AI Governance Dialogue: Presidential address

Summary

This discussion from the AI for Good Summit 2025 featured two key speakers addressing the responsible development and governance of artificial intelligence. Estonian President Alar Karis opened by highlighting Estonia’s transformation from a newly independent nation in 1991 to one of the world’s most digitally advanced societies, with all public services available online and 83% citizen satisfaction with e-services. He explained how Estonia’s “Tiger Leap” program in the 1990s brought computers to every school, creating the foundation for their current AI leadership with approximately 200 AI applications across government institutions.

President Karis emphasized that Estonia’s approach to AI governance rests on three pillars: infrastructure, responsibility, and education. The infrastructure includes X-Road, their secure data exchange system developed through Nordic cooperation. For responsibility, Estonia fully supports the EU AI Act and has created tools like an algorithm registry to ensure transparency in AI use. In education, they’re providing 20,000 students and teachers with AI-powered learning tools through their AI LEAP initiative.

The President stressed that AI governance is a global challenge requiring international cooperation, announcing Estonia’s upcoming chairmanship of the Freedom Online Coalition and inviting attendees to the 2025 Tallinn Digital Summit. He outlined Estonia’s development cooperation efforts in Africa, helping countries like Kenya, Uganda, Namibia, and Botswana build AI-ready digital societies.

Following this, Archbishop Ettore Balestrero delivered a message from Pope Leo XIV, emphasizing the need for ethical AI development centered on human dignity and the common good. The Pope’s message highlighted that while AI can simulate human reasoning, it cannot replicate moral discernment or genuine relationships, making human responsibility crucial in AI governance. Both speakers ultimately called for coordinated global governance of AI that serves humanity’s shared values and ensures no one is left behind in the digital transformation.

Keypoints

**Major Discussion Points:**

– **Estonia’s Digital Transformation Journey**: President Karis detailed Estonia’s evolution from a newly independent nation in 1991 to becoming one of the world’s most digitally advanced societies, highlighting programs like Tiger Leap and their current AI implementation across 200+ government applications.

– **Human-Centric AI Governance Framework**: Both speakers emphasized the need for AI development to be grounded in human-centered approaches, with Estonia’s framework built on three pillars: secure infrastructure (X-Road system), responsibility (EU AI Act compliance, transparency tools), and education (AI literacy programs for 20,000 students and teachers).

– **International Cooperation and Global AI Governance**: Strong emphasis on the need for collaborative, multi-stakeholder approaches to AI governance, including support for global principles, digital inclusion initiatives, and Estonia’s development cooperation with countries in Africa to bridge digital divides.

– **Ethical AI Development and Human Dignity**: The Vatican’s message reinforced the importance of ethical frameworks that prioritize human dignity, moral discernment, and the common good over mere utility and efficiency, emphasizing that AI cannot replicate human moral judgment and relationship-building capabilities.

– **Digital Rights and Inclusion**: Discussion of ensuring AI benefits reach everyone globally, with particular attention to the 2.6 billion people still lacking access to communication technologies, and the risk that AI could deepen rather than diminish existing inequalities.

**Overall Purpose:**

The discussion aimed to share best practices for responsible AI governance and implementation, promote international cooperation in AI development, and establish frameworks that ensure AI serves humanity’s common good while protecting human rights and dignity.

**Overall Tone:**

The tone remained consistently optimistic and collaborative throughout both presentations. President Karis spoke with confidence about Estonia’s achievements while maintaining humility about the need for global cooperation. The Vatican’s message was formal and philosophical, emphasizing moral responsibility. Both speakers shared a forward-looking, solution-oriented approach that balanced technological enthusiasm with ethical caution.

Speakers

– **H.E. Mr. Alar Karis**: President of the Republic of Estonia

– **LJ Rich**: Summit moderator/host

– **Ettore Balestrero**: Archbishop, delivering message on behalf of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV

Additional speakers:

– **Sister Raffaella Petrini**: Head of the Governorate of the Vatican City State (mentioned as co-delivering the Pope’s message but did not speak in the transcript)

– **Cardinal Pietro Parolin**: Secretary of State of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV (mentioned as signing off on the Pope’s message but did not speak in the transcript)

– **His Holiness Pope Leo XIV**: Pope (message delivered on his behalf but he did not speak directly)

# AI for Good Summit 2025: Discussion Report on Responsible AI Governance

## Executive Summary

The AI for Good Summit 2025, organized by the International Telecommunication Union in partnership with other UN agencies and co-hosted by the Swiss government, featured a discussion on responsible artificial intelligence governance. The session, moderated by LJ Rich, brought together two distinct perspectives: H.E. Mr. Alar Karis, President of the Republic of Estonia, and Archbishop Ettore Balestrero, who delivered a message on behalf of His Holiness Pope Francis. The summit coincided with ITU’s 160th anniversary and highlighted both practical implementation approaches and ethical frameworks for AI governance.

