Dr Meelis Kull
Tartu Ülikool
31.08.2023 No 26-5/2023/4077-1
Non-Binding Letter of Support: Estonian Centre of
Excellence in AI
Dear Dr. Kull,
The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications supports the initiative to establish an Estonian
Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence (EXAI) with the support of the Estonian Research Council.
Based on the strategic objectives of Estonian Digital Agenda 2030 and Government AI Strategy we support
EXAI focus on advancing innovative methodologies for (1) leveraging large language models in building
efficient and trustworthy analysis and prediction systems; (2) implementing control mechanisms and
guardrails to ensure that the advanced AI systems follow their specification; (3) adapting and enhancing AI
systems for improved performance in targeted application contexts while using Estonian language; and (4)
achieving end-to-end security and privacy assurance of AI systems.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications is responsible for developing e-governance in
Estonia and governing a wide set of economic development policies. AI, and particularly large language
models, are disruptive technologies that hold great potential for improving Estonian e-state solutions and
increasing the competitiveness of Estonian businesses. EXAI’s focus on researching and prototyping AI
systems that have been better adjusted for the Estonian language contexts and that follow higher security,
privacy, and transparency norms, as well as systems that have been adapted for domain specific usage,
would have great usage potential in digital service delivery in the public and private sector.
The establishment of EXAI would significantly contribute to the AI innovation ecosystem in Estonia and
beyond. We commend the initiative that helps develop AI solutions at highest scientific level in Estonian
ICT research.
I look forward to planning and starting concrete collaborative efforts once the EXAI Centre is in place.
With best regards,
(signed digitally)
Ahti Kuningas
Secretary General
Ott Velsberg
+372 56614194
[email protected]
Suur-Ameerika 1 / 10122 Tallinn / ESTONIA
Phone: +372 625 6342 / Fax: +372 631 3660 / E-mail:
[email protected] / http://www.mkm.ee