Irish Tech News Audio Articles

TechTides, one of the region's most anticipated Technology Conferences, has exceeded all expectations ahead of its upcoming event taking place next Tuesday, 18th November. Originally launched with a target of 350 attendees, the conference has already attracted more than 600 registered participants, marking significant momentum for its inaugural event. TechTides Conference 18th November TechTides brings together innovators, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and technology enthusiasts for a full day of forward-thinking conversations, networking, and insight into emerging trends across the tech ecosystem. The overwhelmingly positive response highlights the growing demand for collaboration and knowledge-sharing within the tech community. "We are absolutely thrilled by the support and excitement we've seen for TechTides," said Alastair Cameron, TechTides Founder. "Reaching 600 plus registrations before event day is a huge milestone for us and a testament to the strength and enthusiasm of the tech community. We can't wait to bring everyone together next Tuesday at the Millennium Forum in Derry for a truly impactful experience" Attendees can expect thought-provoking speaker sessions, industry-focused panels, interactive discussions, and valuable networking opportunities designed to drive innovation and collaboration. With limited time remaining before doors open, anticipation is at an all-time high for what promises to be one of the most dynamic tech gatherings of the year. Event Details: Date: Next Tuesday, 18th November Website: https://techtides.co For press inquiries, speaker information, or partnerships, please contact: alastair@techtides.co 07855833121 About TechTides TechTides is a forward-looking technology conference bringing together innovators, technologists, and visionaries to explore emerging trends, spark collaboration, and shape the future of the industry. It is also the first Major Tech Conference to take place in Derry~Londonderry in over a decade. See more breaking stories here. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at Info@IrishTechNews.ie now to find out more about how we can help you reach our audience. You can also find and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

Canada and the United States were once inseparable; not just neighbors, but partners who built a life together. We shared dreams, intertwined economies, and a deep cultural kinship rooted in democracy, fairness, and mutual respect. For generations, we finished each other's sentences in diplomatic halls, mourned the same tragedies, and believed without question that this bond was unbreakable. But something fundamental has shattered. This isn't a policy disagreement or temporary friction. This is the slow, agonizing collapse of a relationship we thought would last forever. Like a marriage that dies through a thousand small betrayals, the bond between Canada and the US is coming undone; and we're left making excuses for behavior we'd never tolerate from anyone else. The partner we thought we knew has become unrecognizable. Where there was reliability, there's chaos. Where there was trust, there's abuse. The country that once championed freedom now rolls back rights, worships division, and follows an orange demagogue into authoritarian fever dreams. And what's most infuriating? Our own prime minister seems paralyzed, unable or unwilling to stand up to this bully who slaps tariffs on our steel, insults our sovereignty, and treats us like a subordinate rather than an equal. We watch, humiliated, as our leader offers polite objections while our neighbor dismantles everything the relationship once stood for. We've tried to wait it out, to believe this is temporary. But as the US spirals deeper into MAGA madness, we're forced to confront an unbearable truth: the America we appreciated may be gone, and our leadership lacks the spine to acknowledge it. The time has come to stop pretending and start asking the hard questions: What does it mean to stand beside someone who no longer shares your values? And where does Canada go when both our neighbor and our own government refuse to face reality? Watching Democracy Rot The transformation of the United States feels both surreal and tragic, a nation that once stood as a beacon of democracy now teetering on the edge of paranoia. For Canadians, who once saw America as the guardian of liberty, the sight is both shocking and heartbreaking. The Make America Great Again movement has morphed into an ideology that feeds on fear, resentment, and conspiracy. What began as populist rhetoric has evolved into a quasi-religious crusade against truth itself. The rise of nationalist militias, the erosion of institutional trust, and the glorification of "strongman politics" have left the United States barely recognizable to its friends and allies. President Trump's administration didn't just disrupt norms, it dismantled them. Civil rights, once thought untouchable, were rolled back with alarming speed. Access to abortion, LGBTQ+ protections, and voting rights have all been targeted under a banner of "freedom" that feels anything but liberating. The deployment of troops to US cities during protests, the tear-gassing of journalists, and the intimidation of voters blurred the line between law enforcement and authoritarianism. Culturally, the freefall has been just as steep. Conspiracy theories now drive mainstream policy debates, from election denialism to anti-science movements. And this leaves Canada and the world wondering how a democracy so powerful could become so fragile. Schools in several states are banning books, whitewashing history, and treating education as a threat. Online hate speech, political violence, and attacks on minorities are now met with shrugs rather than outrage. Americans are dismantling the very institutions that once made their country admired. For Canadians, it feels like watching an older brother destroy the house you both grew up in each brick of reason, tolerance, and decency torn down in the name of "greatness." Tariffs, Trade Wars, and Trust Lost But the betrayal wasn't just ideological. When a partner turns on you emotionally, they usually come for your wallet next. In 2018, ...

The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) and the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) have signed a new cooperation agreement, marking the start of closer collaboration between the two countries as national standards bodies. The agreement reflects a shared commitment to strengthen the role of standards in supporting innovation, sustainable growth and trusted trade. Standards provide the common rules that allow technologies to scale, supply chains to function smoothly and businesses to access new markets with confidence. This cooperation builds a bridge between Canada and Ireland's standards systems, ensuring that both countries can share expertise, align on priorities and increase their influence internationally. The new partnership between Canada's national standards body and Ireland's national standards body also opens the door for collaboration in key areas such as digital technologies, sustainability and infrastructure resilience. For businesses, it means greater predictability, fewer duplicative steps and stronger confidence that Canadian and Irish standards will support competitiveness at home and abroad. Geraldine Larkin, Chief Executive Officer, National Standards Authority of Ireland said: "At the heart of the global standardisation system is the principle of working together. This agreement between the NSAI and SCC demonstrates the power of global partnership. By working together, we can better align on emerging priorities, strengthen international cooperation and ensure that standards continue to drive innovation and sustainable growth in both Ireland and Canada." Chantal Guay, Chief Executive Officer, Standards Council of Canada added: "Standards create the trust that underpins innovation and trade. By launching this cooperation with NSAI, we are reinforcing Canada and Ireland's leadership in shaping international standards that support growth, open markets and give businesses the confidence to compete globally." Developed through collaboration and consensus-driven approaches, standards embed resilience into products and services, making them safer, more trustworthy, more sustainable and more adaptable. In addition to developing standards at national and regional level, the SCC and NSAI help ensure that technical experts from both Canada and Ireland contribute to developing ISO and IEC International Standards. See more stories here.

