AI Factories are European centres of excellence in Artificial Intelligence, where startups, SMEs, and researchers can access high-performance computing (HPC) resources to build, test, and scale advanced AI systems. AI Factory Antennas connect to established AI Factories, leveraging their dedicated AI supercomputing resources and support services. Ireland's participation in this initiative is expected to significantly enhance national uptake of AI, enabling and accelerating adoption in an inclusive and affordable way for researchers, public bodies, and industry.

Following a competitive process, run by the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking, Ireland secured an AI Factory Antenna, to link primarily to France's AI Factory with a secondary link to the AI Factory in Luxembourg. The total cost of €10M will be evenly shared by my Department and the European Commission.

With DFHERIS support and co-financing for the project, the AIF IRL-Antenna will be implemented by a national consortium, which includes ICHEC, the Irish Centre for High-End Computing and CeADAR, the National Technology Centre for Applied AI. My Department has been advised that work is currently underway to set up the AIF IRL-Antenna and its services in the coming year. That includes completion of all administrative steps, recruitment and appointment of key leadership positions and development of dissemination materials about the AI Factory's resources and services. The preparation of the Grant Agreement is being finalised and expected to be signed in early 2026 with the program formally commencing shortly thereafter.