The OECD.AI Policy Navigator

CONNECT’s research notably focuses on edge computing, e.g. under its Sustainable IoT research area, which addresses challenges such as: Energy harvesting and storage, with power-management algorithms to allow the device to be completely energy autonomous for its entire lifetime Efficient protocols and networking principles for connecting devices at the edge to the network Highly reconfigurable software-defined devices based on low-power platforms.

AI is being adopted across Government Departments and public service bodies. The Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, is conducting use case pilot projects. A related objective is implementing a vendor-neutral approach to AI development to develop a generic “building block” approach for reusable services.

In line with the public service transformation strategy, series of one-day courses administered by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (DPENDR) and the Institute of Public Administration to civil and public servants on how AI can help transform public service delivery.

Ireland’s National Quantum Technology Strategy (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, 2023[8]). It consists of five pillars: Excellent fundamental and applied quantum research Top science and engineering talent National and international collaboration Innovation, entrepreneurship and economic competitiveness Build stakeholder awareness of quantum technologies and their benefits

The strategy aims at supporting digitalisation of Government services through delivery of high-quality Data Centre facilities.

The Public Service Data Strategy for the period 2019-2023 sets out goals and actions to deliver a more joined-up approach to how data is used and managed in the public service. A new strategy is expected to be published in 2025.

Ireland’s National Semiconductor Strategy is being developed to guide research and innovation in semiconductor technologies. Research in this area is conducted at several Research Ireland Centres. A public consultation in 2023 helped shape the strategy, which was published in early 2025.

The Research Centres for Research Training (CRT) in Ireland provide postgraduate training in AI, data science, and related technologies. Students gain skills in areas such as machine learning, genomics, and digitally enhanced reality. The programme supports AI research and applications across sectors like smart buildings, transportation, manufacturing, and climate change.

The SFI Discover Programme in Ireland funds projects that increase participation in STEM, develop key skills, and raise awareness of diverse STEM careers. In 2023, 40 projects were supported, including the STEM Passport for Inclusion and OurKidsCode.

Research Ireland Centres conduct AI-related research across multiple institutions. Key centres include Insight, Lero, CONNECT, ADAPT, and I-Form. These centres support innovation, technology development, and collaboration between academia and industry in Ireland.

Ireland has developed Interim Guidelines for the Use of AI in the Public Service to promote responsible and transparent use of AI technologies. These guidelines support ethical, secure, and trustworthy AI adoption across public sector organisations. Additional guidance on AI-related cybersecurity risks has also been published to help safeguard government systems.

Genomic Data Infrastructure (GDI) Ireland is the Irish arm of a collaborative European research project that aims to allow safe and secure access to genetic data.

Investment by the State in Analog Devices Inc.’s Project FAN-FARE. Minister Coveney welcomes the European Commission’s approval of Government supported semiconductor investment.

DTIF is a challenge-based fund established under Project Ireland 2040 and run with administrative support from Enter-prise Ireland. The types of projects that typically receive funding are partnerships to develop, deploy and commercialise disruptive technologies to transform business. AI relevant projects range from health-related applications of AI to technology, gaming and creative industries.

ICHEC organised the second European Quantum Technologies Conference in 2021. It is also part of the flagship project NEASQC (Next Applications of Quantum Computing), and it participates in the European High Performance Computing project HPCQS (High Performance Computer-Quantum Simulator).

CeADAR is Ireland’s National Centre for Applied AI. It is a market-focused technology centre for innovation and applied research in AI, machine learning and data analytics across all industry sectors. Enterprise Ireland is working with CeADAR on its next phase plan to scale up the centre.

The Next Generation Energy Systems (NexSys) project develops pathways toward a net-zero energy system in Ireland. It uses AI in the Cities & Communities hub to analyse geospatial and sensor data for smarter energy use. The project combines big data analysis and citizen science to improve energy efficiency at neighbourhood and city levels.

Under Food Vision 2030, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) funds innovative agri-food research, including AI-driven projects. Recent AI-focused initiatives include improving productivity in the mushroom sector (MUSHNOMICS), food quality analysis using hyperspectral tech (SPECTROFOOD), AI in slaughterhouse inspections (RIBMINS), smart farming (APP4FARM), food system mapping, and AI-nutrition links in older adults (AMBROSIA).

The project builds on an established framework for identifying ancient woodlands. It will notably integrate AI-derived digital mapping of long-established woodlands. By developing a methodology for integrating AI-derived digital mapping of historic maps and analysis of contemporary satellite imagery, this project can also help understand long-term changes of other land-cover types.

CONSUS is a collaborative research partnership between UCD and Origin Enterprises PLC that has been supported through the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Strategic Partnership Programme. The project investigated digital, precision agriculture and crop science through a strong multi and inter-disciplinary approach that combined the leading expertise of UCD in data science and agricultural science with Origin’s integrated crop management research, systems, capabilities and on-farm knowledge.