IBM is to create an additional 800 jobs across Ireland over the next three years.
The roles will be in area such as research and development, digital sales and consulting.
They will be located in IBM’s Dublin campus, as well as in its office in Cork and at its Red Hat subsidiary in Waterford.
The new high-tech jobs will be involved in building advanced software based on generative artificial intelligence, in high growth areas like security, automation and hybrid cloud.
IBM said the availability of a talented workforce in Ireland was among the main reasons for the investment.
“As IBM continues to help organizations transform their businesses with hybrid cloud and AI, attracting, developing, and retaining talent remains a key priority,” said James Kavanaugh, IBM senior vice president and chief financial officer.
“Today’s announcement is a result of our strong relationship with IDA Ireland and the Irish government, but is also a testament to the calibre of talent here in Ireland, one of many reasons Ireland continues to be a strategic location for IBM.”
IBM has had a presence in Ireland for 65 years and has evolved its operations here considerably during that period.
Today it employs around 3,000 people in a variety of different specialisms in Ireland and works with a wide range of clients in sectors such as financial services and healthcare.
The company’s only research facility in the EU is also based here.
“This is a remarkable initiative by IBM Ireland that will not only drive transformation within IBM and Red Hat’s operations but will deliver strong impact in Dublin, Cork and Waterford,” said Michael Lohah, chief executive of IDA Ireland which is supporting the investment.
“It is also set to deliver real uplift in the Irish technology ecosystem by advancing capabilities across key growth areas for IDA Ireland such as Cloud, AI, Quantum and Cybersecurity.”
The news was also welcomed by Taoiseach, Simon Harris and by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Peter Burke.
“Ireland is now ranked as the fifth most advanced digital economy in the EU, and having IBM choose Ireland for this new project is another vote of confidence in our country,” he said.
“The Government fully supports advancements in AI and Digital Transformation, and these roles will allow for exciting innovative opportunities for many of our skilled workforce throughout the country.”