Estonia to Roll Out ChatGPT Edu for all Secondary Schools
In a nationwide artificial intelligence program dubbed "AI Leap 2025," the country of Estonia plans to provide free access to leading AI applications for all secondary school students and teachers. The initiative will launch with a rollout of ChatGPT Edu to 20,000 high school students in grades 10-11 and their 3,000 teachers, beginning Sept. 1.
Implementation will be handled by an AI Leap Foundation to be established this spring, co-founded by the Estonian government and the private sector. Teacher training will be provided in the fall, and negotiations are in progress with OpenAI and Anthropic to integrate their AI applications into Estonia's education system, with plans to add other tools as well.
AI Leap 2025 builds on Estonia's historic Tiger Leap initiative, which brought computer and internet to all of the country's schools 30 years ago, President Alar Karis explained in a news announcement. "Just as the Tiger Leap program initiated the development of e-Estonia, for which we are still known internationally today, we are now starting a new chapter in the development of our education system and digital society," he noted. "Artificial intelligence has permanently changed the world, and like all sectors, the education system must adapt to these changes. By implementing the best available technology in the education system and making learning not only smarter but also more personalized with it, it will help Estonia become the world's smartest nation. This way AI Leap helps smart solutions to reach all sectors and increase the international breakthrough capability of Estonians and the Estonian economy."
After the initial deployment in September, the plan is to expand the program to vocational schools and new incoming 10th grade students the following year — an increase of 38,000 additional students and 2,000 teachers.
"Estonia's economic competitiveness depends on how well we can prepare young people for the age of artificial intelligence," commented Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas. "In order for AI to support not only learning but also our economic growth, we will invest strongly in teacher training as part of the AI Leap. Well-prepared teachers will be able to implement AI capabilities smartly in schools."
"In the future job market, the advantaged will not be those who can use AI the most, but those who can use it the smartest," added Linnar Viik, co-founder of AI Leap and one of the original architects of Tiger Leap. "The education system cannot ignore or ban new technologies. Instead, schools must lead the implementation of technology by providing a supportive framework."
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Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].