Irish and low resource languages must not be left behind by AI, European conference in Galway hears

10 November, 2026

min read

Tomás Ó Síocháin, CEO, Údarás na Gaeltachta; Minister Dara Calleary TD, Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht; Živilė Plyčiuraitytė-Plyčiūtė, Head of Copyright Policy Unit, Ministry of Culture, Lithuania. and Mary Hurley, Secretary General, Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht
  • More than 250 delegates from acfoss the EU and further afield gathered in Galway over two days
  • First European conference to focus specifically on language diversity and artificial intelligence
  • Associated event of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union

Europe’s first conference dedicated to language diversity and artificial intelligence closed in Galway today (Friday, 6 November), with delegates calling for Irish and all EU languages not to be left behind in the era of AI.

More than 250 language experts, AI researchers, policymakers and technology leaders attended the International Conference on Language Diversity and Technology at Dexcom Stadium. They included representatives of the European Commission, national and regional governments, and research institutions. The event was organised by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht in partnership with Údarás na Gaeltachta as part of Ireland’s EU Presidency programme.

Over two days, discussions focused on language data, machine learning and how AI can support the everyday use and long-term sustainability of minority and regional languages.

Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, opened the conference.

Tomás Ó Síocháin, CEO of Údarás na Gaeltachta, said:
“This conference shows the energy that exists across Europe to ensure that no language is left behind in the digital age. The ancient culture of this country and of Europe should not sit on the margins of this new technological era, but at its very heart.”

Building on the conference, the Department and Údarás na Gaeltachta will continue to develop digital resources for Irish and strengthen European cooperation on language technology, data infrastructure and the responsible use of AI.