The Future of AI and Digital Transformation IE - Q2 2024

The Future of AI and Digital Transformation

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Transforming data into actionable insights with AI for 100+ global enterprises

To truly capitalise on generative AI’s potential, organisations must combine these models with their own data for unique business insights and opportunities.

Generative AI represents the next frontier in technological innovation, but success depends on more than just access to advanced models. At ADAPT, the SFI Research Centre for AI-Driven Digital Content Technology, we are committed to enabling human empowerment through AI-enabled digital technologies. By integrating cutting-edge research with active stakeholder participation, we can deliver real-world impact. Over 100 global enterprises and Irish SMEs have benefitted from our interdisciplinary expertise.

Data management and AI integration

Preparing an organisation’s data for AI unlocks a new spectrum of research challenges and opportunities. Establishing a robust data infrastructure is essential to leverage the full benefits of generative AI. Our research at ADAPT focuses on overcoming these challenges, ensuring that AI systems can seamlessly integrate and process data from multiple sources in real time, enabling informed and decisive action based on accurate business insights.

Governance, compliance and the EU AI Act In the fast-evolving domain of AI, the importance of data governance and compliance cannot be overstated. From the inception of any AI strategy, these aspects should be integral to ensure the ethical and proper use of data. ADAPT’s academic experts are leading global discussions on trustworthy AI, contributing to the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and developing innovative tools that help organisations mitigate risks in their AI strategies, ensuring ethical and responsible AI development.

Generative AI drives ethical innovation

The race to deploy generative AI has put data strategy in the spotlight. Our commitment extends beyond mere business applications. Our research initiatives are crucial in tapping into the vast potential of advanced technologies for wider economic and societal gains. Focusing on crucial areas like education, literacy and sustainability, we ensure our innovations are transformative and human-centric. Additionally, we are nurturing the deeptech startup ecosystem, fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship across Ireland.

This multifaceted approach not only prepares businesses for the future but also provides a framework where AI advancements are synonymous with ethical standards and societal benefits.

Ways to future-proof your career by embracing AI

Concerns about job security amid shifting professional landscapes are widespread. However, AI presents unprecedented opportunity. Explore and embrace AI to benefit your career.

Declan McKibben Executive Director, ADAPT Centre

As the Founder of AI Ireland and a Co-Founder of an international AI staffing firm, I’ve had the privilege of interviewing over 600 AI leaders. This unique position has afforded me a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in keeping pace with AI advancements. My experience emphasises adaptability and forwardthinking in navigating AI.

Embark on educational pursuits

Start with the basics. Pick up a book from the local library, and take advantage of free AI courses available online, such as ‘AI Fundamentals’ or ‘Introduction to Generative AI.’

These resources are invaluable for beginners and can set a strong foundation for understanding AI concepts and applications.

Experiment with AI tools

Dive into hands-on learning by experimenting with products like ChatGPT or GitHub Copilot. These tools offer practical experience in generating text, summarising information and analysing data — skills that are increasingly important in various roles.

Connect AI with your career

Search your job title and AI on YouTube, and watch how AI is reshaping your role and industry. This can offer insights into the potential impact of AI on your career and inspire ideas for adaptation and growth.

Engage with the AI community

Attend AI conferences, such as the AI Awards in November, to witness the innovative applications of AI across fields. These events are a goldmine for networking and learning from others’ experiences, showcasing how AI solves complex problems.

Initiate AI projects

Identify aspects of your role that could benefit from automation. Collaborate with colleagues from different departments to understand how automation could enhance efficiency across the board. Present these findings to your leadership, highlighting the opportunities AI presents for reducing manual effort.

Seek guidance and mentorship

Mentors have played an important part in my life. Finding an AI mentor can accelerate your learning curve and provide guidance on implementing AI solutions effectively. Their experience and insights can be instrumental in navigating the AI landscape.

Explore entrepreneurial ventures If you’re not feeling fulfilled in your role, consider joining an AI startup or even starting your own. The skills you possess may be highly transferable and valuable to a startup environment.

Programmes like ‘New Frontiers’ can support budding entrepreneurs in securing funding and bringing their AI innovations to market.

Moving into the future working with AI might feel overwhelming. However, the opportunities to reimagine your role are exciting; embrace this nervous energy.

Sales Director: Samantha Taylor samantha.taylor@mediaplanet.com Managing Director - Ireland: Ross Bannatyne | Senior Designer: Aimee Rayment Senior Content Manager: Angelica

Mark Kelly Founder, AI Ireland

Sponsored by ADAPT Centre

Generative AI redefining business intelligence for everyone

Generative AI is elevating business intelligence, offering instant, actionable insights and transforming data analytics processes. Here is what business leaders should know.

Generative AI (GenAI) is set to revolutionise business intelligence (BI) and data analytics, according to Stephen Redmond, Head of Data Analytics and AI at BearingPoint Ireland.

GenAI transforms business intelligence and analytics

“AI is going to fundamentally alter how businesses collect and understand data and how we do business day-to-day,” says Redmond. GenAI will drive a significant advancement in business analytics, supercharging traditional descriptive, diagnostic, predictive and prescriptive analytics.

