Ireland’s National AI Strategy Refresh 2024

Introduction to the strategy

The National AI Strategy Refresh 2024 is Ireland’s updated strategic framework for embracing the opportunities and challenges of AI. Originally launched in 2021 as AI – Here for Good, the strategy laid the groundwork for a cohesive national approach to AI that supports innovation, promotes ethical use, and prepares society and the economy for transformative digital change.

The purpose of this refresh is to build on those foundational commitments, while responding to major developments in AI capability and regulation, including the rise of generative AI models and the introduction of the EU AI Act. The scope of the strategy is broad and inclusive, applying to both public and private sectors, and addressing societal readiness, talent development, innovation capacity, and regulatory leadership. It emphasises human-centric values, trust, and proportionate governance, while promoting Ireland’s ambition to be a leading European and global hub for ethical, high-impact AI.

This strategy sets out a series of interconnected actions that aim to enable responsible AI adoption, foster economic growth, and ensure that the public sector can lead by example in digital innovation. It also recognises the need to raise awareness, provide resources, and reduce barriers to participation for small and medium-sized enterprises, researchers, public service professionals, and the wider public.

Goals

• Establish Ireland as a global leader in the implementation of trustworthy and effective AI solutions
• Strengthen national infrastructure to support responsible AI research, experimentation, and deployment
• Support a skilled and inclusive AI workforce across all sectors
• Ensure alignment with EU regulations, particularly the EU AI Act, and develop regulatory capacity
• Drive adoption of AI among Irish SMEs and public sector institutions
• Promote public trust through transparency, ethical standards, and open engagement

Focus areas

• Participation in shaping and implementing EU AI governance, particularly through the EU AI Board
• A national AI impact study focusing on generative AI and its economic implications
• Awareness campaigns targeting small and medium-sized enterprises
• Establishment of a national AI regulatory sandbox to support responsible innovation
• Development of a unified identity and collaboration platform for Ireland’s AI research ecosystem
• Continued investment in high-level talent development through initiatives like Research Ireland Centres
• Expansion of digital skills initiatives, including apprenticeships and targeted upskilling aligned with the EU Digital Decade targets
• Encouragement of experimentation with AI tools within the civil and public service, in a controlled and supportive environment
• Infrastructure development, including advanced computing capabilities and data centre support
• Promotion of equitable access to AI resources for education, public service, and innovation stakeholders