Bank of Ireland and Google have partnered to offer 10,000 fully-funded AI training scholarships to Irish SMEs. The initiative aims to accelerate AI adoption and strengthen digital skills among small and medium-sized businesses in Ireland.
The scholarships provide Bank of Ireland SME customers with free access to the Google AI Professional Certificate through the Grow with Google program. This move is designed to help businesses build AI capabilities and prepare for incoming EU regulations, including the EU AI Act, which takes effect on 2 August.
SME AI Academy: A One-Stop Shop for AI Resources
The scholarships are supported by the newly launched SME AI Academy on ThinkBusiness.ie. This online platform offers practical guides, expert resources, and case studies from businesses already integrating AI into their operations.
According to Derek McDermott, director of Everyday Lending at Bank of Ireland, “SMEs need accessible, user-friendly tools to build their AI capability and confidence.” The academy aims to provide these tools, enabling businesses to thrive in the AI era.
The Google AI Professional Certificate, delivered via Coursera, is designed for busy SMEs. With a total learning commitment of under 10 hours, the course is delivered in manageable one-hour modules through a flexible, self-paced format.
Learners complete 20 hands-on projects, gaining a tangible digital toolkit tailored to their specific business needs. The training introduces teams to new abilities, such as “vibe coding”, the ability to build apps using simple conversational English rather than complex software code.
Supporting Irish SMEs in the AI Era
As Vanessa Hartley, head of Google Ireland, notes, “Small and medium-sized businesses are fundamental to Ireland’s economy, creating jobs, driving innovation and strengthening communities across the country.” By providing AI training and resources, this partnership aims to ensure that Irish SMEs can continue to succeed in the AI era.
The SME AI Academy is now live on ThinkBusiness.ie, offering a range of resources to help businesses build their AI skills. With the 10,000 scholarships, Bank of Ireland and Google are making AI training more accessible, helping SMEs gain practical skills, tools, and confidence to adopt AI, boost productivity, and unlock new opportunities for growth.