These conventional methods often require extensive manual effort. “In contrast, generative AI will be able to instantly provide context-aware insights,” Redmond notes. “This will allow business leaders to ask questions and receive direct, actionable answers.”

Efficient reporting and better-quality data

Redmond cites a practical example of this transformation can be seen in BearingPoint’s work with the NGO, Plan International in Norway. Traditionally, Plan International’s staff spent time collating project reports to update stakeholders.

Seeking opportunities and shifting job roles

However, this shift towards GenAI-driven BI is not without challenges. One significant concern for many leaders is the possible reduction of human involvement in data processes. Redmond acknowledges this worry but says businesses need to realise there is always scope for opportunities. “AI will undoubtedly change job roles,” he says. “Yet, it also allows employees to engage in more meaningful and creative work with less drudgery and more fulfilment.” A survey carried out by consulting firm Gartner found over 80% of respondents believed AI would impact jobs, yet less than 50% thought it would affect their specific roles. This highlights the need for businesses to manage change effectively, ensuring employees are upskilled and reassured about their careers.

AI handles data collation and report generation, freeing human resources for more strategic tasks.

“With generative AI, this process is reduced to mere days,” he says. “AI handles data collation and report generation, freeing human resources for more strategic tasks.”

Why companies should give their staff a list of AI ‘dos and don’ts’

While AI can be transformative for a business, it also poses various risks. Organisations need to set rules and boundaries, so their staff can use the technology safely.

Artificial intelligence is an extremely powerful technology,” says Marie Murphy, Co-Founder and Operations Director, Fort Privacy. Tricia Higgins, Co-Founder and Legal Director adds: “However, that power needs oversight and care. It needs governance.”

Understand trustworthy AI and upcoming regulation

Companies must ensure that their AI systems are ‘trustworthy’ (which the European Union defines as ‘lawful’, ‘ethical’ and ‘robust’). Improving AI solution uptake while mitigating risks poses practical challenges. An example is employees resorting to ‘shadow AI’ (using unsanctioned and untrustworthy applications).

GenAI integral to business operations

Redmond envisions GenAI becoming integral to daily business operations. “We will interact with AI through our devices much more, using them to enhance our services with better context and quicker responses,” he adds.

“Gartner is already predicting that within the next two years — and I think it will be sooner — 50% of BI tools will be using metadata and business data to offer insights and data stories tuned and personalised to the user.

“The future of BI is not just about understanding data,” Redmond concludes. “It’s about transforming it into actionable intelligence with unprecedented speed and accuracy, thus making tasks easier and businesses more efficient long-term.”

“For example, a member of staff might upload company and customer data into an unauthorised AI application, use it for a while then forget about it, leaving sensitive information exposed,” explains Marie. “It’s important to be aware of the risks that AI poses, in order to mitigate and manage them.”

Indeed, this risk-based approach to AI drives the European Union’s AI Act, the world’s first significant AI regulation. Parts of the Act come into effect later this year, establishing different rules for different risk levels. High-risk AI applications will require significant oversight in their development and deployment while low-risk applications won’t.

Three key steps to effective AI governance

Effective AI governance ensures safe and secure utilisation of technology while safeguarding sensitive corporate and customer data. “There are three steps to achieving good governance,” explains Marie.

“First, it’s vital to understand who is using AI within an organisation, what it’s used for and how it might be used in the future. Second, once you have this information, you can develop a ‘rules of engagement’ policy regarding AI use, which sets out what is and isn’t permitted. Third, you create an oversight committee — made up of people within key areas of the company such as IT, HR and compliance — who will monitor AI use and issues over time.”

Executive AI engagement beyond IT

The tone of AI governance should be set from the top. “It’s no use leaving it to the IT department,” insists Tricia. “Company leaders must be the ones who establish boundaries around AI use.”

Marie is certain that AI will impact every business eventually. While its potential is tempting, organisations must stay vigilant about its risks.

“They can’t ignore the fact that their staff are starting to experiment with AI,” she says. “They need a proactive response to this issue to protect themselves from risk.”

Stephen Redmond Director, Head of Data Analytics and AI, BearingPoint Ireland

Marie Murphy Co-Founder & Operations Director, Fort Privacy

Tricia Higgins Co-Founder & Legal Director, Fort Privacy

WRITTEN BY

Édaein O’Connell

WRITTEN BY Tony Greenway

How practical post-grad courses answer the demand for AI talent

Accessible tools and strategies to make learning digital by default

WRITTEN BY Tony Greenway

Businesses are increasingly using AI to optimise their operations and remain competitive. That’s why there’s a huge demand for post-graduates with practical AI skills and experience.

AI applications are present in almost every field, including healthcare, energy, transportation, telecommunications, retail, financial, cybersecurity and advertising.

Essential AI talent is scarce

“The barrier to AI entry from a technological point of view is decreasing all the time,” explains David Murphy, Lecturer, Department of Computer Science, Munster Technological University (MTU). “So, going forward, all companies are going to find artificial intelligence impossible to ignore.”