President Karis presented Estonia’s experience as a digitally advanced nation, emphasizing human-centered AI development, international cooperation, and comprehensive governance frameworks. Archbishop Balestrero delivered the Vatican’s message focusing on human dignity, moral discernment, and the need for AI development that serves humanity while addressing global digital inequalities.

## Summit Context and Speakers

### Summit Background

The AI for Good Summit 2025 represents a significant international gathering focused on ensuring artificial intelligence serves humanity’s collective benefit. Organized by the International Telecommunication Union in partnership with other UN agencies and co-hosted by the Swiss government, the summit coincided with ITU’s 160th anniversary, marking a milestone in international telecommunications cooperation.

### H.E. Mr. Alar Karis – President of Estonia

President Karis brought the perspective of a nation that has achieved remarkable digital transformation since independence in 1991. His presentation drew from Estonia’s practical experience in implementing AI governance frameworks and digital services that have achieved high citizen satisfaction rates.

### Archbishop Ettore Balestrero – Vatican Representative

Archbishop Balestrero delivered a message representing Vatican leadership, including Sister Raffaella Petrini, Head of the Governorate of the Vatican City State, and Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State. The message was presented on behalf of His Holiness Pope Francis, providing a moral and philosophical perspective on AI governance.

## Estonia’s Digital Journey and AI Implementation

### Historical Foundation

President Karis detailed Estonia’s transformation from a newly independent nation in 1991 to becoming one of the world’s most digitally advanced societies. The foundation was the “Tiger Leap” programme launched in the 1990s, which brought computers to every school in the country. As President Karis explained, “When we first started with our digital transformation, the way to approach digital services was to increase efficiency among the government, considering the little resources available. Gradually, we shifted our mindset to a human-centric approach. It’s when we slowly started to see the satisfaction rates of citizens going up.”

### Current AI Landscape

Estonia has implemented approximately 200 AI applications across government institutions, ranging from “virtual assistants to autonomous museum buses, from flood detection systems to learning tools.” These implementations have contributed to achieving an 83% citizen satisfaction rate with e-services, with a target of reaching 90% satisfaction by 2030.

President Karis emphasized a fundamental principle: “The heart of Estonia’s previous digital transformation was the understanding that we should not simply digitalise existing services, but rather rethink and rebuild the whole system. This should also be our guidance in the AI age.”

### Digital Rights Achievement

According to President Karis, “According to the Freedom on the Net 2024 report, Estonia ranks second in the world for safeguarding digital rights and ensuring online freedom,” demonstrating the country’s commitment to balancing technological advancement with rights protection.

### Three-Pillar Framework

Estonia’s approach to AI governance is built on three fundamental pillars:

**Infrastructure**: The foundation is Estonia’s X-Road system, described as “a secure and interoperable data exchange layer developed and maintained in partnership through the Nordic Institute for Interoperability Solutions.” This decentralized system enables secure data sharing between government agencies and private sector partners.

**Responsibility**: Estonia has fully embraced the EU AI Act and its risk-based approach. The country has developed practical tools including an algorithm registry for transparency and AI sandboxes for testing, along with training programmes for regulatory compliance.

**Education**: The AI LEAP initiative provides “free access to leading AI powered learning tools” to 20,000 students and teachers. As President Karis noted, “As evidence builds that misguided use of large language models can have a negative impact on people’s thinking skills, we are designing the AI LEAP to counter this.”

## Vatican’s Ethical Perspective

### Human Dignity and Moral Framework

Archbishop Balestrero delivered the Vatican’s message emphasizing that AI development must be grounded in respect for human dignity and social values. The message highlighted that “while AI can simulate aspects of human reasoning and perform specific tasks with incredible speed and efficiency, it cannot replicate moral discernment or the ability to form genuine relationships.”

### Global Digital Divide

The Vatican’s message addressed the significant challenge of global inequality, noting that “2.6 billion persons still lack access to communication technologies,” with particular challenges in “rural and low-income areas.” This perspective emphasized that AI governance must consider global equity and justice.

### Ethical Management Requirements

The Vatican called for “proper ethical management and regulatory frameworks centered on the human person,” emphasizing that technological advancement must serve humanity as a whole and foster fraternity rather than division. The message introduced the concept of “tranquillitas ordinis” (tranquillity of order) as a framework for understanding how AI governance should contribute to social harmony.

