LDTA continues to implement the ICT and Related Sectors Digital Skills Training Project, providing the latest knowledge and skill development for companies and their employees.
On October 22–23 this year, the digitalization and connectivity forum “Techritory 2025” took place in Riga at the Atta Centre conference venue. For the eighth time, it brought together over 1,500 participants – high-level experts, entrepreneurs, policymakers, representatives from academia, and other leaders in innovation and technology sectors. This year’s main theme was “A Connected Future Through Digital Pathways,” covering a wide range of current technologies, including the future of quantum technologies, the development of 5G and 6G, practical applications of artificial intelligence, data centers, e-identity, drone technologies, off-terrestrial networks, and maritime autonomy.
The forum featured both discussions and co-creation sessions, where participants explored solutions for future technologies – from using AI in port digitalization to collaboration in space innovation financing and strengthening digital identity in Europe. A historic event this year was the launch of the “Team Latvia” initiative, uniting Latvian technology companies – SIA “Elektroniskie sakari,” LMT, “Tet,” “Citrus Solutions,” LVRTC, “Mikrotik,” and “SAF Tehnika” – to jointly participate in international digital infrastructure projects, enhance export opportunities, and develop long-term collaboration with countries needing secure and modern digital infrastructure, including Ukraine, Moldova, Uzbekistan, and Egypt.
Forum experts and honored guests included European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna Virkunena, NATO Deputy Secretary-General Jean-Charles Ellerman-Kingombe, OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau Kosmas Luxis Zavazav, as well as Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa, Minister of Foreign Affairs Baiba Braže, and Minister of Economics Viktors Valainis. Their presence highlighted the forum’s international significance and the diverse expertise that brought together politicians, industry leaders, and global organizations to shape the future vision of digital connectivity and transformation.
Special attention at the forum was given to digital sovereignty and cybersecurity challenges in Europe, including the role of federated cloud ecosystems and open-source technologies. The implementation of the NIS2 Directive in Latvia was analyzed, emphasizing its importance in strengthening national digital security, as well as the role of European strategies in data governance and cyber protection.
Participants gained practical insights into digital security, connectivity, and innovation opportunities, while also strengthening Latvia’s international visibility and demonstrating the country’s ability to host a global-scale technology forum. “Techritory” confirms that Latvia is becoming a regional hub for digital security and connectivity, providing a platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and innovation development.
Source: liaa.gov.lv
Interview participants:Laima Ziediņa-MikaljūnaSIA “Baltijas Datoru akadēmija”Chief Executive Officer
What is your professional experience in the field of information technology?
My name is Laima Ziediņa-Mikaljūna, and I am the director of the Baltic Computer Academy. I have been working in the IT sector since the early 2000s. For five years, I implemented various ERP system solutions not only in Latvia but also in Scandinavian countries, managing projects, training clients, and ensuring that the products were properly represented in these countries.
My experience also includes an interest in artificial intelligence and using Excel. On a daily basis, I work extensively with data – analyzing financial figures and using various digital tools. My best assistant in this work is technology, including ChatGPT.
What is the specialization of SIA “Baltijas Datoru akadēmija” and its main areas of activity?
The Baltic Computer Academy is the leading digital skills center in Latvia – we train both IT professionals and specialists from various sectors. Large company teams and IT service providers acquire knowledge with us.
IT professionals can not only enhance their skills but also obtain internationally recognized certifications.
We welcome not only IT specialists but also office employees, self-employed individuals, and entrepreneurs, as digital skills have become a necessity in every industry.
We also invite IT professionals and those interested in working with audiences to become instructors at the Baltic Computer Academy. This is a way to educate the next generation of specialists and help them develop digital skills. It is not enough to simply use a mobile phone – one must be proficient in office software, data analysis, design, and other digital skills. All of this strengthens both individuals and companies as a whole.
How do digitalization processes affect your training center and the content of the courses you offer?
As digitalization processes increase in companies, we see that digital skills are acquired not only by IT professionals but by any employee – secretaries, accountants, security managers, and others. Anyone working with a computer, mobile phone, or any electronic device needs digital skills. This applies both to basic Microsoft software and to complex systems.
A key aspect in companies is the ability to obtain and analyze the right data. Therefore, we particularly recommend training specialists in business analytics and, for example, in using Power BI. In many cases, Excel alone is no longer sufficient, and companies deserve to use more advanced analytics tools. With the press of a single button, managers can obtain a comprehensive overview of company performance.
How do digitalization and automation processes affect employee employment and roles within a company?
Work automation as a result of digital development is not a threat to employees. On the contrary, these tools allow employees to accomplish more without overloading themselves. Automation helps to ease tasks, while human intelligence is used to manage digital tools.
Artificial intelligence or other software will never operate without human involvement – they need to be set up, monitored, adjusted, and the results reviewed. Humans remain an integral part of all digital transformation processes.
The European Union is actively working to ensure the safe and reliable implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) across the region, while fostering innovation and competitiveness. In this context, the European Commission, on July 10, 2025, published:
“The Code of Practice for General Purpose Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) helps industry stakeholders comply with the legal obligations of the AI Act regarding safety, transparency, and intellectual property rights.”
This code serves as a guideline for AI model providers to ensure compliance with EU legal regulations while supporting digital innovation.
Source: digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu
Digital Tools for Personal Productivity: How to Avoid Burnout
Baiba Drēgere-Vaivode
LATVIJAS DATORTEHNOLOĢIJU ASOCIĀCIJA
The Latvian Information and Communication Technology Association offers the training project “Digital Skills Training Project for ICT and Related Sectors”Project No. 2.3.1.2.i.0/2/23/A/CFLA/001The project is to be implemented by June 30, 2026.Applications for new training courses in the project are open until April 30, 2026.Please apply by sending an information request to the email: apmacibas@itnet.lv.
The aim of the project’s investment is to provide micro, small, medium, and large enterprises registered in the Republic of Latvia with basic skills in digital technology, robotics, and automation, as well as digital transformation and innovations. This includes skills that will promote export growth, high-level digital governance skills at the management level, and competencies for using digital technologies in various business processes.
The project is funded with financial support from the European Union’s Recovery Fund.The initial total eligible costs of the project amount to EUR 1,134,000, including the planned support from the Recovery Fund of EUR 567,000.
The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or the European Commission.Neither the European Union nor the European Commission are responsible for these views.