While businesses in Dublin are increasingly understanding the power and potential of AI, challenges remain to ensure detailed knowledge of the subject among some business leaders in the capital, a number of whom do not yet have a clear AI vision or strategy in place for their business. Other challenges include the need to ensure that I.T. and other staff are equipped with the skills required in a continuously changing technological and regulatory environment. In response to these challenges, education and training providers are developing and delivering a range of training supports to help ensure AI readiness.
Recent research by Storm Technology, a business technology consultancy found that 59% of business leaders believe that their company needs to adopt AI in order to remain competitive, and 46% of respondents believe that their company will lose market share if they fail to invest in AI. The same research found that 49% of business leaders said that their senior management do not fully understand the potential of AI.
“The fact that 63% of Ireland’s tech workforce is located here, means that for Dublin in particular, it is vital that the appropriate training supports are in place and are easily accessible.”
These figures illustrate that while there is a clear understanding of the growing importance of AI, there is also a need for business leaders to learn more about it to ensure that their company can maximize the potential of AI and secure against risk. The fact that 63% of Ireland’s tech workforce is located here, means that for Dublin in particular, it is vital that the appropriate training supports are in place and are easily accessible for staff at all levels in the capital.
Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board (DDLETB), through their services for business unit, provide a wide variety of funded workforce development supports for enterprise, including certified courses funded through the SOLAS Skills to Advance programme. In the area of AI, DDLETB provide funded training solutions at various levels aimed at different cohorts – an example of these include a series of business breakfasts where business leaders can talk directly to AI industry experts and get an insider’s look at how AI can transform their business. The ETB are also developing an AI foundation course to follow this. For those who wish to progress to more advanced training, they offer the ICDL certified Artificial Intelligence module which covers what AI is, how AI works, common AI examples and AI adoption: challenges and potential. For I.T. professionals wishing to upskill, they have scheduled courses including Microsoft AZURE AI.
As AI skills become increasingly vital for economic growth, funded, flexible and accessible training supports in this area will help to ensure that enterprise in Dublin remains equipped, ready and at the forefront of what is a rapidly changing landscape.
To learn more about the education and training supports available to business in Dublin email: [email protected]
Enterprise Engagement Manager, Dublin & Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board (DDLETB)
