CeADAR and Google Announce Strategic Partnership Agreement to Help Irish Businesses Unlock AI’s Potential
CeADAR and Google Ireland have today announced a new strategic partnership to help Irish businesses capitalise on the economic potential of AI.
CeADAR, Ireland’s European Digital Hub for AI, which is hosted at University College Dublin (UCD), and Google signed the agreement at a meeting with the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD at Government Buildings.
Recent research from Google and Implement Consulting Group shows that widespread adoption of AI has the potential to boost Ireland’s GDP by €40-45 billion. The new partnership between CeADAR and Google aims to support Irish businesses to adopt AI to boost competitiveness and productivity.
CeADAR and Google will focus on building an AI-ready workforce and driving the adoption of AI-powered solutions through a three-pillar approach:
Addressing the AI skills gap - this includes tailored learning paths that provide on-demand training for varying proficiency levels, enhancing technical skills in cloud and product mastery while transforming leaders into AI-driven strategists.
Scaling AI capabilities - empower Irish businesses to rapidly and responsibly test and implement AI solutions by leveraging Google's expertise and resources. CeADAR will provide access to Google Cloud resources, including €3 million in Google Cloud credits and advanced AI tools like Vertex AI and Gemini 2.0.
Investing in the future - preparing Ireland for the next phase of AI through training and mentorship initiatives, for CeADAR staff and interns, building key cloud related skills.
Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD said, “This partnership between CeADAR and Google is the type of public and private sector collaboration that is needed to ensure we are equipping Irish businesses to benefit from the economic opportunities AI presents. AI has the potential to have a transformative, positive impact on Ireland’s competitiveness and the government is committed to creating an ecosystem where businesses can fully utilise the power of AI to innovate, expand, and compete on a global scale.”
Lorraine Twohill, Chief Marketing Officer at Google said, “AI presents a tremendous opportunity for Ireland, with the potential to significantly boost the economy. Ireland has built a strong foundation for a safe and reliable AI environment, supported by the Government’s clear ambition to capitalise on this transformative technology. This partnership with CeADAR is designed to help businesses navigate the challenges and opportunities AI brings—transforming how jobs are performed, creating new AI-focused roles, and enabling businesses to thrive in an AI-powered economy.
By combining Google’s expertise with CeADAR’s capabilities, we are confident that we can unlock AI’s full economic potential and drive sustainable growth across Irish businesses.”
Dr John Lonsdale, CEO, CeADAR, said, “Unlocking AI’s economic potential won’t happen automatically and requires a proactive approach to workforce adaptation. We have been working with Irish businesses in recent years to help them leverage AI and machine learning but with the dynamic evolution of the technology more can be done to upskill Irish businesses, grow and nurture AI talent and facilitate faster adoption of AI. Ireland has a unique opportunity to harness the wider expertise that exists in our bustling tech sector - bringing our expertise together with Google is one key that can begin to unlock the economic opportunity AI will bring.”
Welcoming today’s announcement, Professor Kate Robson Brown, UCD Vice-President for Research, Innovation and Impact said, “Our researchers and innovators at UCD draw on the breadth and depth of their expertise to deliver knowledge and solutions that matter. They are leading the way in fields, such as AI, that are transforming the world around us. Advancing research and innovation is one of UCD’s central pillars guiding the University to break boundaries and to deliver lasting and meaningful impact. To do so we draw on our strengths and our partnerships, such as this new partnership with Google, to create knowledge and cultivate talent in the areas where that impact can be greatest.
The new partnership announced today will bring together the diverse expertise, strengths and resources of CeADAR and Google to build an AI-ready workforce and drive the adoption of AI-powered solutions boosting the competitiveness and productivity of Irish businesses.”
ENDS
11 March 2025
For more information contact Micéal Whelan, Communications and Media Relations Manager, NovaUCD, UCD Research and Innovation, e: miceal.whelan@ucd.ie or Dr John Lonsdale, CEO, CeADAR, e: john.lonsdale@ucd.ie.