Workday To Invest €175M in Dublin AI Centre of Excellence, Adding 200 Jobs

Workday, Inc. the enterprise AI platform for managing peoplemoney, and agents, today announced a three year €175 million investment and 200 specialised roles to establish its AI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Dublin.

The investment, supported by IDA Ireland, expands the role of Workday’s EMEA headquarters in the company’s product research and development globally.   Since 2008, Workday’s Dublin-based teams have driven impactful R&D, including AI-driven solutions like Workday Learning and Workday Assistant.

The AI Centre of Excellence will focus on four key areas:

 

  • Product Development: Over 200 roles will be added in Dublin, helping to ensure  regional AI, cybersecurity, engineering and research expertise is reflected in Workday Illuminate, the company’s AI platform. Workday currently employs 2,200 people here, of which approximately 80% work in product research and development.

 

  • AI Upskilling: Workday has partnered with Technology Ireland Digital Skillnet to upskill 300 current employees through its AI Business Academy. In addition, through partnership with TU Dublin, over 285 employees have already graduated with certifications in AI relevant themes including Machine Learning, Cybersecurity, Entrepreneurial Leadership, Leadership and Team Enablement and Creating Successful Products.

 

  • AI Academic Fellowships & Partnerships: Workday’s Industry Fellowships, in collaboration with universities such as Trinity College Dublin and Dublin City University (DCU) and Research Ireland will directly embed post-doctoral researchers within R&D teams in the company. This allows top-tier academic talent to apply their expertise to real-world AI and machine learning challenges.

 

  • Partnership With Irish Tech Scale-Ups: Through the Workday Innovation Network – created with Enterprise Ireland – the organisation will collaborate with Irish AI start-ups, SMEs and industry leaders such as Wrksense and Workhuman to drive innovation.

Welcoming the investment, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke T.D. said: “Since Workday acquired Irish tech innovator Cape Clear in 2008, it has evolved into a research and development powerhouse, based on a blend of talented people, technology and innovation which Ireland can uniquely provide. Workday’s decision to expand its AI footprint in Dublin is a testament to Ireland’s reputation as a global leader in technology and innovation. We are very pleased to support this investment and partner with Workday to maximise its new AI Centre of Excellence.”

“Dublin has been a cornerstone of Workday’s innovation for close to two decades,” said Graham Abell, Vice President, Software Engineering & Ireland Site Lead, Workday. “This latest investment will power our next chapter—pioneering the next generation of ERP, built for the AI era.”

“Workday’s decision to expand its AI footprint in Dublin is a testament to Ireland’s reputation as a global leader in technology and innovation. This investment of €175 million and 200 jobs over the next 3 years will further strengthen Ireland’s position at the forefront of AI research and development. I would like to wish Workday every success for this AI Centre of Excellence and I look forward to our continued partnership,’’ said Michael Lohan, CEO, IDA Ireland.

To support its continued growth in Europe, Workday will open a new, state-of-the-art EMEA headquarters at College Square, Dublin 2. The headquarters will include a new Customer Experience Centre (CXC) – an immersive space for European customers to collaborate alongside Workday product experts and senior leaders. Current career opportunities can be viewed at Workday’s online careers centre here.

Expleo invests €1M in new leadership upskilling service for Ireland

Expleo, a global engineering, technology and consulting service provider, today announces that it is investing €1 million in a new leadership development service in Ireland. Launching today, ‘Leading with Leadership’ will provide tailored leadership masterclasses, workshops, and coaching for Expleo’s existing and prospective clients, strengthening its role as a trusted advisor and enhancing client relationships.

The new offering addresses the crucial shortage of quality leadership and management development programmes in the market. Insights from Expleo’s most recent Business Transformation Index (BTI) Ireland Spotlight report underscores the pressing need for enhanced leadership capabilities. Three-quarters of business leaders identify driving cultural change and digital-first mindset adoption as a key challenge to successful business transformation initiatives. Recognising the gap, Expleo has integrated this and 61 further offerings into its educational arm, the Expleo Academy.

The new service offers a comprehensive suite of leadership programmes covering communication, personal development, management, business development and board-level leadership. It also provides bespoke workshop solutions, as well as personalised management coaching, leadership consultancy skills and other masterclasses. This service, including all courses and masterclasses will be delivered to businesses in Ireland and across the globe by a team of over 80 highly skilled facilitators, coaches and trainers.

Over the next three years, the new investment will cover the recruitment and support of specialised staff, client engagement, sales training & support, and venue rentals. It will also include further website development, and course and promotional materials. These programmes will be delivered in-person or virtually, based on client preference.

Patricia McGuire, Director of Expleo Academy at Expleo, said: “We are very excited about adding leadership development programmes to our existing Expleo Academy portfolio. Through our client engagements, it has become evident that there is a growing demand for improved leadership skills across all sectors, likely spurred on by pandemic-related disruptions. Even over the past eight months, we have noticed a significant increase in public sector organisations considering leadership development programmes.

“Effective leadership has never been more important, and we are proud to be pioneers in implementing this comprehensive initiative. To deliver this new service, we have curated a team of experts armed with extensive experience and a profusion of practical insights. We believe that true leadership is not just about guiding teams; it’s about igniting passion, fostering innovation, and shaping a brighter future.

John Philp, who has been recently appointed as the Head of Leadership Development Programmes, will spearhead the new service on behalf of Expleo Academy.

John Philp, Head of Leadership Development Programme at Expleo Academy, said: “Leadership development is about understanding the essence of a business, driving meaningful contributions to its bottom line, and fostering a culture where excellence thrives. When businesses sharpen their leadership skills, they’re not just driving organisational change, they’re creating an environment where everything else just clicks.

If organisations neglect to invest time and resources in developing these skills, they’re simply setting themselves up for failure. At Expleo, we are committed to making a tangible difference by reintroducing humanity into the workplace. Through this exciting new service, we eagerly anticipate supporting our growing client base and helping their existing and emerging leaders reach their full potential.”