Microsoft Proudly Returns as Principal Sponsor of the 2026 AI Awards

15 July 2026 – AI Ireland has announced that Microsoft is returning as Principal Sponsor of the 2026 Irish AI Awards, continuing a partnership that has helped support Ireland’s artificial intelligence ecosystem since the inaugural awards in 2018.

The eighth annual AI Awards will take place on 17 November 2026 at the Radisson Royal Blu Hotel in Dublin, bringing together more than 500 members of Ireland’s thriving AI community, including policymakers, technology leaders, innovators, researchers, entrepreneurs, startups and organisations driving real-world impact through artificial intelligence.

The AI Awards recognise excellence across the Irish AI ecosystem, celebrating the individuals, teams, academic institutions, startups, SMEs and enterprises using AI to solve challenges, create new opportunities and shape the future of technology. The 2026 awards will spotlight achievements across 16 categories, highlighting innovation and impact across areas including responsible AI, healthcare, cybersecurity and sustainability.

This year sees the introduction of a new category, Agentic AI Innovation of the Year, which recognises organisations and teams developing innovative AI agents and autonomous systems that are transforming how businesses operate, improving decision-making and delivering measurable real-world impact.

The 2026 AI awards are taking place against a backdrop of growing AI adoption across Ireland. Research by Trinity College Dublin in collaboration with Microsoft Ireland found that 92% of organisations in Ireland are either using or planning to use AI, helping to free up thousands of hours a month through productivity gains. However, just 10% of leaders describe their deployment of AI as advanced or frontier-level, highlighting the opportunity for further adoption and innovation.

As AI becomes an increasingly important driver of economic growth and competitiveness, the AI Awards continue to shine a spotlight on the organisations and individuals leading that transformation across Ireland.

“Microsoft’s continued commitment to responsible AI, innovation, and empowering organisations through AI technologies has played an important role in supporting the growth of Ireland’s AI community. Through investment in AI skilling, research, partnerships, and industry collaboration, Microsoft continues to help organisations across Ireland harness the opportunities presented by AI,” said Mark Kelly, Founder of AI Ireland.

“We are delighted to continue our collaboration with Microsoft as Principal Sponsor of the 2026 AI Awards,” Mark continues. “Since the first AI Awards in 2018, Microsoft has been a valued supporter of Ireland’s AI ecosystem, helping to accelerate innovation and promote the responsible adoption of AI across industry and society.”

Catherine Doyle, General Manager, Microsoft Ireland, said: “As the founding sponsor of the AI Awards, Microsoft has been proud to support AI Ireland’s mission to showcase innovation, foster collaboration and encourage the responsible adoption of AI across Ireland’s economy. We are delighted to return as Principal Sponsor of the 2026 AI Awards, which have become an important platform for recognising the organisations and individuals who are leading AI innovation in Ireland and demonstrating the tangible value AI is creating across every sector of the economy.

“AI is increasingly a strategic priority for Irish organisations, helping to drive productivity, accelerate innovation and unlock new opportunities for growth. At Microsoft, we are committed to helping businesses accelerate their AI transformation and equipping them with the technology, skills and expertise to lead as AI frontier firms. We look forward to celebrating the innovators and leaders who are helping shape Ireland’s AI future at this year’s awards.”

Entries for the AI Awards 2026 are now open. Organisations, teams, researchers and individuals across Ireland are invited to showcase their achievements and submit entries across the 16 award categories. To learn more about the categories and submit an entry, visit www.aiawards.ie.