DTI students address real-world challenges with Tallinn City and industry leaders

The master’s programs at the School of Digital Technologies at Tallinn University are renowned for their unique and practical approach. These programs not only equip students with new skills and knowledge but also provide opportunities to apply them in collaboration with prominent organizations and government institutions. While this might initially feel overwhelming, it motivates students to give their best and gain hands-on experience in real-world scenarios, preparing them for their future careers.

This autumn was no exception. Students from two master’s programs—Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Societies (AISS)—participated in collaborative projects with the City of Tallinn and corporate partners like Salu and Standard.

The shared goal of these projects was to enhance existing systems. DTI students were tasked with proposing innovative solutions, testing them in practical settings, and demonstrating their potential benefits. Over three months, students conducted research, engaged with stakeholders, and developed prototypes. In mid-December, their efforts culminated in a major presentation at the Tallinn City Office.

One group of HCI students, as part of the Interaction Design Workshop course, worked on Tallinn’s 3D City Model Digital Twin. Their objective was to improve the functionality and usability of the system, making it more helpful for users. “The Tallinn City Government aims to develop Tallinn’s Digital Twin, with a web-based portal as a key component. I was curious to see how students could analyze user needs and propose visual designs. My expectations were exceeded—students provided an excellent overview of the portal’s potential capabilities and the expectations of city office users,” said Markus Annilo, Digital Twin Technology Manager at Tallinn Strategic Management Office.

When asked about involving students in such projects, Markus added: “Working with students highlights their fresh approaches and innovative ideas. If we want smart, adaptable individuals in our workforce, we must offer them real-world opportunities early on.” The group identified platform users, conducted interviews to gather needs and feedback, and presented a more functional prototype for the Digital Twin, which was warmly received by the office.

Another group of AISS students, as part of the Collective Intelligence course led by Kelli Turmann from Biotopia, tackled data collection and presentation challenges for Standard, one of Estonia’s oldest furniture and interior design companies.

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Their findings emphasized avoiding AI due to its high energy consumption and limited immediate relevance. They also highlighted the difficulty of analyzing and presenting accurate insights amidst the vast amount of data in the interior design industry. Instead, the group proposed starting small with manageable solutions, testing them iteratively, and postponing more complex challenges for the future.

Every year, students in these programs collaborate with different partners, giving them the chance to apply their skills while still studying. Last year, HCI students had the opportunity to work with SEB Bank to help solve issues with app accessibility. These kinds of collaborations also give students a chance to see their potential future roles in such companies and organizations, so that once they have their diploma in hand, they know they have many opportunities and various paths to pursue.

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