Ignacio Castiñeiras, also a Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science at MTU, agrees with this assessment. “Businesses need to be able to gather and analyse as much data as they can in order to anticipate and react to future trends and challenges,” he says. “Everyone from SMEs to large corporations will need AI to optimise their resources and remain competitive.”

However, all have a significant hurdle to overcome: identifying people who are equipped with practical AI skills and experience. This isn’t easy because the demand for talent in this field is growing exponentially.

“There is a significant gap between the number of organisations demanding people with AI skills and the number of university leavers in the market,” admits Castiñeiras.

Everyone from SMEs to large corporations will need AI to optimise their resources and remain competitive.

Hands-on approach equips students with practical skills

To help address this problem, MTU has developed a 100% continuous assessment Master of Science degree in artificial intelligence — taught by AI experts — providing students with an in-depth understanding of modern AI techniques. These mirror how AI is typically leveraged in industry and range from natural language processing and deep learning to machine vision and robotics.

Students are expected to have an established competency in computer programming and can complete the programme full-time on campus over a year or part-time, online, over two years. All should prepare for an emphasis on learning by doing, with practical/ programming-based assessments required for each module. Castiñeiras says: “Everything the students learn in theory, they put into practice with assignments that are based on real-world problems. For me, that hands-on approach is crucial.”

Diverse career paths post-graduation

Graduates have gone on to work in a diverse range of roles, including data science, natural language processing, data analysis and autonomous driving engineering and some begin PhDs. “Both cohorts — full-time and online — find the course challenging,” says Murphy. “They also appreciate that challenge, whether they are online students who are already in work and looking to upskill or full-time students looking for a new career path.”

Gillian O’Keefe Executive, Technology Ireland, Ibec

Incorporating AI into education fosters a diverse, adaptable and inclusive learning environment where teachers can tailor instruction to students’ individual needs.

Artificial intelligence (AI) can support our education system. It can enhance learning, streamline administrative processes and personalise education. Digital learning resources will help make studying more engaging and can expand opportunities for lifelong learning.

Striving for digital, inclusive education

The Irish education system must become ‘Digital by Default’ and fully embrace emerging technologies to enhance learning. The use of technology in schools can no longer be seen as a luxury but, rather, a necessity.

Incorporating AI into our education system will assist with the development of a constructive and inclusive learning environment. Crucially, it will enable teachers to adapt teaching to diverse groups of students and their individual needs.

Tech tailoring support and expanding access

Moreover, AI can facilitate access to education by breaking down barriers. Automated translation services and AI-driven tutoring systems can support non-native speakers and students with disabilities, making education more inclusive. The so-called ‘factory model of education’ — where each pupil advances at the same pace in every subject, regardless of ability and interest — should now be consigned to the past.

Personalised learning assistants for students, providing assignment reminders and feedback, now exist. Tools enabling teachers to better understand how students learn and to identify necessary support interventions should be encouraged.

These technologies can offer real-time assistance, such as converting text to speech for visually impaired students or providing language translations. They can make educational content more accessible to all learners.

Future-proofing and encouraging critical thinking

It is time for Ireland to double down on future-proofing digital innovation, skills, adoption and AI. We need to encourage students of all ages to question and discuss topics and critically assess information given to them to ensure they have the skills required in the future.

Critical thinking helps students and lifelong learners think analytically and rationally. It encourages students to make life decisions cautiously and after thorough evaluation. By using critical thinking skills in education, students can enhance their ability to solve problems and make effective decisions.

David Murphy Lecturer, Department of Computer Science, Munster Technological University

Ignacio Castiñeiras Lecturer, Department of Computer Science, Munster Technological University

How to make your workforce AI-ready

With artificial intelligence becoming embedded among organisations in every sector, it’s vital that staff have the knowledge and skills to use this technology effectively.

From farming to financial services and marketing to medicine, the reality is that AI technology is changing work in almost every industry and will continue to become more embedded across organisations.

Getting organisations on board with AI development

WRITTEN BY Tony Greenway

“Many routine tasks — such as writing documents or analysing spreadsheets — now have an AI component,” says Aoife D’Arcy, CEO and Co-Founder of Krisolis, a specialist consultancy and training company that partners with organisations to provide AI skills and strategy development.

“Even businesses that have not traditionally been technology-driven are now starting to see the value in utilising AI technology. For instance, the legal profession is looking to use AI applications to search through, collate and summarise documents. Human beings will still have to check what the machines do — but the presence of AI will proliferate over the next five years.”

Therefore, whatever type of organisation you are, all your staff must be properly prepared to meet the challenges of this brave new AI world. Krisolis does this by employing a holistic approach to train, coach, mentor and support individuals, teams and entire departments. “As mentors, we’re there to guide staff — but we don’t do the work for them,” explains D’Arcy.

Customised AI training for all staff

Helping staff develop their AI skills is never a ‘onesize-fits-all’ process, insists Dr Brian Mac Namee, Director of Training and Co-Founder. Everyone’s needs are different, so a customized, roles-based training approach is always more effective.

