OpenAI presents OpenAI for Ireland, an initiative to help Irish SMEs, founders, and young developers use AI to grow, innovate, and build products from Ireland for Europe and the world. What does this mean in practice and how could it affect you if you run a startup or work at a small business? I'll explain it clearly and without jargon.
OpenAI launches 'OpenAI for Ireland' focused on SMEs and entrepreneurs
The initiative was announced in Dublin by Jason Kwon (Chief Strategy Officer at OpenAI) together with ministers and local representatives: Jack Chambers, Peter Burke, Niamh Smyth, Patrick Walsh (Dogpatch Labs) and Tom McCarthy (Patch). It's a collaboration between OpenAI, the Government of Ireland, Dogpatch Labs and Patch to accelerate responsible AI adoption across the country.
The goal is simple: help Ireland turn its digital edge into sustained leadership in safe and innovative AI, with an initial focus on SMEs, founders and young creators.
What the initiative includes
SME Booster(launching in 2026): a national program with hands-on AI training, live workshops and real-time mentorship for small businesses.- OpenAI Academy: free online training to improve AI literacy and specialized courses for companies.
- Partnerships with Dogpatch Labs: practical workshops, hands-on sessions and connections between Irish startups and OpenAI experts.
- Partnership with Patch: support for 16-to-21-year-olds (summer programs, scholarships, small grants and mentorship) over three years.
- Expanded local presence: OpenAI's European headquarters in Dublin already has more than 50 employees across areas like security, privacy and policy, and the company plans to keep investing in Ireland.
What can AI do for an SME today? (concrete examples)
- Save time on repetitive tasks: automate customer replies, generate draft emails, and summarize long support threads.
- Improve productivity: analyze sales data to prioritize products, optimize inventory or fine-tune staff schedules.
- Boost innovation: prototype new features with quick demos, create personalized marketing and speed up bid or proposal generation.
This isn't science fiction: with the right tools and a bit of guidance, an SME can see results in weeks, not years.
Context: why Ireland and why now
More than a million people in Ireland use ChatGPT every week — students, freelancers, founders. The country already has a lively digital economy and wants to turn that advantage into responsible AI leadership. These actions coincide with an update to the National AI Strategy and Ireland's preparation for the EU Council Presidency in 2026, when the country will host the EU AI Summit.
Ministers emphasized that government-industry collaboration is key to creating jobs, attracting investment and improving public services through AI, always under responsible use frameworks.
What you can do now (if you're an SME, founder, or young creator)
- Explore the OpenAI Academy for free basic training and applied modules.
- Watch for
SME Boostercalls in 2026 and Dogpatch Labs workshops. - If you're 16–21, check Patch opportunities for scholarships and summer programs.
- Start with small pilot projects: automate one task, build a prototype or use AI to analyze customers. Learn by doing.
Final reflection
This initiative brings AI down from technical talk to the real economy: more productivity for SMEs, new paths for startups and more chances for young talent. But the real promise depends on two things: practical training and responsible policies. If those come together, Ireland could become a European reference for useful and safe AI.