Health Innovation Hub Ireland (HIHI) launches AI in healthcare call competition

AI is no longer the future of healthcare — it’s happening now. From diagnostics and personalised medicine to smarter hospital systems, Artificial Intelligence has the power to radically improve patient outcomes and reshape how care is delivered globally.

Health Innovation Hub Ireland (HIHI) is delighted to launch the HIHI.AI Call 2025, a national initiative supporting the development and testing of AI solutions that can make a real impact in Ireland’s healthcare system.

AI in healthcare call competition

We’re calling on startups, researchers, clinicians, and industry leaders developing AI-powered healthcare products or services to apply. Successful applicants will get the opportunity to pilot their innovations in real-world clinical settings, with access to HIHI’s national support network.

HIHI’s AI in healthcare competition will select the best AI powered products or services aimed at improving healthcare. Whether market ready or in development, innovative AI solutions that have the potential to enhance patient care and operational efficiency will be invited to apply.

This initiative is a key step toward bringing Irish and international innovation directly to frontline care.

Who can apply?

We invite applications from Irish companies and international companies with an Irish presence, pre-startups, and researchers that have an AI-powered product or service meeting the following criteria:

• Solves a recognised healthcare challenge.

and

• is market ready for real-world implementation in an Irish healthcare setting and has the required regulatory approvals (or is in the final stages of approval) for healthcare deployment.

or

• is in development with a prototype available for consideration.

Dr. Michael Twomey, Senior Clinical Research Manager and lead programme manager for the HiHI.AI call competition explained the value of this call to healthcare.

“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.”

Full details available here: https://hih.ie/initiatives/hihi-ai/2025-call/

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