“When a client comes to us, they’ll talk about their strategic goals,” he says. “We’ll look at the areas of their organisation where there is an opportunity to use AI, and we’ll assess the type of skills they’ll need to help them on their journey. Some of the work we do may involve demystifying AI for them — but also highlighting its limitations. Anyone new to artificial intelligence should start by figuring out what it can and can’t do.”

This 12-week online course, in partnership with TU Dublin, offers a comprehensive introduction to artificial intelligence. It equips participants with essential AI skills to enhance their roles, manage AI-driven teams, or transition into AI-focused careers.

Getting the right mix of technical and soft skills

Teaching staff technical AI skills is important. Moreover, to truly get the most from AI, business teams and technical teams need to develop a range of soft skills, too, such as requirements gathering, stakeholder engagement and presenting. “When AI systems don’t work effectively, it’s often because of poor communication between business teams and technical teams,” says D’Arcy.

A balance between technical and soft skills development allows organisations to fully harness AI technology. “That’s why we hold workshops where both teams learn how to communicate with each other using a common language, so we can help ensure both skills are applied,” she adds.

Short courses are attractive options for organisations Krisolis also offers part-time training academies as microcredentials. These 6–12 week programmes include mentoring, project work and workshops across AI-related topics. They provide in-depth learning tailored to meet specific organisational needs, ensuring staff gain practical skills and knowledge applicable to their roles.

“These are accredited courses that offer a short, sharp, step up in knowledge,” says D’Arcy. “They’re academically rigorous, convenient for organisations and useful for individuals’ lifelong learning. They also mean that people don’t have to devote years of their lives to an undergraduate or postgraduate degree to learn about AI.”

Supporting AI growth journeys

D’Arcy and Mac Namee say that one of the joys of their job is watching clients become more confident with AI tools and skills. “That part is always so fulfilling,” admits D’Arcy. “It’s always amazing to catch up and find out how they’ve been using AI to make better decisions and create better services. They might need us again when they want to build up their next wave of AI skills — but, at the very start of their journey, we’re like the soil that allows them to grow and blossom.”

AI Masterclass for Senior Leaders

This workshop equips senior leaders with essential AI knowledge. Through interactive sessions led by AI experts, participants will learn to identify AI opportunities, understand its implications and develop implementation strategies for their organisations.

Build a Custom Chatbot in a Day with RAG

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Sponsored by Krisolis

Aoife D’Arcy CEO and Co-Founder, Krisolis

Dr Brian Mac Namee Director of Training and Co-Founder, Krisolis

Irish commercial creative services sector harnesses AI to drive growth

Irish-owned companies in the commercial creative services sector are cornerstones in communities around the country, contributing €1.2 billion to the national economy each year and creating thousands of high-value jobs.

In Ireland, we now have a new generation of innovators in the commercial creative services sector who are carving their way as international industry leaders. It is a broad and exciting sector, which includes Irish-owned brand and creative agencies, event production companies, game design and content creation businesses, along with digital artists and specialists in immersive technologies, such as augmented reality and virtual reality.

Growth and AI support in commercial creative services

This sector has the clear potential to deliver more jobs and economic growth for Ireland, and Enterprise Ireland is committed to supporting the Government’s Digital Creative Industries Roadmap 2024-2026, by investing in initiatives to build skills and export capability among these companies.

Importantly, this includes supporting companies as they continue to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) tools, as AI continues to revolutionise this sector around the world.

Industry partnerships and AI adoption support

As part of our commitment to supporting these companies as they harness this powerful tool, Enterprise Ireland will collaborate with Team Ireland (other state agencies and government departments) on a variety of initiatives.

We are also partnering with industry bodies such as the Institute of Advertising Practitioners in Ireland (IAPI), the Institute of Designers in Ireland (IDI), Screen Ireland, Culture Ireland and more.

This work is already underway; in February, we collaborated with IAPI and Google on the ‘AI Connect’ event, where 300 marketing and advertising practitioners gathered to learn more about the transformative potential of AI, its impact and how it is revolutionising the sector.

Following engagement with the sector, Team Ireland and our industry partners now have a shared plan to support the growth of Irish creative services companies in new global markets, which includes supporting them in building on capabilities in sustainability and technology, including AI adoption.

Irish entrepreneurs driving AI growth

AI is a powerful tool, offering untapped opportunities for Irish companies. The curiosity of Irish entrepreneurs who are harnessing and embracing this change will shape the future of the commercial creative services sector and drive its growth internationally.

AI is a powerful tool, offering untapped opportunities for Irish companies.

~Conor O’Donovan, Head of Marketing and Commercial Creative Services Sector, Enterprise Ireland

Conor O’Donovan Head of Marketing and Commercial Creative Services Sector, Enterprise Ireland

Offer more online with AI boosting ecommerce productivity

AI has already made huge changes to ecommerce, but the next five years could be crucial to making teams more efficient, levelling the playing field across business sizes and transforming the sector.

