Estonia Expands AI in Schools With ChatGPT Edu Rollout

Governments and educational institutions are adopting artificial intelligence tools in classrooms, with Estonia’s AI Leap initiative marking a recent example of this trend.

Estonia’s government announced the AI Leap programme in February 2025, aiming to introduce AI tools such as ChatGPT Edu into secondary schools. The rollout is scheduled to begin in September 2025, initially involving 20,000 high school students and 3,000 teachers.

OpenAI confirmed its role in the initiative, stating that it will provide a customized version of ChatGPT for educational use, along with API access and technical support for participating schools. The programme’s initial phase focuses on secondary education, with plans to expand further in the following year.

According to information published by the Estonian government, the programme will extend to vocational schools in September 2026. This expansion is expected to include approximately 38,000 additional students and 3,000 more teachers.

What the numbers show

• €3.2 million allocated for the initial AI Leap budget, increasing to €6 million in 2026
• 81% of surveyed U.S. teachers expressed concern about AI weakening critical thinking
• Nearly 70% of U.S. parents oppose sharing student data with AI systems

The Financial Times reported that the AI Leap initiative includes provisions for free computers for students in underprivileged areas. The programme’s budget is set to rise from €3.2 million in its first year to €6 million in 2026 as it expands to cover more schools and participants.

In the United States, surveys have documented concerns among educators and school leaders about the impact of AI on student learning. A College Board survey found that 87% of principals worry that AI tools could reduce the development of critical thinking skills, while 82% are concerned about reduced engagement with course material.

A Business Insider report stated that 81% of U.S. teachers surveyed fear that excessive reliance on AI could weaken students’ ability to think critically. Additional survey data from undergraduate students identified both risks, such as potential threats to academic integrity and independent problem-solving, and benefits, including improved feedback and study support.

Parental perspectives in the U.S. also reflect caution regarding AI in education. The 57th annual PDK poll found that nearly 70% of parents oppose sharing student data with AI systems, citing privacy and equity as primary concerns.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.