NextGen Group

Leading public sector innovation research!

The Next Gen Digital State (NGDS) research group explores technological solutions to meet the evolving needs of citizens through digital government ecosystems. We collaborate with Estonian and international agencies to advance government technology with research in AI architecture, data analytics, and the socio-economic impacts of tech deployment. Our goal is to lead in public sector innovation research.

Our Mission
Our Vision

Provide cutting-edge interdisciplinary research that focuses on the practical and theoretical, enabling the successful implementation of digital government solutions and policy

Our vision is to positively impact and transform the next generation of global digital-governance ecosystems

Who we exactly are

Our Next Generation Digital State research group, part of the School of IT, Department of Software Science at Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech), brings together a multidisciplinary team of more than 30 members, including 4 professors, 8 researchers and experts with PhD, 12 early-stage researchers, 3 research and study assistants, and 4 administrative staff.
A significant share of the group consists of doctoral students (early-stage researchers), reflecting our strong commitment to nurturing the next generation of digital state scholars and practitioners. We are particularly proud that our research environment is shaped by young, energetic, and innovative minds, whose openness and creativity drive both our research excellence and everyday collaboration. Notably, the majority of our team members are women in IT, contributing to diversity and inclusive perspectives in digital state research.

As a core activity in parallel to research activities, the group plays a key role in advanced education and capacity building. Under the Next Generation Digital State umbrella, we operate the one-year international MSc programme in “E-Governance Technologies and Services”, founded in 2013. To date, the programme has attracted applicants from 58 countries, with 262 graduates. We also offer the one-year national MSc programme “Data and Technologies for a Digital State”, launched in 2025, which enrolls 38 active students.
Beyond degree programmes, the research group actively contributes to lifelong learning and international knowledge exchange. We have successfully conducted tailor made Summer and Winter Schools for participants from seven countries, delivered three years of micro-degree programmes involving participants from developing countries, and implemented more than ten cooperation and research projects in the digital transformation domain creating master level curricula in Kenya, Ukraine, Tunisia, Marocco and Palestine. We are the official ITU Academy Academic Training Centre (ATC) offering online courses and Face-to-Face trainings in Digital Transformation domain for global audience in Tallinn and Geneva.

How can we help you

Cross Border Data Exchange

Our experts research the newest architectures and ways to securely exchange data using novel micro-services and event-driven architecture

Artificial Intelligence

This research group analyzes and investigates the use of AI inside of government as well as specifically in the enablement service provision using virtual assistants

Human Element

Our experts investigate whether consumer populations within the citizenry are willing and able to adopt these novel technologies in relation to service implementation

Frequently asked questions

What to know

Our expertise

The human and technological aspects of next generation digital transformation
The implementation of Artificial Intelligence, novel architectures and data strategies
Analysis of existing business processes and the migration toward new methods of conducting business

Which problems can we solve?

The research group investigates problems facing the implementation and development of next generation digital technologies as they apply to public and private sectors.

We can answer questions such as:

How can AI help revolutionize government services?
How can new architectures enable innovative methods for secure data exchange?
How can you ensure your government´s technology infrastructure is ready to implement these technologies?
How can you ensure your data can be used in these processes?