Consumers engage with AI when shopping online, whether consciously or not — from predictive text on product searches to personalised purchase recommendations. However, retailers are not always aware of the benefits AI can offer their business. “AI is getting a lot of publicity. People see the power of it but can’t always grasp and use it effectively,” says Paul Montwill, CEO of ecommerce specialists Magico.

AI assistance for ecommerce success

Running a successful ecommerce website requires multiple skills across merchandising, digital marketing, customer service and graphic design. For online retailers, accessing all these resources in-house can be a huge challenge, as many teams often operate with just one person.

That could mean reaching out to AI to help. Technology like Magico’s new platform, EcommExperts AI, will add virtual assistance to online stores. “Without having to hire a full team, you can get a team of virtual assistants ready to work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, possibly 100 times faster than any human. There’s great power in there,” Montwill explains.

AI-driven task prioritisation boosts revenue Another challenge faced by businesses is knowing which tasks to prioritise to ensure revenue growth. Underpinning AI assistance with existing analytics, as Magico does with its AB Commerce platform, could see virtual assistants trained to identify revenue boosting opportunities and equally where revenue is being lost.

“We often see online managers who are extremely busy, but their online revenue growth is not reflecting the effort,” says Montwill. “Highlighting which tasks will have an impact on their revenue and then using AI to execute these recommendations quicker will have a huge impact on teams’ efficiency.”

Revolutionising the ecommerce landscape

In about five years, Montwill says, ecommerce will transform with AI’s increasing contribution. “AI is a complete game-changer,” he insists. “It already has a major impact, and these developments will transform ecommerce, filling skills gaps and empowering small teams to compete with larger competitors.”

Sponsored by Magico

magico.com

Paul Montwill CEO, Magico

WRITTEN BY Meredith Jones Russell

Ways to elevate digital marketing with the deployment of AI

In today’s digital arena, AI stands as the cornerstone of innovative marketing strategies. With statistics revealing its widespread adoption, businesses must harness its power to propel growth and engagement.

The growth of AI has been profound. According to research conducted by leading software company Hubspot, 48% of marketers use generative AI to conduct research, with 45% using it for content creation and 22% using it to generate ideas.

To develop an effective marketing strategy, capable of driving interest, growth and revenues, there are many important elements to consider. With numerous AI tools available, businesses seeking to expand their goods and services online would benefit from integrating these tools.

AI analytical insights

Analytics platforms powered by AI — such as Power BI, Bardeen AI and Google Analytics — dive into your data, uncovering valuable insights about how people interact with your business now or how they might interact in the future. Marketers can use these insights to fine-tune their strategies, creating personalised experiences that connect with their audience.

AI-driven chatbots for sales and marketing

AI-powered SEO

AI-powered SEO tools revolutionise the way businesses approach search engine optimisation. By analysing large amounts of data and predicting search trends, these tools help marketers optimise website content and drive organic traffic. Platforms like SEMrush and Moz utilise AI algorithms to identify relevant keywords, optimise on-page elements, and track search engine rankings, ensuring maximum visibility and relevance in search results.

AI for content creation

AI-driven content creation tools empower digital marketers to produce highquality content at a larger scale.

AI-driven chatbots play a pivotal role in reducing administrative time and streamlining sales emails. By automating routine interactions and inquiries, chatbots provide instant support to customers, enhancing their experience while freeing up valuable time for sales and marketing teams. Tools like Freshchat and Ada enable businesses to deploy AI chatbots seamlessly across their platforms, improving efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Computer science courses to boost talent pool in Ireland and

encourage AI startups

A leading university has strengthened its ties to industry with an innovative partnership amid a drive to see more tech startups in Ireland and help nurture talent in the field.

Director of Research and Graduate Studies at University of Galway, Dr James McDermott says: “Ireland is very strong in the tech sector with multinationals and a strong ecosystem with a lot of talent and ambition, but we do not have the same startup culture that exists in Silicon Valley and other places.”

Education to support AI startups and talent

The School of Computer Science at University of Galway consistently ranks high for research, teaching and industry partnerships, staying current with trends and adapting to industry needs. They have recently established an external advisory board of senior industry figures to help shape new programmes,

AI-driven content creation tools empower digital marketers to produce high-quality content at a larger scale. From generating blog posts and articles to creating engaging social media posts and videos, AI can help in brainstorming ideas, crafting compelling stories, and optimising content for maximum impact on the target audience.

Embracing AI-driven solutions is not just providing your business with a competitive advantage; it’s a strategic requirement for those looking to thrive in today’s digital landscape. From advanced analytics to chatbots, SEO, and content creation, AI technologies offer a wealth of opportunities for digital marketers to maximise their efforts and tap into new avenues of growth.

teaching approaches and research collaborations.

They have also created new courses in AI and data analytics to support development of new talent. These include advanced master’s and post-graduate conversion programmes and shorter courses for people who want to understand AI and its implications from a business perspective.

“We have particular strengths in AI, deep learning, cybersecurity, linked data and natural language processing and conduct impactful research in using simulation methods to inform public policy and health,” says McDermott. However, he remains concerned that the higher education sector is underfunded compared to other countries in terms of studentstaff ratios and research.

