Arunädal opening conference 'Safe AI: impact and responsibility'

How can AI be used cleverly and safely? Which risks should we consider and how do we manage them? Who is responsible when AI gets it wrong? What is the human role in a world where AI can do more and more? The Arunädal opening conference takes these questions up.

On 18 November, experts and entrepreneurs gather at the Estonian National Library to discuss the safe and responsible use of AI and its wider impact. We look at how to manage risks deliberately, what value AI creates for the Estonian economy, and how it changes work culture and society more broadly. The day has two main questions.

Part 1: how do we turn risks into opportunities? Based on the TI-Hüpe risk analysis, we cover the risks of AI and ways to prevent and manage them, talk about privacy and cybersecurity, and discuss how to keep human decision-making and responsibility when using AI. A panel on the ethical and legal dilemmas of AI closes the first half.

Part 2: what does adopting AI change in the Estonian economy and society? We look at how AI changes companies' work and, on the basis of experience and research, at its effect on productivity, jobs, skill needs and Estonia's competitiveness. We also discuss whether AI reduces or increases inequality, the role of big technology companies, and how to balance fast technological progress with responsible decisions.

Programme: 11:00 doors; 12:00 opening (Katrin Isotamm, head of the population strand of Eesti.ai); 12:15 introduction of TI-Hüpe (Ivo Visak); 12:30 main findings of the TI-Hüpe risk analysis (Margit Sutrop, Tartu University ethics centre); 12:45 privacy and cybersecurity (Tanel Mällo, Cybernetica); 13:10 panel 'Who is responsible when AI gets it wrong?' with Ivo Visak, Tanel Mällo, Katrin Laas-Mikko and Priit Lätt; 14:00 break; 14:30 'What changes in the company?'; 14:50 'Does AI make Estonia more productive?' (Mari-Klara Stein, TalTech); 15:05 dialogue 'What is left for people when intelligence becomes cheap?' (Kaspar Korjus and Daniel Vaarik); 15:40 panel on AI's effect on the Estonian economy and society; 16:20 closing. Moderated by Lembit Loo.

Free for registered participants; places are limited. The conference opens Arunädal, 18–22 November 2026. Organiser may change the programme.

Wednesday 18 November, 12:00–16:30, Estonian National Library, Tõnismägi 2, Tallinn.