AI leadership can play a crucial role in weathering economic challenges - Ibec
- Business group welcomes European Commission Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, Henna Virkkunen, for special event in Dublin
- AI-related trade is on track to double in Ireland over five years, with €6 billion invested in ICT equipment and software over the past 12 months and almost two-thirds of jobs will require significant reskilling because of the impact of artificial intelligence (AI)
Ibec, the group that represents Irish business, today hosted European Commission Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, Henna Virkkunen, for a special event in Dublin to outline how embracing AI policy leadership can play a crucial to weathering shared economic challenges.
Speaking at the event, Commissioner Virkkunen outlined: “While Europe leads the world in establishing safe, trustworthy, and human-centric AI standards, our goal is equally ambitious on the market front—to make the European Union a global leader in AI innovation and industrial adoption. The foundation is already in place. Entrepreneurial energy is thriving across the Union, with over 9,000 AI startups calling Europe home. This success is no coincidence; it is driven by world-class European talent and research. We have the skill, the vision, and the industrial strength to shape the future of AI. We hold the keys to success—now it is time to deliver.”
Speaking ahead of the event, Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation, Niamh Smyth outlined: “AI brings immense opportunity, but also real societal challenges. Through Digital Ireland: Connecting our People, Securing our Future, we have set out a clear vision and ambition to strengthen our position as a leading digital nation in an increasingly competitive global landscape. Ireland has what it takes to compete and lead – we have a vibrant innovation ecosystem, we have exceptional talent and we have a well-established reputation as a digital and regulatory hub. It’s important for businesses, policy makers and all parts of society work together to collectively prepare and reap the benefits.”
Fergal O'Brien, Executive Director, Policy, Lobbying & Global Affairs, Ibec said: “The strong digital performance of Ireland, and other EU digital frontrunners, in recent years is positive and key to helping the EU strengthen its capacity to deliver better jobs, better health and better public services to the people of Europe.
“Embracing further technological change, including AI, presents both opportunities and challenges. While progress is being made, we must not be complacent. AI-related trade is on track to double here over five years, with €6 billion invested in ICT equipment and software over the past 12 months and almost two-thirds of jobs will require significant reskilling because of the impact of artificial intelligence (AI).
“If we are to support the ambition of being global leaders in digital policy, the EU and Ireland must deliver stated ambitions to simplify the EU rulebook and its interplay in a way that safeguards people, innovation and competitiveness; and develop our digital capacities and ecosystem while remaining open and globally connected.
“Closer to home, we must deliver the ambition of our new National Digital and AI Strategy through a whole of government approach working with business. Government, educators, and employers must work together. We must leverage the National Training Fund (NTF) to support further upskilling and reskilling in AI to enable further opportunity across the economy.”
The event saw Ibec launch the latest suite of assets to support members’ AI ambitions, as part of its ongoing Work Just Got Smarter campaign.
