e-Estonia 2023 wrapped

We explore the intersection of defence and digital innovation, shedding light on how modern technology is transforming national security. Our discussions will traverse the realms of AI-driven defence strategies, drone technology, and human oversight's vital role in the automation age. James Acuna, Former CIA Senior Operations Officer discusses the integration of AI and drone technologies in defense, emphasizing the crucial role of human oversight to mitigate the risks inherent in autonomous systems. Ingvar Pärnamäe, CEO of Vegvisir shares his transition from a long career at the Estonian Ministry of Defence to leading a defence tech startup, Vegvisir, which innovates with AR and VR to improve battlefield situational awareness. Kadri Tammai, Regional Director NATO DIANA explains NATO DIANA’s mission to accelerate defence-related innovation, emphasising support for dual-use technologies that serve both civilian and military purposes. 

This time we focus on educational transformations and innovative approaches to integrate technology in learning environments. Taavi Kotka, Estonia's first Chief Information Officer,  discusses his initiative "Unicorn Squad." Initiative that aims to encourage girls in Estonia to pursue education in programming, robotics, and technology. Anthony Kilcoyne from Oide, elaborates on digital strategies in Irish education. Gives his insights into how digital tools are incorporated into Irish classrooms and the future of educational technologies offer a broader perspective on the global digital education landscape. Riho Västrik a producer of Estonian TV show "Rocket 69" . A TV show which promotes STEM among youth through engaging challenges and competitions, making science and technology appealing to younger audiences. As a special bonus, former Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance, Investment & Trade of the Turks & Caicos Islands, E. Jay Saunders, discusses the challenges faced during the early stages of government digitalisation. 

Explore transformative education through technology, featuring insights from Sten Kapten of Estonia's Ministry of Education and Research, Kevin Emeraldi, COO at GovTech Edu Indonesia, and Lauri Haav, CEO of kood/Jõhvi. Discover how Estonia and Indonesia are leveraging AI and digital solutions to enhance learning experiences and prepare students for a tech-driven future. Delve into the innovative approaches that are shaping the future of global education.Related article:https://e-estonia.com/pisa-test-2022-results-estonian-students-rank-high-in-europe/More about kood/Jõhvi:https://kood.tech/

The latest podcast episode delves into global digital infrastructures and the implementation of a unified EU digital wallet initiative.How countries like New Zealand admire and seek to emulate Estonia’s digital advancements to potentially transform their own digital landscapes by 2040. Yogesh Hirdaramani, a senior reporter from GovInsider, discussed various global initiatives in digital public infrastructure like  Singapore's Singpass platform and payment platforms in India.Michael Andrew Buckland from Cybernetica, speaks about the upcoming EU-wide digital wallet initiative (EIDAS2), which aims to streamline and secure digital identity management across member states by 2026-2027 and also talked about the public sector’s role in driving innovation.The article mentioned in the podcast:https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2024/04/prime-minister-christopher-luxon-wants-new-zealand-to-be-estonia.htmlhttps://investinestonia.com/report-generative-ai-can-boost-estonias-gdp-by-up-to-8-per[…]ent-minister-riisalo-potential-for-digital-disruption-aheadhttps://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2024/0402/Estonians-trust-their-government.-That-s-why-it-can-offer-advanced-services

In this podcast episode, we delve into the topics of digital democracy, gov tech and digital visionaries.More than 80 countries and more than half of the world´s population will go voting this year. But why has Estonia, since 2005, been one of the only countries with nationwide I-voting?Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Former President of Estonia, shares the reasons for the start of digital transformation in Estonia in the 1990s and his thoughts about the future of e-Estonia.Andrew Smith, product Director of Nortal, discusses the digitalisation processes in Saudi Arabia and Junior Product Designer Arwa Alamer talks about the Changemakers programme.Raido Kaju, Software Engineering Manager at the Nordic Institute for Interoperability Solutions (NIIS), speaks about new generations of interoperability, the data spaces, and the possible more considerable connectivity in the European Union.The Euronews article mentioned in the podcast: https://www.euronews.com/next/2024/03/05/future-of-electronic-voting-uncertain-amid-biggest-ballot-year-in-history 

We start the new podcast season with a little twist of the format. With our hosts, Digital Transformation Advisers Erika Piirmets and Carmen Raal, the talk still revolves around digitalisation. Still, we'll bring you more practical international examples worldwide and exciting news from govtech and innovation.Listen to the episode and hear:Skaidra Puodžiūnas, director of Government Relations at the Council of Canadian Innovators, reflects on what she learned from Estonia and how innovation and private-public collaboration function in Canada.Sigrit Siht, director of AI and Data in Digital Nation, shares insights from governments across the globe applying AI in their innovation.

In the first episode of 2024, we're thrilled to have Andres Raieste,  Senior Vice President of the Public Sector from Nortal, as we dive into the world of digital government services. Andres, with his background in shaping Estonia's digital government initiatives, offers insights into this field. We explore the journey from traditional to digital services, the nuances of digital identity, and the future of interoperable systems in governance. We delve into the challenges of digitalisation, including the impact of AI, the importance of supportive legislation, and the emerging concept of a post-digital era where personalised, efficient, and inclusive digital government is not just a possibility but a reality. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of technology, policy, and public service in the digital age. 

We end this year’s podcast season with a bang – as we bid farewell to 2023,  it’s time to reflect e-Estonia’s journey of the digitalisation landscape. We’ve outlined categories and nominees across various fields and the time has come to reveal the winners of each category. Trends, milestones and lessons learned both from the public and private sectors.  The special guest Sandra Särav, the Deputy Secretary General for Economy and Innovation at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, brings a spark to the conversation by guessing the winners.Best digital public serviceBest digital service from the private sectorAchievement of the yearThe newcomer of the yeare-Estonia Gazelle Country of the YearMaker of the yearThe lesson of the year

Dive into Estonia's digital transformation with a green twist in this podcast episode. Kädi Ristkok from Cleantech Estonia and Kaidi-Kerli Kärner from PwC discuss how Estonia, as a tech-savvy nation, unifies its digital governance with ambitious environmental goals, setting a new standard in sustainable development. From innovative case studies to insightful discussions on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, we explore Estonia's journey towards a digital and eco-friendly future. Perfect for enthusiasts of technology, sustainability, and forward-thinking governance. 

Our latest podcast episode, as well as the month of October, is dedicated to cybersecurity and raising awareness of cybersecurity. And who would be a better expert to tackle this vast and complex topic than Gert Auväärt, the head of the Cyber Security Centre at the Information System Authority. With extensive international experience in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he also served as the Deputy Head of the Estonian Permanent Mission to the UN in 2018, successfully advancing Estonia’s candidacy to the UN Security Council. In this engaging discussion, we delve into the significance of cybersecurity for individuals, countries, and enterprises.