A new partnership between Bank of Ireland and Google is offering 10,000 Irish SMEs free access to Google’s AI Professional Certificate. The initiative aims to address the widening AI adoption gap among small businesses in Ireland.
According to research commissioned by Google, artificial intelligence could generate €45 billion in potential GDP gains for Ireland over the next decade. This represents an 8% lift in national output, driven by productivity improvements across an estimated two-thirds of the Irish workforce.
AI adoption gap widens among Irish SMEs
Despite the potential benefits, AI adoption among Irish SMEs remains low. Only 6% of these businesses currently consider AI central to their operations, although this figure is expected to rise to 15% within three years.
Research from Google and Amarách reveals a disconnect between SME owners’ beliefs and their actions. While 80% view AI as a positive development, only 37% are using it regularly or widely in their operations. More than half feel they are falling behind their competitors.
The partnership between Google and Bank of Ireland seeks to address this gap by providing no-cost access to the Google AI Professional Certificate. The program is designed to take learners from a basic understanding to a working AI-first approach.
Real-world AI applications for Irish businesses
Karen Stolberg, Vice President of Google Customer Solutions for the UK and Ireland, highlights several examples of Irish businesses already benefiting from AI tools.
McNally Family Farm in North Dublin uses AI to analyze years of operational records, supply chain variables, and weather data. OpenHive, an Irish conservation organization, employs AI to digitize handwritten field notes from volunteer beekeepers.
In the creative and retail sectors, brands like BKultured and IPERA Skincare use AI for prototyping and market research. Lahinch Surf Shop manages website copy and aligns stock decisions with weather forecasts using AI tools.
The Google AI Professional Certificate is a seven-part program that includes 90 days of free access to Google AI Pro. The scholarship is available through the Think Business SME AI Academy Hub.
Barriers to AI Adoption in Irish SMEs
The research highlights several barriers to AI adoption among Irish SMEs, including skills gaps, cost concerns, and the fear of making mistakes. These factors contribute to the hesitation many businesses feel when considering AI integration.
Scholarship and Application Process
The Google AI Professional Certificate is available at no cost through a scholarship. Applicants can secure their scholarship in as little as two minutes.
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Competitive Pressure and Strategic Risks
Ireland currently aligns with the EU average for AI adoption but lags behind Northern European countries like Denmark, Finland, and Belgium. The primary strategic risk is not falling behind global leaders like the United States or Asian economies, but rather Irish SMEs losing ground to their nearest competitors.
It aims to transition learners from basic understanding to an AI-first approach, including 90 days of free access to Google AI Pro.
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