Ireland has emerged as a global leader in the AI era, ranking fourth worldwide for AI diffusion (adoption and usage) according to Microsoft's latest AI Diffusion Report. This achievement reflects Ireland's strong digital infrastructure, skilled workforce, and commitment to innovation, placing Ireland alongside nations like Singapore, the UAE, and Norway in shaping the future of technology. Globally, AI is spreading at an unprecedented pace. The report reveals that 1.2 billion people have used AI tools in under three years, making AI the fastest-adopted technology in history, outpacing the internet, personal computers, and smartphones. For Ireland, this rapid uptake signals a thriving ecosystem where businesses and individuals are embracing AI to boost productivity, creativity, and competitiveness. Recent research from Trinity College Dublin, in partnership with Microsoft Ireland, reinforces this trajectory. The AI Economy Index 2025 predicts that AI could add €250 billion to Ireland's economy by 2035, with 91% of organisations already using AI - nearly double 2024's figure. However, the study highlights the need for inclusive skilling and governance to ensure SMEs and the public sector keep pace. Insights from Microsoft's Ireland Work Trend Index 2025 further underline AI's transformative role in the workplace. Adoption is up 27% year-on-year, with 54% of workers believing AI skills broaden career opportunities and 41% saying AI helps them work smarter. Yet, access and training gaps remain, making employer-led skilling critical to unlocking AI's full potential. As AI becomes a general-purpose technology, Ireland's position shows what's possible when innovation meets investment. The challenge now is ensuring responsible and inclusive adoption so every organisation and worker can share in the benefits. To fully participate in an AI-driven economy, people need the digital skills and technical proficiencies to use AI tools productively and responsibly. Without this foundation, AI risks becoming a technology that only a segment of society can leverage, deepening inequality rather than broadening opportunity. Catherine Doyle, General Manager, Microsoft Ireland, commented; "I'm delighted to share that Ireland ranks 4th globally for AI diffusion - a testament to the creativity, ambition, and collaboration happening across the country. The AI Diffusion Report, published by Microsoft's AI for Good Lab, reveals that Ireland stands out as a global leader, behind only Singapore, the UAE, and Norway. This achievement reflects the strength of our digital infrastructure, our skilled talent base, and our national commitment to innovation. Ireland's position shows what's possible when innovation is matched with investment. As AI becomes a general-purpose technology, our focus must remain on inclusive access and responsible deployment to ensure its benefits are shared by all." Note: Ranking is adjusted for population size (per capita basis) to ensure fair comparison between countries. Read the full AI Diffusion Report here. See more stories here.

It used to be simple. Forex ruled weekdays, crypto ruled weekends. But these days, the two are blending fast. Traders now jump between both worlds: reading macro headlines for clues on Bitcoin, and using crypto charts to fine-tune timing in traditional currencies. The New 24/7 Mindset Forex has always been structured. Markets open Monday in Sydney, close Friday in New York, and everyone gets a break. Crypto doesn't. It runs every hour, every day, meaning opportunity and risk are always alive somewhere. The traders who adapt best learn to handle both speeds. They bring forex discipline to crypto's chaos and crypto's flexibility to forex's predictability. That's what makes the combination powerful. Two Markets, Same Emotions On paper, the differences are clear: Factor Forex Crypto Trading hours 24 hours, 5 days 24/7 Regulation Highly structured Still maturing Drivers Central banks, inflation, policy Supply, adoption, sentiment Volatility Moderate Extreme But beneath those differences, the same story plays out: price moves on emotion. Confidence builds, fear returns, markets overreact, and human behaviour draws the chart. Whether you're watching GBP/USD or Bitcoin/USDT, it's still the same psychology unfolding in real time. When Macro News Hits Both Macroeconomic reports used to matter only to traditional traders. Not anymore. Crypto responds to the same signals that drive forex: Inflation numbers - Hotter data makes rate hikes more likely, pushing investors into defensive mode. Interest-rate changes - When borrowing gets cheaper, traders pile back into risk assets, including crypto. Employment figures - Strong data supports growth; weak data brings fear. The overlap has become obvious. Watch how Bitcoin reacts to a surprise rate decision or a shock jobs report. It moves with the dollar now, not against it. That's why experienced traders use macro calendars as much for Ethereum as for the euro. Why 24/7 Markets Change Everything When forex closes for the weekend, crypto keeps going. That single fact rewires trading rhythm completely. Here's what that means in practice: Price can gap on Monday because crypto traded through the weekend. News released late Friday still moves digital assets instantly. Strategies built for weekdays alone can miss entire swings. The solution is to plan smarter. Use alerts, automate parts of your setup, and let the market come to you instead of chasing every candle. The Value of Structure in Chaos Forex traders entering crypto often find it wild at first. But their background gives them a quiet edge: they're already trained to think in probabilities, to use stop-losses, and to measure position size properly. Those habits protect them when crypto volatility spikes. Meanwhile, crypto traders who step into forex bring something valuable too: they're fearless, quick to adapt, and comfortable making decisions without perfect information. Blending those strengths creates the kind of discipline most traders only develop after years of mistakes. Why Broker Choice Still Matters It's easy to get caught up in strategy and forget the basics: execution quality, order reliability, and security. That's where working with a regulated forex broker makes all the difference. Tight spreads and consistent pricing mean your analysis actually matches what happens in the market. It's also peace of mind: your funds sit under proper oversight, not floating in a grey zone. Hybrid traders often keep their forex and crypto exposure in separate accounts, but both benefit from the same rule: good execution beats clever theory. Practise Before You Mix Markets Before running strategies across forex and crypto, test how they behave under real market pressure. A demo account for trading lets you do exactly that without financial risk. You can try switching between asset types, simulate weekend moves, or see how macro data affects crypto pairs. It's the fastest way to understand timing differences and spot where you might be stretched ...

Clio, the global leader in legal AI technology, today announced the opening of its new Dublin office at Two Dockland Central, marking a major milestone in the company's decade-long presence in Ireland. The new space reflects Clio's ongoing investment in Ireland's technology ecosystem and reinforces Dublin's role as a cornerstone of Clio's global operations. Over the next year, Clio plans to expand its Dublin team from 60 to more than 100 employees, adding new roles across research and development, AI innovation, and go-to-market functions. "Clio has proudly called Dublin home for more than ten years," said Sarah Murphy, General Manager, International at Clio. "Our growth here is a direct reflection of the incredible talent and culture that define our Dublin team. We have scaled substantially over the years and built an environment of collaboration, creativity, and purpose that continues to shape the future of Clio and advance our mission to transform the legal experience for all." "EMEA is one of our fastest growing regions globally," added Ronnie Gurion, Chief Operating Officer at Clio. "Law firms of every size, from small practices to large international firms, are choosing Clio as their technology partner. Our expansion in Dublin strengthens our ability to serve this rapidly growing customer base while investing in the innovation and people that power our platform." A Growing Presence in Ireland Since opening its Dublin office in 2013, Clio has grown from a small local team into one of Ireland's most dynamic technology employers. The office now serves as Clio's UK and European headquarters, housing teams across engineering, product development, customer success, and marketing. Over the past decade, the Dublin team has helped shape Clio's global product strategy and driven advances in AI and legal technology now used by more than 400,000 legal professionals in over 130 countries. Clio's growth in Ireland has been recognised through its Great Place to Work certification and continued expansion in both scope and scale. Ireland's rich tech talent and culture of innovation have been key to this success. Clio continues to hire across high-value disciplines, including AI research, product design, and customer engagement, embedding its presence even deeper in Ireland's thriving tech community. Celebrating a New Chapter To mark the occasion, Clio will host an official opening event on Thursday, November 13, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM at its new Dublin headquarters. The event will bring together Clio's leadership, local partners, and members of Ireland's tech and legal communities for an afternoon of connection and celebration. Minister Peter Burke, Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment: ''Clio's continued investment in Ireland and the creation of over 40 new jobs in Dublin over the next year is a strong endorsement of our thriving technology sector and skilled workforce. This growth not only strengthens Ireland's position as a global hub for technology but also reflects the collaborative spirit that makes our country an ideal home for innovation. I thank Clio for their continued investment in Ireland and wish all the team the best for the future.'' "Clio's expansion reinforces Ireland's position as a leading destination for global technology and innovation," said Michael Lohan, CEO, at IDA Ireland. "Their continued investment highlights the strength of our talent and the collaborative ecosystem that drives companies to grow here." Clio's Dublin headquarters reflects a long-term commitment to Ireland and the company's confidence in the country's role as a global hub for innovation. The expansion builds on years of growth and collaboration, serving as both a space for continued innovation and a symbol of Clio's connection to Ireland's vibrant tech and legal communities. About Clio Clio is the global leader in legal AI technology, empowering legal professionals and law firms of every size to work smarter, faster, and m...

