Registrations, set to close on 10 August, has already amassed around 250 participants.
Early this month, TechIreland launched the 2025 National AI Challenge – a hackathon-style competition where contests build artificial intelligence solutions for real-world problems.
In the few short weeks since opening, the Challenge has already amassed around 250 registrations, supported by a wide range of companies – from AI giants such as Google and OpenAI, management firm Workday and organisations such as Innovation Technology Atlantic Galway and InsTech.ie – the innovation hub for insurance technology.
The contest – now in its second year – is also receiving support and interest from Enterprise Ireland, the State’s incubation hub for start-ups and the European Digital Innovation Networks hub (Data2Sustain EDIH). 10 innovation hubs are supporting the hackathon venues.
Registrations for the Challenge, only open to those based in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland, is set to close on 10 August, TechIreland said.
The National AI Challenge is inspired by Ireland’s National AI Strategy, which is directed at creating people-centred, ethical AI development across different industrial sectors, such as fintech, insurtech, healthtech and sustainability among others.
This year, teams are encouraged to develop innovative AI-driven solutions that tackle pressing industry challenges such improving workflow efficiencies.
Entering its second year, the Challenge has expanded its network to include nearly 30 partner organisations and coding communities.
Google and OpenAI will be providing participants with access to their advanced AI tools, along with technical guidance from their teams.
Following the closing of the registrations, participants will be invited to an opening webinar on 11 August, with a talk from founder and CEO of agentic AI start-up Jentic Sean Blanchfield.
The competition, set to last for more than a month, will include a two week period to build AI solutions and local demo events at more than 10 hubs nationwide.
A regional in-person presentation event will take place on 5 September, followed by the final round at the National AI meet in Galway on 18 September, where a winner will be chosen from the remaining contestants.
“AI is here to stay and will have profound impacts on society. We can’t ignore it. Ireland needs to be a leader in driving considered, ethical adoption of AI,” said TechIreland chairperson Brian Caufield.
“We hope that the National AI Challenge can be a catalyst for that, now and in the future.”
Mike Conroy, the director of Data2Sustain EDIH said, “This National AI Challenge exemplifies the power of collaboration between industry, innovation and regional networks across the Island.
“Events like this are important to identify and unlock the transformative potential of AI .”
The Bias Busters, a five-member team from Atlantic Technological University the last year’s AI Challenge with their prototype solution that addressed biases in AI systems.
Speaking with SiliconRepublic.com last year, team lead Dr Saritha Unnikrishnan said that her plan was to build a product that would make “a meaningful contribution to the AI community”.
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