MEDIA BACKGROUND · 5 November 2026

He wanted someone to speak Estonian with. That became Marko, then KeelAI.

Denis Vetrennikov moved from Russia to Estonia in 2022 and began learning Estonian from scratch while working remotely in IT and e-commerce. More than a year ago, he decided to build an AI conversation partner he could practise with at any time.

In his experience at the time, the Estonian pronunciation and replies of general-purpose AI assistants did not always suit language practice. His answer was Marko, initially a conversation partner in Telegram. A dictionary, reading, exercises and games followed. Together they grew into KeelAI, a collection of apps for different parts of learning a language.

Vetrennikov is still learning himself. He has attempted the B1 exam twice this year, falling one point short of passing on the first attempt and two on the second. His perspective is that of a learner building tools while continuing the same journey.

KeelAI offers an Estonian dictionary, all published texts in its standalone reader, and a browser-based level test for free. A simple starting exercise is to read a short text, choose three new words and use them in sentences of your own. The dictionary and reader work in a browser without Telegram.

The level test offers learning guidance rather than an official qualification. Other KeelAI apps have free sections and paid content; AI practice in the main app has separate pricing.

Possible stories include a learner's experience of building a product, a practical reader exercise, and the decisions behind growing a Telegram chat into several apps. Denis is available for written interviews and email questions. An app demonstration with Estonian subtitles can be arranged.

Free KeelAI apps: https://keelai.ai/en/learn-estonian-free
For journalists: https://keelai.ai/en/press
Denis Vetrennikov · CEO KeelAI · partners@keelai.ai