Cooperation and contacts of AI expert groups
University of Tartu researchers, teaching staff, support staff and students participate in a wide range of AI-related initiatives aimed at developing reliable solutions, supporting businesses in adopting new technologies, and promoting the ethical and meaningful use of AI in society.
The Estonian Centre of Excellence in AI is one of the key collaboration platforms in the field of AI in Estonia. It is led by the University of Tartu Institute of Computer Science and focuses on both core AI technologies and applications in areas such as healthcare, education, e-governance, cybersecurity, and business processes. The centre is headed by Professor of Artificial Intelligence Meelis Kull.
The Estonian Scientific Computing Infrastructure is a nationwide e-infrastructure that brings together computing resources, data storage, network solutions, software and support services. It also includes server facilities with the necessary energy supply and cooling systems.
ETAIS provides technical support, cloud services, high-performance computing solutions, hosting and management of web applications related to research, and resources for data repositories. It also enables access to the fastest supercomputer in the Nordic countries, LUMI (Large Unified Modern Infrastructure), located in Finland.
AI Leap is an educational innovation programme that supports purposeful learning and helps the education system adapt to the age of artificial intelligence.
AI & Robotics Estonia primarily helps small and medium-sized enterprises in the Estonian industrial sector adopt AI and robotics solutions. The University of Tartu contributes to AIRE through research and development collaboration, training, demo projects and knowledge transfer to businesses. Through AIRE, companies can test new solutions at the university and explore ways of applying AI in practice.
The AI Ethics Collaboration Network brings together stakeholders working in the fields of AI and ethics in Estonia. It was initiated by the University of Tartu Centre for Ethics and aims to foster collaboration, support the responsible use of AI, and help assess related ethical risks. The University of Tartu contributes to the network through the expertise of both the Centre for Ethics and the Institute of Computer Science.
The Center for Digital Text Scholarship, operating within the Centre for Digital Humanities, is funded by the European Commission through a project running from 2025 to 2030. It focuses on computational text analysis, with the aim of studying textual similarity, intertextuality, information flow between texts and related issues. In addition, DigiTS enhances learning opportunities in digital humanities at the University of Tartu and supports the use of AI. It organises a monthly seminar series AI‑teh to introduce applications of AI in the humanities and social sciences.
The University of Tartu natural language processing research group develops language technology solutions for Estonian and other languages, including machine translation, speech synthesis and natural language processing models. In this field, the university’s role is particularly important, as developing high-quality AI-based applications for languages with fewer speakers is both scientifically and socially essential.
The Natural & Artificial Intelligence Lab is a research laboratory within the University of Tartu Institute of Computer Science. It combines AI, deep learning, neuroscience, physics and psychology. The work carried out in NAIL contributes to a better understanding of both the human brain and the development of more intelligent and explainable AI systems.
The University of Tartu Autonomous Driving Lab supports the development of autonomous driving and intelligent transport solutions in Estonia. It provides an environment for testing self-driving vehicles and conducts research and development in autonomous systems, machine learning and robotics.
The DeepTech Startup Network is a national collaboration initiative through which the state is investing over €12 million into the development of deep tech entrepreneurship. The objective is to build strong, research-based companies, create high-tech jobs, and use early public investment to attract more private capital in later stages.
In addition to research and development activities, the University of Tartu helps broaden public understanding of AI. For example, the university organises seminars on data science and AI, bringing together researchers, entrepreneurs, public-sector representatives and students. This way, it helps translate knowledge about AI from research laboratories into practical applications and supports the readiness of Estonian society and the economy to adopt new technologies.
University of Tartu AI steering group
The AI steering group established at the University of Tartu coordinates the development, updating and alignment of objectives, principles and action plans for the use of AI. It also promotes these objectives, principles and action plans, supports their implementation, and makes proposals regarding the resources required.
Members of the AI steering group are
University of Tartu AI ambassadors
Since 2026, the University of Tartu has a network of AI ambassadors. This brings together staff from all faculties whose role is to share best practices within sub-units, act as contact persons, and support programme directors and academic staff in their units in the informed and purposeful integration of AI into teaching.
Members of the AI ambassadors network are
Faculty of Arts and Humanities
- Institute of History and Archaeology: Hanna-Riin Karu, Marge Konsa
- Institute of Estonian and General Linguistics: Helen Hint
- Institute of Philosophy and Semiotics: Vivian Puusepp, Auli Viidalepp
- Institute of Cultural Research: Pihla Maria Siim
- Institute of Foreign Languages and Cultures: Anneli Sigus, Liina Tammekänd
- School of Theology and Religious Studies: Atko Sulhan Remmel
- Viljandi Culture Academy: Taavet Jansen, Eilika Mätas, Themuri Sulamanidze, Kristiina Urb
Faculty of Medicine
- Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine: Uku Haljasorg, Lumme Kadaja-Änilane, Anti Kalda, Janek Urvik
- Institute of Pharmacy: Liis Preem
- Institute of Dentistry: Triin Marandi
- Institute of Clinical Medicine: Oliver Taul
- Institute of Family Medicine and Public Health: Kalle Kipper
- Institute of Sport Sciences and Physiotherapy: Henri Tilga
- Support at Dean's Office of Faculty of Medicine: Neeme Ilves
Faculty of Science and Technology
- Institute of Computer Science: Heili Orav, Alo Peets, Sulev Reisberg, Ardi Tampuu
- Institute of Physics: Toomas Plank
- Institute of Chemistry: Karmen Lust, Pilleriin Peets
- Institute of Mathematics and Statistics: Anastassia Kolde, Tiina KraavInstitute of Molecular and Cell Biology: Age Brauer
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences: Mikk Espenberg, Triinu Jairus, Jaanis Lodjak, Janari Teessar
Faculty of Social Sciences
- Institute of Education: Maia Lust
- Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies: Heiko Pääbo
- School of Economics and Business Administration: Raul Omel, Triinu Pihus
- Institute of Psychology: Toivo Aavik, Iiris Tuvi
- School of Law: Age Värv
- Institute of Social Studies: Hanna Kerstina Kartau, Maris Männiste, Marko Uibu
- Narva College: Maria Žuravljova, Erika Lorents, Katrin Helendi
- Pärnu College: Gözell Haug, Sandra Peegel, Kaisa Raadik, Tiina Tamm, Urve Tammann, Riina Tomast