## International Cooperation Initiatives

### Estonia’s Global Engagement

President Karis outlined several international cooperation efforts:

– Development cooperation with African countries including Kenya, Uganda, Namibia, and Botswana to build AI-ready digital societies

– Upcoming chairmanship of the Freedom Online Coalition in 2025

– Hosting the Tallinn Digital Summit on 9-10 October 2025, focusing on “collectively at the crossroads towards secure and resilient AI futures”

– An upcoming Arroyolos Group meeting in October focusing on AI governance

President Karis emphasized that “no country can succeed alone in AI governance—cooperation is vital,” and expressed support for the Global Digital Compact and non-binding global principles for AI governance through inclusive multi-stakeholder cooperation.

### Vatican’s Call for Coordinated Governance

The Vatican’s message called for “coordinated local and global governance based on shared recognition of human dignity,” emphasizing the need for international cooperation that transcends national boundaries and technological capabilities.

## Key Principles and Approaches

### Human-Centered Development

Both speakers emphasized the importance of human-centered AI development. President Karis described Estonia’s evolution from efficiency-focused to human-centered approaches, while the Vatican stressed that AI development must be grounded in respect for human dignity and social values.

### Transparency and Accountability

Estonia’s practical approach includes algorithm registries and transparency tools, while the Vatican emphasized the need for ethical frameworks that ensure accountability in AI development and deployment.

### Education and Digital Literacy

President Karis highlighted education as “the foundation of social transformation” and essential for safe AI adoption. The AI LEAP initiative demonstrates practical implementation of AI literacy while protecting human cognitive capabilities.

### Addressing Inequality

Both perspectives addressed the risk that AI could deepen existing inequalities without deliberate action. President Karis focused on international development cooperation, while the Vatican emphasized the moral imperative to ensure AI serves all of humanity.

## Conclusion

The discussion at the AI for Good Summit 2025 presented two complementary approaches to responsible AI governance. Estonia’s experience demonstrates practical implementation of human-centered AI governance through comprehensive frameworks, international cooperation, and attention to citizen satisfaction. The Vatican’s perspective provides moral and philosophical grounding emphasizing human dignity, ethical management, and global equity.

Both speakers emphasized that AI governance requires more than technical solutions—it must incorporate human values, ethical frameworks, and coordinated international efforts. President Karis’s observation that successful digital transformation requires “rethinking and rebuilding the whole system” rather than simply digitizing existing services, combined with the Vatican’s emphasis on moral discernment and human dignity, provides guidance for responsible AI development that serves humanity’s collective good.

The convergence of practical implementation experience with moral and philosophical frameworks suggests a path forward for AI governance that balances innovation with responsibility, efficiency with human dignity, and national interests with global cooperation.