The Ireland Chapter of the Project Management Institute (PMI) has announced the winners of this year's PMI National Project Awards, in association with PwC. Among the winners was Lidl for its first net zero energy supermarket in Ireland. The annual awards recognise the contribution and excellence of project management in Ireland, showcasing the best innovation and talent in the profession. This year, 10 awards were presented at the black-tie event hosted at PwC's Dublin office on Thursday 6 November. From a workforce management transformation project in the retail sector to a telehealth programme, the event celebrated a variety of projects across numerous industries and demonstrates the growing influence and success of project management in Ireland. Lidl was celebrated in the special "Future of Work Excellence" category for Ireland's first net zero energy supermarket. Based in Maynooth, the store is net zero in both operational and embodied carbon. Furthermore, the supermarket's design promotes wellbeing and productivity among employees by incorporating natural light, landscaped surroundings and low noise systems. Electric vehicle chargers, bike racks, and e-bike stations have also been installed to promote sustainable commuting. Other organisations that were successful on the night included Primark, ESB and the HSE. Individuals were also celebrated, including three under-35 changemakers. These were Rachel Bothwell of GP Practice Ally, Sainath Vasantha of Deloitte, and David Garry of KSN Project Management. The full list of winners for 2025, chosen by an independent judging panel, can be found below. PMO of the Year - National Broadband Ireland. Project Professional of the Year - Niamh McAuliffe, NMA Consulting Ltd. Private Sector Project of the Year - Primark: Workforce management transformation "myTime". Public Sector Project of the Year - ESB: PI Vision: Unlocking data, empowering decisions, transforming ESB. Project Management for Social GoodP- AquaB Nanobubble Innovations Ltd: Nanobubble technology lifecycle project. Under-35 Changemakers of the Year - Rachel Bothwell (GP Practice Ally), David Garry (KSN Project Management), and Sainath Vasantha (Deloitte). eHealth Project of the Year - HSE: Community and primary care telehealth programme. Special category: "Future of Work Excellence" - Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland: Lidl Zero Maynooth Store. Special category: "2025 awards submission most compliant with the 17 x UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)" - AquaB Nanobubble Innovations Ltd: Nanobubble technology lifecycle project. Ireland Chapter of the PMI Volunteer of the Year - Mariana Zanivan. Speaking about the awards, Peter Glynne, President of the Ireland Chapter of the PMI, said: "The project profession in Ireland seems to go from strength to strength every year. This year was no different, with the quality and creativity of projects pushing the boundaries in terms of ambition and innovation. Not only that but these initiatives and individuals are driving real impact both within organisations and for society as a whole." John Dwyer, Partner in PwC Ireland, added: "As the landscape of business and work continues to evolve, project professionals are at the forefront, driving innovation and technology-led transformation across Irish and international organisations to prepare for the future. Both the Ireland Chapter of the PMI and PwC are deeply committed to the transformation agenda, and we at PwC are delighted to again be the headline sponsor of the Awards this year and support two specific awards - the Future of Work Excellence Award and the eHealth Project of the Year. "This sponsorship highlights our dedication to advancing project management through a complex and fast-changing environment with resilience and optimism, to ensure that we are fit for the future. We commend each and every one of the finalists and a huge congratulations to the winners." See more stories here. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech...

Guest article by Paul Dongha . Co-author of Governing the Machine: How to navigate the risks of AI and unlock its true potential. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has moved beyond the realm of IT, it is now the defining strategic challenge for every modern organisation. The global rush to adopt AI is shifting from a sprint for innovation to a race for survival. Yet as businesses scramble to deploy powerful systems, from predictive analytics to generative AI, they risk unleashing a wave of unintended consequences that could cripple them. That warning sits at the heart of Governing the Machine: How to navigate the risks of AI and unlock its true potential, a timely new guide for business leaders. Governing the Machine The authors, Dr Paul Dongha, Ray Eitel-Porter, and Miriam Vogel, argue that the drive to embrace AI must be matched by an equally urgent determination to govern it. Drawing on extensive experience advising global boardrooms, they cut through technical jargon to focus on the organisational realities of AI risk. Their step-by-step approach shows how companies can build responsible AI capability, adopting new systems effectively without waiting for perfect regulation or fully mature technology. That wait-and-see strategy, they warn, is a losing one: delay risks irrelevance, while reckless deployment invites legal and reputational harm. The evidence is already visible in a growing list of AI failures, from discriminatory algorithms in public services to generative models fabricating news or infringing intellectual property. These are not abstract technical flaws but concrete business risks with real-world consequences. Whose problem is it anyway? According to the authors, it is everyone's. The book forcefully argues that AI governance cannot be siloed within the technology department. It demands a cross-enterprise approach, requiring active leadership driven from the C-suite, Legal counsel, Human Resources, Privacy and Information Security teams as well as frontline staff alike. Rather than just sounding the alarm, the book provides a practical framework for action. It guides readers through the steps of building a robust AI governance programme. This includes defining clear principles and policies, establishing accountability, and implementing crucial checkpoints. A core part of this framework is a clear-eyed look at the nine key risks organisations must manage: accuracy, fairness and bias, explainability, accountability, privacy, security, intellectual property, safety, and the impact on the workforce and environment. Each risk area is explained, and numerous controls that mitigate and manage these risks are listed with ample references to allow the interested reader to follow-up. Organisations should carefully consider implementing a Governance Risk and Compliance (GRC) system, which brings together all key aspects of AI governance. GRC systems are available, both from large tech companies and from specialist vendors. A GRC system ties together all key components of AI governance, providing management with a single view of their deployed AI systems, and a window into all stages of AI governance for systems under development. The book is populated with numerous case studies and interviews with senior executives from some of the largest and well-known origanisations in the world that are grappling with AI risk management. The authors also navigate the complex and rapidly evolving global regulatory landscape. With the European Union implementing its comprehensive AI Act and the United States advancing a fragmented patchwork of state and federal rules, a strong, adaptable internal governance system is presented as the only viable path forward. The EU AI Act, which has now come into force, with staggered compliance deadlines in the coming two years, requires all organisations that operate within the EU, to implement risk mitigation controls with evidence of compliance. A key date is August 2nd 2026, by which time all 'Hig...

