The Art of Digitalisation

Hosted by e-Estonia Briefing Centre

Technology News

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Episodes

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

EN-GB

About the show

Welcome to The Art of Digitalisation, a podcast brought to you by one of the most digital countries on earth, e-Estonia. Directly from the heart of the e-Estonia secret headquarters. Or briefing centre as we actually call it. In every episode, we bring you digitalisation experts from across the globe, sharing their expertise and advice on how they transformed businesses, governments, and more, using innovation through technology. Whether you’re taking your first steps on your own digitalisation journey, want captivating insights from renowned experts, or love some Estonian straight-faced humour, this is the podcast for you.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 13, 2026Episode 747 min

What makes a city smart?

When we think about the future, we often imagine smarter cities: places where technology helps solve everyday challenges, from mobility and energy use to sustainability and public services. But what does a smart city actually look like in practice? To answer that question, we have invited to the episode two specialists from the FinEst Centre for Smart Cities, which is an international research and development centre. The FinEst Centre is an independent organisation under Tallinn University of Technology. The guests are Prof. Ralf-Martin Soe Founding Director and Assistant Professor, and Külle Tärnov, MBA and Assistant and Head of Innovation at the FinEst Centre.

September 23, 2026Episode 649 min

AI agents and the future of digital government

What happens when AI agents start acting on our behalf and become users of government services themselves? In this episode, Priit Liivak, Chief Government Technology Officer at Nortal , explores what the rise of AI agents could mean for digital government. From identity and authorisation to privacy, accountability and digital sovereignty, the conversation looks at what governments need to get right before handing more tasks over to AI. And in a country where digital identity and interoperability are already well established, could Estonia provide a glimpse of what an agent-enabled state might look like?

June 16, 2026Episode 532 min

Human connection in a digital society

In this episode, we explore what happens to human connection in an increasingly digital world. Nesli Hazal Oktay , Associate Professor of Interaction Design at the Estonian Academy of Arts (EKA), explains why efficiency should not always be the main goal of digital services and how concepts such as “remote intimacy” and intentional friction can help preserve meaningful relationships. The conversation looks at how Estonia’s digital society balances convenience with human needs, why small everyday interactions still matter, and how designers can help create more empathetic and human-centred public services.

May 19, 2026Episode 449 min

Learning, AI, and Estonia’s education success

In this episode, we explore why Estonia’s education system continues to attract global attention - from top PISA results to digital learning and AI in schools. Kai Koort from Education Estonia and the Education and Youth Board explains how teacher autonomy, inclusive education, creativity, and a strong growth mindset shape student success. The conversation also looks at Estonia’s balanced approach to digitalisation, the growing international interest in Estonian kindergartens, and how the AI Leap initiative is pushing schools to rethink learning, teaching, and future skills in the age of artificial intelligence.

April 20, 2026Episode 345 min

Fixing regulation to unlock innovation

In this episode, we explore how governments can enable innovation by adapting regulation to keep pace with technological change. Johanna-Kadri Kuusk speaks with Olari Püvi and Oliver Rätsep from Accelerate Estonia about how regulatory barriers are identified and redesigned to help new ideas reach the market. The episode also features insights from Sidsel Bülow Skovborg , Digitalisation Councillor at the Danish Embassy of London, recorded at the Global Government Forum in London. Together, the discussions highlight how small states can act as testing grounds for scalable solutions, why public–private cooperation matters, and how trust, infrastructure, and clear strategy shape successful digital governance. We’ve also got a quick invitation: Digit x PyCon 2026 , a one-day software engineering conference, takes place in Tartu on October 9 . The event brings together talks, workshops, and hands-on sessions focused on how AI and LLMs are changing software development in practice. More information: digit.dev.

March 16, 2026Episode 257 min

Cybersecurity, phishing, and digital resilience

In this episode, we explore how the cyber threat landscape is evolving in an increasingly digital society. Gert Auväärt , Director of Cyber Security at the Estonian Information System Authority (RIA), explains why cybersecurity has become a basic requirement for individuals, businesses, and governments alike. Together with Urmo Keskel , Co-founder of Phishbite , the discussion looks at the rise of scams and phishing attacks, how AI is making fraud more convincing, and why human awareness is often the weakest link in cyber defence. The episode highlights practical steps organisations and individuals can take to improve cyber hygiene and strengthen resilience in a world where digital threats continue to grow.

February 17, 2026Episode 154 min

Rethinking learning in the age of AI

In this episode, we explore Estonia’s AI Leap and what it means for learning in the age of artificial intelligence. Through conversations with teachers, programme leaders, and an educational psychologist, we look at how AI is already changing classroom practices, assessment, and student skills. The episode examines how the initiative is being rolled out nationwide, why guidance and shared rules matter, and how AI can support learning without replacing the thinking process itself.

December 18, 2025Episode 1244 min

How digital systems make business easier

In this episode, we examine what truly makes it easy to start, run, and scale a business in a digital society. Ivar Merilo , serial entrepreneur and founder of Waybiller , explains how removing paper-based workflows and designing systems around shared data can eliminate entire layers of unnecessary work. He discusses why Estonia’s digital state and public–private cooperation create a uniquely supportive environment for innovation, what still needs to change in public procurement, and how AI is reshaping productivity without removing the need for human judgment.

December 4, 2025Episode 1138 min

Insights for the UK’s eID debate from Estonian experience

In this special episode, we examine what happens when a country with decades of digital-state experience meets a nation only beginning to debate digital identity. Estonia’s Chief Information Officer, Lauri Luht, and long-time e-Residency advocate Adam Rang, unpack the UK’s sudden pivot toward eID, the misconceptions shaping public fears, and the practical realities behind privacy, data protection and cyber resilience. They explain why digital identity is not a threat to civil liberties but a prerequisite for transparency, how trust is built through consent and accountability, and why culturally aligned design, not “one-size-fits-all” solutions, determines success. The conversation also explores the soft-power impact of Estonia’s digital reputation and the opportunities that a well-implemented eID unlocks for both citizens and the private sector.

November 23, 2025Episode 1040 min

Cyber command: defending a digital society

In this episode, we explore how national defence changes when society itself becomes digital. Mikk Tikk, Deputy Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces Cyber Command and lead mentor at NATO DIANA, explains why cyber security protects a way of life rather than just infrastructure. He outlines how redundancy, joint exercises, and close cooperation with the private sector shape modern defence, why Cyber Command must be ready to operate without the internet, and how innovation, from AI to drones and space-based networks, is redefining both threats and capabilities.