Rebooting a Nation: The Incredible Rise of Estonia, E-Government and the Startup Revolution

Join us for an engaging conversation with Author Joel Burke and Andrew Grotto (CISAC) on:

Rebooting a Nation: The Incredible Rise of Estonia, E-Government and the Startup Revolution

Three decades after gaining independence from the Soviet Union, Estonia is a nation transformed. Today, the country is known around the world as a startup hub, with numerous local billion-dollar companies including Wise, Veriff, and Bolt. More impressive are Estonia’s pioneering efforts in e-government. With 100% of government services digitalized and accessible online, citizens can vote via computer and file their taxes online in minutes, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance and automate government services long predates ChatGPT. 

In this book talk, the author of Rebooting a Nation: The Incredible Rise of Estonia, E-Government and the Startup Revolution Joel Burke offers unique insight into Estonia’s rapid rise as a tech and e-government powerhouse since the turn of the century. From the founding of Skype to the future of the e-state, he unveils the tactics and stories behind Estonia’s spectacular journey—after years of Soviet occupation and mismanagement to global tech leadership. For those hoping to learn from Estonia’s incredible journey, Burke offers insights into the government’s use of AI, its creation of a digital society, and its cultivation of a culture driving public-sector creativity and innovation. 

Joel Burke is a research fellow at fp21. A former AI Fellow for Senator Mike Rounds, Joel advised the office on AI, technology, and security issues. Previously, he worked in various roles and geographies including in Tallinn as Head of Business Development for e-Residency, the Republic of Estonia’s flagship digital initiative. Other experiences include working as a fellow in Cameroon staffed to a local startup via Venture for Africa; serving as a NYCx Fellow; working as a Partner at Tribe.AI, a managed marketplace for top AI talent; and leading a venture for a Rocket Internet AG subsidiary in Berlin. He started his career at a YC and Andreessen Horowitz-backed startup. 

The talk is moderated by Andrew Grotto, Research Scholar, Center for International Security and Cooperation (FSI). 

Free and open to the public. Registration is requested.