Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

390. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason Ireland is not involved the EU AI Factories initiative to date; if, in the context of the new EU AI Continent Action Plan, Ireland will seek to join a consortium as part of the initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30874/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The European Union's AI Continent Action Plan was launched in April. It sets the objective for the EU to become a global leader in Artificial Intelligence (AI) transforming Europe's strong traditional industries and its exceptional talent pool into powerful engines of AI innovation and acceleration.

As the Deputy will be aware, one of the five key pillars of the Action Plan relates to building a large-scale AI data and computing infrastructure.

The Government's National AI Strategy Refresh 2024 includes a commitment to a strategic review of the High-Performance Computing services required to drive innovation and adoption of AI and other advanced technologies to inform future investment. It highlights that given the heavy computational overhead of many AI models, unlocking access to advanced High Performance Computing (HPC) is a critical lever for AI innovation in Ireland

In August last year, my predecessor as Minister announced the appointment of a review panel to review Ireland's High-Performance Computing (HPC) requirements. I understand that the review is expected to conclude shortly. Once the report is finalised, it will be submitted to me by the review panel to inform and advise Government decision-making on national HPC infrastructure including in the context of the ongoing review of the National Development Plan.

In terms of Ireland's participation in the initiative referenced in the Deputy's question, my Department is supporting exploration of the development of a national proposal for participation in the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking's current AI Factories Antennas call aimed at strengthening the network of AI Factories in Europe.