Taoiseach Micheál Martin says Ireland will support Microsoft plans to 'transform and shape future of AI'

Microsoft receives special recognition award from the State 

Taoiseach Micheál Martin alongside IDA chief executive Michael Lohan presenting the IDA Ireland Special Recognition Award, to Brad Smith, Microsoft vice chair and president. Microsoft is celebrating its 50th anniversary worldwide and 40 years in Ireland. Picture: Julien Behal

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has told Microsoft president Brad Smith that Ireland will support Microsoft's plans to "innovate, transform, and shape the future of AI", in a ceremony on Monday to mark the company's 40 years in Ireland. 

Mr Martin joined IDA Ireland chief executive Michael Lohan at the event where Microsoft was awarded a special recognition award (SRA). Previous recipients of the award include Pfizer, Apple, and Google.

Microsoft is celebrating its 50th anniversary globally, as well as its 40th year in Ireland, and Mr Martin and Mr Lohan joined Microsoft’s vice chair and president Brad Smith at a special event entitled, “Our Shared Digital Future” on Monday at the Mansion House in Dublin. The event was attended by over 400 guests from IDA client companies, policymakers, business leaders and Microsoft employees, customers, and partners. 

Mr Martin will be keen to solidify the relationship with Microsoft in a challenging climate amid pressure from the Trump administration for businesses to refocus on the US. Microsoft first established a presence in Dublin in 1985 with a small manufacturing operation with less than 100 people. Ireland has become a significant international hub for Microsoft with more than 4,000 people providing software development, engineering, data centres, finance, operations, and sales and marketing services for the Europe, Middle East, and Asia (EMEA) region.

"The fact that it has had a presence here for 40 of its 50 years is testament to the value proposition that Ireland offers companies looking to internationalise their business," said Mr Martin. "Microsoft’s decision to choose Ireland as a location from which to expand its operations has contributed immensely to the vibrant and innovative tech ecosystem that has evolved here over the past four decades, not to mention its economic and social impact."

Last November Microsoft announced a new strategic investment in its operations with the creation of 550 new Irish-based engineering and R&D roles, focused on developing new AI technologies.

IDA Ireland chief executive Michael Lohan said foreign direct investment (FDI) continues to be a substantive driver of the Irish economy. "Many of our client companies have demonstrated longevity, resilience, and continued commitment, by creating jobs and delivering real economic impact, both nationally and regionally. Microsoft is one such company and is a very deserving winner of our special recognition award 2025."

Microsoft's Brad Smith said the company shared a "special relationship" with the people and government of Ireland. "From our first European Operations centre that shipped software in boxes to customers, to one of our most advanced cloud datacentre campuses delivering AI solutions, Microsoft Ireland continues to play a pivotal role in driving innovation and transformation across the EU.”