Artificial Intelligence is no longer a distant concept – it’s rapidly reshaping the global economy, and Ireland is at a crossroads. That was the key message delivered to a recent meeting of the Oireachtas Committee on Artificial Intelligence by members of the Government’s AI Advisory Council.
According to the Council, which includes academics, tech leaders and other specialists, Ireland faces a complex choice: invest heavily in AI and its infrastructure or risk falling behind international rivals in a race where there are “no easy options.“
The Energy-AI Dilemma
One of the biggest challenges? Energy. Specifically, how Ireland powers the data centres and systems that drive AI innovation. Sean Blanchfield, CEO of Jentic, said the country must urgently expand its renewable energy capacity if it wants to be a serious player in the AI space.
“If we want to be part of the global supply chain of the future, we need to sort out our energy,” he told the committee.
While Ireland has been a popular location for data centres, thanks to its tech-friendly environment, Sean warned that the days of building such infrastructure on the back of fossil fuels are coming to an end. “The real question now is how we upgrade our energy system so we can stay in the game – and sustain our future tax base as AI begins to displace jobs,” he added.
The Reality of Job Disruption
AI is already changing the workplace. Entry-level programming roles are being automated, and Sean said many software engineers are shifting to more advanced design and architecture roles. The legal profession, too, is seeing early signs of automation in basic tasks.
“People in my industry are applying AI to their own work – this isn’t theoretical, it’s happening now” he said. “If you can automate a junior developer or lawyer’s job, you can automate many others. It’s just a matter of time.”
Customer service may be next in line, he warned.
Not Just Hype – But Not Without Risks
Council chair Dr Patricia Scanlon emphasised that while AI holds huge promise in areas like education and healthcare, the risks can’t be ignored. She described the situation as a “balancing act”- investing in the future while protecting against serious economic disruption.
Dr Scanlon was clear: she’s not an “AI advocate at any cost.” But she made a stark comparison by asking the committee to consider what it would have cost Ireland if the country had chosen to ignore the internet revolution.
“We need to invest” she said. “That means task forces, experts and working with our European neighbours, so we’re not left using AI built by others, on their terms.”
The Road Ahead
As AI continues to develop at breakneck speed, the choices facing Ireland, and many other nations, will only get tougher. How do we support innovation while safeguarding jobs? Can we become an AI leader without sacrificing our climate goals?
One thing is clear: the future is being built now. And if Ireland wants to be part of it, the time for action is quickly running out.
Call to Action
If you’d like to delve deeper into how these trends can reshape your organisation, we would be delighted to discuss them in more detail. Invite Mark Kelly, Founder of AI Ireland, to speak at your next team meeting, conference or strategy session. We can explore practical ways to harness AI responsibly, meet sustainability goals, and navigate the evolving consumer landscape. Let’s work together to ensure Ireland remains at the vanguard of innovation in 2025 – and beyond.
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