Every Penny of Available Apple Cash Needed to Back Irish AI Development
China and the US are moving fast in the AI race, but Ireland has a unique opportunity to carve out its own path. Premier Li Qiang’s recent AI Summit in Shanghai emphasized international collaboration, aiming to prevent AI from becoming controlled by just a few countries or companies. This contrasts sharply with the US approach, which focuses on dominance and deregulation.
In Ireland, Fianna Fáil TD Naoise Ó Cearúil introduced the National Artificial Intelligence Bill 2026. This Bill proposes establishing a state body to oversee ethical, transparent, and innovative AI use. The goal is clear: Ireland should not only adopt AI but become a global contributor and leader.
Collaborative Approach Over Competition
China’s approach to AI focuses on providing open access to AI tools, encouraging local developers to build on top of them. This method aligns well with the needs of Irish entrepreneurs who want to develop AI products for markets beyond the US. In contrast, the US AI Action Plan centers on deregulation and building infrastructure dominated by Big Tech giants like Meta, Alphabet, Microsoft, and Amazon.
These four companies alone plan to spend over €296 billion this year on AI, mostly on data centers. Their scale and cash flow create a high barrier for smaller AI startups, especially in Ireland.
The Challenge for Irish AI Entrepreneurs
- High Costs: Ireland faces some of the highest electricity prices in Europe, which adds to the operating costs for energy-intensive AI data centers.
- Data Access: AI models require vast amounts of data for training. Public data resources such as media archives and healthcare data are valuable assets that could support Ireland’s AI ecosystem if made accessible responsibly.
- Dependence: While Ireland cannot completely detach from US technology, it needs to explore strategic partnerships in Europe and Asia to develop a competitive edge.
Every euro from the €2 billion Apple funds, held due to EU sanctions, should be directed toward supporting these AI ventures. Without substantial investment in infrastructure, data access, and energy solutions, Ireland’s startups will find it difficult to compete globally.
Strategic Moves for Ireland
To boost AI innovation, Ireland should focus on:
- Making key public data available to entrepreneurs while safeguarding privacy.
- Investing in affordable, sustainable data center infrastructure.
- Supporting startups through targeted funding from existing EU funds.
- Building alliances with AI ecosystems outside the US to diversify market access.
This approach will help Irish AI entrepreneurs build products that can compete internationally, not just in the domestic market.
For IT professionals and developers looking to stay competitive in AI, continuous learning and upskilling are critical. Resources like Complete AI Training’s latest AI courses provide practical guidance and skills tailored for the evolving AI landscape.
Your membership also unlocks:
