Google launches 1.5m scholarship fund in partnership with the Insight SFI Research Centre

An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, yesterday joined Head of Google Ireland, Adaire Fox-Martin and Google’s Global Chief Marketing Officer, Lorraine Twohill, to announce a new €1.5M Google.org scholarship fund in partnership with the Insight SFI Research Centre for Data Analytics and to officially open the first phase of the Bolands Mills development in Dublin. The opening marks the 20th anniversary of Google’s arrival in Ireland.

Lorraine Twohill, CMO of Google, said “We want to ensure that everyone across Ireland is able to benefit from the next generation of AI technology which is why we are announcing a new €1.5M Google.org scholarship fund. This fund will support AI education for students from under-represented communities. The scholarships will be available across Ireland through a grant to  the Insight SFI Research Centre for Data Analytics.”

Prof Noel O’Connor, CEO of Insight said, “As AI becomes ever more prominent in day to day life, it is important that we ensure that no one is left behind in this global digital transformation. Inclusive education for all members of society on topics like these is hugely important.  In addition to their own education, we also hope that these scholars will ultimately go on to be role models and AI ambassadors for others in the future.”

The new fund will enable universities to provide scholarships to students from under-represented communities, including people with disabilities, women in STEM,  first generation students with no history of third level education in the family and members of the Traveller community, who wish to apply for undergraduate courses where Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Digital Safety are core elements of the course. Through the scholarship fund, Google.org is providing a grant to the Insight SFI Research Centre for Data Analytics, which will provide scholarship funding to Access offices in all Higher Education Institutions in Ireland.

Speaking at the event, Leo Varadkar TD, An Taoiseach said, “The Government’s National AI Strategy and National Digital Strategy  sets out our strong ambitions for Irish SMEs and society for AI and digital adoption and this new centre of excellence, alongside the scholarship fund announced today, will help cement Ireland’s role as a digital leader at the heart of European and global digital developments.”