Progress in Implementing the European Union Coordinated Plan on Artificial Intelligence (Volume 1): Lithuania
Table of contents
The European Union (EU) Coordinated Plan on Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a strategic initiative by the European Commission and EU Member States to promote AI development, investment and co-operation. In 2024, the OECD conducted a survey and interviews to take stock of implementation progress made by the EU Member States in implementing the actions set in the EU Coordinated Plan on AI. Drawing on the information collected, the OECD prepared country notes for each EU Member State. This document presents the country note for Lithuania, which summarises key initiatives and implementation progress.
The European Union (EU) Coordinated Plan on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Lithuania’s goals of economic development serve as guidance for AI development and application: Lithuania’s AI strategy and action plan provide key orientations and recommendations for policy makers to help create an enabling environment for AI development and uptake, drawing on the EU Coordinated Plan on AI and taking into account the goals of economic development in Lithuania.
AI is conceptualised in the broader context of the digital transformation: Sector-specific AI priorities are set in the existing development programmes by the various ministries and the necessary AI infrastructure is provided mainly by universities and other stakeholders. Where AI-‑specific publicly funded programmes exist, the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) and other EU funding is instrumental.
A key theme is fostering digital and AI readiness where the government has most impact: namely in building digital skills in early education and promoting the use of technology in the public sector (through the existing GovTech Lab Lithuania).
Fostering entrepreneurship is a further focal point of the government: Initiatives are aimed at improving the foundations for a robust entrepreneurship ecosystem, as well as aiming to reduce risks for companies developing or using AI technologies (through the upcoming AI sandbox).
Lithuania is promoting the effective use of AI technologies throughout different sectors: including for climate mitigation, healthcare and the public sector, among others.
Lithuania’s Artificial Intelligence Strategy (Republic of Lithuania, 2019[1]), adopted in 2019, was developed by a group of experts in the course of the project Create Lithuania (Kurk Lietuvai), a strategic government initiative of the foreign investment agency, Invest Lithuania (Investuok Lietuvoje). The strategy provides recommendations to the Ministry of the Economy and Innovation on the main directions and actions which would help create better conditions for AI research development, maximise its potential across economic sectors and develop AI skills and competencies, setting out a responsible approach to data. An update of the strategy is underway at the time of writing.
While no specific funding envelope has been attached to the strategy,1 its recommendations (and other inputs)2 were used in the preparation other planning documents, most notably the Action Plan for the Development of Artificial Intelligence Technologies in Lithuania 2023-2026 (Lietuvos dirbtinio intelekto technologijų plėtros veiksmų planas 2023-2026 m.) (hereafter the “Action Plan”), which has been published in September 2022 (Liubinavičė and Žemaitytė, 2022[2]), a set of recommendations and guidance documents, with an adoption by government or parliament still outstanding.
The Action Plan sets out to make progress in 3 main objectives (with 11 measures and 26 activities): i) to improve the prerequisites which are necessary for the development of an AI ecosystem (with 5 measures aimed at data, computing resources, talent, financial instruments and co‑ordination); ii) to promote deployment and use of AI technologies in all sectors (3 measures aimed at the private and public sectors and the list of AI components); iii) to encourage high-technology innovations in AI (3 measures focused on co‑operation, interdisciplinarity and removing obstacles). For the monitoring of each activity, quantitative or qualitative indicators are foreseen in the Action Plan, which also defines 5 initial priority activities and includes a range of implementation options, depending on resources and priorities.3
The monitoring of AI-specific measures would also be covered by a new Strategic Management Information System that has been proposed, though not yet adopted. It is intended to help ministries monitor and supervise the implementation of all national planning documents, measures and projects.
In addition, several institutional arrangements exist in Lithuania that could serve AI policy co‑ordination and monitoring purposes, including the Working Group on Artificial Intelligence within Committee for the Future of the Seimas (Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania), the Open Data and Digital Transformation Centre of Excellence, the Commission for the Strategic Portfolio of Projects under the Prime Minister. Throughout 2024, a National AI Governance Forum was convened to deliberate on updates to the Lithuanian AI strategy; the results of these deliberations will be presented to the new government following elections in October 2024.
