Digitalization and sustainability are no longer just visions of the future – they are becoming a fundamental part of modern business and societal development. In collaboration with the media platform DIENA PĒC, a new podcast series, #digiSpēja, has been launched, where industry experts discuss how digital solutions and sustainable practices interact, creating a new paradigm of thinking.
The third and final episode featured a discussion with Rinalds Celmiņš, Director of the Digital Policy Department at the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development, and Jānis Lielpēteris, Board Member of The Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The conversation was hosted by Kristaps Pētersons.
This time, the focus was on linking digitalization and sustainability with the goal of building a smart state. During the discussion, artificial intelligence (AI) was highlighted as a third key dimension.
The discussion covered Latvia’s position in digitalization, progress toward the “Digital Decade” goals, and the next steps. A small country’s advantage is flexibility, allowing for rapid adaptation. However, Latvia lags behind Lithuania and Estonia in business digitalization, and many entrepreneurs underestimate the importance of investing in technology for growth. AI is particularly useful for small businesses, replacing additional staff and increasing efficiency. AI is already used in the public sector, for example, chatbots provide customer support by answering around 90% of standard queries. The State Land Service uses AI to analyze agricultural areas, while municipalities can use drone imagery and AI digital twins to detect cracks in buildings. Advanced solutions, such as synthetic video and photo creation for training AI models for specific, rare situations, were also highlighted.
A great opportunity for Latvian businesses and the public sector is free AI model training using the Finland-based “LUMI AI Factory,” which will provide Latvia with access to supercomputing resources.
The discussion also addressed the future vision. The coming years, up to 2030, are critical for reducing the digital divide. After this period, a shift in focus may prioritize faster development in sectors already ready for AI and other technologies, similar to how online banking eventually became standard practice after overcoming initial resistance. This transition is further supported by “digital pioneers” in business and the public sector, whose experience and willingness to take risks help others move forward.
We invite entrepreneurs and public sector representatives to listen to the latest episode of the #digiSpēja podcast to understand how the synergy of digitalization, sustainability, and AI can accelerate the path toward a smart state and business growth!
The podcast is available on YouTube and Spotify, and is conducted in Latvian.
#digiSpēja podcast is created as part of the SusTool (Sustainability reporting tool) project (2023-2025) which is financed by Interreg Baltic Sea Region programme 2021-2027, 1 Priority Innovative societies, 1.2 Objective Responsive Public services and it contributes to EUSBSR PA Innovation Action.
Latest information about the project:
Project partners include the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications as the lead partner from Estonia, and as partners: the Ministry of Finance, Zero Waste Estonia and ITL from Estonia; VARAM and LIKTA from Latvia; DIMECC LTD from Finland, INFOBALT from Lithuania and several associated partners from the mentioned countries, as well as Poland. The project will conclude on December 31, 2025.
Project manager
Santa Bileskalne
Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development of the Republic of Latvia
+37167026551
santa.bileskalne@varam.gov.lv