AIRE gives thanks: alone you go faster, together you go further

AIRE Appreciation Event Brought Together Key People from Partners, Universities and Businesses
The AIRE appreciation event brought together key people from AIRE’s partners, universities and businesses to take stock of what has been achieved and look ahead to the future.

The AIRE appreciation event was more than just a gathering — it was a moment for the entire consortium to pause and take in just how much has been accomplished together. According to AIRE director Katre Eljas, the centre’s mission is clear: to bring artificial intelligence knowledge where it is truly needed — into industry and businesses, where it creates real impact.

The collaboration between businesses and researchers has delivered results, meaning tangible benefits for hundreds of companies — not just promises on paper. Across AIRE’s various projects, more than 300 clients and partners have been involved, €64 million in added value has been created, and over 200 people have participated in projects. Well-received reports have also been published, and looking ahead, collaboration continues to grow with new partner Tallinn University and the Adapter network.
Katre Eljas touched on a key challenge — how to keep AIRE sustainable beyond 2028, and how to keep pace with artificial intelligence that is no longer evolving over years or months, but days and weeks. This is precisely where researchers and universities play an irreplaceable role.

Real impact builds success and trust

TalTech rector Tiit Land highlighted AIRE’s tangible impact, noting that being selected as an accelerator for industrial companies last year was a deeply meaningful recognition. In his view, companies should invest more in research and development — and this is exactly where AIRE can make a difference. Researchers, too, must ensure that innovations don’t stay locked away in laboratories.
Estonian University of Life Sciences rector Ülle Jaakma noted that AIRE was founded at exactly the right moment — when artificial intelligence and robotics shifted from being a topic of the future to a practical necessity in agriculture, forestry and environmental fields.

University of Tartu Vice-Rector for Development Mari Moora said that AIRE’s collaboration has made the interaction between the university and businesses faster and broader. The 20 demo projects completed did not replicate existing work — they created something genuinely new.

Flowit CEO Juhan Madis Pukk described AIRE’s value as a complete journey — from the first spark of inspiration and consultancy through demo projects, research collaboration and growth.

Tehnopol CEO Agnes Roos highlighted the uptake of artificial intelligence among Estonian businesses. Over three years, it has grown from 5% to 22%. In industry, the figure has reached 15% — a clear and encouraging trend.

Andrus Kurvits from Sparkup Tartu Science Park reflected on Estonia’s earlier digital leap: infrastructure matters, but real change happens when people have the skills and confidence to genuinely make use of new opportunities.

Tallinn University’s Head of Business Cooperation Ingrid Hindrikson reminded the audience that at the heart of all of this is the human being. Technology has a lifespan of 5–10 years, but being human lasts far longer.

TalTech Vice-Rector for Entrepreneurship Erik Puura noted that knowledge and skills are the only resource whose value grows the more you use it.

AIRE Strategy Director Martin Karner highlighted the importance of connecting Estonia’s capabilities to broader European infrastructure and partnerships.

Eesti.ai CEO Kirke summed up the spirit of the day in one sentence: it is always worth trying, experimenting and staying optimistic. And that is exactly the mindset that has carried AIRE from the very beginning.

AIRE has helped build more than services or individual success stories. It has helped shape a framework where universities, businesses and public sector partners can move forward together.