Applications for this year’s competition will remain open until 9 August, according to TechIreland.

TechIreland has announced dates for the free annual National AI Challenge. Participants will engage with two intensive weeks of remote development, with teams presenting their work via coordinated regional events on 14 September. 

The strongest competitors will continue on to the TechIreland National AI Meet to be held at Galway’s Galmont Hotel on Thursday 24 September. Their work and knowhow  will be judged by leaders across technology, industry, investment, research and the public sector.

The 300 or so participants, from across the entirety of the island, will be made up of developers, founders, students, technologists and AI enthusiasts and will build practical AI products, prototypes and agentic workflows, with the aim of addressing real business and societal challenges. 

The competition is supported by expert mentors, industry partners, technology providers and more than 10 regional innovation hubs. More than 200 people registered within the first eight days and applications will remain open until 9 August.

This year marks the third iteration of the National AI Challenge. Last year, participants delivered 44 AI projects, with 15 teams reaching the national final – more than twice the number in 2024, according to TechIreland.

HandSpeak AI, LaunchLoop and LibertyLumens were the winners of last year’s competition.

The theme for 2026 is ‘AI and Agents: Strategy, Processes and Roles’, which reflects the shift from AI experimentation to practical implementation, according to TechIreland.

Teams will be expected to respond to industry-led ‘challenge statements’ or submit their own wildcard ideas in areas such as enterprise technology, manufacturing, financial services, insurance, health, sustainability, public services and immersive technology. TechIreland said there will be an emphasis on responsible, people-centred AI that takes into consideration how AI is governed and used.  

Commenting on the announcement, Niall Norton, the CEO for TechIreland, said: “The AI Challenge is much more than a competition. It is becoming part of Ireland’s AI talent infrastructure. At a time when employers need evidence of practical AI capability, we are creating opportunities for people to demonstrate what they can build while helping organisations discover the talent they need.”

Brian Caulfield, board director at TechIreland, added: “I’m very proud to see the National AI Challenge and Meet go from strength-to-strength.

“Every year, the competition has generated more AI start-ups, while simultaneously educating new AI talent and connecting technical and commercial founders. I look forward to this year’s iteration being the best yet.”

The AI ecosystem has experienced a boom in Ireland, with many organisations and institutions focusing on education, scale and growth. In late July, the Tech Industry Alliance and RDI Hub teamed up to launch the Graduate AI Launchpad pilot, a new programme designed to prepare graduates, employers and industry professionals in Ireland’s south-west for AI-enabled workplaces.

With additional reporting by Colin Ryan

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