Shemaine Bushnell Kyriakides
Taavi Rõivas, Estonia’s former Prime Minister, visited Cyprus for the Digital Agenda Summit 2024, where he was invited to speak about Estonia’s pioneering journey in creating a fully digitized government. In an exclusive interview at the event, Rõivas shared insights into how Estonia transformed into one of the most digitally advanced nations, overcoming challenges and embracing innovation. The full interview can be watched below.
Rõivas, who served as Estonia’s Prime Minister from 2014 to 2016, spoke about the importance of addressing public concerns as Estonia made the transition to digital governance. “The biggest challenges we faced were the fears people had,” he noted. “Sometimes these fears were legitimate—concerns about privacy and security—but these issues are addressable and solvable. Bit by bit, we worked on making our systems more secure than the analogue ones.”
Estonia’s success has largely been driven by its citizens’ ability to adapt to new technologies. According to Rõivas, smartphones and tablets helped ease the transition, especially for older generations. "Smartphones and tablets did half the job for us. Today’s kids understand technology even before they speak properly, and for older generations, as long as they have internet access and devices, they are more likely to embrace the new system."
Lessons for Cyprus
With similar populations and sizes, Cyprus could learn valuable lessons from Estonia’s digital journey. Rõivas suggested Cyprus focus not only on replicating Estonia’s success but also on looking toward future technological trends, particularly the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in decision-making.
“AI is already embedded in our daily lives. From social media analyzing our preferences to autonomous vehicles on public roads, AI is everywhere,” Rõivas explained. He mentioned that even in his personal life, he uses AI tools like ChatGPT for daily tasks, including calculations and analysis. According to Rõivas, governments should follow suit: “Why wouldn’t governments use AI to make better-informed decisions? The potential is enormous.”
By embracing AI, Rõivas believes governments can make smarter, data-driven choices, staying ahead of technological trends and improving services for their citizens.
Concerns About Cybersecurity
When asked about cybersecurity and the risks of increased digitization, Rõivas acknowledged that the more digital a system becomes, the more vulnerable it is to threats. However, he explained that Estonia has taken robust measures to address this.
“Cyber threats are an everyday reality for banks and telcos, and governments need to adopt the same mentality,” Rõivas said. "We rely on systems that are doubled or tripled with firewalls and backups—just like the private sector does."
Impressions of Cyprus and the Summit
This was not Rõivas’ first visit to Cyprus, having been here four times before. Reflecting on this year’s Digital Agenda Summit, he praised the event for its high-caliber speakers and forward-thinking discussions.
“It’s a very good event. I got to know several of the speakers, and it feels like I’m among friends,” he said. Rõivas also mentioned his long-standing relationship with Kyriakos Kokkinos, Cyprus' Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation, and Digital Policy.
Watch the full interview below to hear more from Estonia's former Prime Minister, Taavi Roivas:
About the Digital Agenda Summit Cyprus
The Digital Agenda Summit is Cyprus’ premier technology conference, bringing together leaders in innovation, AI, and digital transformation from across the globe. The event serves as a hub for discussions on how technology can shape the future of industries, governments, and societies.
