For Ireland, AI presents an important opportunity to strengthen the competitiveness of indigenous ICT companies, create highly skilled employment and support economic growth.

However, many small and medium-sized enterprises continue to face challenges including limited technical expertise, implementation costs, regulatory uncertainty and restricted access to suitable infrastructure.

To maximise the benefits of AI, policy should focus not only on awareness but also on practical implementation, commercialisation and long-term business growth.

Supporting Businesses Through AI Transformation

Developing Practical AI Skills

One of the greatest challenges facing SMEs is the shortage of practical AI skills. Businesses need training that goes beyond general awareness and focuses on real-world implementation.

Training programmes should include:

• Generative AI and business automation
• AI-assisted software and application development
• Data analytics and machine learning
• AI governance, ethics and regulatory compliance
• Cybersecurity and secure use of AI systems
• AI integration into marketing and customer service

Subsidised training, short professional courses and recognised certifications would significantly improve AI readiness throughout the ICT services sector.

Improving Access to AI Expertise

Many organisations understand the potential of AI but lack the specialist expertise required to identify appropriate use cases and integrate AI into their existing business processes.

Government-supported AI advisory programmes and consultancy voucher schemes could provide SMEs with access to experienced professionals for:

• AI readiness assessments
• Business process and data audits
• AI strategy development
• Automation planning
• Proof-of-concept development
• Cybersecurity and privacy assessments

Financial Support for AI Adoption

AI adoption often requires investment in software, cloud services, cybersecurity, data management and employee training. These costs can be difficult for smaller businesses to manage.

Relevant financial supports could include:

• AI adoption grants
• Digital transformation vouchers
• Tax incentives for AI training and innovation
• Funding for cloud infrastructure and cybersecurity
• Prototype and pilot project funding
• Support for moving from pilot projects to full deployment

Demonstration and Pilot Projects

Government-supported demonstration projects could allow ICT companies to test AI solutions in real environments and produce commercially valuable case studies.

These projects could connect ICT companies with organisations in healthcare, agriculture, transport, retail, education, manufacturing and public services.

Public-sector organisations could also become early adopters of responsible AI solutions developed by Irish companies.

Building AI Infrastructure

Access to secure cloud services, computing resources and quality datasets is essential for the successful development of AI products and services.

Policy support should provide access to:

• Affordable cloud computing
• High-performance computing resources
• Secure data-sharing environments
• Sector-specific open datasets
• AI testing facilities and sandboxes
• Data quality and governance expertise

Responsible AI and Clear Regulation

Businesses require clear and practical guidance on the EU AI Act, GDPR, cybersecurity, intellectual property, transparency and human oversight.

Centralised guidance should include standard templates, model policies, implementation checklists and industry-specific best practices.

This would help SMEs adopt AI responsibly without requiring expensive legal and compliance support at every stage.

Encouraging Collaboration

Greater collaboration between SMEs, universities, research centres, public bodies and multinational technology companies would improve knowledge sharing and accelerate innovation.

Useful initiatives could include:

• Regional AI innovation hubs
• Industry and university partnerships
• Shared laboratories and testing facilities
• AI innovation challenges
• Knowledge-transfer programmes
• Access to postgraduate researchers

Supporting Commercial Growth

Developing an AI solution does not automatically lead to commercial success. Businesses also require support with market validation, pricing, intellectual property, international sales and access to customers.

Commercialisation support should include:

• Business and product mentoring
• Market research and validation
• Intellectual property protection
• Export-readiness programmes
• International technology events
• Access to EU innovation funding
• Introductions to investors and international partners

Improving Access to Finance

Traditional lending models do not always recognise the commercial value of software, data, digital platforms and intellectual property.

Government-backed innovation loans, seed funding, co-investment funds and early-stage finance could help companies develop and launch new AI-enabled products and services.

Cybersecurity and AI Risk Support

AI introduces new risks, including data leakage, deepfakes, misinformation, automated fraud, inaccurate outputs and AI-enabled cyberattacks.

Businesses should receive support for:

• Secure AI deployment
• Cybersecurity assessments
• Employee awareness training
• Identity and access management
• Incident response planning
• Testing and validation of AI-generated outputs

Workforce Transition and Reskilling

AI will transform existing roles and create new ones. Policy should help companies redesign roles, retrain employees and use AI to improve productivity rather than focusing only on workforce replacement.

Particular support may be needed for administrative, customer service, technical support, content production and junior software development roles.

A Coordinated AI Support System

One of the major challenges for SMEs is that available supports are often spread across multiple agencies, websites and programmes.

A national AI enterprise-support portal could provide a single place for businesses to find:

• AI grants and funding opportunities
• Training programmes
• Specialist advisory services
• Research and industry partners
• Regulatory guidance
• Testing facilities
• Networking and international opportunities

Experience of Existing Supports

Existing digitalisation, innovation, training and research supports provide a useful foundation for AI adoption.

However, smaller enterprises often find these supports fragmented, difficult to navigate and more focused on research or general digital strategy than practical AI implementation.

Our Experience of Adopting and Using AI

Our experience at ERD Solutions shows that AI has evolved from an emerging technology into a core business capability.

We have integrated AI into several areas of digital transformation, including:

• Website design and development
• Business process automation
• Digital marketing
• Customer engagement
• Cybersecurity awareness
• Data analysis and decision-making
• AI-supported digital consultancy

When implemented effectively, AI can improve productivity, reduce operating costs, enhance customer experiences and support the creation of new digital services.

Moving Beyond Experimentation

Many businesses are experimenting with AI tools but have not yet integrated them into their operations.

They often lack the expertise to identify appropriate use cases, connect AI with existing systems and measure the commercial value of implementation.

Policy support should therefore focus on measurable implementation outcomes rather than awareness campaigns alone.

Trust, Privacy and Compliance

Trust remains one of the most significant barriers to AI adoption. Businesses require guidance on data protection, intellectual property, cybersecurity, transparency, accountability and regulatory compliance.

Standard frameworks and accessible advisory support would help organisations adopt AI with greater confidence.

The Pace of Technological Change

AI capabilities are evolving more quickly than many traditional training, funding and policy programmes.

Continuous upskilling, flexible funding models and responsive policy frameworks will be necessary to help businesses remain competitive.

Opportunity for Ireland

Ireland has an opportunity to become a leading centre for responsible AI innovation by supporting indigenous ICT companies alongside large multinational technology organisations.

Strong collaboration between SMEs, universities, research institutions and enterprise agencies could create high-value digital products, skilled employment and international export opportunities.

Conclusion

Artificial Intelligence will fundamentally reshape the ICT services sector over the coming decade.

The organisations that succeed will be those that combine advanced technology with skilled people, responsible governance, cybersecurity and continuous innovation.

A coordinated national strategy combining training, funding, infrastructure, specialist expertise, regulation, collaboration and commercialisation support will enable Irish ICT enterprises to compete successfully within global AI ecosystems.