Andrew Hines of University College Dublin, ADAPT and Insight has warned that Ireland risks falling behind in artificial intelligence unless it adopts a more coherent national approach, according to a recent interview with The Irish Times.
In the interview, Hines called for the creation of a National AI Institute and said ICT infrastructure should be treated as a critical public utility. He also pointed to cost-of-living pressures and visa barriers as key factors driving newly qualified PhD graduates to leave Ireland for opportunities abroad.
Hines challenged the view that regulation suppresses innovation, arguing instead that clear regulatory frameworks help companies reduce risk and innovate with confidence.
He said Ireland’s ability to compete internationally will depend on a joined-up strategy that supports researchers as people, alongside sustained investment in infrastructure, industry adoption of AI, and long-term talent retention.
The article was authored by Conor Purcell.
Access the article here.
