Grow your career in the field of Artificial Intelligence with a degree from Irish universities

Artificial intelligence (AI), the newest edition to the tech industry has become a popular career choice for many international students. The introduction of Alexa, Siri, and many AI tools that have been performing really well have led to the optimisation of the working style in the current corporate setups. Years back, it was fiction and now that it has turned to reality, many students are looking to pursue a career in the industry.

If you aspire to establish a career in this field and are seeking the ideal starting point, you should seriously contemplate enrolling in an Artificial Intelligence course at an Irish university. Ireland being the tech hub of Europe, is loaded with opportunities for AI graduates. In this blog, we'll discuss the AI courses offered by Irish universities and what opportunities you can pursue after studying these courses in Ireland.

Why study Artificial Intelligence in Ireland?

Studying Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Ireland offers numerous advantages, with Ireland being called Europe’s own tech hub, there is a huge career potential for AI graduates here. Here’s what makes Studying AI in Ireland totally worth it:

  1. World-renowned universities: Ireland is known for its high-quality education system. 7 Irish universities have been ranked at the top in the QS World University Rankings 2023 for Computer Science and Information Systems.

  2. Thriving tech ecosystem: Ireland has a thriving technology ecosystem, often referred to as the "Silicon Valley of Europe." This ecosystem is home to many multinational tech giants, including Google, Facebook, and Intel. The Silicon Republic reports that Ireland is host to over 200 global tech companies, many of which are actively involved in AI research and development.

  3. Government support: The Irish government actively supports AI research and development initiatives. They have committed resources and funding to propel the growth of AI in the country. According to the Irish News, The Irish government plans to allocate £100 million to create a task force responsible for crafting AI models applicable in sectors like healthcare and education. The newly established Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology has announced this financial support as initial funding for the task force's efforts in building foundation models, similar to the AI utilised by chatbots like ChatGPT and Google Bard.*

  4. Research opportunities: Irish universities have established strong ties with the industry, providing ample research opportunities for AI students.

  5. High employment opportunities: Presently, Ireland is facing a shortage of manpower skilled in AI which is essential for the growth of the sector as per OECD’s (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) skills database

  6. Multiple specialisations available: AI courses in Ireland are available in disciplines such as programming, technology, and information processing to meet the constant demand across industries for AI specialists

  7. Digital revolution: Due to AI, all Irish companies are experiencing new opportunities across sectors, raising the demand for a workforce with relevant skills to match the pace of technological growth

  8. Sectoral development: Currently, over 80,000 tech experts are working in Ireland, with more than 8,000 more IT jobs expected to be created this year for AI in Ireland*

  9. Future prospects: AI in Ireland is expected to boost the GDP of the Irish economy by 22% by 2030*

Specialisations for Artificial Intelligence courses in Ireland

Artificial Intelligence (AI) courses in Ireland offer a variety of specialisations to cater to diverse interests and career goals. Here are some common specialisations you can find in AI programs at Irish universities:

  1. Machine Learning: Focuses on developing algorithms and models that enable computers to learn from and make predictions or decisions based on data. Machine learning is fundamental to AI and includes areas like deep learning, reinforcement learning, and natural language processing.

  2. Computer Vision: This specialisation concentrates on teaching machines to interpret and understand visual information from the world, making it applicable in areas like image and video analysis, facial recognition, and autonomous vehicles.

  3. Natural Language Processing (NLP): NLP involves teaching AI systems to understand, generate, and interact with human language. It's vital in applications like chatbots, language translation, and sentiment analysis.

  4. Robotics: Specialising in robotics involves designing, building, and programming robots that can perform specific tasks. This field has applications in industries like manufacturing, healthcare, and autonomous systems.

  5. Data Science: While not exclusive to AI, data science is closely related and focuses on extracting insights and knowledge from data. AI-driven data science involves using AI techniques to make sense of complex data sets.

  6. Reinforcement Learning: This specialisation deals with training AI agents to make sequences of decisions by interacting with their environment. It's particularly relevant in fields like autonomous systems and game playing.

  7. AI in Healthcare: With a growing need for AI applications in healthcare, this specialisation focuses on using AI for medical diagnosis, treatment recommendations, and managing patient records securely.

  8. AI in Education: This specialisation explores the use of AI to enhance the educational experience, personalising learning, and assessing student progress.

  9. AI Ethics and Governance: Given the ethical concerns surrounding AI, this specialisation delves into the ethical, legal, and regulatory aspects of AI, ensuring its responsible and fair use.

  10. AI in Finance: Specialising in AI applications in the financial sector, including risk assessment, fraud detection, algorithmic trading, and financial forecasting.

  11. AI in Business: This specialisation focuses on how AI can be used to improve decision-making, streamline processes, and enhance customer experiences within various business domains.

  12. AI and Game Development: For those interested in the gaming industry, this specialisation combines AI with game development to create intelligent game characters, adaptive gameplay, and realistic simulations.