Retailers don't have to wait for electric vehicles to cut emissions, operational efficiency can make a difference today. Black Friday keeps getting bigger every year. In the US alone, online sales will pass $10 billion over the weekend. Millions of parcels hit the roads, releasing millions of tonnes of CO in just a few days. And Ireland is no exception. The average Irish consumer is expected to spend €329 over the Black Friday period, with 63% of sales taking place online. That means a surge in home deliveries right across the country and a sharp rise in vehicle emissions as vans race to meet tight delivery windows (PWC). Sustainability strategies for Black Friday Some of the larger retailers are trying to get greener, but their plans are far off. IKEA has targets for electric deliveries by 2028, while Amazon and Currys aim for net zero by 2040. These goals are important, but they take time. Charging infrastructure, vehicle supply, and range limitations mean electric fleets cannot scale overnight. "The problem is that everyone's waiting for the future to fix the present," says David Walsh, CEO of SmartRoutes. "If retailers focused on using what they already have more efficiently, they could cut a fifth of delivery emissions almost overnight." Smarter planning can make a big difference. By consolidating stops, reducing duplicated routes, and grouping orders efficiently, retailers can reduce total distance driven by 15 to 20 percent. Over a peak week like Black Friday, that is the equivalent of taking more than 300,000 cars off the road. "The final mile is where a lot of the waste happens," Walsh adds. "You'll see two vans from the same retailer passing each other on the same street. That is completely avoidable." Consumers are also making more sustainable choices. Many choose to group deliveries if it means fewer trips. That creates pressure for retailers to reduce delivery emissions, not just focus on packaging or product sustainability. There is also a clear business case. Every mile avoided saves fuel and time. For large retailers, the savings can be significant, while still meeting customer expectations. Black Friday is the busiest delivery period of the year, but it also offers the biggest opportunity to make a measurable difference. Electrification will shape the future, but smarter delivery planning can reduce emissions today. Author bio: Caroline Hassett is a content marketer with over seven years of experience, working with SaaS companies to communicate complex technology and business topics. She writes about trends in technology, logistics and last-mile delivery. Company bio: SmartRoutes is an Irish delivery operations platform focused on helping businesses plan efficient, lower-emission delivery routes. Its research explores ways retailers can reduce carbon emissions in logistics and the final mile. See more breaking stories here. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at Info@IrishTechNews.ie now to find out more about how we can help you reach our audience. You can also find and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

Lative, the AI sales planning platform for sales and go-to-market teams, has announced it has raised $7.5 million in funding to boost product development and expand its go-to-market. The round, co-led by Act Venture Capital and Senovo VC, has also been backed by Elkstone, Enterprise Ireland, WestWave Capital, Handshake Ventures and Shuttle. Among customers utilising the platform already for more precise sales planning are Seismic, Intercom, Aiven, Avalara and Version 1. Lative helps companies understand their sales data and invest resources where they'll have the greatest impact. Instead of juggling multiple sheets, models and disconnected tools, Lative unifies the sales planning process in one cloud-based platform by connecting top-down targets and quota plans with bottom-up sales productivity and capacity. Teams can model and simulate future org designs to have the most effective sales team for achieving revenue goals, adjust plans in real time, and gain clear visibility into sales productivity and efficiency through AI Insights. This allows them to make smarter hiring and investment decisions based on data rather than assumptions, identify risks and opportunities before they impact revenue, and track execution with confidence. Lative was launched in 2022 by industry veterans Werner Schmidt and Laura Tortosa Sancho, bringing together over 32 years of senior operations experience from Sage, Citrix, and Deloitte. They recognised a common pain point: manual, fragmented sales planning that lacks real-time visibility and tracking execution. Frustrated by high-performing teams wasting time on outdated spreadsheets and models, Werner and Laura created Lative to deliver real-time sales intelligence and automated planning with AI. For end users, this means smarter planning, instant insights, and the ability to make faster, better decisions with customers seeing up to 24% increases in sales productivity across segments. "We saw the same issue over and over again, in every company we worked in - sales planning was slow, manual, and stuck in spreadsheets," said Werner Schmidt, Co-Founder and CEO of Lative. "We built Lative to change that, and to give sales teams real-time visibility and confidence so every decision is informed, not guessed in this critical activity for go to market organisations. Every sales organisation needs to plan and track execution, and it's mainly done in spreadsheets today. Now there's a better way." The sales performance management market, valued at over $2.3 billion in 2023, is projected to exceed $7 billion by 2030, showing the demand for solutions that automate and optimise sales execution. In just 15 months, Lative has achieved 10x growth, a clear sign of the demand for such a product. The company was recently ranked second to Salesforce on G2's Sales Planning Grid. Lative has also forged strategic integration partnerships with data platform leaders Salesforce, HubSpot, and Snowflake to enable seamless data sharing for revenue teams. "Lative is driving a paradigm shift to sales planning and optimisation teams that is long overdue. By helping teams identify what's working and what isn't in real-time, problems are identified before they become too large to manage," said Dr. Alexander Buchberger, Partner at Senovo. "RevOps leaders love Lative when they see it. New AI Consumption models now need better tooling to manage complexity. Lative helps industry leaders like Seismic, Intercom and Version 1 see true sales productivity and capacity in real-time to deliver efficient growth. Werner, Laura, and their team are defining a new category with an exciting AI roadmap." said Andrew O'Neill, Principal at Act. "Lative allows us to see our productive sales capacity in real-time which is fundamental to how we scale the business and invest in the right areas to accelerate growth." said Mathieu Cognac, Vice President of Revenue Operations at Seismic. See more stories here. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are...

We look at the new C7 from Flexispot, see more about the chair here. C7 office chair from Flexispot reviewed This chair works well straight out of the box. We did have to impress on our testers that it was not solely about the speed that they could move along the floor in it, nor how many times they could complete a rotation in it. Once these stress tests were completed, as they insisted they were, then they also enjoyed using it for more normal purposes. The chair is cosey, the back support is good and it integrates well with the E7 desk that we also reviewed this morning too. Overall the selection process and delivery was all good and straight forward too, so our team were happy with it, so it seems like a good addition to the office for the team, More about the Flexispot C7 office chair Why Choose the C7? Versatile Use Office Mode: The backrest locks at 93 degrees with a foam/mesh seat and adaptive lumbar support. Wider and Larger Seat Cushions, unlike other ergonomic chairs, our seat cushion provides more room-43 to 49 cm adjustable depth, ensuring better support and relaxation for extended sitting periods. Accommodate various sitting positions The adaptive lumbar support conforms to the spine when seated. After adjusting the lumber support to a comfortable position, lumbar rise and fall?close-up of adaptive changes in lumbar support? No need for an additional cushion. Side-by-side comparison of our chairs and regular chairs + cushion Relaxation Mode: The chair has a 4-level lockable backrest with a maximum recline of 115°, pull-out footrest, adaptive lumbar support, and 3D armrests. 1. Pull the footrest out a bit: sit cross-legged 2. The footrest pulls out a bit: the footrest sits 3. The footrest pulls out a bit: playing with the cell phone 4. Foot rests all pulled out: playing handheld games, napping 5. Foot rests all pulled out: playing with pets 6. Foot rests all pulled out: office Personalized Customization: With vertical lumbar positioning, self-adaptive dynamic system, lockable lumbar support, adjustable seat height, adjustable seat depth, adjustable armrests and adjustable headrest, the chair offers a highly personalized experience suitable for multiple users. Part 3. Warranty, Discounts, and Encouragement to Purchase: (show the website) 60-day return policy for a risk-free trial. 5-year warranty Sale details: For C7 the discount is £90 or 29% OFF from 11.3- 12-1 See more product reviews here. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at Info@IrishTechNews.ie now to find out more about how we can help you reach our audience. You can also find and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