H.E. Mr. Alar Karis: Honourable leaders, excellencies, distinguished delegates. It is truly an honour to represent Estonia here today, a country of just 1.3 million people, but one of the world’s most digitally advanced societies. For over two decades, I have made technology the backbone of our public services. Today, Estonia is not just online, it is a full-fledged digital society where all public services are available to citizens anytime, anywhere. Our digital journey began with a clear and bold vision. When Estonia regained its independence in 1991, we faced the challenge of building modern states and its institutions from scratch, with very limited resources. That was a time when, instead of replicating legacy systems, we decided to leapfrog into the future. In the mid-90s, we launched an ambitious national program called Tiger Leap, aimed at bringing computers and internet access to every school in the country. This wasn’t just about technology, it was about transforming mindsets. It was a foundation of which we started to build our digital-first society and the startup ecosystem. Today, we face a new technology with equally transformative power, so we are taking another leap. We want to use the experiences from being a pioneer in e-governance to become a leading implementer of AI. We are integrating artificial intelligence into our public sector and schools, not because it’s fashionable, but because we believe AI can improve services and create real value for people if governed responsibly. We started this process several years before the popular large language models were released. By today, Estonia has implemented approximately 200 AI applications across government institutions in fields as diverse as education, healthcare, justice, transport, environment, and the culture. From virtual assistants to autonomous museum buses, from flood detection systems to learning tools, AI is helping us build a smarter, more human-centered government and governance. But this has not always been the case. Even though digitalization has been in a bloodstream of our society for decades, having a human-centric approach is rather new. When we first started with our digital transformation, the way to approach digital services was to increase efficiency among the government, considering the little resources available. Gradually, we shifted our mindset to a human-centric approach. It’s when we slowly started to see the satisfaction rates of citizens going up. According to recent research, there is a 83% satisfaction rate with public e-services, and the aim is to reach 90% of users’ satisfaction of online public services by 2030. Satisfaction creates trust. Trust is an important social capital to move forward. Dear friends, Estonia has now grounded its digital journey on a human-centric approach, shaped by infrastructure, responsibility, and education. Let me elaborate on them. First, infrastructure. Estonia’s digital society is built on a secure and interoperable data ecosystem, supported by X-Road. That is our decentralized data exchange layer that allows real-time cross-institutional data sharing. The system is developed and maintained in partnership through the Nordic Institute for Interoperability Solutions, a great example of regional cooperation delivering global impact. We believe that digital public infrastructure is the silent enabler of AI. It ensures security, resilience, and trust in every service we build. Such infrastructure provides the foundational building blocks of a digital society, such as secure digital identity, data exchange, and payment systems that ensure resilience, efficiency, and trust across the entire digital ecosystem. Secondly, responsibility. Innovation without trust is not sustainable. That’s why we are fully committed to implementing the EU AI Act. We support its risk-based approach, which offers a global model for responsible regulation, one that protects rights while still encouraging innovation. According to the Freedom on the Net 2024 report, Estonia ranks second in the world for safeguarding digital rights and ensuring online freedom. We prove that it’s possible to protect privacy and foster a secure digital environment where human rights are respected. These results have been achieved through experiences and having the courage to test and develop solutions. It is why we are also investing in AI sandboxes, training programs, and competency centers to support both public and private sector actors in understanding and complying with emerging regulations. To enhance transparency and accountability, the citizens of Estonia can always see when and how the personal data is accessed across state systems. We have also launched an algorithm registry to document and explain the risks of digital privacy. how A.I. is used in public administration. These innovative tools help ensure that A.I. in government is not only powerful, but also explainable, fair and just. Thirdly, I would like to talk about education. We know that any major transformation starts with education. If we want an A.I. literate society, meaning resilient and ready for the future, we need to integrate these new tools into school curriculum. That’s why, a part of our A.I. LEAP initiative, we are providing 20,000 students and teachers in Estonia with free access to leading A.I. powered learning tools. Responsibility is of utmost importance here as well. As evidence builds that misguided use of large language models can have a negative impact on people’s thinking skills, we are designing the A.I. LEAP to counter this. This requires both transforming mindsets and teaching methods and building responsible A.I. tools. Ladies and gentlemen, therefore, A.I. governance is not only a national challenge or a national accelerator, it is also a global one. Technology does not care about borders. Deflakes, surveillance misuse and algorithmic manipulation threaten democratic process everywhere. That’s why Estonia supports the creation of non-binding global principles for A.I. governance developed through inclusive multi-stakeholder cooperation. We are therefore deeply engaged in many international forums. We support the Global Digital Compact which defines global principles for an open, secure and inclusive digital future as well as the Open Government Partnership which advances transparency and citizen participation in governance. We proudly co-chaired the Media Freedom Coalition for two years and in 2025 Estonia has taken up the chairmanship of the Freedom Online Coalition continuing our commitment to safeguarding human rights in a digital age. We believe that international cooperation and learning from each other are essential to ensure that A.I. develops in a way that serves the societies, democracies and shared values. In October this year I will host the Arroyolos Group meeting of presidents in Tallinn where we will discuss the driving force and power but also challenges of A.I. In the same spirit the Tallinn Digital Summit will take place on 9th and 10th of October 2025 which I kindly invite you all to attend. Held under that theme collectively at the crossroads towards secure and resilient A.I. futures the summit will bring together political and digital leaders to advance dialogue on A.I. governance and its social impact. It will be held alongside the Freedom Online Coalition Ministerial for strengthening the strategic relevance of this topic. Estonia also supports initiatives that aim to bridge the digital divides, promote digital literacy and build inclusive A.I. ecosystems that empower individuals especially in developing countries. As A.I. technologies evolve there is a growing risk that those without access to infrastructure, skills or legal safeguards will be left even further behind. Without deliberate action A.I. may deepen not diminish existing inequalities. That is why we see digital inclusion not only as a development goal but as human rights matter. Through ESTEV, our development cooperation agency, Estonia is sharing its know-how in digital rearm with partner countries from creating secure and transparent e-governance frameworks to support civic tech, digital right awareness and A.I. powered educational platform. For example, in Africa, Estonia supports Kenya, Uganda, Namibia and Botswana in building inclusive, secure and A.I. ready digital societies. In Kenya, we have helped develop digital public infrastructure and e-services, strengthened national cyber resilience and empowered youth through STEM and ICT training. In Uganda, Namibia and Botswana our cooperation focuses on digital health, e-governance and entrepreneurship laying the groundwork for ethical and human centric A.I. in public services. These are only some examples of our steps around the world. Let me summarize my message in five points. First, A.I. must be human-centered, right-based and transparent. Second, innovation and regulation must move on together, not against each other. Third, no country, no matter how advanced, can succeed alone. Cooperation is vital. Fourth, we must ensure that no one is left behind. Digital transformation must benefit everyone, every member of society and reach all corners of the world. Fifth, education is a foundation of any social transformation, therefore also essential for safe A.I. adoption and societal resilience. Estonia’s journey proves that digital transformation is possible and it can be done with little of resources. In just over three decades we have gone from rebuilding our institutions to leading the world in e-governance. Our success has never been just about technology. It’s been about vision, cooperation and trust. We need your support. We know from our own experience what is possible to achieve with the right vision and determination. The heart of Estonia’s previous digital transformation was the understanding that we should not simply digitalize existing services, but rather rethink and rebuild the whole system. This should also be our guidance in the AI age. Pooling skills and resources support better and faster digital development. It is also the reason why we strongly support the global movement for digital public goods and digital public infrastructure. Let us now bring that same spirit to the global challenge of governing AI, so that we may build a future where technology strengthens our democracies, protects our freedoms and empowers every individual. Thank you very much for your attention.

