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Can humanity still be found on the internet? This year's Internet Day seeks the answer

The Internet Day starts with a search for humanity in the internet. AI is here to stay and new paradigms have been created. The internet, created to connect people and borderless communication, has today been enriched with bots, artificial content, and AI agents. Bothersome decisions are made for us, the digital footprint is curated and business talks are held. Algorithms can provide us with exactly the content that we want to consume at each new moment in time. On the other hand, the share of authentic content created by people on the Internet is rapidly decreasing, and a new reality created by artificial intelligence has arrived. Should we distinguish human-made and artificial content, users and communication in the new reality? Who to trust and who has the power to decide? Has humanity completely disappeared from the internet, or can we find it and turn it back on? The panelist of the discussion are:

• Linnar Viik, IT-visionary
• Kristel Kriisa, AI advisor to the State Chancellery
• Veronika Kalmus, Professor of Sociology at the University of Tartu

AI has shaken our education system. Not only how students use AI to solve tasks, but also the principles on which we teach them. We are faced with the question: how to teach youngsters to understand artificial intelligence and realize its maximum benefits. We can also be sure that the ability to use AI and smart devices has become an important competence in the modern labor market. Knowledge that increases productivity tens of times, or the lack of it, can lead to a new digital divide. Therefore, restricting the use of smartphones in schools can do a disservice. Can our education system adequately adapt to the opportunities of the artificial intelligence? To what extent should the use of smartphones and AI be restricted in schools, and how to create an environment conducive to learning and youth development? The experts in the panel are:

• Grete Arro, researcher at the University of Tallinn
• Riin Saadjärv, Head of Educational Technology at the Ministry of Education
• Luule Niinesalu, Director of Peetri Elementary School

The day ends with the topic of internet freedom, which has created a lot of discussion in recent months. Namely, by moderating and restricting internet content, we have reached a new framework of "computer says no". According to this, the content publication has become limited by the platform's will, not the technological capability. On the other hand, fact-checking and moderation bias have been shown, which has allegedly led to the end of Facebook's fact-checking. Is our internet truly free in the system that has worked so far? Is the end of Facebook's fact-checking the first step to regaining internet independence? Who should control freedom of speech on the Internet, or is there no need for it and today's principles should be left in history? The panelists are:

• Mari-Liis Somelar, Fact-checking and Disinformation Reporter at Delfi
• Andreas Kaju, Managing Partner at META Advisory
• Chistian Veske, Commissioner for Equality and Equal Treatment

Internet Day will also be enriched by lightning talks by the NGO Digitarkus about digital counseling for the elderly and the introduction of the Internet Governance in the International Arena by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Internet Day will be moderated by a tech journalist Henrik Roonemaa. 

The event is held in Estonian, more information is available at https://päev.internet.ee/2025.

See the livestream of the Internet Day here (in Estonian):