On 10 October, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna opened the second day of the Tallinn Digital Summit (TDS). This year’s conference focused on the impact of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies on global development, security, and the economy.
In his opening address, Minister Tsahkna emphasised that artificial intelligence has become a domain of strategic significance. “We are already witnessing how authoritarian regimes are using AI and automated digital solutions to divide societies, spread disinformation, violate privacy and security, and conduct hybrid attacks—posing a threat to global security,” he stated.
“The link between digital and cyber technologies and warfare is especially evident in Ukraine, where Russia’s cyberattacks on critical infrastructure form a substantial part of its brutal war machine. It is therefore essential that support for Ukraine also includes the cyber domain.” Tsahkna added that this was the impetus behind Estonia and its allies launching the Tallinn Mechanism in 2023, aimed at coordinating international cyber support to protect Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure.
The foreign minister stressed that in light of the rapid development of AI, transparency, responsible governance, and trustworthiness must be ensured. “The governance of AI must be grounded in the principles of international law, human rights, and democracy, safeguarding people’s safety and privacy. All violations committed in cyberspace must be met with equivalent penalties as those in the physical world,” Tsahkna said. “Regulating AI must be a joint endeavour among democratic nations, involving both public and private sector stakeholders to ensure the most inclusive and comprehensive governance framework.”
Minister Tsahkna highlighted Estonia’s role as a global leader in digital innovation over the past 30 years, with extensive experience in building and implementing a reliable and transparent digital governance system. He also reaffirmed Estonia’s readiness to actively contribute to shaping the international governance framework for artificial intelligence.
“Digital solutions must serve the citizen,” Tsahkna emphasised. “As we see great potential in the application of AI, we have set a national goal to integrate artificial intelligence into public services and to increase public awareness and skills in its use. We are always ready to share our e-state experience and knowledge of AI implementation with international partners.”
TDS brings together policymakers, technology experts, thought leaders, and entrepreneurs to discuss the most pressing issues in the digital and cyber world. The 2025 conference marks the eighth edition, with around 250 VIP guests and up to 1,000 experts from across the globe.
This year’s TDS is held in parallel with the high-level meeting of the Freedom Online Coalition (FOC). In 2025, Estonia also serves as chair of the FOC, focusing on sharing its e-governance experience and helping to reduce the global digital divide. Estonia actively advocates for freedom of expression in cyberspace and supports broad and unrestricted access to the internet.
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