Secondary students from across Ireland have once again showcased their scientific curiosity through the 1,974 project entries received for the 2026 Stripe Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (Stripe YSTE). From AI-driven health tools to the effects of Leaving Cert stress, Ireland's next generation of innovators are tackling the issues that matter most to them. The shifting focus of Stripe YSTE entries helps to illustrate the topics that are becoming more important to students. The number of projects related to AI and machine learning grew 75%, whilst sustainability and climate change entries increased 41%. Emerging themes-with lower entry numbers but strong growth-include robotics, which attracted double the number of entries (+100%), and renewable energy, which increased 50%. Conversely, projects focusing on social media fell by 16%, highlighting a possible shift in interest for students across Ireland. Dr. Tony Scott, co-founder of YSTE, said: "The level of intellect and curiosity displayed in this year's Stripe YSTE project entries has amazed us. Narrowing down the 1,974 entries to just 550 qualified projects was no small task, and we look forward to hearing more from the students about their projects at the exhibition in January." Eileen O'Mara, Chief Revenue Officer at Stripe, said: "It's brilliant to see students using science as a way to understand themselves, their communities and the world around them. What's exciting about this year's entries is the balance between deep scientific inquiry and social awareness. We can't wait to see hundreds of these ideas come to life in January, and I'd encourage everyone who wants to visit the exhibition to buy their ticket now." Health & well-being Health remains a top concern for students, with 27% of entries falling into this category. Within that: 13% explored mental health 10% examined the effects of stress, anxiety, or depression 6% investigated sleep Health and well-being projects incorporating technology increased significantly, up 40% compared to last year. Project applications include AI-driven mental health tools, wearable tech for health monitoring, apps for fitness and nutrition tracking, and studies into screen time and blue light exposure. Artificial Intelligence Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) were standout themes this year, with a 75% increase in project submissions this year. These projects extend beyond the Technology category, with students applying AI and ML across biology, health, social science, and environmental studies. Students plan to use AI to diagnose health conditions, research the ways AI helps or hurts in business and educational settings, and even to predict global natural disasters. Multiple submissions also plan to pit human intelligence against AI to see which is superior. Sustainability Sustainability is also a growing area of focus for young scientists, with a 41% increase in projects addressing themes such as climate change, environmental protection, and sustainable living. Submissions investigate ways to decrease the average Irish person's carbon footprint, the effect of climate change on farmers, microplastics, and even using mathematics to prove why we need to take action against temperature increase. Culture, lifestyle & everyday curiosity Applying the scientific method to daily life, many students used their projects to investigate topics that resonate with teenagers in modern Ireland. This year's entries included: 41 projects on music 18 on the impact of Leaving Cert stress 15 exploring TikTok 11 investigating the effects of vaping 10 bring endometriosis into the conversation These entries highlight how young people are using science to question, measure, and reimagine their world, spanning health, habits, creativity and culture. Tickets for the Stripe YSTE 2026 are on sale now at www.stripeyste.com See more stories here. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication a...

By Selva Ozelli The Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO) is a world-renowned research institution at Columbia University, founded in 1949 to study Earth's natural systems. LDEO scientists were among the first to map the seafloor, provide proof for the theory of plate tectonics, continental drift, and develop a computer model that predicted El Niño events. LDEO's research covers everything from formation of the Earth, moon, and solar system, as well as the movement of carbon and other materials through the Earth System, including its atmosphere, oceans, and land, using different types of Earth materials from sediments to cave deposits to tree rings to identify past climate shifts and changes. Using Science & Art to promote COP30 Columbia University, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ryYqv2WJ_M Ahead of this year's United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belem, Brazil with a "Forests to Sea" theme that recognizes the interconnectedness of these two vital ecosystems, during September, LDEO's Tree Ring Lab celebrated its 50th anniversary. The Tree Ring Lab held a colloquium to highlight its contributions to climate and environmental research over the past five decades that focuses on using tree rings to understand past and future climate change. This includes creating global climate records, developing new quantitative methods, and analyzing how forests respond to events like heat waves, and droughts, with a specific emphasis on their role in the forest carbon cycle. Climate Disasters Inspired by Great Masters an AI Art Show by Mary Tiegreen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uj4_ICdUC84 Mary Tiegreen explained the inspiration for her exhibition at LDEO, which is featured at COP30's Climate Heritage Network event: "Over the past eight years, I have had the opportunity to work as art director at ClimateChangeResources.org, an extensive not-for profit website dedicated to climate change issues. I began exploring Bing's AI text-to-image creator to create images of climate impacts depicting the range of ecosystems and environmental issues that span from terrestrial (forests, wildfires, drought) to marine (sea-level rise, ocean acidification, plastic pollution) environments that complement COP30's "Forest To Ocean" theme. Working with AI, I am able to create an image that seems to have been painted by a master artist from a distant past, depicting an environmental crisis from the future. And that was how my art project began." LDEO's Research of the Amazon At LDEO scientists are conducting extensive studies of the Amazon rainforest that align with the COP30's "Forests to Sea" theme. They are concerned about current deforestation rates in the Brazilian Amazon, since ongoing deforestation and climate change are driving substantial transformations, increasing water stress and potentially pushing the Amazon towards a critical tipping point or large-scale dieback, which would have global climate implications. Because forests are critical habitats for over 80% of terrestrial species, including numerous bird, butterfly and rabbit species, which is the focus of artist Hunt Slonem's art work. Hunt Slonem https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qn5ZLvHOoK0 Hunt Slonem explained the inspiration for focusing his paintings on butterflies, birds and rabbits that are on exhibit at COP30's Climate Heritage Network event: "My focus on butterflies, birds, and rabbits is rooted in a blend of personal experiences, a deep spiritual connection to nature. This strong bond with nature and its symbolism offers a beautiful foundation for artistic expression. My life experiences living in tropical places like Hawaii and Nicaragua have given me a unique perspective, allowing the shapes, colors, and forms of these beautiful living creatures to continuously fuel my creativity with a profound influence on my life and art." The Amazon is home to at least 35% of the world's known butterfly species, with estimates of at least 7,00...

We look at the new E7 Plus from Flexispot. See more about it here. E7 Plus from Flexispot reviewed The review team were happy to sit on the desks, the product specs suggest that you can, easily, stand on it too, as they say it can happily take 200kgs. The legs do seem able for it too, they are sturdy, solid, and probably could take a baby elephant, perhaps, maybe? While we didn't have any baby elephants lying around, the affordance of 200kgs is sufficient to be confident that, if you had to stand on the desk, to reach up for something, perhaps after removing shoes, it would work. It is good to have some solidity to your desk. Next up the look and feel of the desk. This is pretty good, looks good, like a mini glulam beam. Many mini pieces of wood, bonded together for greater solidity. One of our reviewers felt it was a bit sparse, but the others liked the minimalism of it's design too. It could be a question of you pay your money and you take your choice. Overall though it is solid, will weather well, last a long time, and is also large enough to accommodate everything you might need to work effectively and happily. Our team were happy to give it a thumbs up. More about the new E7 Plus 1.Four-legged design, steady loading Adopting scientific mechanical design, the force is evenly distributed at four points, which greatly improves the stability and is not easy to shake or tilt. Combined with high-strength carbon steel material and precision manufacturing process, it can reach a maximum load capacity of 200kg. Advanced Digital Keyboard: Equipped with an intuitive digital control panel, the E7 Plus allows users to easily set up to four memory height presets and includes a USB charging port for convenience. Versatile Height and Size Compatibility: With an adjustable height range of 66 to 131 cm, the E7 Plus is compatible with tabletops measuring 120 to 180 cm in length, making it suitable for various applications, from desks to conference tables. Adaptable to Accessories: Its simple frame design allows for easy integration with a range of desk accessories, optimizing desk space for improved organization and storage. Cable Management System: The E7 Plus includes features for managing cables effectively, creating a clean and organized workspace underneath the desk. Monitor Base Adjustment: The desk supports monitor height and tilt adjustments to promote proper posture and save valuable desk space. Durable Warranty: Comes with a generous 10-year warranty, assuring quality and longevity. Energy-Efficient Touch Screen: The LED touch display not only enhances usability but also contributes to energy efficiency. The sale details: from November 13-20 tiered discount pricing from 549.99 up to 50%, from November 21-December 1 its direct sale is from 549.99 to 359.99 discounted to 190 or 35% off. See more reviews here. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at Info@IrishTechNews.ie now to find out more about how we can help you reach our audience. You can also find and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

