MA Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Societies

The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Programme in Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Societies (AISS) is a full-time postgraduate programme offered by Tallinn University’s School of Digital Technologies in collaboration with Tampere University, Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences, and Lusófona University, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering. The programme focuses on the intersection of artificial intelligence, sustainability, data-driven decision-making, and participatory design, preparing students to study and develop AI and data-driven solutions that contribute to sustainable societies.

The programme has a nominal duration of 2 years and 120 ECTS and is taught entirely in English. Students study across three locations: Tallinn, Porto, and Tampere. The programme begins with basic studies in sustainable societies, artificial intelligence, data, and design in Tallinn. Students then continue their studies in Porto, combining elective courses with basic studies. In Tampere, students participate in an interdisciplinary, project-based course involving real clients. During the final semester, students undertake a professional placement and master’s thesis, with the option to choose between Tampere, Tallinn, and Porto as their study location.

Programme Focus

The programme develops knowledge and skills related to the use of AI and data in addressing societal and environmental challenges. Students learn how participatory design approaches can be used to study and design sustainable AI and data-driven solutions while considering citizens and society.

Key areas addressed by the programme include energy efficiency, environmental monitoring, waste reduction, sustainable transportation, ethics and responsible AI, societal sustainability, and active citizenship. AI applications may include improving energy efficiency, monitoring environmental threats such as deforestation and oil spills, optimizing recycling and waste-management processes, and supporting sustainable transportation planning.

The programme also emphasizes the human and societal dimensions of technological development. Students consider issues such as accessibility, equality, diversity, behavioural change, hidden biases, ethical responsibility, service design, environmental considerations, and the impact of technology on society. Active citizenship is another important area, including AI- and data-driven citizen services, deliberative democracy, social-media analysis, and detecting fake news.

Study Structure

Students enrolled in Tallinn begin with studies covering sustainable societies, AI, data, and design. The programme then continues in Porto with a combination of elective and core studies. Students subsequently move to Tampere for an interdisciplinary project-based course involving real clients. The final semester is dedicated to professional placement and the master’s thesis, and students can choose to complete this stage in Tampere, Tallinn, or Porto.

The programme has been developed with the involvement of academic institutions as well as societal and industry partners, including Citizen OS, Estonian Anthropocene Center NGO, Lääne-Harju municipality, and Inspirators.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree or a corresponding qualification to apply for the Master’s programme. Applicants who are completing their final year of Bachelor’s studies may initially submit a certificate showing their latest study results and must provide their final diploma and transcript of records no later than 1 July.

At least 60% of the possible maximum results is expected for qualification for studies at Tallinn University. Applicants must also submit all required documents and any programme-specific assignments required for the Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Societies MA programme.

Educational qualification documents are accepted in English or Estonian. Country-specific document requirements may also apply. Applicants are advised to submit their applications early because applications submitted during the final week of the application period may not receive feedback, and Tallinn University reserves the right to reject such applications without additional feedback or time for updates.

English Language Requirements

The programme is taught in English, and applicants must provide evidence of English proficiency unless they qualify for an exemption.

Applicants who completed their previous education fully in English in the United States, Canada, Commonwealth of Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Switzerland, or EU/EEA countries may be exempt from submitting an international English-language test, provided they submit attested proof from their previous educational institution.

Accepted English-language tests include:

• IELTS Academic: 6.5 or above, with a minimum of 5.5 in each component
• B2 First: 169, with a minimum of 169 in each component
• C1 Advanced: 169, with a minimum of 169 in each component
• C2 Proficiency: 169, with a minimum of 169 in each component
• TOEFL iBT: 92, with a minimum of 20 in each component
• TOEFL exams taken on or after January 21: minimum total score of 4 and minimum score of 4 in Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking
• PTE Academic: 62, with a minimum of 59 in each component

English-language test results must remain valid. Tallinn University accepts English test scores taken no more than two years before the beginning of studies, while Cambridge English Qualifications may be accepted when taken up to 10 years before the beginning of studies.

Certain additional exemptions are available for students with specific International Baccalaureate, Finnish, Latvian, or Lithuanian English qualifications, subject to the requirements stated by Tallinn University.

Tuition Fee

The tuition fee for the programme is €2,000 per semester. For non-EU applicants, payment of the first semester’s tuition fee is required before the commencement of studies, except for students who have been granted a scholarship.

Career Opportunities

The programme prepares students to apply AI and data-driven approaches to a range of sustainability and societal challenges. Potential areas include energy efficiency, environmental monitoring, waste management, sustainable transportation, ethical and responsible AI, societal sustainability, service design, citizen services, and active citizenship.

Students may also pursue further academic research. Excellent students can apply for doctoral programmes in related research fields, including available PhD positions connected with state or research projects.

Programme Information

The programme is offered as a full-time postgraduate Master’s degree, carries 120 ECTS, and has a duration of 2 years. Studies for the stated intake were scheduled to commence on 24 August. However, the source indicates that this intake is not applicable and the application period has ended.