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Associate Professor Lubna Luxmi Dhirani, Department of Electronic & Computer Engineering was invited by the "Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Estonia for Mid-West" to do a Panel session at on: "e-Estonia – Digital Transformation of Government Services: Ireland & Estonia. The Keys to Building e-Governance".

The theme of the session was around AI-driven Digital Transformation: Fostering a Secure, Trustworthy and Transparent e-Governance. 

Lubna's opening statement - "We’re living in a digital age where technology is not just supporting government - it is reshaping how public services are designed, delivered, and experienced. From digital identity and smart infrastructure to AI-driven services and citizen engagement platforms, the landscape of governance is rapidly evolving. The potential cost savings of implementing these ICT Strategies are also significant. The Danish electronic invoicing and Italy’s e-procurement system exemplify how these strategies have saved millions for businesses and taxpayers. These are just a few of the many benefits digital systems can offer. This panel brings together leaders and experts who are at the forefront of this change - individuals turning strategy into action and ideas into tangible outcomes. Let's chat and explore the opportunities, challenges, and key lessons in building digital, inclusive, and future-ready governments".

Lubna chaired the session, while the speakers in hybrid conversation were:

• John Moran, Mayor of Limerick
• Margus Sarapuu, Senior Expert, e-Governance Academy Estonia
• Alan Dooley, Head of Digital Strategy at Limerick City & County Council

The questions included: Initiatives to bridge the critical skills gaps, Challenges in the AI-Space (Upskilling, Prompt Engineering, Vibe Coding, Culture), EU Digital Maturity Assessment, Readiness Index, Limerick's Digital Strategy, Estonia's Digital Strategy and eResidency 2.0 program, Local Government Digital & ICT Strategy 2030 Ireland in advancing the city's goals/objectives, critical enablers for scaling a secure, efficient and citizen-centric digital governance in the years ahead.