Top universities for Artificial Intelligence in Ireland

Ireland has emerged as a burgeoning Artificial Intelligence (AI) education and research hub. The Irish universities have been making significant strides in the field, offering top-notch programs and great research opportunities. Here are some of the top universities for AI courses in Ireland:

Eligibility criteria for AI courses in Ireland

When opting for AI, some of the subjects you’ll study include computer vision, speech recognition, natural language processing, autonomous systems, software engineering principles, image analysis, machine learning, ethics and social implications of AI, signal and sound processing, etc. The eligibility criteria to enrol in an AI course varies with institutions; however, the basic requirements remain the same:

Note: Students must study courses like Computer Science/Data Science/Big Data at their undergraduate level to apply for a master’s in AI.

Cost of studying AI in Ireland

The tuition fee for a master’s degree in Artificial Intelligence in Ireland ranges from €18,000 to €27,000 (depends on where you are seeking admission).

Career scope after studying Artificial intelligence in Ireland

Studying Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Ireland can open up a wide range of career opportunities in this rapidly growing field. AI is a dynamic and evolving industry with applications across various sectors. Here's an overview of the career scope after studying AI in Ireland:

  1. Data Scientist: Data scientists use AI and machine learning techniques to analyse large datasets and extract valuable insights. They work in diverse industries, such as finance, healthcare, and e-commerce.

  2. Machine Learning Engineer: Machine learning engineers design and implement AI models and algorithms. They work on developing AI applications, including recommendation systems, image recognition, and natural language processing.

  3. AI Researcher: If you have a strong academic background, you can pursue a career in AI research. Universities and research institutions offer opportunities to contribute to cutting-edge AI research projects.

  4. AI Developer: AI developers create AI-powered software applications and tools. They may work on chatbots, virtual assistants, or customised AI solutions for businesses.

  5. AI Ethics and Compliance Specialist: With the increasing focus on ethical AI, there is a growing demand for experts who can ensure that AI systems are developed and used responsibly and ethically.

  6. AI Consultant: AI consultants work with businesses to identify opportunities for implementing AI solutions to improve processes, customer experiences, and decision-making.

  7. AI in Healthcare: AI is revolutionising healthcare through applications like medical imaging analysis, disease prediction, and personalised treatment plans. You can work as an AI specialist in the healthcare sector.

  8. AI in Finance: The financial industry leverages AI for risk assessment, fraud detection, algorithmic trading, and customer service. AI professionals can find opportunities in banking, insurance, and investment firms.

  9. AI in Education: AI is used in educational technology to create personalised learning experiences and improve educational content. AI professionals can work on edtech platforms and adaptive learning systems.

  10. Robotics Engineer: Robotics engineers design and develop intelligent robots for manufacturing, healthcare, and research applications.

  11. Natural Language Processing (NLP) Specialist: NLP specialists work on language-related AI applications like chatbots, sentiment analysis, and translation services.

  12. AI Entrepreneur: If you have a groundbreaking AI idea, you can start your own AI company or join a startup. Ireland has a thriving startup ecosystem, making it a conducive environment for entrepreneurial ventures.

  13. AI in Gaming: The gaming industry employs AI for character behaviour, game design, and player experience enhancement. AI professionals can work in game development studios.

  14. Government and Public Sector: Government agencies and public sector organisations are increasingly using AI for various purposes, such as smart cities, security, and data analysis.

Some popular companies based in Ireland where AI graduates can look for jobs include: Siemens, Zalando, SAP, HubSpot, Deutsche Bank, Amazon Web Services, Salesforce, Ericsson, Intel, Dell EMC, Microsoft, Fujitsu, Mastercard, Nokia Bell Labs, Huawei and others.

Average salary after studying AI courses in Ireland

Employers prefer AI graduates over students who’ve pursued other professional courses. The average salary earned by an AI graduate in Ireland is approximately €70,000 per year.*

If you want to know more about studying AI courses in Ireland, get in touch with our international education experts at IDP. They will help you with the end-to-end admission process.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)


Ques 1: What is the artificial intelligence course in Ireland?

Ans: AI courses in Ireland include Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Computer Science with AI specialisations, dedicated MSc programs in Artificial Intelligence, and shorter certificate courses in machine learning and related fields. These programs cover a range of AI topics, from foundational concepts to advanced research.

Ques 2: What is the scope of AI in Ireland?

Ans: The scope of AI in Ireland is significant and growing. The country has a thriving technology ecosystem and is home to numerous multinational tech companies actively using and developing AI. AI is being applied in healthcare, finance, education, and other sectors, creating demand for AI professionals. Additionally, the Irish government has invested in AI research and development, further enhancing the scope of AI in the country. As a result, there are ample opportunities for AI-related careers and innovation in Ireland.

Ques 3: Is AI highly paid?

Ans: As of 2023, the AI industry presents some of the most financially rewarding career prospects within the technology sector. AI roles, particularly at leading tech firms such as Netflix, Facebook, and Uber, typically offer substantial compensation packages.

*Sources
https://www.consultancy.uk/news/15331/gdp-of-ireland-could-receive-a-near-50-billion-boost-from-ai
https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Workplace-and-Skills/Skills-for-Enterprise/Attracting-Tech-Talent-to-Ireland/
https://www.irishnews.com/magasine/technology/2023/04/24/news/government_pledges_100m_investment_for_ai_taskforce-3231802/
https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/university-subject-rankings/2023/computer-science-information-systems?&region=Europe&countries=ie
https://www.payscale.com/research/IE/Skill=Artificial_Intelligence_(AI)/Salary
https://explodingtopics.com/blog/highest-paying-ai-jobs