Tozi, the anti-bullying and cyber-safety app developed by Vodafone Foundation, in collaboration with DCU Anti-Bullying Centre and the ISPCC, is marking Anti-Bullying Week (wc 10 November) with a new social media campaign: Supporting Young People in the Digital World. The campaign aims to empower young people to recognise, respond to, and rise above bullying and is launched as recent ESRI research shows that 62% of 13-year-olds reported experiencing at least one bullying behaviour in the past three months, while one in ten Tozi users have activated the app's SOS feature in the last year, connecting them directly to Childline via call or chat - demonstrating the importance of a trusted digital space and the need for quick, seamless access to support 24/7. At the heart of the campaign is a short video featuring two girls exploring Tozi's "Beat Bullying" module, sharing their thoughts on the app and how it helps them navigate online challenges with confidence. Tozi: In 2022, The Vodafone Ireland Foundation developed and launched Tozi, a free app to combat cyberbullying and promote online safety among children and young people. Since its launch, Tozi has had over 20,000 downloads, and is currently being rolled out across Europe following the Irish success. It offers a content library with advice on handling online challenges, a private journaling space with a feeling's tracker, and direct access to Childline through the SOS feature for 24/7 support. The ESRI research also found that 37% of 13-year-olds faced repeated incidents, with online bullying and name-calling among the most common forms, while children targeted at age nine were more likely to be bullied again at age thirteen, underlining the need for early intervention. Expert Perspective: The Irish Girl Guides have been a Vodafone Foundation partner since 2023, working to provide lessons on digital skills to older people through the Hi Digital initiative. The Irish Girl Guides work closely with young people across Ireland and see firsthand the challenges girls face online. Their experience underscores the urgent need for resources like Tozi, which aims to empower and protect young people in the digital world. Speaking on the growing issue of online bullying, Irish Girl Guides Tir na nÓg Leader and Programme and Training Commissioner, Róisín Mills, said: "As a Leader with the Irish Girl Guides, I worry about the impact social media is having on the girls in my Unit. I see them becoming more disengaged, and I've witnessed the effects of online bullying and the pressure to present a perfect image. That's why we run activities focused on body image, cyber-security, and smart surfing - giving our members the tools to stay safe and confident online. We're realistic about phone use and guide the girls to use technology in a positive, informed way. Creating a safe space for these conversations is vital, and I believe it's making a real difference." Tozi doesn't just teach users what bullying is - it shows them how to stand up, speak out, and support each other in the moments that matter most. Tozi is available for free download on the App Store and Google Play. Learn more at https://www.to-zi.com/ See more stories here. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at Info@IrishTechNews.ie now to find out more about how we can help you reach our audience. You can also find and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

Consumers across Ireland and the EU are benefiting from a new energy label on smartphones and tablets, that rates devices on energy efficiency, durability, and repairability. This initiative is part of the new Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Regulations introduced in June 2025, which will empower consumers to make choices that go beyond the price tag. Research shows that consumers consistently rank longevity and reliability of appliances and electronic goods among their top decision factors, alongside price, brand, and warranty. However, until recently, consumers had to rely on their own research to evaluate these factors for smartphones and tablets. The new EU-wide label provides clear, comparable information on how products perform in areas that matter most: Energy efficiency: rated from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient) Battery life and endurance: how long your device lasts between charges and over its lifetime Durability: including resistance to drops and protection from dust or water Repairability class: showing how easily devices can be fixed and spare parts accessed The label is now mandatory in-store and online, providing an easy-to-understand guide to help consumers make their purchasing decisions. "These new labels give consumers a clear comparison on key factors when buying a new smart device. Choosing a phone or tablet with better energy efficiency and durability isn't just about fewer charges or a tougher screen. It's about getting more value and creating less waste. Devices that last longer and are easier to repair help consumers save money and are more sustainable", Tim Stokes, Market Surveillance Programme Manager at the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, explained. "Empowering consumers with better information through the new energy label can significantly influence energy use, especially given the vast number of devices in circulation. By choosing longer-lasting, repairable products, individuals help reduce waste, conserve resources, and lower lifecycle energy consumption. When millions make these informed choices, small actions will create major impact. This behavioural shift to more sustainable consumption model supports both national and EU-wide efforts toward a circular economy, where products last longer, cost less over time, and have a reduced environmental footprint", Stokes added. With the new energy label, consumers are better equipped than ever to choose smartphones and tablets that last longer, perform better, and support a more sustainable future. To learn more about the energy label for smartphones and tablets, visit our website.

The following is an extract from an interview with Rory McIlroy on how conversations with Bob Rotella have helped his game. "We are talking about not getting too much into results and outcomes, we talk about trying to chase a feeling on the golf course. Like if you're on the golf course, what way do you want to feel when you're playing golf. That's something that is a - it's not something I obviously just do here, but I do every week that I compete. If I can chase that feeling and make that the important thing, then hopefully the golf will take care of itself". Source: Golf News UK - Masters Inteview: Rory McIlroy I have experienced this feeling on the golf course, but not nearly as often as I would like. That feeling, in my words, is best described as playing effortlessly without thoughts of technique, swing planes, or score, etc. That's the day you will smile on the course and have fun with those around you. While playing your best golf. It's never about the score; it's about playing Golf effortlessly. (Or whatever your sport is.) Realising that this is what you are capable of, more often with the right thoughts or no thought process, just doing what comes naturally. Why am I having this conversation with you? About my thoughts on golf? Because I believe the same advice applies when speaking in public. I often encounter people who want or need to be more confident and speak in front of groups, but are hesitant or nervous about doing so. Why? Because I believe they have experienced what people describe as "helpful advice". This advice usually starts with "Let me provide you with some constructive criticism". (Constructive criticism is criticism with the word constructive added to soften the blow - it does not!) Speak slower, speak quicker, louder; don't put your hands in your pockets, make eye contact, imagine your audience is naked, etc., etc. You know the drill. All of the above advice merely increases people's nervousness and diverts the focus from your purpose and reason for speaking to this group. Golf Lesson: Anyone who has experienced a golf lesson from a friend will know the drill: keep your head down, turn from the waist, wait for your shoulders to touch your chin, finish high, all leading to total confusion and exasperation. My wife went to a very well-known golf professional for a lesson some years ago, which consisted of him telling her to 'hit down on the ball' for the whole lesson. The problem was that she did not know what he meant by 'hit down on the ball', and he did not explain or demonstrate; he just assumed she understood. Good coaches, firstly, listen to understand and then provide simple, clear instructions enabling you to progress. Bob Rotella Bob Rotella says you should do this when standing over your golf ball on the course. Look at the target Look at the ball Swing the club What this series of actions does is clear your mind of all the junk usually going around in your head. The advice I provide to my clients as part of their preparation is also a three-step process. Research your audience You know your subject/topic; otherwise, you would not be asked to speak Believe in yourself and they will BELIEVE in you Like Bob Rotella, I aim to keep my clients' heads clear of all the noise and stress that are usually associated with speaking to a group. PS Golf is not a game of perfect, and neither will you be perfect when presenting, but you can be BELIEVABLE and that is what audiences WANT! By Executive Coach Andrew Keogh of Aristo.ie More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. W...

