Digitalization in the Service of People:

Can technology make a country more human? We spoke with the Minister of Digital Transformation about why digitalization is not merely an IT issue, but primarily a matter of leadership courage and citizen trust. From the SKRINJA system, which organizes national data, to artificial intelligence turning bureaucracy into invisible support—we explore Slovenia's path to 2030. Read how the European Digital Identity Wallet will change our daily lives and when we can expect e-voting in our country.

How do you personally experience digitalization? How would you describe it to someone who believes this technology might not be strictly necessary?

I experience digitalization in my personal life as a vital part of the era we live in. I have always been interested in advanced technologies, primarily through the lens of how they can improve processes, automate administrative procedures, reduce errors, lower costs, and save time for both citizens and public servants, making their work easier. Throughout my career, I have participated in several projects implementing IT solutions, always striving to ensure that technology does not remain an abstract concept but becomes a practical tool that makes systems more efficient and user-friendly.

At the same time, as a lawyer and a long-time public sector employee who has worked extensively with people, I am very attentive to what technology means in practice—for the individual and their daily experience with the state.

It is precisely this combination that stays with me today: an understanding of and trust in the potential of technology, coupled with a clear awareness that digital solutions are not an end in themselves. If they are not understandable, accessible, and fair, they can quickly create new barriers or even exclusion. Therefore, it is important to me that digitalization remains human, inclusive, and in the service of people—even more so today, in the age of artificial intelligence.

I remember a project where the solution was technically excellent but initially met with resistance because we hadn't brought it close enough to the people. Once we started talking about their daily challenges and involved them in finding solutions, their attitude changed completely. Since then, I’ve known that digitalization is always about people and good communication first—only then is it about technology.

In our work, we observe that the biggest challenge in implementing digitalization isn't a lack of the right tools or knowledge, but rather the interest of those involved. To put it differently: key people are often unwilling to take a step forward, preferring to stick to established work patterns. Do you encounter similar challenges at the national level?

Yes, we encounter this challenge frequently at the national level as well. Today, the problem with digital transformation is often people's readiness—especially leaders' readiness—for change. Established ways of working are often comfortable, but they simultaneously stifle progress.

It is crucial to understand that introducing technological change is not the job of IT departments. IT can provide support and solutions, but the responsibility for digital transformation lies with leadership. It is a management challenge, not a technical one. If leaders view digitalization as a side project or leave it to others, true shifts do not happen.

At the national level, we try to overcome this by setting clear expectations for leaders, demanding accountability for results, and involving employees in the changes. Additionally, it is important for the state to lead by example—by simplifying procedures, eliminating administrative barriers, and maintaining a user-centric focus.

As a country, we will be more successful if we have more courage for change, less tolerance for the status quo, and a clear awareness that digital transformation begins with a leadership decision to work differently—more efficiently and for the benefit of the people.

When our company helps partners with digitalization, we always first suggest establishing a unified data warehouse where all data flows. Where are we on the path to a unified data hub where all national-level data is collected?

In recent years, we have made a significant shift in the field of data analytics within public administration. One of the key steps was the establishment of the SKRINJA system (National Data Warehouse and Business Analytics), which operates as a horizontal service within the National Information Infrastructure.

SKRINJA connects data from various public administration information systems and transforms them into reliable, comparable, and up-to-date business indicators. Instead of authorities spending time and personnel on collecting and reconciling data, they have access to dashboards and standardized reports that reflect the real-time situation daily.

This strengthens our analytical organizational culture, rationalizes operations, and allows experts to focus on actual analysis and substantive process improvements.

Today, the system already includes extensive datasets impacting public finance, administrative procedures, personnel records, inspection procedures, and the implementation of public policies. Alongside the infrastructure, we provide methodological support, transfer of best practices, training, and holistic development management—from data source integration to active use in decision-making.

In the next phases, we are upgrading the project with additional content areas and the development of predictive analytics. Our goal is for data to be more than just a reflection of the past; it should support strategic planning and timely action.

SKRINJA is not just an information system; it is the foundation of modern state management—focused on transparency, efficiency, and data-driven decision-making in real-time. We will continue to systematically strengthen this area, as we believe quality data management is one of the key levers of a successful digital state.

Once data is organized, it's time for Artificial Intelligence. How does the ministry intend to use advanced algorithms to actually reduce the bureaucratic burden for companies?

Artificial Intelligence is an opportunity to modernize the public sector. Within public administration, we primarily see opportunities in assisting public servants with routine, repetitive tasks and in areas where we deal with vast amounts of data and content. The goal is to transform the state into a responsive, efficient, and trustworthy system that offers modern, accessible, and high-quality services to citizens and businesses.

