AI may increase, not reduce, public sector jobs in Estonia, advisor says

Artificial intelligence could expand rather than shrink public sector employment in Estonia, according to the country’s AI advisor Luukas Ilves, despite global trends suggesting job losses.

In an interview with Yle, Ilves argued that as a small, open economy, Estonia may experience different outcomes than larger nations. While AI might displace certain roles, its development could create new jobs, particularly in tech-driven sectors.

“The optimist in me says Estonia will gain far more and better jobs, regardless of what happens globally,” Ilves said.

Finland aims to transition its public sector to AI-driven operations by 2031, with cost savings and improved services as key goals. Risto Artjoki, permanent secretary at Finland’s Ministry of Finance, cited potential savings from automating tasks like correspondence and background checks, though he noted AI would not replace all human decision-making.

In Estonia, AI already assists in healthcare, such as transcribing patient-doctor conversations and managing ambulance data, freeing medical staff from administrative burdens in critical situations.