guided by the belief that the next generation deserves even better.

Let me now ask: can we build digital solutions that strengthen the European Single Market?

Waiting for sweeping reform across all Member States can take decades. But perhaps digital innovation can get us there faster. How can we make it easier for companies to expand across borders? How can we improve access to credit in other Member States, even if a true Capital Markets Union is still in the making?

These are not just policy questions – they are design challenges for the innovators and technologists in this room.

There is another area where we need a breakthrough: the use of data. Too often, the public sector and researchers face more obstacles than tech companies do. Social media platforms know incredible amounts about each of us.

Data regulations were meant to rein in the power of big corporations – to stop them from collecting our information unchecked. That was the right intention. 

But in practice, it is often the public sector that has been most restricted. Instead of levelling the playing field, the rules have sometimes tied the hands of those trying to serve the public good.

So let us ask: can we build a future where governments use data as effectively –and responsibly – as the private sector? Can the experience of dealing with public services be as smooth and personalised as clicking an ad?

If we use data wisely, we can make smarter public decisions, automate processes, and deliver better outcomes for people. This is not about giving up our privacy. It is about being smart, secure, and respectful of our rights as we modernise the way we govern.

And while we imagine how technology can improve our daily lives, let us also ask: how can technology be used to increase our sense of security? How can digital innovation contribute to a stronger, more resilient Europe?

This is where the defence sector comes into view. New technologies are rapidly reshaping the future of defence and security. 

The same spirit of creativity that powers our startups can help build solutions that strengthen deterrence, bolster resilience, and protect the values we hold dear. The question is not whether we can contribute, but how fast and how boldly we are willing to do so.

Once again, welcome to Estonia and welcome to Latitude59.

And now I ask you: What is it that you dream of?

Thank you.