The new strategies aim to help regulators and AI providers better understand the rules around legislation and policy.

The AI Office of Ireland, which is the national authority responsible for coordinating the implementation of the EU AI Act, has announced a progression in plans surrounding the AI Regulatory Sandbox Programme. 

The Sandbox Programme was first announced as part of the country’s refreshed AI strategy in 2024 and aims to create a “controlled environment” in which AI providers and regulatory leaders can work to better understand their roles and assess compliance with relevant legislation, such as the EU AI Act, GDPR and the Digital Services Act.

Participants taking part will follow an agreed ‘Sandbox Plan’ that establishes regulatory objectives, timelines and key milestones and engagement will include a medley of regulatory discussions, documentation review and in some cases, specialist technical assessments.

Recently, Budget 2027 allocated an additional €2.3m to the AI Office of Ireland to support its work developing the Sandbox Programme and implementing the AI Literacy Taskforce. The added funds have brought its total budget to €3.8m.

The long-term goal of the Sandbox Programme is to support safe innovation, increase legal certainty and strengthen regulatory preparedness among SMEs, start-ups and public sector organisations. 

Commenting, the Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation Niamh Smyth, TD said: “Ireland has the talent and ambition to lead in responsible AI innovation. The establishment of an AI Regulatory Sandbox is a key requirement under the EU AI Act, and it is positive to see Ireland’s plans progressing. 

“The AI Regulatory Sandbox will help realise that potential by giving businesses, particularly SMEs and start-ups, a practical way to work through regulatory questions as they develop new technologies.

“Early engagement between innovators and regulators will also help ensure that protections for people’s rights and safety are built into AI systems from the outset. This is essential to building trust and supporting the wider adoption of AI across our economy and public services.”

Paul Byrne, the CEO of the AI Office of Ireland said: “Establishing Ireland’s AI Regulatory Sandbox is a key priority for the AI Office of Ireland and an important part of delivering on our obligations under the EU AI Act. The additional funding announced in Budget 2027 is a welcome step in progressing this work and strengthening the Office’s capacity to support the implementation of the Act.

“Alongside the work of our new National AI Literacy Taskforce, this reflects the Office’s wider commitment to providing clarity, supporting responsible innovation and building public trust in AI. We want to help create an environment where businesses can innovate with confidence, while ensuring people’s rights and safety remain central to how AI is developed and used.”

The new National AI Literacy Taskforce aims to develop and deliver a coherent national framework that embeds AI literacy skills at all levels of society before the end of 2027.

Also this week, Salesforce announced a new programme intended to expand the country’s AI literacy and create more career opportunities for young people. 

A new $750,000 grant to the National College of Ireland (NCI) will go towards supporting 225 young people to build their understanding of AI and create direct routes into apprenticeships, further education and future careers. 500 NCI students and alumni will also take part in AI ethics awareness sessions. 

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