entrepreneurship cooperation
Mari-Anne Suurpere
MA (arheoloogia)
Institute of Computer Science
Administration
Industry Collaboration Coordinator
+372 737 6402
+372 5744 3840
r 3092

AI & Robotics Estonia (AIRE)

The University of Tartu participates in the activities of the AI & Robotics Estonia (AIRE) centre. The AIRE consortium aims to support Estonian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) on their journey of digitisation by offering artificial intelligence and robotics solutions. All AIRE services are designed for legal entities and are either provided free of charge or based on de minimis aid*.

The University of Tartu supports AIRE's goals by contributing to services that promote industrial collaboration and sharing expertise.

The Institute of Computer Science offers a diverse range of courses covering a broad spectrum of topics, including data science, artificial intelligence, and software development. Our courses are primarily intended for companies in the manufacturing sector; however, all those interested in developing their skills and knowledge in modern technologies are welcome to the free webinars.

The Institute of Computer Science also hosts AIRE Clubs, networking events where entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, and other interested parties come together to share best practices, experiences, and ideas, and to discover new opportunities for collaboration. It is a free and relaxed environment that fosters knowledge sharing and networking. Thanks to our membership in the European Digital Innovation Hubs network, we can also support Estonian manufacturing companies in finding international cooperation partners.

The University of Tartu Institute of Computer Science assists small and medium-sized manufacturing companies in addressing production process challenges through demonstration projects, providing innovative artificial intelligence solutions. These projects based on de minimis aid are an ideal opportunity to test the commercial value of a solution before making a large-scale investment.

We are committed to promoting business cooperation and the dissemination of knowledge in both the industrial sector and society at large, and participation in the AIRE consortium is one way we can achieve this goal.

AIRE services offered by the Institute of Computer Science

As manufacturing and other industrial sectors become increasingly digital and interconnected, the risks of cyber incidents grow. This service empowers Estonian enterprises to understand their current security posture, identify critical vulnerabilities, and implement practical improvements that enhance operational resilience.

Who It’s For

  • Medium and large enterprises across manufacturing, logistics, energy, and digital services.
  • SMEs aiming to strengthen their security before entering regulated supply chains or larger industry collaborations.

Why Participate

  • Actionable results – not an audit, but a practical, company-specific roadmap.
  • Lightweight process – about 1–3 working days of your team’s time, spread over 2–3 weeks.
  • Expert guidance – delivered by cybersecurity researchers and practitioners with experience in automation, digitalisation, and regulatory alignment.
  • Future readiness – supports competitiveness, resilience, and integration into regulated supply chains.

What We Offer

  1. Cybersecurity Posture Assessment
    An evaluation of your organisation’s technical and organisational security practices — including access control, update and backup management, automation security, and operational routines.
  2. Tailored Roadmap and Recommendations
    You’ll receive a practical roadmap that helps strengthen daily security routines and prepares your organisation for future regulatory requirements such as NIS2 and the Cyber Resilience Act (if applicable).
  3. Optional Awareness Session
    An interactive session for management or staff to translate findings into actionable improvements and increase cyber awareness across the organisation.


How It Works

  1. Kick-off meeting – clarify scope and expectations.
  2. Interviews and data collection – assess key practices and systems.
  3. Analysis and reporting – summarise findings and recommendations.
  4. Feedback session – optional presentation and discussion.

Typical duration: 2–3 weeks total.

The Cybersecurity Assessment for Manufacturing Companies Service is a part of the AIRE service "AI Help Desk". This service is available to AIRE target group companies under the applicable state aid framework.

For more information, contact Mari-Anne Suurpere.

Previous AIRE x Institute of Computer Science events

Welcome to the forefront of innovation in the Estonian manufacturing industry! AIRE, in cooperation with the University of Tartu Institute of Computer Science, invites all interested parties to the Cyber Innovation Conference 2024 and the following AIRE club event “AIRE club #27” on June 12. The conference lasts from 8:45 to 17:20 and the evening will be organised by AIRE from 17:45 to 20:00. The evening club event is open to the public and free of charge, everyone who has purchased a ticket to the conference is also invited to network.

The events are dedicated to bridging the gap between cutting-edge technologies, innovation, and a secure cyber world. This year’s main themes are cyber defense and security, as well as technological advancement. The AIRE Club and Cyber Innovation Conference transform June 12 into a day where the industrial sector and the IT domain have an excellent opportunity to establish new collaborations, find potential partners, and draw inspiration from other experiential narratives.

AIRE Clubs bring together manufacturing companies, university researchers, and other interested parties. The event series aim to share experiences and ideas and to find new collaboration opportunities.

Add the conference and AIRE Club to your calendar and be part of the journey of change. Your presence is welcomed and essential in shaping the future of Estonia’s manufacturing sector.

Both events are held in Estonian.

Register for the conference

Register for AIRE Club

Discover more about AIRE

AIRE’s services are intended for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with up to 2,999 employees and a turnover of up to €300 million (group-wide).

AIRE’s primary target group is companies in the manufacturing industry. In addition, we offer our services to organisations within the manufacturing value chain (logistics, transportation, engineering and ICT companies, supply chains, equipment maintenance and rental, energy efficiency), as well as to the defence industry, agricultural robotics, start-ups, and other major economic sectors. To a limited extent, the public sector is also part of AIRE’s target group.

*The Artificial Intelligence and Robotics centre AIRE (EDIH) is financed by the European Union from the European Digital Innovation Hubs subprogram of the Digital Europe Program (project no.: 101256226). and the Estonian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications