14th October 2026
Declaration reinforces international cooperation on trusted AI and supports Ireland's ambition to become a global leader in AI innovation and adoption
Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke TD and Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation Niamh Smyth TD have welcomed the strong international engagement at the International AI Summit in Dublin and the support secured from EU member states for the Dublin Declaration on Trusted, Safe and Sovereign Artificial Intelligence.
The International AI Summit brought together government leaders, industry, researchers and innovators to discuss how countries can work together to harness the opportunities of artificial intelligence while strengthening trust, resilience and technological capability. Building on Ireland's ambition to become one of the world's leading locations for applied AI, the Summit highlighted the role AI can play in driving productivity, supporting innovation, improving public services and enhancing long-term competitiveness.
The Dublin Declaration, which was agreed in the runup to the Summit, sets out a shared vision for advancing trusted, safe and sovereign AI across Europe. It calls for closer cooperation between participating countries on AI adoption, skills, safety, digital infrastructure, research excellence and strategic technological capacity, while promoting international collaboration with trusted partners.
Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke TD said,
"Artificial intelligence represents one of the greatest economic opportunities of our generation. Ireland is determined not only to adopt these technologies, but to help shape how they are developed and applied. The Dublin Declaration reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that AI is trusted, safe and delivers real benefits for businesses, workers and citizens.
“Ireland is well placed to lead in applied AI. We have world-class talent, a strong innovation ecosystem, deep connections to global technology leaders and a proven track record of turning technological change into economic growth. Through the International AI Summit, we are strengthening partnerships that will help Europe and like-minded countries compete, innovate and prosper in the AI era."
Minister of State with Responsibility for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation Niamh Smyth TD said,
"The Declaration seeks to advance cooperation among Member States in strengthening AI safety and resilience, accelerating the adoption of trusted AI across our economies and public services, investing in strategic digital and computing infrastructure, supporting European innovation, and building the skills and capabilities necessary for long-term leadership in artificial intelligence.
"The Dublin Declaration is a strong political signal of Member States’ shared commitment to reinforce and accelerate the important work already under way at European level.
“Ireland's ambition is clear: to be at the centre of Europe's AI future, helping to shape an AI ecosystem that is innovative, competitive and grounded in trust."
The ministers also outlined progress under the government's Intelligence: Applied agenda, which aims to position Ireland as a leading location to develop, deploy and scale AI. Measures include initiatives to strengthen AI literacy, accelerate adoption across key sectors of the economy, support AI startups and scaling companies, invest in research excellence and build the infrastructure needed to support future growth. The International AI Summit forms part of the government's wider ambition under Digital Ireland to ensure Ireland remains a global hub for AI innovation and adoption, building on the country's strengths in talent, enterprise, connectivity, research and trusted regulation.
Notes to editors
Dublin Declaration on Trusted, Safe and Sovereign Artificial Intelligence
The Dublin Declaration sets out a shared ambition among participating EU countries to:
- Advance the development and adoption of trusted, safe and sovereign AI.
- Strengthen cooperation on AI safety, resilience and governance.
- Invest in skills, research excellence and digital infrastructure.
- Support the growth of innovative AI companies and technologies.
- Enhance Europe's technological capacity and strategic autonomy while remaining open and internationally engaged.
- Promote cooperation with trusted international partners to ensure AI is developed in a way that reflects democratic values, openness and public trust.
Building an AI-ready nation
National AI Literacy Taskforce
The government through the AI Office of Ireland will establish a National AI Literacy Taskforce to support the development of AI skills and awareness across society. Bringing together industry, education and public sector stakeholders, the Taskforce will help drive a coordinated national approach to AI literacy, ensuring workers, businesses and citizens have the skills and confidence to engage with emerging AI technologies. Accelerating AI adoption across the economy
AI Sectoral Ecosystem Strategies
Recognising that AI adoption will look different across industries, government will develop dedicated AI Sectoral Ecosystem Strategies for key sectors of the economy. These strategies will identify opportunities, barriers and practical actions to accelerate AI adoption, improve productivity and strengthen competitiveness across sectors including manufacturing, construction, tourism and ICT services.