Additionally, the Artificial Intelligence Association of Lithuania was established in 2019 to strengthen the perception of AI value in society, its influence and its potential for use in various areas (education, culture, health protection, environmental protection, security, among others). It also helps national institutions when dealing with private stakeholders.
Lithuania has several projects that can help create a suitable environment for AI development and uptake, as underpinned by the objectives put forth in the Action Plan. With regard to data, the plan foresees developing guidelines on strategic data collection and storage for companies and public authorities. With regard to public sector data and state information technologies’ management, multiple projects are currently underway, using a combined budget of EUR 126 million through the RRF and EUR 41 million from other EU funds.
The Government of Lithuania is not investing directly in building HPC resources, although some projects at universities targeting HPC resources are set to receive public funding.4 Furthermore, the Centre of Semiconductor Technology at Vilnius University (2024[3]; 2024[4]) received EUR 5 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to modernise its open access research, development and innovation base, increasing its use in international and regional research initiatives.
Lithuania encourages the development of interdisciplinary research capacities5 and, thus, does not have programmes dedicated to specific technologies. However, research and development (R&D) projects in AI can be funded from all national R&D measures. A notable project is the creation of a joint6 Centre of Excellence of Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Living and Working in Lithuania.
Similarly, accelerator Startup Lithuania (the national start-up ecosystem facilitator with a budget of EUR 10 million, under the auspices Innovation Agency Lithuania) is not AI-specific, though it does offer start-up acceleration services, of which approximately 30% were used by start-ups dealing with AI.
Start-up and small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) support in Lithuania also has AI-specific measures, often focused on specific regions. For instance, in the Central and Western region of Lithuania, 47 projects are already being implemented to develop AI solutions, for which more than EUR 30 million has been allocated. In 2024, EUR 15 million (via the RRF) were granted to 170 projects for start-ups in the Vilnius region to develop innovative solutions and products in AI, blockchain technology and robotics process automation.
Lithuania is implementing many initiatives related to digital, ICT and technology skills throughout its education system, with a major overhaul of primary and secondary school curricula to strengthen digital competences, as well as AI-specific study programmes,7 measures to reskill ICT specialists and specific programmes to promote digital inclusion. Lithuania’s National Digital Decade Roadmap details measures for the development of digital skills for over EUR 160 million (Republic of Lithuania, 2024[5]). Further AI‑specific measures are under preparation, such as specific training for 60 000 state officials with the aim of improving their AI skills.
Lithuania is deploying substantial efforts to promote the effective use of AI technologies throughout different sectors and through various programmes – including to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the agri-food sector, forestry, the health sector and the public sector – with GovTechLab Lithuania and its AI sandbox being notable initiatives. Lithuania did not report any initiatives specifically dedicated to the development or testing of AI technologies in the transport sector.8
AI sandbox for the public sector
In 2024, GovTech Lab Lithuania also launched a pilot programme for an AI sandbox. This programme is designed to apply AI solutions specifically to the public sector and to understand what regulatory, process or behavioural changes are needed to apply AI solutions.
During the 9-month programme, 14 public institutions tested products based on AI technologies that already exist on the market. The institutions can receive expert consultations to address upcoming challenges such as data analysis, preparation of future insights, improvement of provision of their services and chatbots for the effective communication with clients.
AI sandbox for business
The Innovation Agency Lithuania AI sandbox (not in place at the time of writing, but with its concept approved) is designed to support companies from all sectors and provide legal advice regarding their exposure to AI system requirements under the EU AI Act and other regulations pertaining to AI, including which risk category the AI systems they are developing or using would fall under.
Companies selected for the AI sandbox programme (priority given to companies developing/applying high-risk AI systems) would be able to receive additional expert consultations on the compliance of their AI systems with requirements and on preparation for conformity assessment/certification procedures.
