Introducing OpenAI for Ireland

Today we are launching ‘OpenAI for Ireland’—a new initiative from OpenAI working with the Irish Government, Dogpatch Labs and Patch to help Irish SMEs and founders seize the opportunity of AI to grow, innovate and build for the future. 

Jason Kwon, Chief Strategy Officer at OpenAI, announced the initiative in Dublin alongside Jack Chambers T.D., Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Patrick Walsh, CEO of Dogpatch Labs and Tom McCarthy, Chair and Co-Founder of Patch.

Ireland has a long history of global technology leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship and the country has now embraced AI as the next big technological leap. Over one million people in Ireland—from college students to entrepreneurs—are using ChatGPT every week to learn, get help with everyday tasks, and to scale traditional and new AI powered businesses.

Ireland is already one of Europe’s most dynamic digital economies, and OpenAI for Ireland is designed to support the Government’s ambition to turn that head start into long-term leadership in the safe and innovative use of AI. The initiative will build on this momentum with an initial focus on SMEs, founders and young builders.

To enable and accelerate SME growth, OpenAI and the Department for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment⁠(opens in a new window) will launch an ‘SME Booster’ programme in 2026, with hands-on AI skills training for SMEs nationally. Through access to frontier AI technology, live workshops and real time mentoring, SMEs will learn how AI can help reduce costs, improve productivity and grow their business. Free SME online training will also be provided through the OpenAI Academy and will be supplemented with specialised AI literacy training.

Minister Chambers, said, “OpenAI’s partnerships will support economic growth by helping SMEs make the most of AI and other emerging technologies, while innovation from start-ups and builders developing new AI-driven products and services will help Ireland compete and succeed on the global stage. AI will play an important role in making public services more efficient and effective for individuals and businesses. Earlier this year, my department published the Guidelines for the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Public Service, and this week we launched the Digital Public Services Plan 2030. We are really ambitious about expanding and improving the services which are available to citizens and today’s announcement will further strengthen that goal.”

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism & Employment, Peter Burke TD, added, “Technology is a critical component of the Irish economic success story. Industry and Government must work together, helping businesses to navigate this period of rapid technological change and to take advantage of the opportunities. I commend OpenAI on their initiatives to build our startups capabilities and strengths in advanced technologies, which will drive investment, job and wealth creation.”

Niamh Smyth T.D., Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation, also welcomed today’s announcement and the importance of working with SMEs to ensure they maximise the benefits of AI. OpenAI will continue working closely with the Government of Ireland as it refreshes its National AI Strategy and prepares to host the EU AI Summit during its EU Council Presidency in 2026. 

For Ireland’s next generation of AI startups, OpenAI and Dogpatch Labs, Ireland’s leading startup hub and home of the National Digital Research Centre (NDRC) Accelerator, have agreed a new partnership to enable early-stage founders and entrepreneurs to integrate AI into their products and workflows. The focus is on practical workshops and hands-on sessions for founders and connecting Irish startups to OpenAI’s experts and tools so that new AI products can be built from Ireland for Europe and the world.

Patrick Walsh, CEO of Dogpatch Labs, said, “Ireland has a unique opportunity to become a European hub for AI entrepreneurship, by connecting the next generation of builders with the tools, mentorship and networks they need to create world-class AI startups.”

To support young builders, OpenAI and Patch, a non-profit programme supporting founders aged 16 - 21, will enter a new three-year partnership. This will allow Patch to grow its Summer programme, offer fellowships, finance grants and mentoring, so that more young builders can learn to code, prototype and develop early-stage AI products aligned with Ireland’s broader skills and innovation agenda.

Tom McCarthy, Chair and Co-founder at Patch, said, “Patch exists to accelerate exceptional young people by taking them seriously. OpenAI’s support will be instrumental in fostering the next generation of great Irish technologists and leaders.”

These collaborations build on OpenAI’s long-term commitment to Ireland. Our European HQ in Dublin now includes more than 50 employees across governance, privacy engineering, safety, GTM and legal. We will continue to invest and grow our presence, supporting efforts to expand AI adoption and ensure the benefits are felt across the country.

Jason Kwon, Chief Strategy Officer, OpenAI, said, “Ireland has always played a unique role in the evolution of global technology and its spirit of innovation extends far beyond its shores. With a million people using ChatGPT every week it's clear that the Irish understand the value of AI to get more out of work and life. AI can both supercharge traditional SMEs to achieve more and will be the foundation of a new generation of Irish tech entrepreneurs. OpenAI for Ireland will support the Government’s ambitions and help make the country a leader in the responsible and beneficial use of AI right across the country.”