Estonia is launching a new artificial intelligence (AI) test environment aimed at helping public and private organizations develop and deploy AI systems that are legal, transparent and trustworthy, according to a recent government announcement.
The Artificial Intelligence Testbed will function as a controlled technical and regulatory space where organizations can test new AI systems — including high-risk applications — before launching them more broadly or bringing them to market. Officials say the initiative is designed to reduce legal and technical risks while strengthening public trust and encouraging innovation aligned with the European Union’s AI Regulation and Estonia’s national legal framework.
Under the EU AI Regulation, developers of high-risk AI systems must meet strict requirements related to risk assessment, transparency, documentation and oversight. The test environment is intended to help organizations address these obligations earlier in the development process, preventing delays caused by compliance or technical challenges.
The testbed combines regulatory guidance and technical support. Regulatory services include legal and compliance advice, assistance with risk assessments, data protection and fundamental rights impact reviews, transparency evaluations, and cooperation with supervisory authorities. On the technical side, participants will have access to AI testing and validation tools, secure data environments, reliability and traceability assessments, and high-performance computing resources. In some cases, testing under real-world conditions will be permitted.
Participation begins with a preliminary consultation to assess an AI system’s risk level and determine applicable requirements. Projects accepted into the program will follow a tailored testing plan that reflects their specific risks and use cases. Real-world testing is expected to begin in the second half of 2026 and will occur under strict supervision, with defined timelines and limited scope. Participants may receive a written final report summarizing compliance findings to support deployment or market launch.
The initiative is open to public sector institutions, businesses — particularly small and medium-sized enterprises — and research organizations. The service will be free for government agencies and SMEs, supporting Estonia’s broader goal of promoting reliable, human-centered and competitive AI development.
Organizations interested in participating can apply through Estonia’s Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs by submitting a short description of their proposed AI solution and the support they seek.
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