LJ Rich: Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, thank you very much to His Excellency Mr. H.E. Mr. Alar Karis, the President of the Republic of Estonia. It was wonderful to hear your thoughts. Thank you. And after all, AI does continue to affect the entire world, so it’s a pleasure to introduce our next video from someone that millions of people look to for guidance. This is a message sent on behalf of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, and it’s delivered by His Excellency Archbishop Ettore Balestrero and Sister Raffaella Petrini, the head of the Governorate of the Vatican City State. Thank you.

Ettore Balestrero: On behalf of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, I would like to extend his cordial greetings to all participants in the AI for Good Summit 2025, organized by the International Telecommunication Union in partnership with other UN agencies and co-hosted by the Swiss government. As this summit coincides with the 160th anniversary of the ITU’s foundation, I would like to congratulate all the members and staff for their work and constant efforts to foster global cooperation in order to bring the benefits of communication technologies to the people across the globe. Connecting the human family from the telegraph to radio, telephone, digital, and space communications presents challenges, particularly in rural and low-income areas where approximately 2.6 billion persons still lack access to communication technologies. Humanity is at a crossroads, facing the immense potential generated by the digital revolution driven by artificial intelligence. The impact of this revolution is far-reaching, transforming areas such as education, work, art, healthcare, governance, the military, and communication. This epochal transformation requires responsibility and discernment to ensure that AI is developed and utilized for the common good, building bridges of dialogue and fostering fraternity, and ensuring it serves the interests of humanity as a whole. As AI becomes capable of adapting autonomously to many situations by making purely technical algorithmic choices, it is crucial to consider its anthropological and ethical implications, the values at stake, and the duties and regulatory frameworks required to uphold those values. In fact, while AI can simulate aspects of human reasoning and perform specific tasks with incredible speed and efficiency, it cannot replicate moral discernment or the ability to form genuine relationships. Therefore, the development of such technological advancements must go hand-in-hand with respect for human and social values, the capacity to judge with a clear conscience, and growth in human responsibility. It is no coincidence that this era of profound innovation has prompted many to reflect on what it means to be human and on humanity’s role in the world. Although the responsibility for the ethical use of AI systems begins with those who develop, manage, and oversee them, those who use them also share in this responsibility. AI therefore requires proper ethical management and regulatory frameworks centered on the human person, and which go beyond the mere criteria of utility or efficiency. Ultimately, we must never lose sight of the common goal of contributing to that tranquillitas ordinis, the tranquillity of order, as St. Augustine called it, and of fostering a more humane order of social relations and peaceful and just societies in the service of integral human development and the good of the human family. On behalf of Pope Leo XIV, I would like to take this opportunity to encourage you to seek ethical clarity and to establish a coordinated local and global governance of AI based on the shared recognition of the inherent dignity and fundamental freedoms of the human person. The Holy Father willingly assures you of his prayers in your efforts towards the common good. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV. Thank you very much.

LJ Rich: We are very grateful for His Holiness Pope Leo XIV for his inspirational message. And before our next panel, I just thought I would mention how I joined the summit in 2019.

Agreement points

Human-centered approach to AI development

Speakers

– H.E. Mr. Alar Karis
– Ettore Balestrero

Arguments

AI must be human-centered, rights-based and transparent

AI requires proper ethical management and regulatory frameworks centered on the human person

While AI can simulate human reasoning, it cannot replicate moral discernment or genuine relationships

Summary

Both speakers emphasize that AI development must prioritize human needs, dignity, and rights rather than purely technical or efficiency considerations. They agree that AI should serve humanity’s broader interests and maintain human-centered values.

