Digital and AI skills identified as key for next healthtech evolution

Jennifer McCormack

Manager, Connected Health Skillnet, a joint initiative of BioPharmaChem Ireland,
Irish Medtech Association and Technology Ireland

Ireland has the potential to establish itself as a global hub for the next AI-powered evolution in healthtech, but that potential may go unrealised if we fail to develop the skills required to compete.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force across industries, and the life sciences sector is no exception. Ireland’s world-class healthtech ecosystem already boasts 700+ businesses, which employ 89,000 directly across both the world’s top biopharma, medtech and digital health companies.

Campaign for digital health solutions

Connected Health Skillnet was established under the ‘Where Digital Health Thrives’ campaign — a joint initiative of BioPharamChem Ireland, Irish Medtech Association and Technology Ireland. It has already identified 200 companies delivering digital health solutions in Ireland — with market segments including digital therapeutics, precision medicine, data analytics, cybersecurity, remote monitoring, mobile health and more. The Connected Health Skillnet was established under the Where Digital Health Thrives campaign to develop high-end niche talent at the healthtech intersection.

AI was identified by 52% of companies
as a top current and future skills need.

Companies engaging in digital health

Our Network recently launched the Future Skills Needs Analysis for Digital Health report, which showed that 87% of companies surveyed are planning to increase their digital health activity over the next four years, and they intend to invest.

Another 87% confirmed that their Irish operation will play a key role in their planned digital health activities, and 82% of companies have partnered with other businesses to develop digital health solutions — and this trend is also reflected globally.

AI was identified by 52% of companies as a top current and future skills need. According to Galen Growth global research, there were 247 partnerships in digital health announced last year — up from 59 in 2018, and 90% of these partnerships are using AI.

Putting capabilities in place for innovation

We’re upskilling talent to navigate the growing complexities across the value chain, with a strong emphasis on regulation and R&D. In the EU alone, having the skills to navigate the evolving regulatory landscape — including the AI Act, Cyber Resilience Act and European Health Data Space Regulation — will be key, as well as ensuring we continue to build innovation capability.