Companies participating in the AI sandbox programme would be given access to the necessary infrastructure to test their solutions for a limited period before they are launched on the market.
These pilot activities are intended to start at the beginning of 2026. Consultations will be provided to 10 companies selected for the AI sandbox programme and 10-20 additional companies will be selected every year, depending on the results and lessons learnt during pilot activities.
While the budget is not yet approved, funding is expected from the state and the ERDF (2026-28).
Lithuania’s health data governance is guided by the Action Plan for the Development of the Digital Health System for 2023-2027, which establishes priorities for modernising the country’s digital health landscape (Republic of Lithuania, 2017[8]). Key objectives for the plan include updating the health system’s architecture, enhancing management models and ensuring secure, standardised data exchange aligned with EU regulations. The Ministry of Health, responsible for healthcare regulation, e-health system management and health system performance, oversees these efforts. One of the major advancements in the e-health ecosystem is the launch of the State Electronic Health Services and Cooperation Infrastructure Information System (ESPBI IS) in 2015, which enables secure electronic health services (electronic health record) sharing among healthcare providers, supporting continuity of care (Riklikienė, Starkienė and Macijauskienė, 2019[9]). To address challenges in the e-health ecosystem, such as slow digital solution development and resource constraints, Lithuania is also modernising its e-prescription system and has adopted the Law on Reuse of Health Data to foster health data reuse for R&I purposes (Republic of Lithuania, 2021[10]).
Lithuania’s AI advancements in healthcare are primarily focused on research and pilot projects. Notable initiatives include the participation of the Hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Kaunas Clinics in the AIDA initiative, which aims to develop an AI-powered platform to assist healthcare professionals in providing personalised care for patients with precancerous stomach conditions, supporting early prevention of stomach cancer (University of Latvia, 2024[11]; AIDA EU Project, 2024[12]). Lithuania is also participating in broader EU digital health efforts, such as the eHealth Digital Service Infrastructure (eHDSI) and the 1+ Million Genomes initiative, positioning the country within a collaborative EU ecosystem for digital health innovation. These initiatives support Lithuania’s ambition to integrate AI into healthcare, advancing personalised medicine and patient outcomes.
References
[12] AIDA EU Project (2024), Hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Kaunas Clinics, https://www.aidaeuproject.org/partners/hospital-of-lithuanian-university-of-health-sciences-kaunas-clinics/?_gl=1*18wbfr6*_up*MQ..*_ga*ODA5NDkzMTkzLjE3NjE3NDAyOTg.*_ga_1MGSHTQ3PY*czE3NjE3NDAyOTckbzEkZzAkdDE3NjE3NDAyOTckajYwJGwwJGgw (accessed on 12 March 2025).
[6] EdTech Centras (2022), About the Project, Digital Transformation of Education, https://edtech.nsa.smm.lt/en/about-the-project/.
[7] Innovation Agency Lithuania (2023), “Lietuvoje kuriama pirmoji skaitmeninio verslumo ugdymo programa”, https://inovacijuagentura.lt/news/2023/09/lietuvoje-kuriama-pirmoji-skaitmeninio-verslumo-ugdymo-programa.html?lang=lt.
[2] Liubinavičė, R. and G. Žemaitytė (2022), Action Plan for the Development of Artificial Intelligence Technologies in Lithuania 2023-2026, Kurk Lietuvai, Ekonomiko ir Inoaciju Ministerija, https://data.kurklt.lt/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/DI-pletros-veiksmu-planas.pdf.
[5] Republic of Lithuania (2024), National Digital Decade Roadmap of the Republic of Lithuania, Ministry of the Economy and Innovation, https://eimin.lrv.lt/media/viesa/saugykla/2024/5/wzspkh-PiZI.pdf.
[10] Republic of Lithuania (2021), Republic of Lithuania Law on the Reuse of Health Data (Lietuvos Respublikos pakartotinio sveikatos duomenų naudojimo įstatymas), https://www.e-tar.lt/portal/lt/legalActEditions/0457ba8067e611eca9ac839120d251c4.