Topics

Human rights | Legal and regulatory | Sociocultural

Need for responsible AI governance and ethical frameworks

Speakers

– H.E. Mr. Alar Karis
– Ettore Balestrero

Arguments

Commitment to implementing EU AI Act and its risk-based approach for responsible regulation

AI requires proper ethical management and regulatory frameworks centered on the human person

Development of AI must go hand-in-hand with respect for human and social values and moral responsibility

Summary

Both speakers advocate for comprehensive ethical frameworks and responsible governance structures for AI that go beyond technical considerations to include moral and social values.

Topics

Legal and regulatory | Human rights | Sociocultural

Importance of global cooperation and coordinated governance

Speakers

– H.E. Mr. Alar Karis
– Ettore Balestrero

Arguments

Support for non-binding global principles for AI governance through inclusive multi-stakeholder cooperation

No country can succeed alone in AI governance – cooperation is vital

Need for coordinated local and global governance of AI based on shared recognition of human dignity

Summary

Both speakers recognize that AI governance requires international cooperation and coordinated efforts, as technology transcends borders and affects all of humanity.

Topics

Legal and regulatory | Human rights | Development

Addressing digital divides and ensuring inclusive access

Speakers

– H.E. Mr. Alar Karis
– Ettore Balestrero

Arguments

Bridging digital divides and building inclusive AI ecosystems, especially in developing countries

Addressing the challenge that 2.6 billion people still lack access to communication technologies

Summary

Both speakers acknowledge the significant challenge of digital inequality and the need to ensure that AI development benefits all people, particularly those in underserved communities.

Topics

Development | Human rights | Infrastructure

Similar viewpoints

Both speakers believe AI should serve humanity’s collective interests and maintain human dignity as its central focus, rather than pursuing purely technical or commercial objectives.

Speakers

– H.E. Mr. Alar Karis
– Ettore Balestrero

Arguments

AI must be human-centered, rights-based and transparent

AI should serve the interests of humanity as a whole and foster fraternity

Topics

Human rights | Sociocultural | Development

Both speakers emphasize that successful AI integration requires fundamental changes in how society approaches technology, including education and value systems.

Speakers

– H.E. Mr. Alar Karis
– Ettore Balestrero

Arguments

Education as foundation of social transformation and essential for safe AI adoption

Development of AI must go hand-in-hand with respect for human and social values and moral responsibility

Topics

Sociocultural | Development | Human rights

Unexpected consensus

Spiritual and technological leadership alignment on AI ethics

Speakers

– H.E. Mr. Alar Karis
– Ettore Balestrero

Arguments

AI must be human-centered, rights-based and transparent

AI requires proper ethical management and regulatory frameworks centered on the human person

While AI can simulate human reasoning, it cannot replicate moral discernment or genuine relationships

Explanation

It is notable that a leader from one of the world’s most digitally advanced nations and a representative of the Vatican share remarkably similar views on AI ethics. This convergence between technological pragmatism and spiritual wisdom suggests a broad consensus on the fundamental principles that should guide AI development.

Topics

Human rights | Legal and regulatory | Sociocultural

Shared emphasis on moral responsibility in AI development

Speakers

– H.E. Mr. Alar Karis
– Ettore Balestrero

Arguments

Commitment to implementing EU AI Act and its risk-based approach for responsible regulation

Development of AI must go hand-in-hand with respect for human and social values and moral responsibility

Explanation

The alignment between Estonia’s practical regulatory approach and the Vatican’s moral framework demonstrates unexpected consensus that AI governance must incorporate both technical standards and ethical considerations.

Topics

Legal and regulatory | Human rights | Sociocultural

Overall assessment

Summary

The speakers demonstrate remarkable consensus on fundamental principles of AI governance, including human-centered development, ethical frameworks, global cooperation, and digital inclusion. Despite representing very different perspectives (technological leadership vs. spiritual authority), they share core values about AI serving humanity’s collective good.

Consensus level

High level of consensus with significant implications for AI governance. The alignment between technological and spiritual leadership suggests broad societal agreement on core AI ethics principles, which could facilitate more effective global cooperation and policy development. This consensus provides a strong foundation for developing inclusive, human-centered AI governance frameworks that can gain widespread acceptance across different cultural and institutional contexts.

Different viewpoints

Unexpected differences

Overall assessment

Summary

No direct disagreements were identified among the speakers. The main differences lie in complementary approaches to AI governance – Estonia focusing on practical implementation and technical solutions, while the Vatican emphasizes moral and ethical foundations.

Disagreement level

Very low disagreement level. The speakers present complementary rather than conflicting perspectives on AI governance. Estonia’s technical and regulatory approach aligns well with the Vatican’s ethical framework, suggesting strong potential for collaborative AI governance that combines practical implementation with moral guidance. This harmony among diverse stakeholders (secular government and religious institution) indicates broad consensus on core AI governance principles.

