Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless T.D., has warned that Ireland is at a “critical moment” in preparing its workforce for the impact of artificial intelligence.

Speaking at the Government’s latest National Skills Roundtable on AI Workforce Readiness, Minister Lawless highlighted the need for a coordinated response from industry, education and government to address emerging skills gaps and ensure Ireland remains competitive. The Minister pointed to initiatives including AIReady.ie, which aims to upskill one million people in AI, and additional funding for micro-credential courses, many of which focus on digital skills.

The roundtable, hosted at Vodafone’s Dublin headquarters, will inform ongoing Government efforts to strengthen workforce skills, with further sector-focused discussions planned in the coming months.

Dublin Chamber welcomes the focus on workforce readiness and the expansion of flexible upskilling opportunities. As AI adoption accelerates, businesses will require faster access to relevant, industry-led training. This underlines the importance of ensuring that the National Training Fund is used strategically to support employer-responsive skills programmes, helping workers and businesses adapt to technological change while maintaining Ireland’s competitiveness.

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