As artificial intelligence continues to reshape how businesses operate, the National AI Studio at AIM Centre is inviting companies to take part in its AI Accelerator Programme, a national initiative helping organisations move from AI curiosity to working AI demonstrators and practical implementation plans

The next intake will run from 28th October to 2nd December, delivered one half-day per week over six weeks in a hybrid format at CREW, Galway – where AIM Centre has had a presence since late last year through the Western Development Commission.

The programme is open to companies across Ireland, with particular support this time for businesses in Galway and the surrounding region.

Coming to Galway for the first time, the AI Accelerator builds on three previous programmes and experience of what businesses need to get started with AI – from choosing a worthwhile problem to understanding their data and bringing their teams on board. Lessons from previous cohorts have helped shape the practical support participants receive.

Led by the National AI Studio

The Galway cohort will be led by David Bermingham, Director of AI at the National AI Studio, AIM Centre, together with his team. The programme is CPD Accredited by Engineers Ireland and is open to companies of all sizes across manufacturing and professional services.
The National AI Studio is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Northern & Western Regional Programme 2021-2027.

From Challenge to Demonstrator

For many businesses, the starting point is a familiar frustration: retyping orders from emails, searching documents to prepare a quotation, or spending hours reviewing production reports to understand what needs attention. Through the Accelerator, companies have explored practical AI applications that read incoming orders and extract the details needed to process them, identify missing information in quotation requests, and analyse production data to highlight performance issues and bottlenecks. These examples show businesses how AI could take on time-consuming information processing and help staff make better-informed decisions.

From Business Challenge to AI Opportunity

The AI Accelerator is designed for companies that do not yet have an AI strategy or in-house technical expertise. All that is required is a business challenge. Over six weeks, participants work closely with the AIM team to:

  • Discover and prioritise AI opportunities specific to their business
  • Assess data readiness and integration with existing ERP and business systems
  • Explore responsible AI practice and EU AI Act compliance
  • Develop a working AI demonstrator using their own data
  • Prepare their organisation for change management and adoption
  • Leave with a clear, evidence-based roadmap for scaling AI across the business

Proven Results

“I’m delighted to have participated in the AIM AI Accelerator programme. It showed me that AI is just as applicable in an SME as in any large organisation, and it gave me the clarity I needed to turn ideas into real, deployable solutions. With expert guidance and a practical, well-structured approach, accelerating my AI journey became not only achievable but genuinely exciting,” said Seán Ryan, Managing Director, Thormac, a graduate of an earlier cohort.

Funding Available

Up to 80 per cent of the programme cost is funded through the European Commission’s De Minimis Aid framework, via the Enterprise Ireland Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Scheme. This reduces the company contribution from €22,500 to €4,500 for eligible companies.

Graduates of the programme may also progress to AIM Centre’s Smart Factory Interoperability Testbed, a sandbox environment where companies can connect legacy equipment to modern systems in a low-risk setting, fully funded through the Data2Sustain programme.

To ensure every participating company receives focused, one-to-one attention throughout the six weeks, cohorts are deliberately kept small, meaning places for the Galway intake are limited.

How to Register

Companies interested in the Galway cohort are invited to book a one-to-one discovery call to discuss their business challenge and the suitability of the programme for their organisation.

Web: www.aimcentre.ie / Email: aistudio@aimcentre.ie / Phone: 087 439 3147

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