Partial agreements

Similar viewpoints

Both speakers believe AI should serve humanity’s collective interests and maintain human dignity as its central focus, rather than pursuing purely technical or commercial objectives.

Speakers

– H.E. Mr. Alar Karis
– Ettore Balestrero

Arguments

AI must be human-centered, rights-based and transparent

AI should serve the interests of humanity as a whole and foster fraternity

Topics

Human rights | Sociocultural | Development

Both speakers emphasize that successful AI integration requires fundamental changes in how society approaches technology, including education and value systems.

Speakers

– H.E. Mr. Alar Karis
– Ettore Balestrero

Arguments

Education as foundation of social transformation and essential for safe AI adoption

Development of AI must go hand-in-hand with respect for human and social values and moral responsibility

Topics

Sociocultural | Development | Human rights

Key takeaways

AI governance must be human-centered, rights-based, and transparent, with ethical frameworks that prioritize human dignity over mere efficiency

Digital transformation requires a three-pillar approach: robust infrastructure (like Estonia’s X-Road system), responsible governance (including regulatory compliance), and comprehensive education

International cooperation is essential for AI governance as technology transcends borders – no single country can address AI challenges alone

Digital inclusion is a human rights matter, not just a development goal, with 2.6 billion people still lacking access to communication technologies

Innovation and regulation must work together rather than against each other, as demonstrated by Estonia’s implementation of the EU AI Act

Education is the foundation of any technological transformation, requiring integration of AI literacy into curricula and teacher training

AI can enhance government services and efficiency when properly implemented, as shown by Estonia’s 200+ AI applications achieving 83% citizen satisfaction

While AI can simulate human reasoning and perform tasks efficiently, it cannot replicate moral discernment or form genuine relationships

Resolutions and action items

Estonia will host the Tallinn Digital Summit on October 9-10, 2025, focusing on ‘collectively at the crossroads towards secure and resilient AI futures’

Estonia aims to reach 90% user satisfaction with online public services by 2030

Continue supporting partner countries in Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Namibia, Botswana) in building AI-ready digital societies

Expand the AI LEAP initiative providing AI-powered learning tools to students and teachers

Maintain Estonia’s chairmanship of the Freedom Online Coalition in 2025

Continue development of AI sandboxes, training programs, and competency centers for regulatory compliance

Unresolved issues

How to effectively bridge the digital divide for 2.6 billion people without access to communication technologies

Specific mechanisms for implementing non-binding global principles for AI governance across diverse political systems

How to prevent AI from deepening existing inequalities while ensuring widespread adoption

Balancing the speed of AI innovation with the pace of regulatory framework development

Addressing the negative impact of misguided use of large language models on people’s thinking skills

Establishing coordinated local and global governance structures that respect different national approaches while maintaining shared ethical standards

Suggested compromises

Adopting a risk-based approach to AI regulation (EU AI Act model) that protects rights while encouraging innovation

Supporting non-binding global principles rather than mandatory international regulations to respect national sovereignty while promoting cooperation

Focusing on digital public goods and infrastructure as a foundation that can benefit all countries regardless of their development level

Combining efficiency goals with human-centric approaches in digital transformation rather than choosing one over the other

When we first started with our digital transformation, the way to approach digital services was to increase efficiency among the government, considering the little resources available. Gradually, we shifted our mindset to a human-centric approach. It’s when we slowly started to see the satisfaction rates of citizens going up.

Speaker

H.E. Mr. Alar Karis

Reason

This comment is insightful because it reveals a critical evolution in digital governance philosophy – moving from efficiency-focused to human-centered design. It demonstrates that technological success isn’t just about implementation but about understanding what truly serves citizens. The connection between human-centric approach and increased satisfaction (83% rate) provides concrete evidence of this shift’s effectiveness.

Impact

This comment establishes a foundational framework for the entire discussion about AI governance. It shifts the conversation from technical capabilities to human outcomes, setting up the three pillars (infrastructure, responsibility, education) that follow. It also introduces the concept that digital transformation is an iterative learning process, not a one-time implementation.

The heart of Estonia’s previous digital transformation was the understanding that we should not simply digitalize existing services, but rather rethink and rebuild the whole system. This should also be our guidance in the AI age.

Speaker

H.E. Mr. Alar Karis

Reason

This is profoundly thought-provoking because it challenges the common approach of retrofitting AI onto existing systems. Instead, it advocates for fundamental systemic reimagining. This perspective suggests that true AI transformation requires questioning and rebuilding foundational assumptions about how services and governance should work.

Impact

This comment serves as a crucial bridge between Estonia’s past digital success and future AI implementation. It provides a strategic framework that other nations could adopt, moving the discussion from incremental AI adoption to transformational system redesign. It elevates the conversation to a more strategic, visionary level.

