Ireland has taken a significant step towards mainstreaming artificial intelligence in business. The appointment of the country’s first AI Sectoral Champions places practical enterprise experience at the centre of the national drive to improve productivity, innovation and competitiveness.
Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation, Niamh Smyth TD, announced the appointments on 2 October 2026 under the National Digital and AI Strategy, Digital Ireland: Connecting our People, Securing our Future.
AI Champions appointed to support Irish enterprise
The first AI Sectoral Champions are Shane McGibney of Kerry Group and Siobhán Noble of Carne Group. Both are experienced business leaders whose organisations have been using digital technologies and artificial intelligence to support transformation and operational improvement.
Working with Enterprise Ireland, the champions will promote responsible AI adoption and help companies understand how the technology can be applied in different sectors. Their responsibilities will include:
- Sharing sector-specific opportunities, risks and practical insights
- Highlighting emerging artificial intelligence trends
- Supporting dialogue between industry and Government
- Contributing to sectoral AI roadmaps and awareness initiatives
- Helping businesses move from experimentation to useful, measurable applications
The voluntary appointments will initially run for one year, with the possibility of renewal.
Why a sector-led approach matters
Artificial intelligence will not deliver identical benefits across every industry. A manufacturer, financial services provider, food company or technology business may face different regulatory, workforce and data challenges. The new champions are intended to bring those sector-specific realities into national policy and business supports.
Minister Smyth said the initiative would help enterprises better understand the practical benefits of AI while ensuring that adoption remains responsible and impactful. The Government’s wider objective is to strengthen the use of AI across the Irish enterprise base, supporting growth and competitiveness.
Enterprise Ireland prepares new AI adoption roadmap
Enterprise Ireland welcomed the appointments, describing Kerry Group and Carne Group as examples of businesses incorporating AI strategically and responsibly. The agency will work with the champions as part of a broader programme focused on digital transformation.
This programme includes a targeted sectoral strategy for AI adoption and a new AI Adoption Roadmap for Enterprise Ireland client companies. The roadmap is expected to help businesses identify suitable opportunities, build internal capability and approach implementation with greater confidence.
For Irish companies, successful adoption may involve more than purchasing new software. It can also require staff training, sound governance, reliable data, cybersecurity measures and clear accountability for automated systems.
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Responsible AI remains central to the initiative
Siobhán Noble said that scaling AI depends on people, organisational change and operating models as well as technology. Her comments highlighted the importance of governance and human judgement, particularly in highly regulated industries.
Shane McGibney said AI could help businesses solve practical problems, create value and support employees. He also pointed to the opportunity to accelerate the real-world use of AI across Irish companies by sharing lessons from Kerry Group.
The emphasis on responsible implementation is relevant to businesses navigating data protection, employment considerations and emerging regulatory requirements. It also aligns with Ireland’s broader public-sector focus on digital innovation and trusted technology.
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What the AI Champions mean for businesses
The initiative gives Irish enterprises a visible channel for sharing challenges and learning from companies already applying AI. It may also help smaller firms identify realistic starting points rather than treating artificial intelligence as a purely technical project.
Enterprise Ireland clients will be among the immediate audience for the new roadmap, but the wider message is clear: responsible AI adoption is becoming a business priority across Ireland. The appointment of Shane McGibney and Siobhán Noble is an important early milestone in turning national strategy into practical action.
Takeaway: Ireland’s first AI Champions are designed to help businesses adopt artificial intelligence with greater clarity, sector knowledge and confidence. Through Enterprise Ireland, industry collaboration and responsible governance, the initiative aims to turn AI potential into measurable enterprise results.
Article/Image Courtesy: Enterprise Ireland
