AI & Robotics Estonia (AIRE)
The University of Tartu participates in the activities of the AI and Robotics (AIRE) . Operating as a consortium, the aim of the AIRE centre is to support small and medium-sized industrial enterprises in Estonia on their digitalisation journey by providing artificial intelligence and robotics solutions. All services offered by the AIRE centre are intended for legal entities and are either free of charge or based on state aid*.
The University of Tartu contributes to achieving AIRE’s objectives by supporting services that promote business collaboration and the sharing of knowledge.
We are committed to fostering cooperation with industry and the dissemination of knowledge both within the industrial sector and more broadly in society, and participation in the AIRE centre is one way in which we achieve this goal.
AIRE services offered by the Institute of Computer Science
AIRE's AI Help Desk service helps companies identify their development needs, explore opportunities to improve operational efficiency, and assess the potential of artificial intelligence and other digital technologies. The aim of the consultation is to understand the company's actual challenges, identify potential solutions, and plan the next steps. The most suitable solution does not necessarily have to involve artificial intelligence.
The service includes an initial assessment of the company's needs, an analysis of potential technological solutions, and recommendations for further development activities.
The service is available in two formats:
- 1-hour initial consultation – a free meeting to identify and discuss the company's needs.
- In-depth consultation of up to 8 hours – tailored advice based on the company's specific needs, with a state aid value of €880. The service is provided to eligible companies with 100% state aid coverage, requiring no financial contribution from the company. If additional consultation time is needed, companies may register for the service multiple times.
Interested in the service?
Contact Mari-Anne Suurpere to discuss your company's needs and whether the service would be suitable. I can help determine the appropriate scope of consultation and, if needed, guide you through the AIRE service registration process.
AIRE's Public Funding Opportunities Consultation helps companies identify suitable funding opportunities for development projects involving digitalisation, automation, artificial intelligence, and robotics. The aim of the consultation is to assess how well different funding schemes align with the company's needs and planned project, and to identify the most relevant funding opportunities.
The service includes an assessment of the company's development plans and funding needs, an analysis of suitable funding schemes, and the preparation of a funding opportunities report.
The service provides up to 8 hours of consultation, with a state aid value of €880. It is provided to eligible companies with 100% state aid coverage, requiring no financial contribution from the company. If additional consultation time is needed, companies may register for the service multiple times.
Interested in the service?
Contact Mari-Anne Suurpere to discuss your company's needs and whether the service would be suitable. I can help determine the appropriate scope of consultation and, if needed, guide you through the AIRE service registration process.
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
- 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. - Tailored Roadmap and Recommendations
You’ll receive a practical roadmap to strengthen daily security routines and prepare your organisation for future regulatory requirements, such as NIS2 and the Cyber Resilience Act (if applicable). - 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
- Kick-off meeting – clarify scope and expectations.
- Interviews and data collection – assess key practices and systems.
- Analysis and reporting – summarise findings and recommendations.
- Feedback session – optional presentation and discussion.
Typical duration: 2–3 weeks total.
Service Scope and Cost
The Cybersecurity Assessment service provides up to 40 hours of consultation (5 × 8 hours), with a total state aid value of €4,400 (5 × €880). The service is provided to eligible companies within AIRE's target group at 100% state aid coverage, with no financial contribution required from the company.
If the assessment requires additional time, companies may register for further 8-hour consultation sessions. Each additional session has a state aid value of €880.
The Cybersecurity Assessment service is a sub-service of AIRE's AI Help Desk.
Interested in the service?
Contact Mari-Anne Suurpere to discuss your company's needs and whether the service would be suitable. I can help determine the appropriate scope of consultation and, if needed, guide you through the AIRE service registration process.
AIRE's demonstration projects enable companies to collaborate with researchers to test and validate innovative artificial intelligence and robotics solutions before making major investment decisions. The aim of the service is to help companies assess the applicability of new technologies, reduce technological risks, and support the adoption of innovative solutions.
As part of a demonstration project, a technological solution, methodology, or prototype tailored to the company's needs is developed and tested. The project must involve technological novelty and a degree of uncertainty, and its results should be at least partially applicable to other companies or economic sectors. Demonstration projects are not intended for purchasing ready-made commercial solutions or conducting applied research.
The state aid value of a demonstration project is €49,500, covering the direct costs of project implementation. The service is provided to eligible companies with 100% state aid coverage, requiring no financial contribution from the company. This is not a financial grant paid to the company, but rather a development and testing service provided by AIRE's partner organisations.
Demonstration projects are selected through a competitive call for project ideas. To participate, a company must have a clearly defined development need, a technological feasibility analysis, and a development partner from among AIRE's partner organisations.
Interested in a demonstration project?
Contact Mari-Anne Suurpere to discuss your company's development idea, its suitability for an AIRE demonstration project, and potential collaboration opportunities with researchers at the University of Tartu. I can help you identify the next steps needed to prepare your project.
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.
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