Evolving need for computer science

Head of the School of Computer Science, Professor Michael Madden, says that while language models can generate code, there remains a need to study computer science.

“The history of computer science and software engineering over the past 50 years has been one of trying to automate our jobs: moving from machine code to low-level programming languages to highlevel languages, code generation tools and, now, Copilot-style tools.

“Instead of being a zero-sum game where productivity tools lead to fewer programmers being needed, past developments have led to an explosion of software development.”

Tech ecosystem with long-term promise Madden, who leads the Machine Learning Research Group, observes: “We are undoubtedly in a period of hype, which may be followed by a slump, but long-term prospects are promising as new tools gain recognition for their real value.”

While there is a solid education and research foundation, he wants to see a strengthening of a tech ecosystem that facilitates and celebrates startups and recognises innovation. Finally, he believes there are excellent tech career opportunities for students within multinational and indigenous companies.

Professor Michael Madden Established Professor and Head, School of Computer Science, University of Galway

Dr James McDermott Director of Research and Graduate Studies, School of Computer Science, University of Galway

Caroline Dunlea Chairperson, Digital Business Ireland

Mark Nicholls

Enterprises are adopting accessible AI at scale to stay ahead

AI’s role in business is expanding, and companies must find ways to safely and scalably harness their data to stay ahead.

As we dive deeper into 2024, AI isn’t just a buzzword — it’s a transformative force. The conversation has shifted from ‘What is AI?’ to ‘How can we leverage AI effectively?’ Companies are no longer just experimenting; they’re implementing AI to solve real business problems. The emphasis now is on practical applications that drive efficiency and innovation. The future belongs to those who can seamlessly integrate AI into their operations.

Open source vs. proprietary models

A hot debate is open source vs. proprietary AI models. Big tech companies are developing proprietary models, which offer high performance and robust support but come with hefty price tags and limited flexibility. Conversely, open-source models democratise AI, making it accessible for smaller enterprises to innovate without breaking the bank. These community-driven models are cost-effective, highly customisable and increasingly competitive in performance.

Safe and scalable data utilisation

To stand out, businesses must harness their data safely and scalably. The key to creating differentiated value lies in how effectively an enterprise can use its data while ensuring security and scalability. This means integrating AI solutions that safeguard privacy and ensure data protection. It’s about building trust and demonstrating reliability.

Harness open-source, secure innovation

The trick is to harness the best of both worlds: the flexibility and creativity of opensource models while applying them to your own enterprise data. This approach allows you to innovate and streamline operations without compromising safety. Businesses need to carefully implement the controls and security required to keep their data safe, whether building this themselves or using turnkey solutions. Once established, these measures can transform into true efficiency. As AI keeps advancing, businesses need to be smart about using their data safely and at scale. Balancing the flexibility of opensource AI with solid security measures, and leveraging their own data, can unlock new efficiencies and create lasting value. It’s not just about keeping up — it’s about leading the way.

Phily Hayes CEO & Co-Founder, Zerve AI

AI in perspective: balancing fears, hopes and realities

Large language models (LLMs) hit the world unlike any AI technology before. Suddenly, with widespread accessibility, extreme views poured in: some fear AI will enslave humanity; some believe AI will solve all our problems.

One thing is clear: AI excels at many tasks that do not require human-level understanding, reasoning or planning.

AI in software programming

Possibly the first instance of programming, in the sense of writing and running instructions on a programmable computer, happened in the mid-40s. For many years, the procedure involved punching holes in a tape or later paper cards, something reminiscent more of a manufacturing task than coding.

From there on, things moved fast. First, assembly languages, which still required a lot of low-level tasks not related to the algorithm itself — then, increasingly higher-level, more abstract computing languages that allowed the programmers to focus on high-level concepts instead of tedious mechanical tasks.

will take on more of our mundane tasks but not replace humans who, at least for a few decades more, will still hold the high ground on mental activities like reasoning, planning and creativity. In my opinion, the AI we have today is a sparring partner for the more abstract, creative tasks and an able assistant to which we can delegate routine tasks.

AI is not replacing humans but augmenting our abilities.

Today, we have AI assisting us to put our ideas into software, enabling a much broader population, even those with minimal programming knowledge, to create applications.

AI augments human capabilities

This evolution from a mechanical endeavour punching cards to real-time AI assistance reflects a shift from mechanical precision to creative exploration — a journey that can be extrapolated to many other work-related tasks.

AI is not replacing humans but augmenting our abilities. This is a trend that will only increase: AI

LLMs as probabilistic aids

We can see this in the current wave of LLM hype. Many people use them as a one-shot intelligent tool and expect a perfect task result, completely replacing our work. However, these tools are probabilistic in nature, thus, there is always a chance that the output they provide is wrong. The best use of LLMs is using them for ‘knowledge sparring’ instead of leaving the work to them without any human supervision.

AI is a tool that complements human-only skills, taking on repetitive tasks and enabling us to focus on higher-level, creative work. By understanding and embracing this dynamic, we can navigate the complexities of AI with a balanced perspective.