Based on these foundations, we are already developing several new information services. In the development and gradual implementation phase is AI support within the system for managing documentary material records (Krpan AI). The primary goal is to optimize the handling of documentary material and assist public servants in processing extensive correspondence. Krpan AI will include support for classifying incoming mail, "chatting" with documents, document summaries, and translation. This year, state authorities have already begun using a tool for the anonymization and pseudonymization of documents, which represents significant time savings for public servants. A conversational assistant for public administration portals is also in the implementation phase. These first AI implementations demonstrate how crucial organized data and interoperability are for developing such tools.

Furthermore, AI is already in use on the Pladenj system as a tool for maximizing the throughput and stability of the entire system for better utilization of data sources (learning and forecasting to monitor and regulate data traffic to data sources). Similarly, the AKTRP (Agency for Agricultural Markets and Rural Development) uses a system for monitoring agricultural land using satellite data.

Digital Slovenia 2030 sets a clear goal—that by 2030, all key public services will be accessible online, user-friendly, and interconnected. This is where we see the next step: further automation and the use of AI that will make procedures even simpler, more personalized, and smarter.

AI allows for incredible optimization, but it also raises fears of total control and the misuse of biometric data. How do you respond to concerns that such an approach opens the door to systemic tracking and surveillance?

Artificial Intelligence—especially in the field of biometric identification—raises sensitive questions regarding privacy, personal data protection, and potential surveillance. It is important to emphasize that AI does not mean surveillance by default. What matters is the legal and institutional framework in which it is used. In the European Union, this framework is clearly defined. The processing of personal data must comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and national legislation.

The AI Act, adopted in 2024, explicitly prohibits certain AI practices that pose an unacceptable risk to health, safety, and fundamental rights. Among other things, it prohibits certain forms of real-time remote biometric identification in publicly accessible spaces, except in extremely limited and strictly defined cases of law enforcement. Additionally, the AI Act stipulates that high-risk AI systems must meet strict requirements for data management, transparency, human oversight, and traceability. Monitoring compliance is carried out by competent authorities, including the Information Commissioner, as defined in the Act Implementing the AI Act, adopted in late 2025.

The European approach to AI use differs clearly from approaches in some other countries where AI is often linked to mass surveillance. The best response to public reservations is the consistent implementation of rules in practice: transparent operation, clear information on when and why AI is used, and effective, independent oversight of legal compliance. In this context, the rule of law is our key and strongest safeguard.

The European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI) is expected to be available by the end of 2026. Will it just be another app on our phones, or will it become a "universal key" that allows us to safely rent an apartment, open an account, or sign a contract anywhere in the EU without visiting an administrative unit or a bank?

The European Digital Identity Wallet is intended to become the fundamental European digital key for secure identification in public and private services, storing and sharing various credentials, and creating legally valid electronic signatures across the EU. By the end of 2026 or early 2027, the basic functionality will be available. Its actual "universal" effect will depend on gradual adoption by state authorities and the private sector (e.g., the readiness of banks, landlords, etc.) over the following years. At the ministry, we are investing a great deal of effort into establishing the e-Wallet because we truly see it as a "universal key" and a critical trigger for accelerated digital business.

What do you think? Will we finally see e-voting in our country in the future, thereby achieving higher turnout? Especially among those who usually don't make it to the polling stations?

E-voting is a legitimate and frequently highlighted ambition of any digitally advanced society. However, elections are one of the most sensitive areas of a democratic system; therefore, standards for security, reliability, transparency, and trust must be exceptionally high.

E-voting is not merely a technological issue but a question of trust in the democratic process. The system must be technically secure against misuse and cyberattacks, legally regulated, organizationally robust, and, above all, socially accepted.

The introduction of e-voting requires broad political and social consensus. Personally, I believe it would make sense to first consider gradual steps, for example, with certain types of voting or for voters abroad—while simultaneously ensuring the highest security standards.

Regarding voter turnout—a digital channel can facilitate access, but it does not, by itself, solve the issue of political motivation. Higher turnout is primarily the result of trust in institutions and the feeling that an individual's vote matters.

If we set aside current legal and budgetary constraints—how do you personally imagine an "ideal digital Slovenia" 10 years from now? Can we follow Estonia's lead and move to an "invisible state" model, where a citizen doesn't have to submit applications at all because the state proactively arranges all rights for them (e.g., upon the birth of a child or retirement)?

This means that a citizen no longer fills out applications for rights they are already entitled to; that data is exchanged securely and legally between institutions; that services are personalized, fast, and accessible 24/7; and that digital identity enables easy business at home and across the EU. Estonia is certainly proof that it is possible to build a system where the state acts proactively.

In Slovenia, we are already building the foundations for such an approach—through data connectivity, the development of unified registers, digital identity, and the European Digital Identity Wallet.

However, the key guiding principle must remain respect for the rule of law and the protection of personal data. Human rights must never suffer for the sake of digital efficiency.

In ten years, I want a Slovenia that is digitally advanced yet inclusive—so that no one is excluded due to age, social status, or a lack of digital skills.