Bank of Ireland is scaling its artificial intelligence and data training programme following new research, published on 12 March by Red C, showing that nearly three quarters of Irish adults expect banks and utility companies to invest in AI skills for their employees.

The survey, conducted among 1,302 adults between 29 January and 3 February 2026, found that fraud detection and faster query resolution ranked as the areas where customers see the greatest value from AI deployment, with 60% believing AI can help financial institutions detect and prevent fraud.

The bank's existing AI infrastructure has already produced measurable outcomes. In 2025, its machine learning systems assessed approximately one billion card transactions and helped prevent €9.7m in fraud, while AI-enabled contact centre tools reduced call transfers by 40%.

Around one fifth of the bank's workforce has already completed AI or data-fluency training. More than 1,100 colleagues have finished programmes in data fluency and literacy, and over 100 have reached advanced data analyst level through a partnership with University College Dublin.

A further 1,200 employees are currently enrolled in the bank's AI Academy, which focuses on practical applications of artificial intelligence in financial services.

Chief strategy officer Billy O'Connell said the programme reflects a direct response to customer expectations. "Delivering on customer expectations starts with upskilling our people," he said.

"By investing now in the skills of our colleagues, we are building a bank that is ready for the future."

An additional cohort has been selected for the Cambridge Spark AI programme, targeting employees who will shape the bank's future AI strategy.

Explore the full findings and details of Bank of Ireland's training initiative in the original report by ThinkBusiness.