Studio Ulster, a world-class virtual production company in Northern Ireland, has collaborated with Dell Technologies to elevate its virtual production capabilities. By leveraging Dell's AI infrastructure solutions, Studio Ulster is set to redefine the future of on-screen innovation. Why does it matter? Studio Ulster's £72 million virtual production facility in Belfast positions Northern Ireland as a global leader in virtual production. Developed by Ulster University in partnership with Belfast Harbour Commission and supported by Northern Ireland Screen, the facility is home to some of the world's most advanced virtual production technologies, pushing the boundaries of cinematic storytelling through using LED panels to create real-time, in-camera digital environments. The facility also houses CoSTAR Screen Lab, an integrated R&D lab driving advancements in screen and performance technology. Advancing Creativity Through AI Innovation Dell PowerEdge R760 servers provide the computing power required to handle the complex and resource-intensive workloads of virtual production. This technology supports multiple production stages, accelerates workflows and raises the bar for visual quality, enabling teams to bring their cinematic visions to life with confidence and ease. Leveraging Dell's extensive GPU technology ecosystem, the Dell team identified and deployed the optimal graphics cards to meet the environment's demanding rendering requirements, while ensuring seamless compatibility with the Unreal Engine matrix. Dell PowerScale's advanced AI capabilities are transforming how Studio Ulster delivers cutting-edge virtual production solutions. With trillions of data points generated every day, teams can now train machine learning models directly within their workflow - empowering artists to create and customise virtual sets quickly and efficiently from existing libraries. This saves production teams time and resources by eliminating the need to build sets from scratch. Dell PowerScale extends this high-performance foundation with next-generation data management, supporting intensive motion capture and 3D/4D scanning workflows. Its robust, scalable architecture ensures that massive data volumes move securely and quickly. Driving Sustainability and Global Impact Virtual production is transforming entertainment mediums everywhere, from blockbuster films to hit television shows to AAA gaming titles. It's not only faster and more cost-effective than traditional methods but also more sustainable. Ulster University's research shows that virtual production can reduce carbon emissions by up to 50% compared to conventional filming. The studio further amplifies its sustainability efforts by operating on 100% renewable energy and maintaining a BREEAM Excellent certification. Dell and Ulster University share a long-standing research partnership, spanning health, life sciences, and digital media. This collaboration has fueled innovation through PhD research funding and joint projects in media and entertainment. Professor Declan Keeney, CEO of Studio Ulster, said: "As we expand our virtual production capabilities, having the right infrastructure to manage intensive computational workloads is essential. Dell's expertise in compute and storage makes it the ideal partner to support our needs today and in the future. From managing terabytes of daily data to unlocking AI's potential, Dell's solutions are integral to how we're using technology to develop cutting-edge solutions within the entertainment industry." Mark Hopkins, General Manager, Ireland and Northern Ireland, Dell Technologies, said: "With AI transformation accelerating, Dell is empowering businesses across the island of Ireland to seamlessly adopt AI, drive faster insights, improve efficiency, and accelerate business outcomes. Together, with Studio Ulster, we're pioneering advancements in creative production, filmmaking, and immersive experiences for global audiences." More about Irish Tec...

Upscale Conference held it's annual European gathering last week in picturesque Málaga, Spain. Creativity and AI may seem strange bedfellows to some with the efficiency drive of AI bumping up against the messy organic nature of creative production. But the bubbling enthusiasm evident at Upscale Conf shows that there are plenty that believe it's an augmentation to the creative process rather than a replacement. Upscale Conf is into its third year with AI Entrepreneur Linus Ekenstam as circus master keeping the crowds energised and making sure the focus is always on the creative output rather than the intricacies of AI models. Upscale Conference 2025 reviewed The optimism evident over the talks spoke to a resilience that design was always governed by the human as editor. Marten Kuipers of Dutch design firm DEPT® proclaimed that "AI does not have taste but you do" gaining a loud cheer from the room. While the AI advancements mean that all sectors are experiencing upheaval, we would expect the stalwarts of the creative industry to be treating AI with kid gloves. Veterans Frog Design were represented by Andreas Markdalen who emphasized the importance of human creativity and collaboration in the face of AI, arguing that the ability to connect with people emotionally and create meaningful experiences remains the most crucial factor in the success of any design project. But AI is pushing barriers and breaking rules and nowhere is this more evident than viral AI video breakout stars The Dor Brothers. Ironically Yonathan Dor is the only Dor that exists, but it doesn't stop him putting out hugely popular political satires with an irreverent group of 10 employees. Given the reaction to the videos, it's maybe no surprise that the White House called him looking for more of his edgy style. Riot But the economics of the media landscape still prevail. As Yonathan Dor states, the Dor Brothers is "still a business. So sometimes we post an ad, they're like, what the fuck is this? Sorry guys, we need to make money. Yeah, you know, we're up front. I think at the end of the day what people appreciate is transparency and honesty." At the moment AI has become a lightning rod for all the controversies, anxiety and optimism swirling around society at large. But as our media landscape is changing Nacho Floristan of Google Cloud predicts that 80% of global internet traffic will be video by 2030. Whether that is dominated entirely by AI generated content remains to be seen. FreePik Spaces One of the common issues around AI generation is the parallel task to run models, compare outputs, test parameters and tweak workflows. A hodge podge of techniques might work for an individual, but has been hampering the ability for companies and groups to adopt AI into their workflows. Upscale's sponsor, the local Málaga firm, FreePik, used the conference venue to launch their solution to this problem. FreePik Spaces is an impressive blend of collaboration features and node based workflows. FreePik seems to be tackling the bugbear of most enthusiasts in this Creative AI space. What was previously only available to ComfyUI tinkerers and those comfortable with GitHub repositories is now a node or two away. Brands can stay aligned while generating work and the shared canvas means iterations and feedback can be visible to all. Freepik Spaces: The infinite canvas for creative workflows FreePik for their part sees it as becoming less noticeable even while being more integrated into our lives. Speaking to Irish Tech News, their CEO Joaquin Cuenca said that "wider society will eventually normalize AI, just like computers became commonplace. As AI becomes more integrated into products and services, it will become less noticeable and its impact will be more subtle, focusing on the value of the product itself rather than its AI capabilities." More avenues for AI Slop? The idea that AI is shovelling out slop of low quality and dubious use was not shared by most attendees. Max Ott...

