Estonia Embraces AI in Schools While Others Ban Phones

Estonia’s Digital-First Approach to Education

Estonia stands out in Europe’s education scene by integrating smartphones and artificial intelligence into classrooms, rather than banning them. While many countries restrict mobile phone use in schools due to concerns about distraction and mental health, Estonia encourages students to use their devices as learning tools.

The country, with a population of 1.4 million, ranks at the top in Europe for math, science, and creative thinking according to the latest OECD Pisa results. Its educational success is partly due to its strong focus on digital skills and technology adoption in schools.

AI Leap: Preparing Students and Teachers for the Future

Starting this September, Estonia will provide 16- and 17-year-olds with personal AI accounts as part of the national AI Leap initiative. The program aims to equip 58,000 students and 5,000 teachers with advanced AI tools and skills by 2027. Teachers will receive training on technology use, self-directed learning, digital ethics, and AI literacy, with a focus on equity in education.

Licenses with OpenAI are being negotiated to make Estonia a pilot country for AI integration in schools. Officials emphasize that this effort will help Estonia become one of the smartest AI-using nations, emphasizing meaningful use rather than just technology saturation.

Smartphone Use as Part of Education

Kristina Kallas, Estonia’s Minister of Education and Research, explains that mobile phones are a natural extension of the country’s digital education policy. Schools set their own rules, but in general, phones are used during lessons when required by teachers for assignments or exercises. Use of phones during breaks is typically restricted.

Kallas highlights the connection between civic engagement and technology, noting that 16-year-olds can vote online in local elections using their smartphones. She argues it would be contradictory to ban phones in schools while encouraging young people to participate in elections digitally.

Building on a Legacy of Digital Investment

Estonia’s confidence in digital tools stems from the 1997 Tiigrihüpe (Tiger Leap) program, which invested heavily in computers and internet infrastructure for schools. This foundation has allowed Estonia to move quickly with emerging technologies like AI.

Kallas points out that AI will change traditional education methods, moving away from memorization and written essays toward oral exams and higher cognitive skill development. The country sees this shift as urgent, aiming to prepare young people to think critically and creatively in an AI-enhanced world.

For educators interested in AI integration and digital learning tools, exploring practical AI courses can provide valuable support in adapting to these changes. Resources like Complete AI Training offer courses tailored for education professionals seeking to build AI literacy in their schools.