Lidiya Zhang and Ben Floyd explore Ireland's place in AI strategy.
On the 8th of July, 2021, the Government of Ireland released the “AI – Here for Good” strategy, the nation’s first direct response to generative artificial intelligence (AI) programs, the emerging technology billed as the next great thing. Over the past half-decade, what can only be described as a lifetime’s worth of change has ensued, as AI applications have been integrated into every imaginable sector of industry and society around the globe. With AI now standing at the forefront of warfare, economics, and all levels of communication, new considerations must be taken. Today, four and a half years on, how is Ireland preparing for the AI future?
On the 18th of February, 2026, the Government of Ireland published its revised digital and AI strategy, titled “Digital Ireland – Connecting our People, Securing our Future”. This comprehensive strategy sets out 90 specific actions across 20 objectives, covering public services, industry, infrastructure, regulation and skills, with optimal completion of objectives set for the year 2030. This strategy release falls within the formal adoption period of the European Union (EU) AI Act, a legal framework that first began integration into EU Law in August 2024. With the overwhelming majority of remaining obligations of the EU AI Act set to come into effect in August of this year, this new strategy document moves to finalise Ireland’s AI approach within these standards.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin noted that this AI strategy will reinforce Ireland’s position as “a location for investment and a global hub for applied AI.” Specific enterprise measures include a new sectoral strategy to drive AI adoption across industries and designated “AI Sector Champions” to spotlight opportunities for firms across the country. These steps are intended to help Irish companies use AI to grow and innovate.
Central Provisions
Within the strategy, economic competitiveness and stimulation are repeatedly emphasised as central motivations for Ireland’s renewed approach to AI and digitisation. An example of such will be the GovTech 2026 Challenge, where young startups can compete for public service contracts that address specific digital challenges; successful bidders will receive funding and mentorship from the relevant public service partner, guiding development through to implementation. Another provision of the strategy will be AI Sector Champions, as delegated by the Irish government’s enterprise development agency. From each relevant economic sector, the agency will select enterprises that champion AI integration in their business models; these champions will help raise awareness of AI opportunities across their relevant sectors.
A National AI Office of Ireland will be established by August 2026. This authority will serve as the central coordinating body between the Irish government and the EU; existing agencies will now coordinate under one roof to ensure consistent EU-standard implementation. This office will conduct an “AI Regulatory Sandbox”, an experimentation space in which innovators can test-run their AI solutions with regulatory oversight. This environment will promote cooperation on both sides of AI, ensuring potential AI outputs are safe and productive. Other commitments include establishing an Observatory for Business AI Readiness (OBAIR), which will gather data on how Irish enterprises use AI, which sectors are experiencing the fastest adoption, and where gaps remain.
Particular attention is given to positioning Ireland as a global hub for applied AI innovation. State support will be directed toward the development of an AI Research Centre, a national initiative intended to bring together universities, public institutions, and private industry in the pursuit of large-scale AI development.
Other Notable Inclusions
Beyond the economic and managerial provisions, the strategy also offers several proposals set to change daily lived experiences.
A key promise of the strategy is to fully digitalise 100% of key public services and ensure that 90% of applicable services are consumed online by 2030. This is based on what is described as a “Life Events” approach, which intends to reorient public services around moments in people’s lives, such as starting school, becoming a parent, starting a business, or retiring. This vision hopes to bring cohesion to a fractured user experience. The AI strategy also calls for major upgrades to digital connectivity at home and in offices. Every household is to be enabled with gigabit broadband, and new subsea data cables to Europe will be laid to boost international connectivity. Computing power will be expanded through “Ireland’s AI Factory Antenna” and new quantum and cybersecurity research centres.
Ireland will also host the “International AI and Digital Summit,” coordinated to align with Ireland’s upcoming turn as the presidency of the Council of the EU. Booked for the 14 of October, this flagship event is set to bring together over a thousand EU and global government officials, CEOs, investors, innovators, and academics.
Ireland in Comparison
Comparisons with other EU countries suggest Ireland is ahead of the curve. By September 2025, Ireland had already designated 15 national authorities to enforce the EU AI Act, making it “one of the first Member States to do so”. According to AI Ireland, 28% of Irish organisations consider themselves at the highest “transformative” stage of AI adoption, nearly three times the global average. Another 44% report being at an “integrated” stage. In practical terms, this suggests many Irish businesses have moved beyond pilot projects into productive AI use. Still, challenges remain. Experts note that data integration and legacy systems pose barriers for some firms, even as Ireland’s strong data infrastructure and skills base give it an advantage. Public sector bodies are likewise being guided by the new plan: for example, 100% digitalisation of government services and training for public servants will accelerate modernising health and social services — including a new “AI for Care” strategy.
Ireland’s new Digital Ireland strategy paints an ambitious picture: by 2030, every citizen should be served online, and Ireland should be a testbed for advanced AI. These goals are backed by heavy investment and institutional support. The strategy is still new, so its outcomes remain to be judged. For now, public dialogue is rich with both optimism and uncertainty. As one UCD student put it, “AI will bring benefits… but it might also cause a drift between roles in a business.” While the government’s AI Advisory Council is known to be reviewing how AI affects jobs and society, neither the 2021 nor the new strategy has a detailed plan for protecting artists’ rights or addressing the known environmental impact of AI data processing.