{"id":74417,"date":"2026-10-14T08:24:13","date_gmt":"2026-10-14T07:24:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/?p=74417"},"modified":"2026-10-14T09:48:16","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T08:48:16","slug":"ireland-ai-young-people","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/uk\/news\/stories\/ireland-ai-young-people\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Ireland\u2019s AI Future Depends on Investing in People, Not Just Technology"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As Ireland hosts the International AI Summit, Salesforce announces new programmes to expand AI literacy and career pathways for young people.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This week, global policymakers, industry leaders, and innovators are gathering in Dublin for the International AI Summit under Ireland\u2019s EU Presidency. As Europe shapes its digital agenda for the decade ahead, the conversations here will help define how AI is built, governed, and deployed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Much of the discussion will focus on policy, infrastructure, and technological speed as we move into the era of agentic AI<\/a>, where AI agents<\/a> actively collaborate with us as digital teammates to solve complex challenges. Yet amid this shift, we must remember that technology alone does not drive progress; people do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An AI-driven economy is only as strong as the ecosystem supporting its workforce. If Ireland is to lead in this new era, our investment in talent, ethical literacy, and digital inclusion must match our investment in computing power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Building Inclusive Pathways for the Next Generation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Today, Salesforce is announcing a new $750,000 grant to the National College of Ireland<\/a> (NCI), which includes support for AI Futures<\/a>, a free one-year on-campus programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This investment will support 225 young people, helping them build their understanding of AI and create direct routes into apprenticeships, further education and future careers. A further 500 NCI students and alumni will take part in AI ethics awareness sessions, so the next generation understands how to use these tools responsibly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I wish to commend Salesforce for this welcome and forward-thinking investment in the education of young people, ensuring they will have the necessary digital skills for the world of tomorrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peter Burke TD, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Peter Burke TD, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment said: \u201cI wish to commend Salesforce for this welcome and forward-thinking investment in the education of young people, ensuring they will have the necessary digital skills for the world of tomorrow. The announcement is also timely, being made while senior political, business, technology and thought leaders from Ireland, Europe and around the world are meeting at the International AI Summit to discuss how AI is constantly changing how we live and work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Through AI Futures, we are helping young people build AI skills and explore career pathways. Salesforce\u2019s investment will help us reach more learners and create new opportunities for them to benefit from the AI economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Emma Stokes, President, National College of Ireland<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Professor Emma Stokes, President, National College of Ireland said: \u201cThe future opportunities created by AI should be within reach of every young person, regardless of their background or circumstances. That is especially true for those who have left education early. Through AI Futures, we are helping young people build AI skills and explore career pathways. Salesforce\u2019s investment will help us reach more learners and create new opportunities for them to benefit from the AI economy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bringing AI Learning into the Classroom<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Our experience has taught us that economic resilience requires opportunity to reach every classroom, regardless of Eircode. As Agentic AI<\/a> reshapes career pathways, access to digital skills cannot become a privilege. Equality must be built into the foundation of the AI economy from day one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preparing young people for an AI-powered world must start well before further or higher education. Alongside the NCI grant, we are launching Future Trailblazers in Ireland, a new employee volunteering initiative that connects Salesforce employees directly with primary and post-primary classrooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following a successful pilot with Transition Year students in Dublin, our people will run sessions in school classrooms, giving students practical exposure to how humans and AI agents work together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Enabling skills development through initiatives such as this will be critical to maintaining Ireland\u2019s competitiveness and supporting the next generation of investment and jobs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Michael Lohan, CEO of IDA Ireland<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

This builds on our $1 million commitment with the Raspberry Pi Foundation<\/a> to implement a free, integrated computer science curriculum in Ireland, expanding access to computing education, particularly in socio-economically disadvantaged schools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Michael Lohan, CEO of IDA Ireland said: \u201cIDA Ireland is pleased to welcome today\u2019s announcement. Access to highly skilled talent is central to Ireland\u2019s ability to attract and sustain foreign direct investment. Enabling skills development through initiatives such as this will be critical to maintaining Ireland\u2019s competitiveness and supporting the next generation of investment and jobs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A 25-Year Commitment to Ireland\u2019s Talent<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Salesforce has called Ireland home for more than 25 years<\/a>. Since opening our first Dublin office in 2000, we have watched the country grow into one of the world\u2019s most dynamic technology hubs. In that time, we have contributed more than $10.5 million to initiatives that support education, strengthen communities, and expand opportunity across Ireland. Our employees have volunteered more than 405,000 hours to causes that make a difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n