The Artificial Intelligence Strategy for Healthcare in Ireland 2026-2030

The AI for Care Strategy was launched by Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill on 11th March 2026. It marked a significant milestone in Ireland’s journey towards a more modern, digitally enabled health service. As Ireland’s first national strategy for Artificial Intelligence in health and social care, AI for Care sets out a clear and coordinated vision for using AI to improve patient outcomes and support staff, and to ensure AI is used safely and sustainably.

At its core, the strategy is not about technology for its own sake, but about what AI enables: safer care, faster decision-making, and more personalised services for patients.

Aligning with National Health Priorities

AI for Care directly supports key national commitments, including Sláintecare, the Programme for Government and Ireland’s wider digital transformation agenda. It helps address growing demand, an ageing population and increasingly complex care needs by enabling health services to be delivered more efficiently, effectively and sustainably. The programme builds on the strong digital foundations established through Digital for Care, including the One Health Record and HSE Shared Care Record, ensuring AI is powered by secure, high quality and interoperable data.

Guiding Principles for Safe and Responsible AI

The strategy is grounded in six guiding principles that ensure AI is adopted safely, ethically and with clear benefit:

• Person-Centred: AI is designed around patient needs and supports clinicians in delivering better outcomes, with meaningful engagement of patients and the public.
• Transparent and Trustworthy: The use of AI will be open, explainable and clearly communicated to build public confidence and trust.
• Human in the Loop: Clinical judgement remains central, with AI supporting, not replacing, healthcare professionals.
• Lived Experience: Continuous learning and improvement will be informed by real-world experience from patients and staff.
• Governance and Safety: Strong oversight, regulatory alignment and ethical standards will ensure AI is used safely and responsibly.
• Proven Benefit: AI adoption will be focused on delivering measurable improvements in patient care, workforce experience, and operational efficiency.

Together, these principles provide a robust foundation for scaling AI across clinical care, operations, research and public health.

From Strategy to Action: 

Immediate Next Steps

Implementation of AI for Care is already underway across the health service. Key actions include:

• Deployment of AI solutions in medical imaging, supporting faster diagnosis and improved clinical decision-making.
• Introduction of a national AI-supported stroke decision-making solution to improve outcomes in time-critical care.
• Expansion of over 30 AI-enabled innovation projects across the system.
• Rollout of AI literacy and training programmes for staff, including large-scale enablement of tools such as Copilot Chat.
• Establishment of the HSE AI Implementation Framework and governance structures to guide consistent and safe deployment.
• Continued development of the AI and Automation Centre of Excellence to support delivery, capability building and oversight.

Looking Ahead

AI for Care represents a pivotal step in transforming how care is delivered in Ireland. By combining the expertise of healthcare professionals with the capabilities of AI, the health service is positioned to deliver more responsive, efficient and person-centred care.

Above all, the strategy is grounded in trust, partnership and responsible innovation, ensuring AI becomes a safe, practical and impactful tool in improving outcomes for patients and supporting staff across the health service.