It’s no secret that when the tech industry embarks on a new era, Ireland is usually among the forerunners. So when the Irish Government recently released its Progress Report on the National AI Strategy, it was no major surprise that it was in the process of evaluating the potential for an AI cluster in Ireland.
According to the report, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment views Ireland as a potential global AI leader, integrating AI to bolster economic growth, enhance public services, and tackle societal challenges.
As you can imagine, this has the potential to see Ireland mirror its previous successes in both the semiconductor and life sciences sectors in becoming a European and possibly a global jobs hub for AI.
Nurturing Innovation Through Research
Research and innovation stand at the crux of Ireland's AI journey. The Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) has emerged as a cornerstone in the funding and promotion of AI research. Collaborating extensively with universities and industry partners, SFI has catalysed pioneering research in AI, leading to transformative applications across various sectors.
The ADAPT Centre, a flagship initiative funded by SFI to the tune of €42 million, epitomises both Ireland and the SFI’s commitment to AI research. This multidisciplinary research centre is at the forefront of developing advanced digital content technology, encompassing natural language processing, machine learning, and multimedia analysis.
And this is just one example of the many AI research and development centres located throughout Ireland that are both publicly and privately funded.
A Thriving AI Community
Ireland is well known for building supportive communities within industries that help both startups and existing businesses grow. For example, the tech startup community in Dublin which we have mentioned before, is one of the main reasons why the many startups based in the city succeed. It’s also a driving force behind the incredible range in diversity of software jobs in Dublin City alone.
Leading the charge for the AI community in Ireland is the aptly named not-for-profit company AI Ireland. This platform allows businesses to embrace the potential uses of artificial intelligence for business growth and efficiency. AI Ireland offers everything from a knowledge hub to advice on job opportunities within the sector—something we’ll talk about later.
As artificial intelligence continues to redefine industries, AI Ireland and the Irish tech community in general stand as a testament to the country’s commitment to innovation and its determination to remain at the forefront of AI development and application.
AI Job Opportunities in Ireland
As one of Europe’s leading tech hubs, Ireland provides candidates with many exciting opportunities in the technology sector. And that diversity of opportunities has expanded further with the rise of artificial intelligence.
Here are just a few of the most promising areas where suitable candidates will soon be high in demand.
AI Research and Development
Ireland is a major hub for Research and Development across multiple sectors. This includes life sciences, software development, and the semiconductor industry among others. We can expect to see a wide range of R&D opportunities for talented candidates who will delve into AI’s unchartered territories. These are the roles that could potentially shape the future of AI both in Ireland and across the world.
Machine Learning Engineers
Machine learning engineers are hugely important to the implementation of artificial intelligence models. They will help to design and build learning models that will allow systems to learn and improve based on the data it can access and receive.
Data Scientists
Data scientists extract valuable insights from vast datasets, much like AI does. However before AI can get to that point, the data scientist will analyse, interpret and visualise data that will help inform decisions on the development and application of AI. To put it simply, data scientists play a pivotal role in driving the innovation of artificial intelligence.
AI Ethics and Policy Experts
If you have read anything on artificial intelligence then you will have certainly come across the many ethical dimensions of the industry which simply cannot be ignored. With this in mind, as AI becomes increasingly integrated into society, there is growing demand for experts who can navigate the ethical, legal, and societal implications related to the technology.People who specialise in AI ethics and policy can ensure that AI technologies are used responsibly, balancing innovation with social responsibility.
AI Architects
AI architects help to bridge the gap between technical intricacies and real-world applications. They conceptualise and design AI solutions tailored that are often tailored to specific business needs. This role requires a deep understanding of both AI technologies and industry requirements that could be specific to particular sectors.
Top AI Companies in Ireland
There are many innovative AI companies based in Ireland that are growing from strength to strength. And that means that this list is by no means exhaustive. It’s merely a snapshot of some of the leading AI companies in Ireland that candidates may be interested in.
Cilter
Founded in 2018, Cilter is child-protection software that helps to identify cyberbullying, grooming behaviour, harassment and any threats to a child through the social media and communication apps on the smart devices.
Gemmo
Gemmo is a machine-learning company based in Dublin that designs and deploys AI solutions for companies that want to embrace automation through new technologies. Gemmo develops custom solutions and provides off-the-shelf AI products.
AYLIEN
AYLIEN is an AI startup based in Dublin that provides text analysis & News API's that allow users to make sense of human-generated content at scale. AYLIEN’s solutions are typically used by marketers, academics, data scientists, and developers.
SoapBox Labs
SoapBox Labs has developed a cloud based speech technology platform that is designed specifically for young kids aged 4-12. This platform has a wide range of uses including education, voice-based research, interactive toys and much more besides.
VISUA
VISUA provides Visual-AI for brand protection, authentication, and monitoring. The company’s goal is to eradicate phishing emails and spoof websites while helping brands to make advertising and marketing 100% relevant.
As noted, there are many many more companies both in Dublin and around Ireland that are making wonderful use of artificial intelligence across multiple sectors. If you are interested in the industry and would like to explore AI job opportunities in Ireland with these amazing companies, then we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch with Software Placements today and let’s take your career in AI to the next level.