Bank of Ireland invests in AI literacy training for entire workforce throughout 2026

Bank of Ireland is equipping its workforce for an AI-enabled future, recognising the growing importance of AI and data literacy across all areas of the business, with plans for AI-immersion learning for all staff over the course of 2026.

Finextra reported that 20% of the bank's workforce are engaging with or have completed learning programmes in AI or Data Fluency. Over 1,100 staff employees have completed Data Fluency and Literacy courses, whilst a further 1,200-plus are engaged with the bank's AI Academy, an initiative designed to deepen understanding of AI and its practical applications in financial services.

An additional cohort of employees have been selected to participate in the Cambridge Spark AI programme, a specialist course that will develop advanced AI skills among those who will play a leading role in shaping the bank's approach to the technology.

Billy O'Connell, chief strategy officer at Bank of Ireland, said: "By investing now in the skills of our colleagues, we are building a bank that is ready for the future."

He added that there has been significant interest in this training from colleagues to date, and the bank is building on this with further opportunities to develop data and AI fluency throughout the year.

The bank has published research which found that nearly three quarters (72%) of people believe it is important for banks and utility companies to train their employees in artificial intelligence.

In 2025, AI helped prevent €9.7 million in fraud from 1 billion card transactions assessed using AI and machine learning models, and delivered 127 million AI-powered spending insights to customers. AI-powered support in contact centres now gets customers to the right help faster, resolving queries more quickly and reducing call transfers by 40%.

Access complete details on Bank of Ireland's AI workforce training programme and skills development initiatives.