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Estonian IGF focused on vibecoding, social media restrictions, and cybercrime

The event brought together experts, entrepreneurs, public sector representatives, and community members to discuss some of the most pressing challenges facing digital society today.

This year’s program focused on three urgent topics: the role of artificial intelligence in building technology, the impact of banning social media on young people, and the rise of cyber fraud and its effect on trust in digital services. Together, participants explored the broader impact of technology on people, our security, and the way society functions as a whole.

Vibe coding: revolution or just an illusion?

Artificial intelligence is no longer seen as just a tool. Increasingly, it has also become a creator of technology. AI tools now make it possible to build software based simply on a written prompt, making development faster and more accessible. At the same time, this has raised questions about code quality, security, and accountability. In this panel, participants discussed whether vibe coding was the next major breakthrough or a risk that could deepen our dependence on technology even further.

The panel was joined by experts:

• Markko Liutkevičius, Head of the Artificial Intelligence and Innovation Department of the Estonian System Authority (RIA)

• Kei Olbrei, vibe-coder and trainer

• Siim Vene, lector and program manager at TalTech University

Should young people be disconnected from social media?

Social media has become the main channel for communication and self-expression for young people. At the same time, growing evidence is pointing to its negative impact on mental health and social cohesion. The discussion focused on whether and how society should intervene: is a full ban the right step, or should digital environments instead be rethought and redesigned? The panel looked for a balance between protecting young people and limiting internet freedom.

Experts in the panel:

• Inger Klesment, media literacy project manager at the University of Tartu

• Eneli Kindsiko, Expert at the Estonian Foresight Centre

• Karmen Maikalu, psychologist and Head of the Estonian Association of School Psychologists

• Julia Rodina, founder of NGO Future Media and media trainer

The fraud epidemic: should we lock down the digital state?

Cyber fraud and scam calls have become a widespread everyday problem that has not yet been effectively controlled. Artificial intelligence is making scams even more convincing, while responsibility for self-protection still largely falls on the individual. The discussion looked at why cyber fraud remaines such a major challenge, what are the biggest bottlenecks, and how responsibility should be shared between the state, businesses, and users.

The panel featured following experts:

• Jaagup Toompuu, Central Criminal Police Economic Crime Bureau

• Oliver Laas, Junior Lecturer in Philosophy, Tallinn University

• Andres Kütt, CTO of Proud Engineers tehnoloogiajuht, Council member of the Estonian Internet Foundation

The program also featured two lightning talks by Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom about misinformation and the importance of knowing the owner behind a domain name by Mare Vahtre from the Estonian Internet Foundation.

Internet Day gave the community a voice in issues that affect all of us in our daily lives and created space for meaningful discussion on some of today’s most important digital questions. The next event on the topics of internet governance EuroDIG is held at the end of May. Learn more about the event and register here.