The official launch of a new free-to-access online course on artificial intelligence (AI) in Healthcare from RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences has taken place.

The course, designed to help healthcare professionals and managers understand the opportunities and challenges of AI in clinical and administrative settings, was launched by Jack Chambers TD, Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.

Developed by the RCSI Graduate School of Healthcare Management in collaboration with Microsoft Ireland, the course is open to all healthcare workers, with no prior knowledge of AI required. It covers key topics including AI fundamentals, ethics and governance, and the practical applications of AI in improving patient care and healthcare operations. Course content is available free-to-access online for anyone anywhere in the world.

Minister Chambers welcomed the initiative, saying: “Congratulations to RCSI on this excellent initiative, which supports the Government’s ambition to foster the responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence across all sectors, including healthcare. As we continue to implement Ireland’s National AI Strategy, empowering healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills to harness AI safely and effectively is vital. This new RCSI course is an important step in ensuring that digital innovation translates into better outcomes for patients and a more resilient health system.”

Sara McDonnell, Executive Director, RCSI Graduate School of Healthcare Management and RCSI Online, said: “This new course is an important step in supporting digital transformation in healthcare. Increasing awareness and understanding of AI among healthcare professionals will help ensure that technology is used responsibly and effectively to enhance patient outcomes and strengthen the health system.”

Justin Ralph, RCSI Chief Technology Officer, said: “This new course reflects RCSI’s commitment to making high-quality, practical learning accessible to healthcare professionals globally. By making it freely available, we are aiming to democratise access to AI education and equip healthcare teams with the knowledge to navigate the rapidly evolving digital landscape.”

Catherine Doyle, Microsoft Ireland General Manager, marking the launch said: “Ireland is poised to be among the world’s most AI advanced nations, and healthcare must be at the forefront. This free-to-access RCSI course – co-designed with Microsoft Ireland – puts responsible, practical skills in the hands of healthcare professionals so AI is applied safely and ethically to deliver better patient outcomes. Access to talent will define Ireland’s digital future, and initiatives like this ensure healthcare teams have the skills to harness AI with confidence.”

Kevin Marshall, Microsoft Ireland Head of Skilling, said: “Ireland’s skills challenge won’t be solved by business-as-usual. This public-private model uses AI to scale quality learning so more people, especially those typically left behind, can build capability fast. This is a codesigned self-paced course grounded in frontline expertise. By combining an avatar led format with the latest AI, we can refresh expert content in hours. It shows how AI can safely accelerate learning in healthcare – and sets a template other sectors can follow.”

The programme features contributions from healthcare and technology experts, including Dr John Sheehan, consultant radiologist and health-tech innovator, who leads the course content. Participants will gain insights into how AI can be integrated safely and ethically into everyday healthcare practice.

An estimated completion time of 10 hours varies based on participants' pace and level of engagement with optional resources. Knowledge acquisition takes place via multiple-choice quizzes for each module, short reflective exercises to apply concepts to participants' own context, and a final knowledge check to confirm course completion.

Learn more about the free AI in Healthcare course at RCSI here.