Ireland has announced a new national digital and AI strategy, pledging to commit to 90 concrete deliverables by 2030, including one-stop services. AI skills platforma new AI office for Ireland, an AI toolkit for teachers, and proposals to introduce social media age restrictions for under-16s.
The strategy titled Digital Ireland – connecting people and securing the futuresets out how the government will digitize 100 per cent of key public services, scale up AI adoption across businesses and strengthen Ireland’s role as the EU regulatory hub for digital policy. For EdTech and workforce providers, the most pressing signals relate to national AI training infrastructure, teacher CPD, and online safety measures that can directly impact schools.
“We are at a pivotal moment in digital transformation. The rapid evolution of digital technologies and the transformative power of AI will change the way we live, work and interact as a society. Digital Ireland – Connecting People, Securing the Future sets out how we will strengthen Ireland’s position as a digital leader and regulatory hub, strengthening our profile as an investment destination and a global hub for applied AI.”
“We want all sectors of our economy and society to benefit from digital and AI technologies – supporting business growth, improving public services and ensuring everyone has the skills to succeed in a digital and AI-driven economy and society. Ireland will continue to have a strong voice in Europe for a digital economy that supports competitiveness and innovation, while protecting data privacy and fundamental rights.”
National AI Skills Platform and Labor Market Intelligence
At the heart of the workforce challenge is a new online one-stop-shop AI skills platform for employers and individuals, supported by a national digital and AI skills campaign. The strategy also proposes establishing a national skills observatory to track labor market trends and needs for AI-related skills, and a business AI readiness observatory to measure companies’ adoption of AI.
The language of destruction is direct. The strategy acknowledges the potential replacement of jobs by AI and says the government will support workers through “agile, accessible and fit-for-purpose upskilling and reskilling opportunities”.
Martin writes in his preface: “We recognize that advances in technology will inevitably lead to disruption, and we are committed to helping workers navigate the impact of potential separation, including through agile and accessible skills support.”
For the EdTech sector, it signals that AI skills policy is moving towards structured national infrastructure rather than piecemeal initiatives with built-in measurement mechanisms.
AI toolkit for teachers and stronger online safety
The strategy includes an AI toolkit and CPD for teachers, as well as a commitment to equip all learners with foundational digital, digital literacy and media literacy skills across all levels of the curriculum.
Online safety is positioned as a priority throughout the document, particularly for children and young people. The government said it would work with like-minded EU member states to consider options to introduce age restrictions on social media, with a “particular focus on under-16s”, while also insisting on a decision on a “digital age of majority” at EU level.
Plans also include developing awareness and skills resources to support online safety in schools and establishing a national network of digital citizenship champions.
Tánaiste Finance Minister Simon Harris said: “Digital Ireland will bring new momentum to digital and AI ambitions across government, maximizing the opportunities of the digital and AI revolution, driving continued economic growth and accelerating the transformation of how government delivers services to its people.”
“The Government will ensure that the whole of society is empowered to thrive in the digital world and protect the most vulnerable, especially children and young people, from online harm.”
Irish AI Authority and regulatory expansion
In terms of governance, the strategy proposes establishing a new Irish AI Authority as the central coordinating body for the enforcement of EU AI law, alongside an AI regulatory sandbox.
It also sets out plans to strengthen regulatory resources under the EU Electronic Evidence Package, strengthen the Digital Regulatory Authority Group and establish a Department for International Cooperation in Criminal Justice.
The Government has positioned Ireland as both a digital innovation hub and a regulatory center of excellence, linking national AI ambitions to the EU Council Presidency in 2026, with plans to host an international AI and Digital Summit on that occasion.
Infrastructure initiatives include expanding high-performance computing capacity, joining the EuroHPC AI Factory ecosystem, strengthening undersea cable connectivity, and establishing a new Cyber Security Research Center of Excellence.
Secretary of State Sean Canney said: “Digital and AI technologies offer unprecedented opportunities for businesses and the economy, public services and the people. Investment in the National Broadband Plan and further deployment of digital infrastructure will ensure that every region of the country benefits from these opportunities. Through Digital Ireland, we will ensure an agile, responsive and supportive approach, ensuring everyone has the skills, literacy and confidence they need and the opportunity to engage confidently, fully and safely in a digital world where no one else is.” being left behind. ”
The strategy is detailed and extensive. The immediate test will be whether AI skills platforms, teacher toolkits, regulatory structures, and safeguards move quickly from policy commitment to funded programs and operational deployment.
ETIH Innovation Award 2026
The ETIH Innovation Awards 2026 is now open and recognizes education technology organizations that are driving measurable impact across K-12, higher education, and lifelong learning. The award welcomes applications from the UK, the Americas and overseas, and applications will be assessed on the basis of evidence of achievement and practical application.
