By Dave Feenan, Network Director – Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has moved to the top of Europe’s strategic agenda. On the 8th October, the European Commission launched the Apply AI Strategy – a blueprint to accelerate the responsible adoption of AI across the EU’s industrial base, public services, and SME sector.
The aim? To make Europe a global leader in the deployment of AI, not just its development.
The strategy is unambiguous: to remain competitive globally, Europe must remove adoption barriers, invest in talent, and scale AI across sectors, quickly and ethically.
Overall, around €1 billion in EU funding will go to the Apply AI strategy, with governments and the private sector expected to contribute on top to advance its goals.
What is the Apply AI Strategy?
At its core, the Apply AI Strategy focuses on turning AI innovation into real-world economic and societal value. It targets the full chain of AI deployment, from capability to adoption.
The strategy centres around three interconnected focus areas:
- Introducing sectoral flagships – to boost AI use in key industrial sectors of the EU economy and in the public sector
- Addressing cross-cutting challenges – to support greater AI adoption by SMEs; enable an AI-ready workforce across sectors; leverage advanced AI capabilities; and ensure trust into the market
- Establishing a single governance mechanism – to pioneer a sectoral approach and foster a dynamic process of collaboration among stakeholders.
It calls for the creation of ‘AI Factories’ that blend data, compute, and algorithmic innovation; increased support for SMEs to access high-performance infrastructure; and enhanced collaboration between digital innovation hubs and AI startups.
Crucially, the strategy emphasises applied AI – not just experimentation or research, but scalable, enterprise-ready solutions that can be deployed across healthcare, manufacturing, mobility, energy, and more.
This is where Irish businesses, particularly SMEs and mid-sized enterprises, can play a transformative role.
The EU’s Vision for AI in Scientific Research
Alongside Apply AI, the European Commission also launched the Artificial Intelligence in Science Strategy on 8 October 2025. This initiative is designed to position the EU at the cutting edge of AI-driven research and scientific innovation, ensuring that Europe’s researchers have access to the tools, data, and compute power needed to lead in next-generation discovery. The strategy promotes responsible AI use in scientific processes, aiming for breakthroughs in areas from health to energy, while also reinforcing transparency and reproducibility in research outcomes.
Together, these strategies reinforce a clear message from Brussels: AI is no longer just a technological upgrade – it is fast becoming foundational infrastructure across Europe’s economy, academia, and public institutions. Whether in the lab or on the factory floor, AI capability will be a core driver of progress.
For Ireland, this dual-track approach – supporting both enterprise deployment and scientific excellence – offers new opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and upskilling at every level.
The Upskilling Imperative: Technology Without Talent Will Fail
At Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet, we see the Apply AI Strategy as a timely validation of our mission: to equip Irish businesses with the practical, job-ready AI skills they need to succeed.
The strategy clearly acknowledges that adoption won’t happen without talent. That’s why we are always expanding our AI upskilling programmes – from foundational courses for business decision-makers, to technical certifications and bespoke training paths tailored to specific industry needs.
Whether you’re a local manufacturer, a fintech innovator, or a public sector organisation, the future competitiveness of your operation increasingly depends on your AI capability.
Ireland’s Role in the European AI Ecosystem
The Apply AI Strategy encourages all EU countries to tap into a continental network of AI resources: from supercomputing and common data spaces to regulatory sandboxes and public-private partnerships.
Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet is actively working to ensure Irish companies are not just aware of these opportunities but are directly connected to them.
Through networking events, new learning pathways, and stronger collaboration with relevant Government, academic and industry partners, we aim to bridge the gap between high-level strategy and actionable business outcomes.
Final Thought: The Time to Act is Now
The EU has declared its intent to lead in applied AI.
For Irish businesses, the question is not whether to engage, but how quickly. With the right skills, the right strategy, and the right partners, AI can be a source of sustainable competitive advantage.
At Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet, we’re here to help you take that first, or next, step on your AI journey.
Learn more about the launch of both the Apply AI Strategy and AI in Science Strategy.
Learn more about the AI Continent plan.
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