- Microsoft’s significant R&D investment, supported by IDA Ireland, will boost innovative AI development in Ireland
- Microsoft Ireland to play a central role in the continued evolution of the company’s suite of AI and security products and services
The investment will see Microsoft, a global leader in the development and use of AI, undertake significant industrial research into AI to develop critical, leading-edge technology in the area of AI and cyber security, which will then be made available to public and private sector organisations all around the world.
Multidisciplinary teams in the areas of Azure Networking & Infrastructure, Business & Industry Copilot, Customer Success Engineering and Cyber Security will be recruited to investigate groundbreaking technologies and the development AI infrastructure that is scalable, responsible, trusted and secure. The new roles will ensure that Microsoft Ireland’s Engineering Hub will have end-to-end AI product development capabilities.
Furthermore, teams will seek to drive new applications for AI across multiple industries and create brand new AI-enabled product offerings and internal solutions for Microsoft, supporting the corporation’s strategic objective to be at the forefront of responsible AI development and cyber security.
This investment will result in an additional 550 new highly skilled jobs at Microsoft Ireland over the next three to four years, across areas such as software engineering, applied sciences, product management, program management, data science, design, technical writing and analytics. 120 of these roles are available to apply for from today in software engineering, applied sciences, security research, product management and program management.
Microsoft first invested in Ireland in 1985 and with the addition of the roles announced today the company will employ more than 6,000 people across a multifunctional campus in Leopardstown, its data centre campus in Grange Castle, and LinkedIn.
This investment is supported by the Government of Ireland through IDA Ireland.
Taoiseach Simon Harris said: “I very much welcome Microsoft’s announcement today. Not only does this highlight Ireland’s attractiveness as an investment destination, it also promises a significant boost for the AI ecosystem in Ireland. Fostering AI skills and advancing capabilities in the field are core to the Government’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy and this project will help develop new specialist skills and expertise, thereby positioning Ireland for further investment in this critical area.”
Tara Roth, Microsoft Ireland Executive Site Sponsor and Corporate Vice President, Engineering, Microsoft said: “Today we are delighted to announce a strategic investment in our Irish operations that will strengthen our AI capabilities globally. These new roles span many of Microsoft’s future focused key product areas and services including Security. Security is Microsoft’s top priority, and our Secure Future Initiative (SFI) is the largest cyber security project in history. We’re delighted that these roles will significantly contribute to both Microsoft’s AI development and our security efforts.”
James O’Connor, Microsoft Ireland Site Leader and Corporate Vice President of Microsoft Global Operations Service Centre said: “AI is one of the most transformative technologies of our time - it will unlock profound possibilities for people, industry, and society. At Microsoft, we are delighted to be at the forefront of the AI era – delivering safe, secure and ethical solutions to all industries that will accelerate breakthroughs in healthcare, education, infrastructure and more for the benefit of society as a whole.
“Through this investment, we are building on our almost 40-year presence in Ireland, which has been characterised by continuous investment, transformation and the diversification of our operations from a manufacturing site to a significant international Hub for Microsoft providing software development, engineering, data centres, finance, operations, and sales and marketing for EMEA. Ireland is undoubtedly an established hotbed of engineering and cyber security talent and leadership, with Irish universities producing some of the very best gradates, and this is a significant contributing factor to both our success and continued investment here.
“The creation of 550 new roles enables us to further strengthen our presence here in Ireland and take AI and cyber security innovation to the next level.”
CEO of IDA Ireland Michael Lohan said: “Ireland continues to prove itself as a location where the world’s most innovative AI companies build groundbreaking technologies. In line with government’s ambitions, by supporting innovative R&D projects like the one announced by Microsoft today, we are helping to shape the future of AI in Ireland and to harness AI as a driver for future economic growth. This investment by Microsoft is set to deliver exceptional economic benefit alongside 550 highly skilled jobs at the cutting-edge of the AI sector in Ireland.
“Today’s announcement also signals Microsoft’s enduring commitment to Ireland as the location of choice for pioneering, innovative and transformative projects of scale. IDA Ireland and Microsoft have built a longstanding, trusted partnership over four decades of corporate expansion and growth here and we look forward to our continued partnership throughout this very exciting project.”
For more information on the open roles, please visit our careers page.
