Microsoft is to create 550 new roles within engineering and research and development at its Dublin office over the next three to four years.
The new posts will focus on cybersecurity and artificial intelligence services which will then be offered to both the private and public sector organisations globally.
The specific roles are likely to be in software engineering, product management, design, programme management, analytics, data science, security research, applied sciences and technical writing, the company revealed.
Out of the 550, 120 roles are already open for applications.
Microsoft investment could boost Ireland's AI development
With an increasing focus on artificial intelligence in the last few years, Microsoft's investment in building its AI capacities in Ireland has been much welcomed by the Irish government. Ireland's foreign direct investment (FDI) body, IDA Ireland, has also voiced its support for this move.
Commenting on the announcement, the Prime Minister, Simon Harris said in statement on Microsoft's website: "Not only does this highlight Ireland's attractiveness as an investment destination, it also promises a significant boost for the AI ecosystem in Ireland.
"Fostering AI skills and advancing capabilities in the field are core to the Government's National Artificial Intelligence Strategy and this project will help develop new specialist skills and expertise, thereby positioning Ireland for further investment in this critical area."
The Microsoft Ireland site leader, James O'Connor, said in a statement: "AI is one of the most transformative technologies of our time – it will unlock profound possibilities for people, industry, and society.
"Through this investment, we are building on our almost 40-year presence in Ireland, which has been characterised by continuous investment, transformation and the diversification of our operations from a manufacturing site to a significant international hub for Microsoft providing software development, engineering, data centres, finance, operations, and sales and marketing for EMEA.
"Ireland is undoubtedly an established hotbed of engineering and cyber security talent and leadership, with Irish universities producing some of the very best graduates, and this is a significant contributing factor to both our success and continued investment here."