Katre Eljas

Katre Eljas is a human-centered innovation leader, strategist, and expert in AI, entrepreneurship, and industry transformation. She is the Head of AI & Robotics Estonia (AIRE) at Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech), where she leads the development of AI and robotics innovation services that help companies adopt advanced technologies and strengthen competitiveness through practical AI implementation.

With more than 25 years of experience across public administration, international consultancy, innovation policy, and university–industry collaboration, Katre has worked extensively on research commercialisation, entrepreneurship ecosystems, strategic development, and innovation policies. Her background includes leadership roles at Technopolis Group, the Estonian Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Environment, and TalTech.

Katre believes that artificial intelligence is not only a technological revolution, but also a transformation of how humans think, create, work, and interact with the world. Her vision is that AI should augment human potential rather than replace it, while making empathy, creativity, intuition, ethics, and meaningful human connection even more valuable in the future economy. She actively contributes to shaping innovation ecosystems that connect technology, business, academia, and society in a human-centered and sustainable way.

Throughout her career, Katre has led and contributed to numerous international studies, policy evaluations, and innovation projects for the European Commission, public authorities, universities, and international organisations in areas such as AI, innovation policy, circular economy, digital transformation, entrepreneurship, and future employment.

Alongside her professional work, Katre is passionate about Latin music and dancing, which reflect her belief that the future should not be built only around efficiency and technology, but also around joy, creativity, rhythm, and human connection. She holds Master of Science degree in Economics.