Health Innovation Hub Ireland (HIHI) has announced the launch of a new national initiative called HIHI.AI Call 2025, said to support the “development and testing of AI solutions that can make a real impact in Ireland’s healthcare system”.
As part of the initiative, HIHI is looking for input from companies, startups, researchers, clinicians and industry leaders who are already focused on developing AI-powered healthcare solutions. Interested suppliers have been asked to take part in an AI in healthcare competition, leading to an opportunity to share and pilot their AI innovations in “real-world clinical settings”, while also having access to HIHI’s national support network.
AI solutions should be market-ready or currently in development, as long as the offering has the “potential to enhance patient care and operational efficiency”, after which HIHI will choose the best innovation. Irish companies and international companies with an established Irish presence are encouraged to apply, with more information available on the HIHI website.
Senior clinical research manager and the lead programme manager for the HiHI.AI call competition, Dr Michael Twomey, commented: “We are standing at the edge of a transformation in Irish healthcare—where AI doesn’t just support medicine, it redefines it. This is more than innovation; it’s a shift toward a future where intelligence is augmented, care is predictive, and health systems are empowered to heal at scale. AI in healthcare isn’t the next step—it’s the leap that will reshape what’s possible for every patient, provider, and community.”
Digital transformation in Ireland’s healthcare system: the wider trend
The Health Service Executive (HSE) Health App was recently launched in Ireland, offering patients a “digital front door” to health services. The first phase introduces the ability to view maternity service appointments, to create and carry a “digital list of self-declared medications” and medications received through the Drugs Payment Scheme or Medical Card Scheme, to store European Health Insurance Card information, and to access flu and COVID-19 vaccination records. Further functionality is said to be introduced throughout 2025.
Earlier this month, Minister of Health for Northern Ireland, Mike Nesbitt shared details of a £61 million investment in GP services, set to support primary care reform and expand its primary care MDT programme. There will be a two-phased approach for rolling out the programme, with the funds set to support the completion of the model in seven existing areas by 2028/29, and plans to expand into five new GP Federation areas.
Dublin’s leading maternity hospital, the Rotunda Hospital has partnered with Isla Health, a UK-based company that provides a digital pathway platform, to digitise and personalise patient pathways. The partnership focuses on enhancing patient engagement with personalised digital pathways, supporting patients across the entire hospital, including gynaecology, obstetrics and neonatal care.
Back in January, five projects across Northern Ireland and Wales were awarded a share of £1 million as part of the SBRI Cancer Challenge. The initiative was looking for innovations with the potential to offer earlier and faster diagnosis, reduced waiting times, and improved treatment for cancer patients.
