As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to evolve at a rapid pace globally, Ireland is positioning itself as a premier hub for AI development. The country tops the IMF Skill Readiness Index, highlighting its capacity to prepare a workforce for an AI-driven future.
Several locations across Ireland are emerging as AI centers, with major corporations such as Microsoft, Workday, Hubspot, and Qualcomm expanding their operations. Meanwhile, AI-focused firms like Anthropic and OpenAI are establishing their European headquarters in the country, further underscoring Ireland’s appeal in the tech sector.
Companies based in the Atlanta region have recognized the advantages of Ireland for some time. Giants like Coca-Cola Co., UPS, Elavon, and Global Payments have cultivated sizable teams there, benefitting from Ireland’s tech-savvy talent pool, access to the European market, and a pro-business, English-speaking environment. Additionally, Ireland offers an attractive 35 percent R&D tax credit designed to encourage high-value technology activities.
Notably, the relationship between Atlanta and Ireland is expanding, with firms increasingly establishing or augmenting their presence in the country. A closer look reveals many similarities between Ireland’s evolving tech landscape and that of the southeastern United States.
In a significant move, Equifax, the consumer credit reporting company headquartered in Atlanta, announced the opening of its advanced AI Innovation Lab in Wexford, Ireland, in November 2025. This facility aims to enhance the company’s global research and development efforts in AI.
The new lab builds on Equifax’s decade-long commitment to AI, expanding a global team of over 1,200 data and analytics experts. The facility will focus on developing sophisticated AI models and machine learning algorithms to tackle complex business and consumer challenges. Initially, it will concentrate on AI-driven solutions for credit risk assessment, aimed at improving decision-making for fintech companies and financial institutions.
“We have immense confidence in the caliber and expertise of the marketplace in Ireland, and specifically in the South East,” said Paul Heywood, chief data and analytics officer for Equifax Europe, reflecting on the company’s thirty-year presence in Wexford.
Another Atlanta-based firm, Canto, a digital asset management software provider, established an office in Ireland in January 2024. Just over a year later, in May 2025, the company announced an expansion of its Cork operations, creating 50 new jobs. This location now serves as a strategic European hub for Canto’s advanced AI research initiatives.
“Ireland is proving to be an essential part of our success story,” remarked Wain Kellum, CEO of Canto. “Our continued expansion underscores our confidence in the exceptional technical talent and innovation ecosystem here.” He noted that the Cork operations would play a crucial role in the next-generation product development that meets increasing demand for digital asset management solutions.
Fidelity National Information Services Inc. (FIS), a leading financial technology firm based just outside Georgia in Jacksonville, Florida, also announced plans last year to hire 100 technology professionals in Dublin over the next two years. Bob Toohey, chief people officer at FIS, explained that building a team in Ireland allows the company to gain direct exposure to EU regulations and data governance models, creating globally scalable technology solutions.
“All of this is coupled with a highly skilled AI and data talent market,” Toohey added, emphasizing the strategic benefits of the Dublin location.
In another notable development, Acuity Inc., a leading industrial technology company known for its lighting solutions, recently opened a new software and research hub in Cork. This investment aims to bolster the company’s global innovation infrastructure.
Kevin O’Riordan, site lead for Acuity in Cork, stated, “Our Digital Centre of Excellence in Cork, Ireland brings together the best of Acuity’s technologies, serving as a hub for research and development to build innovative software solutions.”
The growing nexus of business between the greater Atlanta region and Ireland, underscored by recent investments in AI-driven initiatives, suggests a robust and flourishing partnership that is set to persist well into the future.
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