As evidence builds that misguided use of large language models can have a negative impact on people’s thinking skills, we are designing the AI LEAP to counter this.

Speaker

H.E. Mr. Alar Karis

Reason

This comment is particularly insightful because it acknowledges potential negative consequences of AI tools while actively working to mitigate them. It demonstrates sophisticated understanding that AI implementation must consider cognitive and educational impacts, not just efficiency gains. This shows responsible innovation in practice.

Impact

This comment introduces a critical dimension of AI governance – the need to protect human cognitive capabilities while leveraging AI benefits. It adds complexity to the discussion by highlighting that AI adoption isn’t universally positive and requires careful design to preserve human skills and thinking abilities.

While AI can simulate aspects of human reasoning and perform specific tasks with incredible speed and efficiency, it cannot replicate moral discernment or the ability to form genuine relationships. Therefore, the development of such technological advancements must go hand-in-hand with respect for human and social values.

Speaker

Cardinal Pietro Parolin (on behalf of Pope Leo XIV)

Reason

This comment provides a profound philosophical perspective on AI’s limitations and the irreplaceable nature of human moral reasoning and relationships. It introduces a spiritual and ethical dimension that grounds the technical discussion in fundamental questions about human dignity and the purpose of technology.

Impact

This comment significantly shifts the tone and depth of the discussion from technical implementation to fundamental questions about humanity’s relationship with AI. It introduces the concept of ‘tranquillitas ordinis’ (tranquility of order) and emphasizes that AI governance must be centered on human dignity rather than mere utility or efficiency.

Without deliberate action, AI may deepen not diminish existing inequalities. That is why we see digital inclusion not only as a development goal but as human rights matter.

Speaker

H.E. Mr. Alar Karis

Reason

This comment is thought-provoking because it reframes digital inclusion from a development issue to a fundamental human rights issue. It acknowledges that AI could exacerbate global inequalities without intentional intervention, moving beyond the typical focus on AI benefits to consider its potential to harm vulnerable populations.

Impact

This comment expands the scope of the discussion to global equity and justice, connecting AI governance to broader questions of international development and human rights. It provides moral urgency to the technical discussions and establishes a framework for international cooperation based on rights rather than just technological advancement.

Overall assessment

These key comments collectively transformed what could have been a technical presentation about AI implementation into a profound discussion about the relationship between technology, humanity, and society. President Karis’s insights about human-centric design and systemic transformation provided a practical framework grounded in real experience, while the Vatican’s message added philosophical depth about human dignity and moral discernment. Together, they created a multi-dimensional conversation that addressed technical, ethical, social, and spiritual aspects of AI governance. The comments built upon each other to establish that successful AI implementation requires not just technical expertise, but fundamental rethinking of systems, protection of human capabilities, attention to global equity, and grounding in human values. This elevated the discussion from ‘how to implement AI’ to ‘how to implement AI in service of human flourishing and dignity.’

How can the negative impact of large language models on people’s thinking skills be effectively countered through educational design?

Speaker

H.E. Mr. Alar Karis

Explanation

The President mentioned that evidence is building about misguided use of large language models having negative impacts on thinking skills, and that Estonia is designing AI LEAP to counter this, but the specific methods and effectiveness of such countermeasures require further research.

What are the most effective methods for bridging digital divides and ensuring AI doesn’t deepen existing inequalities?

Speaker

H.E. Mr. Alar Karis

Explanation

The President highlighted the growing risk that those without access to infrastructure, skills, or legal safeguards will be left further behind by AI, requiring deliberate action and research into effective inclusion strategies.

How can AI governance frameworks be effectively coordinated between local and global levels while respecting different cultural and ethical contexts?

Speaker

Ettore Balestrero (on behalf of Pope Leo XIV)

Explanation

The Vatican’s message emphasized the need for coordinated local and global governance of AI, but the practical mechanisms for achieving this coordination across different jurisdictions and value systems need further exploration.

What specific anthropological and ethical implications of AI autonomy need to be addressed as AI becomes more capable of independent decision-making?

Speaker

Ettore Balestrero (on behalf of Pope Leo XIV)

Explanation

The Vatican’s message raised concerns about AI’s increasing autonomous capabilities and the need to consider anthropological and ethical implications, but didn’t specify what these implications are or how to address them systematically.

How can the effectiveness of AI applications in government be measured beyond efficiency metrics to include human-centered outcomes?

Speaker

H.E. Mr. Alar Karis

Explanation

While Estonia reported 200 AI applications across government and high satisfaction rates, the President’s emphasis on moving from efficiency-focused to human-centric approaches suggests need for research into appropriate evaluation frameworks.