Ireland has appointed its first two AI Sectoral Champions as the Government steps up efforts to help businesses adopt artificial intelligence and use the technology to improve productivity, competitiveness and innovation.
Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation, Niamh Smyth TD, announced the appointments on 2 October 2026 as part of the National Digital and AI Strategy, Digital Ireland: Connecting our People, Securing our Future.
Shane McGibney of Kerry Group and Siobhán Noble of Carne Group will work with Enterprise Ireland to promote responsible AI adoption and share practical insights into how businesses can use artificial intelligence effectively.
The two Champions will provide sector-specific perspectives on the opportunities and challenges associated with AI, highlight emerging trends and support greater engagement between industry and Government.
They will also contribute to sectoral AI roadmaps, awareness initiatives and targeted actions designed to help businesses make greater use of AI.
For employers, this focus on practical adoption is significant. Introducing AI successfully involves more than selecting new technology. Employees need the skills and confidence to use AI tools effectively, while organisations need appropriate governance, processes and leadership to ensure that technology delivers meaningful results.
Announcing the appointments, Minister Smyth said:
“Artificial intelligence presents enormous opportunities for Irish enterprise, helping businesses improve productivity, enhance competitiveness and unlock new opportunities for growth. However, those opportunities will look different across sectors, which is why our National Digital and AI Strategy places such importance on a targeted, sectoral approach to AI adoption.”
She added:
“I am delighted to welcome Shane McGibney and Siobhán Noble as Ireland’s first AI Sectoral Champions. Their knowledge, experience and leadership will help businesses better understand the practical benefits of AI and support greater adoption across the enterprise base.”
The announcement also highlights the growing importance of AI skills across the workforce.
Businesses introducing artificial intelligence may need to consider training at several levels, from helping employees understand how to use AI tools in their everyday roles to developing more advanced technical, data and governance capabilities.
Siobhán Noble, Chief Data and AI Officer at Carne Group, emphasised the importance of the people and organisational side of AI adoption.
“AI has extraordinary potential to transform how businesses work, innovate and compete. But scaling AI is as much about people, change and operating models as it is about technology.”
She pointed to Carne Group's experience in a highly regulated industry, where AI adoption is being combined with human judgement, governance and trust.
“Ireland has an opportunity to lead by showing that responsible AI can also be ambitious AI. I look forward to sharing what we are learning at Carne and helping more businesses adopt AI confidently and inclusively, improving productivity, strengthening competitiveness and creating new opportunities for growth.”
For training providers and HR and L&D teams, this presents a growing need for programmes that connect AI with specific business functions rather than treating artificial intelligence as a purely technical subject.
Enterprise Ireland welcomed the appointments, highlighting the experience of both Kerry Group and Carne Group in incorporating AI into their operations.
Mark Christal, Executive Director of Enterprise Ireland, said:
“Both Enterprise Ireland clients, Kerry Group and Carne Group are exemplars of how businesses can incorporate AI strategically and responsibly to strengthen their operations, drive efficiencies and enhance competitiveness.”
He added that the Champions would help businesses across Ireland understand the practical benefits of AI and translate its potential into tangible results.
The role therefore has a strong knowledge-sharing element, allowing businesses to learn from organisations that are already applying AI within their operations.
Shane McGibney, President & CEO, Biotechnology Solutions and Transformation at Kerry Group, said AI can help businesses solve problems, innovate and create new sources of value.
“AI has the potential to deliver significant benefits, helping to solve real business problems, innovate, and create new sources of value for companies and employees.”
He also highlighted the opportunities already being seen at Kerry as teams deploy AI and digital capabilities across the business.
For organisations considering their own AI strategy, developing employee capability will be an important part of turning investment in technology into practical outcomes. Training can help employees understand where AI can add value, use tools appropriately and recognise issues around data, security, accuracy and responsible use.
The appointment of Ireland's first AI Sectoral Champions forms part of wider work to accelerate the adoption of AI and digital technologies across Irish enterprise.
This includes a targeted sectoral strategy for AI adoption and a new AI Adoption Roadmap for Enterprise Ireland client companies.
As AI becomes increasingly embedded across different industries, demand for relevant skills is likely to extend well beyond specialist technology roles. Managers, administrators, marketing professionals, finance teams, customer service employees and other professionals may all need to understand how AI affects their roles.
For businesses, that makes AI training an increasingly important part of digital transformation, helping employees build practical capabilities while supporting responsible and effective adoption.
Explore AI, digital skills and professional training opportunities on CorporateTraining.ie and find training that can help your organisation prepare for the changing demands of work.
