AI and Healthcare: Challenges and Solutions for Ireland’s Healthcare System

Ireland has established itself as a global technology hub, hosting some of the world’s largest tech companies. The country also leads in innovation, with 36% of Irish startups using AI at the core of their operations—well above the European average of 29%. 

Yet, in contrast, the Irish healthcare system has been slow to embrace technological change. Despite AI’s potential to alleviate persistent issues such as long waiting lists, workforce shortages, and healthcare inequality, its adoption in the sector remains limited. Why is one of the world’s most tech-forward nations lagging behind when it comes to digital transformation in healthcare?

AI’s Potential to Transform Irish Healthcare

AI has the potential to significantly improve Irish healthcare, particularly by tackling one of its most persistent challenges: long waiting times for diagnosis and treatment. Already, hospitals like Dublin’s Mater Hospital are using AI in radiology to speed up medical imaging and support clinical decisions. In Donegal, a rural hospital uses AI to generate MRI predictions from CT scans—crucial when MRI machines are unavailable.

Other hospitals are using AI to assist junior doctors, transcribe notes, and support care delivery during off-peak hours. These early examples show how AI can be a practical tool to improve efficiency and outcomes, especially where resources are stretched.

Pitfalls and Challenges

However, AI is not without its challenges. Many of Ireland’s hospitals are using ageing IT systems that are incompatible with the newest tech, posing a significant barrier to any widespread roll-out of AI. There are also concerns about bias in AI models, data privacy, and the risk of errors or “hallucinations” by the technology—underscoring the need for human oversight. 

Finding a middle ground

Given both its potential and drawbacks, how can the Irish healthcare system incorporate a balanced use of AI into its practices? Some Irish doctors are advocating for AI interventions or treatments to be tested in the same vigorous manner as medications, such as large-phase clinical trials.

To address these concerns, initiatives like the University of Galway’s new Institute for Clinical Trials and Health Innovation Hub Ireland’s AI pilot programme are pushing for rigorous testing of AI tools before clinical use. Just like medicines, AI solutions must be carefully trialled before being trusted in frontline care.

The Role of Government

The Government has recognised AI’s growing importance, and the EU is also moving to implement the Artificial Intelligence Act later this year, which is intended to create clear guidelines to ensure ethical use of AI across different sectors, including healthcare. Ireland is in line with its contemporaries, and the government acknowledged that AI was ‘changing how we live, work, and engage with the world around us’ when it published guidelines on the use of AI for better public services in May 2025.

The Government is also making moves to digitise healthcare, with the HSE launching a new Health App and the Rotunda Hospital partnering with Isla Health to improve communication and reduce delays.

For AI to meaningfully transform Irish healthcare, the system needs robust, interoperable IT infrastructure and clear national guidance on ethical use, patient safety, and clinical governance.