More than half of people in Estonia have used AI-based tools: 61% said “yes,” 38% said “no,” and 2% said “don’t know.” This shows AI is no longer a niche topic and has entered everyday use.
What this result means in practice
In Estonia, AI use has reached a point where the issue is no longer only about technology itself, but about daily work and learning habits. When 61% of people say they have already used AI tools, it means the topic has moved from experimentation into regular use.
This also fits a broader trend: according to Statistics Estonia’s 2025 report, nearly half of Estonia’s internet users had already used AI. The methods are not identical, but the direction is the same: AI use is rising quickly.
The next practical question is quality, not only usage. As AI tools spread, it becomes more important to check outputs, protect data, and avoid replacing human judgment with automatic answers. The central conclusion is simple: usage is growing faster than skills, and that gap needs attention.
AI tool use overall (%)
Chart type: chart | Label | Series 1 | | --- | --- | | Yes | 616 | | No | 385 | | Do not know | 17 |
The biggest gap: younger vs older
The age gap is very clear: in the youngest age group, AI use is 89%, while in the 75+ group it is 28%. This is not a small fluctuation, but a major divide.
This does not mean older people are against technology. It points to different levels of exposure: younger people encounter AI more often in school, work, and everyday digital communication, while older groups have fewer such situations.
That is why the key issue is skills and confidence. If we want AI to be useful across society, we need clear language, practical examples, and simple guidance on how to verify AI outputs.
The same age pattern appears internationally: Pew Research Center’s 2025 global study shows that younger groups engage with AI more frequently than older groups. Eurostat analysis points in the same direction: key reasons for non-use include low perceived need and lower confidence in skills. So the age divide reflects differences in practical use and confidence, not opposing value systems.
AI use by age (% said “yes”)
Chart type: chart | Label | Used AI tools | | --- | --- | | Overall | 61 | | 15-24 | 89 | | 25-34 | 80 | | 35-49 | 73 | | 50-64 | 59 | | 65-74 | 29 | | 75+ | 28 |
Education matters more than ethnicity differences
By education level, we see that people with higher education tend to use AI tools more often. This may be linked to greater exposure in work and learning environments.
Differences by gender and ethnicity are smaller in comparison. In practice, what matters most is whether people have the chance to try AI tools, understand how they work, and use them safely.
What follows from this
AI use in Estonia has reached a stage where the key issue is no longer “whether people use AI,” but “how to use it well and safely.” Younger groups have already moved toward practical day-to-day use, while older groups need clearer support for skills, confidence, and verification habits.
Survey question: “Kas Te olete kunagi kasutanud tehisintellektil (AI) põhinevaid tööriistu (nt teksti-, pildi- või soovitussüsteeme)?” Results: “Yes” 61% (n=616), “No” 38% (n=385), “Don’t know” 2% (n=17), total n=1018. Very small subgroup results should be interpreted with caution.