The Government has launched Intelligence: Applied, a new national programme aimed at accelerating the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) across Irish businesses and the public sector. Announced as part of Ireland's International AI Summit on 14 October, the programme sets out 35 initiatives to be implemented by 2030, focusing on workforce skills, enterprise competitiveness, infrastructure and innovation. The programme builds on the ambitions outlined in the Government's National Digital and AI Strategy, Digital Ireland, published earlier this year.
A central element of the programme is a new €150 million AI Future Skills initiative, aimed at supporting workforce development, lifelong learning and helping workers adapt to technological change. This will include the next phase of the Government's free AIReady.ie training platform, alongside the establishment of a National Skills Academy for Digital Transformation and AI to coordinate Ireland's response to evolving employer demand for AI skills. A new National AI Literacy Taskforce will also develop and deliver a national framework to support AI literacy across society before the end of 2027.
For businesses, the programme includes a series of sector-specific AI adoption strategies covering manufacturing, construction, tourism and ICT services, recognising the different opportunities and challenges facing individual sectors. Enterprise Ireland will provide practical pathways, tools and supports to help internationally traded Irish businesses adopt AI through its Make AI Work strategy. Enhanced AI and Digital Vouchers will also help businesses access specialist expertise, including through technology centres such as CeADAR and IMR, while AI awareness, skills and strategy modules will be incorporated into business development programmes from 2027.
The programme also places a strong emphasis on entrepreneurship and innovation. A new €21 million AI Startup Accelerator Programme will focus on supporting early-stage founders, while an additional €45 million will be invested in Ireland's network of national technology centres by 2030 to accelerate AI adoption, innovation and productivity across enterprise. A national AI Regulatory Sandbox Programme will also be established in 2027, with prioritised access for SMEs and startups.
Alongside these measures, the Government has approved the establishment of a new Cabinet Committee on AI, chaired by the Taoiseach. The Committee will focus on the economic and labour market implications of AI, wider societal impacts, regulation and its deployment across public services. The programme also includes plans to introduce shared AI capabilities across the public sector during 2027, with the aim of improving efficiency and public service delivery.
Dublin Chamber has been examining the impact of AI on businesses and their workforces through our recent Business Outlook Survey and roundtable discussions. Ensuring businesses have access to the skills, expertise and practical supports needed to adopt AI effectively will remain an important focus of our policy and advocacy work. The programme's emphasis on workforce development, lifelong learning and enterprise adoption is particularly welcome, and we look forward to seeing these initiatives implemented.
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