Artificial Intelligence (AI) is part of a suite of digital technologies which will play a major role in shaping global competitiveness and productivity over the coming decades, granting early adopters significant societal, economic and strategic advantages.
A clear and coordinated national strategy is essential to ensure its responsible adoption, maximise opportunities, and maintain long-term competitiveness.
Digital and AI Strategy
The government’s updated National Digital and AI Strategy, Digital Ireland – Connecting our People, Securing our Future, sets out a clear vision and ambition to 2030 to position Ireland as a leading digital nation in an increasingly competitive global landscape. The strategy outlines how Ireland will harness digital technologies and artificial intelligence to drive innovation, strengthen economic competitiveness, and improve public services. It takes a whole of government approach, reflecting the breadth of our ambition and the shared responsibility for delivery.
The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment is focused on growing our digital economy and domestic capabilities, remaining a location of choice for investment and startups, and a global hub for applied AI innovation. We are also committed to Ireland’s important role in enforcing digital regulation and to strengthening Ireland’s position as an EU Centre of Excellence and digital regulatory hub.
National AI Strategy
Ireland's first National AI Strategy, AI – Here for Good was launched in July 2021. The strategy serves as a roadmap for how Ireland can leverage the potential of AI for unlocking productivity, for addressing societal challenges, and for delivering public services. It envisions a future for Ireland as an international leader in using AI to the benefit of business, public services, and - most importantly - for people, through a people-centred, ethical approach to AI development, adoption and use.
AI Strategy Refresh
The AI Strategy Refresh was published in November 2024. The refresh takes account of the significant developments in AI technology and regulation since the original strategy was published in 2021.
The refresh builds on the solid foundations in place and aims to balance innovation with proportionate regulation and trust-building measures.
AI opportunities for business
There is a big opportunity for businesses of all sizes and in all sectors to reap a productivity dividend from AI (as well as other digital technologies).
To achieve this, the department is working with industry to drive widespread adoption of AI across enterprise through a phased approach of awareness building, opportunities to experiment with and pilot AI applications, assistance with planning and capacity building for AI, and help for implementation of AI solutions. Businesses that want help in beginning their AI journey can contact Enterprise Ireland or their Local Enterprise Office.
CeADAR, the EI/IDA Technology Centre for Applied Data Analytics and Machine Intelligence, has been designated Ireland's National AI Hub as part of the European Digital Innovation Hub network with a funding allocation of €1.9 million per annum. This designation allows CeADAR to act as a one-stop shop for businesses embarking on their AI journey.
AI Advisory Council
The AI Advisory Council was established in January 2024 following a call for expressions of interest for an initial period of two years, to provide independent expert advice to government on artificial intelligence policy, with a specific focus on building public trust and promoting the development of trustworthy, person-centred AI. Following a further call for expressions of interest, the membership of the AI Advisory Council was updated in November 2024.
The members of the AI Advisory Council represent a spectrum of experience and expertise from academia, business, law, security, social sciences, economics and civil society.
The Council is chaired by Dr Patricia Scanlon who previously served as Ireland’s first AI ambassador.