A new partnership between Google and Bank of Ireland offers 10,000 free AI training spots to Irish businesses. The move aims to close the growing gap in AI adoption among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The initiative provides access to Google’s AI Professional Certificate, a program designed to help businesses integrate AI into their operations. Karen Stolberg, Google’s Vice President of Customer Solutions for the UK and Ireland, emphasizes the urgency for Irish businesses to act.
AI’s €45 Billion Potential for Ireland
AI is generating €45 billion in potential GDP gains for Ireland over the next decade, according to Google-commissioned research. This figure represents an 8% lift in national output, driven largely by productivity improvements across an estimated two-thirds of the Irish workforce.
Despite this potential, only 6% of Irish SMEs say AI is central to their operation today. That figure is expected to jump to 15% within three years, but many businesses risk falling behind.
Closing the AI Adoption Gap
Research by Google and Amarách reveals a disconnect: while 80% of Irish SME owners view AI positively, only 37% use it regularly. Over half feel they’re already lagging competitors.
The partnership addresses this gap by offering free AI training. Stolberg highlights the need for action, stating, “But the long-term gains are there to be had, and those gains will ultimately be shaped by the individual choices that businesses and Irish SME owners make today.”
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For smaller businesses, the challenge isn’t just about technology. It’s about overcoming fears of mistakes and skill gaps. Stolberg acknowledges this, saying, “That is an incredibly human response to a time of change.” What she finds more alarming is the competitive pressure building underneath.
However, the competitive pressure is real. Ireland trails Northern European countries like Denmark, Finland, and Belgium in AI adoption. The risk is that Irish SMEs will fall behind their closest peers, not just global leaders.
The Google AI Professional Certificate is a seven-part program building on Google’s AI Essentials course. It aims to take learners from basic understanding to an AI-first approach, with 90 days of free access to Google AI Pro.
Stolberg encourages business owners to start small: “Start by committing just one or two hours a week to hands-on learning.” The goal is not just technical skill but a cultural shift, where AI becomes a natural part of process improvement.
Examples from Irish businesses show AI’s practical applications. McNally Family Farm uses AI to analyze operational data, while OpenHive digitizes handwritten field notes for beekeepers.
The partnership with Bank of Ireland makes this training accessible through the Think Business SME AI Academy Hub.
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Overcoming Barriers to AI Adoption
The research highlights common barriers to AI adoption: skills gaps, cost concerns, and fear of mistakes. Stolberg acknowledges these concerns, emphasizing the human response to change.
Practical Applications of AI in Irish Businesses
Irish businesses are already leveraging AI in various ways. McNally Family Farm in North Dublin uses AI tools like Gemini to analyze operational records, supply chain variables, and weather data, gaining actionable insights without hiring data analysts.
OpenHive, an Irish conservation organization, employs Gemini to digitize handwritten field notes from volunteer beekeepers, streamlining data management and decision-making processes. “The beekeepers still know the bees,” Stolberg says. “The conservationists are still the ones making the decisions. The AI simply removed the administrative burden that sat between the people and the work they actually cared about.”
In the retail sector, brands like BKultured and IPERA Skincare utilize Gemini for prototyping and market research, while Lahinch Surf Shop manages website copy and aligns stock decisions with weather forecasts using AI.
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