Carlos Garcia Head of AI Strategy, Irish Manufacturing Research

How to future-proof your career with crucial AI and digital skills

With a variety of funding schemes available for wide-ranging courses, now is the best time for people to upgrade their skills and learn more about digital technologies and artificial intelligence.

In Ireland, numerous learning opportunities are emerging for those interested in enhancing their digital and AI skills. Options spanning from introductory sessions to microcredentials and Professional Diplomas are subsidised or fully funded now at the University of Limerick, making it an ideal time to start upskilling.

Promoting upskilling and reskilling

Martin Hayes, Professor of Digital Technologies and Academic Lead for the Human Capital Initiative (HCI) Pillar 3 UL@WORK project at the University of Limerick (UL), explains how the recently developed courses that are now being offered enable AI upskilling, reskilling and professional development.

WRITTEN BY Mark Nicholls

The Government-funded HCI programme is specifically designed to encourage students to take up careers where skills deficits are most apparent in the Irish economy. Pointing to the University’s track record of work-integrated learning within the Irish education landscape, he acknowledges that learning about new developments in AI, data and automation can initially appear daunting.

He emphasises the advantages of short courses in enabling people to make a start by discovering what their aptitudes are “without a long-term commitment in one particular direction.”

Part-time courses for professionals

The courses are generally part-time, to cater to working professionals, job returnees or career changers. From beginner to expert levels, they cover specialised skills for anyone looking to enhance their expertise.

“The UL programmes are designed for a variety of different learners; people who need deeper technical skills in cutting-edge areas like Natural Language Processing and AI for Computer Vision but also, for example, those who are interested in pivoting to new careers in in-demand areas like cybersecurity,” adds Hayes.

Flexible jobs and opportunities available

“This approach recognises that while people are busy at work, they can still successfully upskill and build expertise in an accelerated fashion, following a path that suits them, with peer support in a collaborative community of practice.” This demand for new skills, and these opportunities, comes as a response to the EU challenge to create 20 million additional ICT experts before 2030.

In addition to the HCI, there are Digital Europe funding options like REBOOT Skills and Project EAGLE; these EU-funded projects are primarily developed for SMEs, aiming to upskill the workforce where time poverty is most pronounced: in crucial areas such as AI and cybersecurity via high-quality specialised training courses.

While people are busy at work, they can still successfully upskill and build expertise in an accelerated fashion.

Hayes points to the flexibility of the University of Limerick courses, such as the Master of Professional Practice, which recognises the successful pursuit of three one-year part-time diplomas within a six-year window.

Graduated steps towards qualifications

Hayes suggests a progressive approach, starting with low-tariff, de-risked entry into upskilling via short courses and microcredentials, followed by an accrual of educational credits, if desired, using suitable ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) approved programmes. This process enables individuals to gradually accumulate credits, akin to building blocks, towards achieving their diploma or degree.

AI assisting diverse job roles

Hayes concludes: “The idea of being able to do things more quickly and reliably, using technology that is human-centred, presents society with a real opportunity to deliver a future that benefits everyone. There is an urgent need for us to have more people with the necessary skills capable of grasping that opportunity.”

Sponsored by University of Limerick

Prof Martin Hayes Professor of Digital Technologies, Academic Lead for the UL@WORK Project

Exploring AI’s vital role in healthcare advancements and society

Artificial intelligence has the potential to transform healthcare; from life-saving innovations to efficient medical interventions. Explore Ireland’s role and regulatory efforts in digital health.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is spurring a new era where data is transformed into actionable insights. While AI is making headlines daily, it’s not a new concept; everyone — from philosophers, mathematicians and sci-fi writers — has been imagining its feasibility and implications for society since the 1950s.

AI development and healthcare potential

The technological leap that brought us forward was Geoffrey Hinton’s algorithm to allow machine learning in the 1980s. Now, with greater computer processing capacity, affordability AI has broken into the mainstream with generative AI capturing imaginations.

There is no greater example of AI’s potential than in healthcare. For instance, research provisioned by MedTech Europe revealed that AI could potentially save 400,000 lives annually. There are eight key areas for AI in healthcare: wearables, imaging, labs, monitoring, real-world data, virtual health assistance, personalised apps and robotics.

Notable benefits of AI in healthcare

Robots are supporting an estimated 30% of clinical nurse tasks that do not involve direct patient interaction and facilitating clinical radiology workflow by image acquisition.

Building AI awareness

Ibec Digital Health Working Group’s vision is to enable Ireland to become a recognised global hub for digital health. To achieve this, it has developed a cross-sectoral campaign ‘Where Digital Health Thrives’ to build awareness, offer industry foresight and advocate for policies for business success.

There is no greater example of AI’s potential than in healthcare.

AI increases the success rate of medical interventions, as robot-assisted surgery can contribute to a 52% increase in successful operations;

AI Healthcare Hub launches to foster AI-driven Irish healthcare solutions

The AIHH unites interdisciplinary experts committed to accelerating AI-driven translational research towards real, tangible benefits for patients.

