Northern Ireland's AI economy on track to double by 2028, new report reveals
The Artificial Intelligence Collaboration Centre (AICC) has published the first-ever comprehensive baseline of the Northern Ireland AI ecosystem, setting the foundation for growth and innovation across the region.
The Artificial Intelligence Capability Census, commissioned by the AICC and delivered by Perspective Economics, identifies 198 firms actively engaged in AI across Northern Ireland, employing approximately 1,340 AI professionals. The report finds that Northern Ireland’s AI-related revenue reached £188 million in 2024, generating £82 million in Gross Value Added (GVA).
188£m inAI-related revenue and £82m GVA (2024 baseline)
55200£ average AI salary in Northern Ireland
200£m GVA projected by 2028
2000AI-related jobs projected by 2028
Highlights of the publication
With the right interventions, the mid-growth scenario outlined in the report shows that AI-related GVA could reach £200 million by 2028, supporting over 2,000 AI professionals. This would represent a more than doubling of the sector’s economic contribution compared to the current baseline of £82 million GVA and 1,340 professionals in 2024, underlining the significant growth potential of Northern Ireland’s AI economy.
Key highlights include:
73% of AI firms and 89% of AI employment are concentrated in Belfast, with opportunities for regional expansion.
Strong sectoral strengths in services and consulting (35%), software and development (33%), and health and life sciences (9%).
Over half of firms (51%) are developing or enhancing AI-powered products, while 33% provide AI implementation and advisory services.
63% of local firms report formal partnerships with universities or cloud providers, highlighting Northern Ireland’s collaborative strengths.
Economy Minister officially announced the Census
Launching the report at a visit to the AICC in Belfast, Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald, said:
“Artificial intelligence will transform our economy. This report shows both the strength of our AI sector and the potential ahead. With targeted investment in skills, innovation, and the widespread adoption of AI, we can ensure that our people and businesses are positioned to capitalise on the opportunities. The AICC will be central to delivering this ambition.”
Hear from AICC's Director
David Crozier CBE, Director of the AICC, welcomed the Minister’s visit and praised the Census as a turning point in Northern Ireland’s AI journey:
“This is a defining moment. The Census confirms what we’ve long suspected, that Northern Ireland punches well above its weight in practical, implementation-focused AI. Our strength isn’t in theoretical research alone, but in applying AI to real-world challenges. This report gives us the data and direction to scale that success, responsibly, regionally, and collaboratively as well as a solid baseline from which to measure our progress and impact.”
The report sets out eight key recommendations to accelerate growth, including positioning Northern Ireland as a leader in AI implementation, strengthening public sector AI leadership, scaling the “mid-market” of AI firms, and expanding AI skills pipelines.
Audio: Take a few minutes to explore our AI-generated podcast below, built using Google NotebookLM, that unpacks the key insights from the AI Capability Census.
Transcript
The buzz around artificial intelligence is—well, it's everywhere, isn't it? Reshaping industries, impacting our daily lives? But beyond the headlines, getting a handle on its real-world impact—how AI is actually being used on the ground—seems crucial right now.
Absolutely. Couldn't agree more. And that's exactly why this deep dive is so timely. We're going to unpack a really groundbreaking new baseline study.
Oh, yeah—the Artificial Intelligence Capability Census. It was done by Prospective Economics, commissioned by the Artificial Intelligence Collaboration Centre (AICC).
Right. So what makes this study different? There are a lot of AI reports out there.
That's true, but this one is the first comprehensive regional assessment looking specifically at AI activity in Ireland. And it's very current—just completed July 2025. So it gives us a focused snapshot, not just general UK or global trends.
Exactly. Think of it as a shortcut to understanding a whole AI ecosystem—where it stands now, the opportunities, the direction it's heading. We'll dig into how AI is really being deployed, its economic contribution, and what it means for growth.
OK, let's unpack this. The study's mission was to get a true snapshot of Northern Ireland's AI landscape. So what did they actually find?
The headline finding is significant: 198 active companies in Northern Ireland with substantial AI involvement.
What's really insightful is the type of AI activity. They categorised them. About a quarter—46 firms—are pure-play AI, meaning AI is all they do.
Then you’ve got about a third—63 firms—called diversified AI firms. They offer AI alongside other tech services. And nearly half—89 firms—are AI-enabled, using AI internally to boost existing services.
That last category is particularly interesting. It suggests AI adoption isn’t just about shiny new startups—it’s transforming traditional businesses too.
Exactly. Embedding AI into operations might be a faster route to economic impact than waiting on more pure-play startups.
And it’s not just local firms. About 62%—122 firms—are indigenous to Northern Ireland, but 76 firms (around 38%) are international operations (FDI).
That shows the region’s attractiveness in AI. A healthy blend.
The study estimates around 1,314 full-time equivalents (FTEs) in AI roles—about 4,340 FTEs across all firms.
Where are those jobs concentrated? Nearly half—1,648 FTEs—are in diversified firms, over a third—1,491—in AI-enabled firms, and only 15%—around 201 FTEs—in pure-play AI firms.
The top 10 firms account for 40% of those AI roles—541 FTEs.
The study also identified three employer types:
Anchor employers: 36 firms with 10+ AI professionals, including EY, PwC, Deloitte, Allstate, Liberty IT, Kainos, Analytics Engines, Sonrai Analytics.
Emergent employers: 70 firms with 3–9 AI staff—mid-market with growth potential.
Early-stage firms: 92 firms with 0–2 AI staff, mostly local micro firms.
In terms of economic impact, the 2024 estimate: £188 million in AI-related revenue and £82 million in gross value added (GVA).
Geographically, Belfast dominates—73% of firms and 89% of employment. Derry~Londonderry hosts only 4% of firms and 3% of jobs.
Regarding AI usage:
51% use AI to enhance products (e.g. adding AI features).
33% provide direct AI implementation/advisory services.
Sectors:
Services & Consulting: 35% of firms, including Kainos with £61M in public contracts.
Software development: 33% of firms.
Health & Life Sciences: 9% – e.g., Sonrai Analytics, Axial 3D, BiSeeker.
In summary, the study serves as a strategic roadmap to unlock NI’s practical AI potential, anchored in real application, with a balanced focus on growth, equity, and economic impact.
Question for the listener: What part of Northern Ireland’s AI ecosystem stands out most to you—biggest potential or most interesting challenge?
