The programme will support people as they develop the in‑demand skills needed for work, study and everyday life.

The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Skills, James Lawless TD, has today (23 April), launched AIReady.ie, a new Governmental, national AI skilling platform, designed to provide people across Ireland with access to essential AI skills.

Developed by Solas, in partnership with the National Skills Council, the initiative is free and suited to learners of all abilities. It teaches the fundamentals of AI and can be engaged with at the user’s own convenience via flexible, “bite-sized online courses”, that are 30 minutes or less and can be accessed using a tablet or laptop. 

The curriculum is designed to support people as they work to develop the in‑demand skills needed for work, study and everyday life, regardless of their prior experience or technical background, with the current content focused on building foundational AI literacy and practical digital capability. 

To start, the programme will offer four short courses tailored to older people, small businesses such as sole traders and farmers and those returning to the workforce. The initiative aims to upskill 1M people in AI, which the platform said is “one of the Government’s most ambitious responses to the rapid emergence and impact of artificial intelligence to date”.

Commenting on the launch, Minister Lawless, TD, said, “Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping how we work, learn and live and ensuring people are ready for that change is one of the most important challenges we face. I strongly believe that everyone should have the opportunity to understand AI and to use it with confidence.

“We are now at a point where AI readiness is no longer optional, it is essential. Being ‘AI‑ready’ is about more than technology, it is about giving people the skills, confidence and understanding they need to participate fully in an AI‑enabled society. AI skills are for everyone, not just experts or specialists.”

Dr Kevin Marshall, the chair of the National Skills Council, added, “I welcome the launch of AIReady.ie, which will support the development of AI skills. We know the biggest risk today isn’t AI, it’s being unprepared to use it.

“We want people to feel like AI is accessible to them, regardless of their background or stage in life and this new platform delivers exactly that, a simple entry point for anyone looking to start their journey with AI. With the launch of AIReady.ie today, we are laying the foundations to build the AI skills our economy and society needs for the future.”

Don’t miss out on the knowledge you need to succeed. Sign up for the Daily Brief, Silicon Republic’s digest of need-to-know sci-tech news.