[1] Republic of Lithuania (2019), Lithuanian Artificial Intelligence Strategy - A Vision of the Future, Ministry of the Economy and Innovation, https://eimin.lrv.lt/uploads/eimin/documents/files/DI_strategija_ENG(1).pdf.
[8] Republic of Lithuania (2017), On the Adoption of the Digital Health Framework Development Action Plan 2023-2027 (Dėl Skaitmeninės sveikatos sistemos plėtros 2023–2027 metų veiksmų plano patvirtinimo), Ministry of Health of the Republic of Lithuania, https://e-seimas.lrs.lt/portal/legalAct/lt/TAD/2d9e4b906af511e7aefae747e4b63286/asr.
[9] Riklikienė, O., L. Starkienė and J. Macijauskienė (2019), Lithuania, European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, Copenhagen, Denmark, http://europepmc.org/abstract/MED/31465169.
[11] University of Latvia (2024), AIDA - An Artificially Intelligent Diagnostic Assistant for Gastric Inflammation, Institute of Clinical and Preventive Medicine, https://www.kpmi.lu.lv/en/research/research-projects/aida/.
[3] Vilnius University (2024), Center of Semiconductor Technology (PTC), Faculty of Physics, https://www.ff.vu.lt/en/science/research-infrastructure/ptc.
[4] Vilnius University (2024), LitGrid-HPC (Lithuanian Grid Infrastructure for High-Performance Computing), Faculty of Physics, https://www.ff.vu.lt/en/science/research-infrastructure/litgrid-hpc.
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← 1. Nevertheless, as of the publication of the Lithuanian AI strategy, a total of 39 different AI projects received funding from the Ministry of the Economy and Innovation, totalling EUR 12.5 million between 2016 and 2019; when combined with private capital brought in, the total value of projects from 2016 to 2019 was over EUR 20 million. Additionally, AI academic research projects received EUR 6.5 million under the Ministry of Education and Science.
← 2. Notably the National Progress Plan 2021-2030, Lithuania’s Recovery and Resilience Plan 2021-2026, the EU Coordinated Action Plan on Artificial Intelligence updated in 2021, the proposal of the European Commission for a single legal framework for AI from 2021 as well as results of a public consultation with stakeholders held in April-August 2022.
← 3. The minimum plan would foresee implementing 8 activities in 8 independent measures, the medium plan includes 16 inter-related activities in 9 measures and the maximum plan covers the full range of measures and plans.
← 4. Lithuania has finished several projects, as a result of which there are two publicly available HPC clusters in the country: one is managed by Vilnius University and another by Kaunas University of Technology. The VU HPC supercomputer infrastructure at Vilnius University is the biggest one in the Baltic countries.
← 5. Such as through the Information Technologies for the Development of Science and the Knowledge Society programme of the Research Council of Lithuania, which is aimed at the creation of an ecosystem of competencies in newly emerging and/or rapidly developing topics of IT and quantum computing science, including AI, as well as the three European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH4IAE.LT, EDIH VILNIUS and DI4 Lithuanian ID), which have integrated AI-based activities in a variety of fields, including manufacturing, public sector, healthcare and biotechnology, ICT and financial technology.
← 6. Including co‑operation between key national partners – the four leading universities of the country Kaunas University of Technology (KTU), Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH), Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) and Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU) – and advanced international ones, Tampere University (TAU) in Finland and Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH) in Germany.
← 7. Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) and Vilnius Gediminas Technical University have AI in 5 study programmes (bachelor’s and two master’s); KTU offers programmes in: AI (bachelor’s degree), AI informatics (master’s degree) and data science and AI (master’s degree, from September 2024); Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (Vilnius Tech) offers programmes in: AI systems (bachelor’s degree) and applied AI (bachelor’s degree).
← 8. Among the projects that received funding as part of the sandbox initiative were those in the transport sector: aviation (drones), railways, driver training, automation, vehicle traffic monitoring, public transport, logistics and similar areas.