Tag: CeADAR

CeADAR and Google Sign Strategic Partnership Agreement to Help Irish Businesses Unlock AI’s Potential

CeADAR and Google Ireland have announced a new strategic partnership to help Irish businesses capitalise on the economic potential of AI. CeADAR, Ireland’s European Digital Hub for AI, and Google signed the agreement at a meeting with the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD at Government Buildings today.

Recent research from Google and Implement Consulting Group shows that widespread adoption of AI has the potential to boost Ireland’s GDP by €40-45 billion. The new partnership between CeADAR and Google aims to support Irish businesses to adopt AI to boost competitiveness and productivity.

CeADAR and Google will focus on building an AI-ready workforce and driving the adoption of AI-powered solutions  through a three-pillar approach:

 

  • Addressing the AI skills gap – this includes tailored learning paths that provide on-demand training for varying proficiency levels, enhancing technical skills in cloud and product mastery while transforming leaders into AI-driven strategists.

 

  • Scaling AI capabilities –  empower Irish businesses to rapidly and responsibly test and implement AI solutions by leveraging Google’s expertise and resources. CeADAR will provide access to Google Cloud resources, including €3M in Google Cloud credits  and advanced AI tools like Vertex AI and Gemini 2.0.

 

  • Investing in the future – preparing Ireland for the next phase of AI through training and mentorship initiatives, for CeADAR staff and interns, building key cloud related skills.

 

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD:

“This partnership between CeADAR and Google is the type of public and private sector collaboration that is needed to ensure we are equipping Irish businesses to benefit from the economic opportunities AI presents. AI has the potential to have a transformative, positive impact on Ireland’s competitiveness and the government is committed to creating an ecosystem where businesses can fully utilise the power of AI to innovate, expand, and compete on a global scale.”

Lorraine Twohill, Chief Marketing Officer at Google said:

“AI presents a tremendous opportunity for Ireland, with the potential to significantly boost the economy. Ireland has built a strong foundation for a safe and reliable AI environment, supported by the Government’s clear ambition to capitalise on this transformative technology. This partnership with CeADAR is designed to help businesses navigate the challenges and opportunities AI brings—transforming how jobs are performed, creating new AI-focused roles, and enabling businesses to thrive in an AI-powered economy. By combining Google’s expertise with CeADAR’s capabilities, we are confident that we can unlock AI’s full economic potential and drive sustainable growth across Irish businesses.”

Dr. John Lonsdale, CEO, CeADAR:

“Unlocking AI’s economic potential won’t happen automatically and requires a proactive approach to workforce adaptation. We have been working with Irish businesses in recent years to help them leverage AI and machine learning but with the dynamic evolution of the technology more can be done to upskill Irish businesses, grow and nurture AI talent and facilitate faster adoption of AI. Ireland has a unique opportunity to harness the wider expertise that exists in our bustling tech sector – bringing our expertise together with Google is one key that can begin to unlock the economic opportunity AI will bring.”

Professor Kate Robson Brown, UCD Vice-President for Research, Innovation and Impact said,

“Our researchers and innovators at University College Dublin (UCD) draw on the breadth and depth of their expertise to deliver knowledge and solutions that matter. They are leading the way in fields, such as AI, that are transforming the world around us. Advancing research and innovation is one of UCD’s central pillars guiding the University to break boundaries and to deliver lasting and meaningful impact.

To do so we draw on our strengths and our partnerships, such as this new partnership with Google, to create knowledge and cultivate talent in the areas where that impact can be greatest.  The new partnership announced today will bring together the diverse expertise, strengths and resources of CeADAR and Google to build an AI-ready workforce and drive the adoption of AI-powered solutions boosting the competitiveness and productivity of Irish businesses.”

Second AI Accelerator Programme for Start-Ups Opens for Applications at University College Dublin

NovaUCD has announced that it is seeking applications from Irish-based start-ups to participate in its 2025 AI Ecosystem Accelerator Programme.

The focus of this accelerator programme, which is now in its second year, is to support entrepreneurs who are developing disruptive AI solutions in sectors including, healthcare, cybersecurity, education, sustainability, finance, content creation, supply chain and customer service, for a global market.

The 6-month AI Ecosystem Accelerator, which begins in April, will be delivered by NovaUCD, the hub of innovation and start-up activities at University College Dublin (UCD), in partnership with CeADAR, Ireland’s Centre for AI.

Targeted supports for programme participants include guidance from CeADAR’s AI experts, and experienced commercial mentors, along with workshops on value proposition, scaling and investor readiness. Participants will also have access to collaborative co-working space at NovaUCD with the opportunity to connect with successful AI entrepreneurs, start-ups, corporates, investors and access to skilled interns.

Applications are open for the programme via https://www.ucd.ie/innovation/aiecosystem/.

Among the eleven (11) start-ups which completed the inaugural programme were, Customs Window Technologies, a RegTech start-up co-founded by Brian Murphy and Johnny Dunne, and Wrksense, an AI-driven HR tech start-up transforming high-volume recruitment co-founded by Andrew Connolly and Ruaidhrí McDonnell.

Customs Window Technologies and Wrksense announced funding of €800k and €825k respectively during the 2024 programme.

Andrew Connolly, CEO and co-founder, Wrksense, said, “Following the completion of the inaugural AI Ecosystem Accelerator Programme, and the insights learnt, we now target a more niche market, targeting companies that align with our overall strategy and product vision. I’d strongly recommend the AI Ecosystem Accelerator Programme to entrepreneurs who wish to advance their AI start-ups through the programme’s excellent dedicated technical and commercial supports.”

The AI Ecosystem Accelerator Programme is funded through the European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH) framework, a Europe-wide initiative with funding of €700 million from both the European Commission and the Governments of member states.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, through Enterprise Ireland, is leading on the EDIH programme for Ireland and CeADAR is the European Digital Innovation Hub in AI for Ireland.

Michelle Doyle, Senior Manager, Strategic Innovation Partnerships, NovaUCD, said, “Following the successful completion of our inaugural AI Ecosystem Accelerator Programme, delivered in collaboration with our colleagues at CeADAR, we are delighted to launch our second programme. We are now seeking applications from Irish-based start-ups with novel AI-based products or services, with a validated minimum viable product or proof of concept, and seeking investment this year, to join our next programme and be part of our ecosystem of successful entrepreneurs.”

Dr Ricardo Simon Carbajo, Director of Innovation and Development, CeADAR, said, “The AI Ecosystem Accelerator is one of the key services of CeADAR’s European Digital Innovation Hub programme. Run in partnership with NovaUCD the programme will provide entrepreneurs who are leveraging the power of AI with the required support, knowledge and network to accelerate their start-ups from ideation to investment stage.

We encourage entrepreneurs to find out the benefits of accelerating their venture with us and the range of other funded services for companies as part of CeADAR’s EDIH in AI programme.”

Applications are now open until 21 February 2025 for the second AI Ecosystem Accelerator Programme via https://www.ucd.ie/innovation/aiecosystem/.

The 2025 AI Ecosystem Accelerator Programme will commence in April and will end with a showcase event in October.