The University College

Dublin AI Healthcare

Hub (UCD AIHH) is a new initiative that brings together a growing interdisciplinary community of researchers who are engaged in transformative and highly multidisciplinary, datarich, healthcare-focused research projects. These range from largescale, trans-institutional endeavours to small-scale pilot research aimed at generating key preliminary data for future funding.

AI-driven translational research for better health outcomes

The UCD AIHH aims to address the most pressing healthcare challenges. Through this community of practice, it enables researchers to share current initiatives and access emerging AI technology and state-ofthe-art insights through networking events, seminars and workshops. Additionally, the hub provides opportunities to secure seed funding to accelerate ideas that leverage AI.

At a national level, Ireland’s Government published its national strategy ‘AI - Here for Good’ in 2021 to steer AI to benefit the economy and society, within a peoplecentred, ethical approach.

AI regulation overview

In the EU, the Artificial Intelligence Act (AIA) will create harmonised legislation with a risk-based approach and transparency requirements. It will determine how, and if, new AI-enabled healthtech will reach patients and healthcare systems.

Irish Medtech has been working with MedTech Europe to ensure the regulation is fit for purpose by inputting comments, at a member-state level, into national contributions to the European Commission’s overarching guidelines.

Participation in global academic networks such as NAiXUS, UBIAS and Una Europa provides researchers with valuable opportunities for international collaboration, further amplifying the impact and reach of their work.

Expertise accelerates interdisciplinary healthcare research

The hub is spearheaded by Professor Patricia Maguire and an interdisciplinary leadership team from across the university and associated hospitals. Their combined expertise and visionary leadership are instrumental in advancing the hub’s mission to revolutionise healthcare through the application of AI, ensuring that the UCD AIHH remains at the forefront of transformative research and development in this critical field.

AI-powered innovation for real-world impact

Current projects incubating in the hub are focused on personalised

medicine, AI-driven diagnostics and predictive analytics to deliver better patient outcomes. The flagship project, AIPREMie, addresses the global health challenge of preeclampsia, a life-threatening complication that can affect 1 in every 12 pregnancies and results in significant maternal and infant morbidities and mortalities worldwide. AIPREMie is an AI-driven clinical decision support tool designed to aid clinicians in diagnosing and assessing the risk of preeclampsia, ultimately optimising health outcomes for both mother and baby.

Driven by a highly interdisciplinary team AIPREMie is being developed in collaboration with three of the top Irish maternity hospitals — Rotunda, Coombe and the National Maternity Hospital — as well as industry leaders Microsoft and SAS. Its potential to revolutionise the management of preeclampsia has garnered significant international acclaim and recognition, including the AI Awards 2022 for Best Application of AI to achieve Social Good and the Analytics Institute’s Analytics and AI Awards 2023 Social Impact Award. In 2023, the International Research Centre on Artificial Intelligence (IRCAI), under the auspices of UNESCO, selected AIPREMie as one of the world’s top 100 projects using AI to solve problems related to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Ciara Finlay Senior Executive, Irish Medtech, Ibec

Ana Le Chevillier Manager, AI Healthcare Hub, University College Dublin (UCD)

© Fran Veale

Paid for by University College Dublin

The rapid pace of AI development poses a significant challenge for regulation to keep pace.

EU AI Act: safeguarding trustworthy AI for everyone

As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly woven into our daily lives, it’s crucial to strike a balance between innovation and responsible use. The EU AI Act aims to do just that.

The EU AI Act is a comprehensive set of rules designed to govern AI development and deployment within the European Union (EU).

Key points of the EU AI Act

The Act categorises AI systems based on risk level

• Unacceptable risk: Some AI applications pose unacceptable risks to safety, health or rights. These are outright prohibited.

• High risk: Certain AI systems (like medical diagnosis tools or selfdriving cars) fall into this category. Developers and users must meet specific obligations.

• Low risk: Everyday AI applications with minimal risk.

Privacy by design

• The Act emphasises ‘privacy by design.’ This means AI systems should prioritise user privacy from the start.

Human-centric approach

• AI should benefit people. The Act encourages a human-centric approach, focusing on wellbeing and rights.

Implementation and scope

• The Act takes effect 20 days after publication.

• It applies to any company operating within the EU or whose AI impacts the EU, regardless of location.

Businesses and employees

• Companies using AI must follow the Act.

• Employees should adhere to AI policies to prevent unauthorised data sharing.

Remaining vigilant

• AI evolves rapidly. Staying informed about regulations is crucial.

The challenge of enforcing the EU AI Act

The rapid pace of AI development poses a significant challenge for regulation to keep pace. As the EU

AI Act takes effect, businesses across the EU will grapple with enforcing its provisions. However, one certainty remains: awareness and understanding of AI are essential as we navigate this transformative journey. AI is here to stay, shaping our future in profound ways.

Awareness and understanding of AI are essential as we navigate this transformative journey

Upholding standards for responsible AI use

The EU AI Act sets a global standard for responsible AI. As we embrace this technology, let’s ensure it serves us all while respecting our rights and safety.

If you are interested in finding out more about how the EU AI Act will impact you and your business, get in touch with AI Ireland.

Mark Kelly Founder, AI Ireland