AI Sectoral Champions
A network of ten AI Sectoral Champions will be established to act as advocates for AI adoption within their industries. These leaders will showcase successful implementation of AI, encourage peer learning and help drive awareness of AI opportunities across the economy.
Make AI Work
Enterprise Ireland's Make AI Work programme supports Irish companies to adopt AI technologies and integrate them into business operations. The initiative provides practical guidance, expertise and supports to help firms realise productivity gains, develop new products and services, and strengthen competitiveness in international markets. The digital supports offered by the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are being revised to introduce a stronger AI focus for SMEs. The revision is intended to help SMEs better understand their digital and AI readiness, identify practical opportunities for improvement, and implement solutions capable of delivering measurable business impact. The Digital for Business scheme and the Grow Digital Voucher are being renamed to the Digital & AI for Business and the Grow Digital & AI respectively. The two supports are being redesigned as a connected assessment-to-implementation pathway:
- Digital & AI for Business diagnoses the firm’s current position, assesses readiness, identifies opportunities and produces a prioritised roadmap.
- Grow Digital & AI funds eligible implementation arising from that assessment.
The common policy shift is from general digitalisation and software adoption towards digital and AI transformation with demonstrable business outcomes. Both supports remain open to small businesses across all sectors with up to 50 employees. Supporting AI entrepreneurship and scaling businesses
Startup Ireland
Startup Ireland aims to support the creation of 1,000 new startups and 10,000 entrepreneurs over five years, strengthening Ireland's pipeline of high-growth companies and positioning the country as a leading location for entrepreneurship. A key element of the initiative is the development of a new National Startup Hub, creating a focal point for founders, investors, researchers and industry partners.
AI Startup Accelerator Programme
A dedicated €21 million AI Startup Accelerator Programme will support early-stage AI founders and high-potential startups. The programme will provide access to funding, mentoring, expertise and international networks, helping innovative companies scale from idea to global market.
Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF)
ISIF has committed €1 billion for investment in scaling businesses and strategic sectors to 2030, supporting the next generation of Irish companies and helping innovative firms access the capital required for long-term growth.
Investing in world-class research and innovation
Technology Centres Programme
Government will provide an additional €45 million investment in the national Technology Centres Programme by 2030. The investment will strengthen collaboration between enterprise and researchers, support technology transfer and accelerate the adoption of AI and other advanced technologies by Irish businesses.
CeADAR and Ireland's AI Research Ecosystem
Ireland continues to invest in internationally recognised AI research capability through centres including CeADAR, Ireland's Centre for AI, and wider Research Ireland-supported initiatives. These centres provide businesses with access to expertise, research partnerships and practical support for AI innovation.
European Strategic Technology Projects
Ireland has committed €120 million to support participation in Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEIs) to 2030, including projects relating to Artificial Intelligence, advanced semiconductors and next-generation digital infrastructure.
Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF)
The DTIF programme will invest €200 million to 2030 in collaborative research and innovation projects, bringing together startups, SMEs, multinationals and researchers to develop and commercialise breakthrough technologies. Creating the conditions for trusted innovation
AI Regulatory Sandbox
The AI Regulatory Sandbox will provide innovators with a structured environment in which to test and develop AI solutions while engaging directly with regulators. The initiative through the National AI Office of Ireland will support compliance with the EU AI Act, reduce barriers to innovation and provide particular benefits for startups and SMEs. Building the infrastructure for the AI economy
Silicon Ireland
The Government's Silicon Ireland strategy is strengthening Ireland's position within the global semiconductor sector, which underpins modern AI systems and digital technologies. Ireland's semiconductor ecosystem comprises more than 130 companies, supporting approximately 20,000 jobs across design, manufacturing, research and services. The strategy seeks to expand Ireland's capabilities, deepen international partnerships and position Ireland to capture future opportunities arising from the global growth in AI.
Connectivity and Digital Infrastructure
Ireland continues to invest in the critical infrastructure needed to support AI-driven growth, including international connectivity, data infrastructure, advanced communications networks and sustainable energy solutions through our Large Energy-User Action Plan (LEAP). These investments reinforce Ireland's attractiveness as a location for AI research, development and deployment.
ENDS
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