Portugal Accelerates AI Adoption, Plans to Train 100,000 Employees to Boost Productivity

Portugal is taking further steps to integrate artificial intelligence into business operations and production processes. The Portuguese government plans to launch a pilot AI training programme in October before gradually expanding it nationwide, with the goal of providing training to around 100,000 employees and strengthening the ability of small and medium-sized enterprises to adopt AI and improve overall productivity.

Portugal’s Minister of Economy and Territorial Cohesion, Manuel Castro Almeida, recently told the parliamentary Committee on Economy and Territorial Cohesion that improving business productivity is a key challenge for the Portuguese economy, and that artificial intelligence could become an important tool for increasing efficiency.

Compared with larger companies, a significant proportion of Portuguese businesses are micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. Many smaller companies lack the resources to independently organise large-scale AI training or technological transformation programmes. The government therefore aims to use public training initiatives and financial support to help more businesses integrate AI into their day-to-day operations and production processes.

The first pilot programme is scheduled to begin in the Leiria region in October, covering around 100 companies. Following the initial trial, the training model is expected to be gradually expanded nationwide, with the ultimate goal of equipping approximately 100,000 employees with AI-related knowledge and the ability to apply and promote these technologies within their organisations.

In addition to broader AI training for employees, the government plans to launch another pilot programme in the mould-making industry in Marinha Grande, one of Portugal’s important industrial centres. The initiative will involve five to six companies and explore how AI can be applied to specific industrial processes in real production environments.

This approach indicates that Portugal’s AI strategy is increasingly moving beyond technology development itself towards practical industrial applications. For an economy with a large number of SMEs, integrating AI into manufacturing, management and business operations could become an important way to improve productivity across traditional industries.

At the same time, Portugal is providing financial support for business digitalisation and AI adoption. According to the government, more than €400 million has already been allocated through the Financial Instrument for Innovation and Competitiveness (IFIC) to support the introduction of AI into business production processes. The government previously announced that, following adjustments to the PRR, approximately €800 million would be made available through IFIC to support AI adoption by companies.

In the longer term, Portugal’s approach to artificial intelligence is gradually shifting from research and technology investment towards practical adoption at the business level. If AI becomes more widely integrated into SMEs and traditional manufacturing, its impact could extend well beyond the technology sector itself, contributing to higher productivity, greater business digitalisation and stronger industrial competitiveness.

Reference link:

https://eco.sapo.pt/2026/09/16/governo-quer-dar-formacao-a-100-mil-trabalhadores-em-ia/

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