Londonderry Chamber warmly welcomes the major launch of the Artificial Intelligence Collaboration Centre’s (AICC) new online AI Learning Lab. Set to carry out critical work in helping to close a growing skills gap, the new digital learning platform will support individuals and organisations in building practical AI capability.

The AICC is a groundbreaking initiative led by Ulster University in partnership with Queen’s University Belfast and funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the Department for the Economy.

At the heart of the AI Learning Lab is a brand new Virtual Learning Environment, offering free, flexible online courses designed to help learners understand, evaluate and apply artificial intelligence in real-world contexts.

The initial course offering includes Fundamentals of AI, Prompt to Prototype and Data Readiness for AI.

David Crozier CBE, Director of the Artificial Intelligence Collaboration Centre, said:

“Businesses across Northern Ireland are eager to embrace AI, and what they’re looking for now is a clear path forward. Organisations understand the potential of AI and they want to act on it, but they need the right support to move from ambition to implementation.

“The AI Learning Lab provides exactly that, a practical, accessible platform that turns interest into action and makes AI something people can confidently use, not just talk about.”

Recent analysis from Ulster University’s Strategic Policy Unit warns that regions slow to adopt AI risk falling behind in productivity, competitiveness and economic growth. Matrix, Northern Ireland’s Science and Industry Panel, has also identified artificial intelligence as a defining force that will reshape jobs, skills and opportunity at an unprecedented pace.

It is therefore crucial that the North West is at the forefront of not only adapting to AI, but actively shaping how it is used to drive forward innovation.

Carmel McConville, Deputy Director of Innovation and Priority Sectors, Department for the Economy, said:

“Artificial intelligence will play a critical role in improving productivity, driving innovation and supporting economic growth across Northern Ireland.

“Ensuring individuals and organisations have the capability to adopt these technologies in practice is a key priority, and initiatives such as the AI Learning Lab will play an important role in supporting that ambition.”

The AI Learning Lab acts as a powerful endorsement of the North West’s immense potential as a hub for innovation and growth. Through our skilled workforce, strong academic links and collaborative business community, the North West is the ideal environment for emerging technologies to thrive.

The Learning Lab will build trust in AI, improve data readiness, and support our local SMEs, with the programme set to cover areas from AI fundamentals to prompting and prototyping. With Invest NI offering up to 50% grants for R&D to support AI projects, this is a growing and critical field for investment.

Derry Chamber warmly welcomes this crucial investment by AICC, which will benefit both organisations and individuals across the North West. This is a pivotal opportunity to strengthen our regional economy by enabling organisations of all sizes to move beyond theory and develop practical AI capability.

By fostering collaboration between industry, academia, and innovators, we can ensure businesses are equipped build AI capability and apply it meaningfully to drive productivity, competitiveness, and sustainable growth throughout our region.

The AI Learning Lab is now open for applications. We strongly encourage all of our members to find out more by visiting: https://www.aicc.co/ai-learning-lab