URGREEN have recently launched the NASync DH2300 and the NASync DH4300 Plus for the UK and Irish market. We reviewed the NASync DH4300 Plus here, but today we are looking at the more budget-friendly NASync DH2300. The NASync DH2300 is a 2-Bay device which is really easy to set up and use and is aimed at the beginner market. Even so, it doesn't skimp on features, and the unit is very well spec'd for its price. What's in the Box Inside the box, the NASync DH2300 comes with a power supply, Ethernet cable, an instruction manual, a set of screws for fastening drives into the carriers for each bay, and a small screwdriver. Specs Initial Setup The setup of the NASync DH2300 is very straightforward, even for a beginner. The included manual will step you through each step if it's your first time, and for anyone else who has any experience with PCs, you will be up and running in no time. The two drive bays are accessed from a cover at the top of the device. Once removed it reveals two hard driver carriers which can be removed by squeezing two tabs together and pulling up. The carriers can accept both 2.5" and 3.5" hard drives or SSDs. UGREEN include the screws and a small screwdriver to help you secure your chosen drives in the carriers. We went with two 4TB, 3.5" drives from Seagate to test out how the unit will perform. It is best practice with NAS to use matching drives to avoid any performance or storage issues. We fitted both drives and then connected the power supply and Ethernet cable to a free port on a router in the office, and we were ready to power the device up for the first time. Time to Boot! We powered up the device and checked the manual to see how we could find the device on our network. To find your device, you open a browser on your PC and navigate to find.ugnas.com. From there, you are presented with a UGOS Pro operating system and UI, which will guide you through the setup. The UI guides you through creating an Admin account, linking an email address, and once that is done, it configures the system for a few minutes and then presents you with the UI of the operating system. In total, from pressing the button on the front of the device to turn it on, to the initial setup being complete, and the OS being available to use, took 8 minutes. The next thing you need to do is to create a Volume using the storage pool available and select the RAID option you require. As this is a 2-bay device, there are fewer RAID options than there are with the larger 4-bay NASync DH4300 Plus. We went with RAID 1, which is the recommended choice for a two-drive system. This allows for your data to be stored and backed up on each of the drives, so if one drive fails, your data will still be safe. The steps to set this up are easy and explained to you along the way. Once you have selected what you want, the system creates the storage pool. As we used large capacity spinning disks, this took about 20 hours to complete. The system is usable during this time, so you can get busy adding users, installing apps and setting up remote access. NASync DH2300 Features The NASync DH2300, while more budget-friendly, is still feature-packed and includes everything you need to a device like that. Multiple Users It is possible to add multiple users to the NAS and allocate certain access rights and storage quotas, all of which is easily managed from the Control Panel. Remote Access Remote access to the UI is available either through an intermediary server or through port forwarding if you choose to set it up this way. Ports The NASync DH2300 comes with three high-speed USB ports (2 x Type A & 1 x Type C) as well as a 1GbE port and an HDMI port that supports 4K/ 60Hz. File Services There is support for common file transfer services such as SMB, FTP and NFS, making it really easy to map/access the device's storage from your PC's file explorer. The range of services ensures support for just about any of the main PC operating systems. Security The sys...

Oxford University study: Climate policy strengthens globally, despite unprecedented contestation in the US and Europe Granular survey of 37 major countries' climate-related laws and regulations, compiled by Oxford University researchers and dozens of leading global law firms, gives most detailed view yet of how climate policy is developing at a time of unprecedented political contestation. Although the Trump Administration has reversed climate rules in the US, companies face increasing global compliance obligations: over 200 new rules were approved across the 37 countries in 2024 and the first half of 2025, 75% of which appeared outside Europe and North America. On balance, climate policies are getting stronger. Across the 37 jurisdictions, policies moved closer to best practice in 82 instances and weakened in 42 instances. Climate policy strengthening globally Developing countries increasingly set the pace of climate action. Overall, however, policies remain insufficient to close the gap between targets and actions and prevent severe climate impacts. FULL REPORT (non-discoverable link available to media ahead of embargo lifting): https://www.bsg.ox. ac.uk/sites/default/files/ 2025-11/Annual%20Climate% 20Policy%20Monitor%20Report% 202025.pdf As countries meet at COP30 in the Amazon, a new Oxford University study gives the most detailed view yet of how different nations' laws and regulations are aligning - or not - to climate goals. The survey of climate policies across 37 countries (including the whole of the G20) was developed through pro-bono partnerships with dozens of leading law firms around the world. "Nations and companies have made ambitious climate pledges, but to prevent catastrophic climate change what matters is concrete, implemented, enforceable rules", says co-lead Professor Thomas Hale at Oxford University's Blavatnik School of Government. "That's what we're surveying." Since the last survey in 2024, new and strengthened climate policies can be found across the world, especially in Asia and emerging markets. For instance: Brazil, Kenya and Nigeria operationalised carbon markets. China has set out a regulatory framework for banks and insurance firms to promote carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. The Philippines' New Government Procurement Act seeks to redirect the country's USD$52 billion+ in annual procurement spending towards greener and more sustainable purchases. And the State of California adopted ambitious transparency rules requiring companies to disclosure information about their greenhouse gas emissions and the risks they face from climate change. At the same time, the Trump Administration has rolled back climate policies in the US, and the EU has begun to revise or delay climate rules in areas like corporate disclosure, though the outcome of that process remains unclear. "In this climate of contestation climate policy is fragmenting, but even in that fragmented landscape the global direction of travel remains clear and points to transition: the vast majority of nations continue to create and strengthen climate rules in the policy areas we surveyed", says co-lead Dr Thom Wetzer, Associate Professor at Oxford's Faculty of Law and Director of the Oxford Sustainable Law Programme. Professor Hale of Oxford's Blavatnik School of Government adds: "The engine of climate policy has moved to emerging economies. In some regulatory domains, like rules requiring companies to disclose their emissions and other information related to climate change, African and Latin American countries now show higher ambition, on average, than European and North American countries. The US rollback has a real impact, but the long-term trend to transition remains increasingly clear even in the face of unprecedented contestation." Overall, however, policies are still insufficient to close the persistent gap between targets and actions, and so prevent catastrophic climate change. While countries, companies, and other actors continue...

'A win for people-led rewilding' - new hutting law to unlock public land to connect people and nature. Last night (4 November) MSPs in the Scottish Parliament voted to create a new hutting law compelling the Scottish Government to publish a model lease for hutting on public land. The change to the law will make it easier for people across Scotland to access public land for low-impact, sustainable hutting in future. New hutting law to unlock public land to connect people and nature Huts are simple homes where people can reconnect with nature and experience the land off-grid. Reforesting Scotland's 1000 Huts Campaign says that a culture of recreational hut use would benefit people greatly, including by bringing people close to nature, cultivating practical skills in low-carbon living, fostering community, and offering benefits for health and wellbeing. With hutting depending on access to land for huts, campaigners from Reforesting Scotland and the Scottish Rewilding Alliance had called on the Scottish Government to publish a draft lease for hutters on public land. The successful campaign for a legal change was inspired by a pilot project at Carnock in southwest Fife, which has seen a pioneering lease enable a group of hutters to build 12 huts on the national forest estate. Al Whitworth, Director of Reforesting Scotland, said: "This is another success for our ongoing 1000 Huts Campaign, and we're delighted that the Scottish Government has again recognised the benefits of making a model lease available for hutting on public land. We hope this will help unlock more sites where hutters can enjoy nature protected by a strong legal agreement." Steve Micklewright, co-convenor of the Scottish Rewilding Alliance and chief executive of Trees for Life, said: "It's great to see the Scottish Government supporting the need for a model lease for hutting in the new Land Reform Bill. As well as restoring nature in a big way, rewilding is about people and restoring our relationship with the land. Hutting offers a fantastic way for more people to share in, and care for, Scotland's landscapes. This is a win for people-led rewilding." The successful changes to the bill were proposed in Parliament by Ariane Burgess, Scottish Greens MSP for the Highlands and Islands. "Opening up more public land for hutting will in turn create all sorts of opportunities for people to get closer to nature and develop practical skills, and will foster community and co-operation. I'm really pleased to see the Scottish Government recognising the importance of hutting in the new Land Reform Bill by supporting my proposed amendment. This positive result should benefit people for years to come," said Ariane Burgess. The hutting win represents a double success for the Scottish Rewilding Alliance's recommendations on the Land Reform Bill. MSPs voted on 28 October to create a law obliging the owners of large landholdings over 1,000 hectares to publish plans on how they will increase biodiversity - which the Alliance says represents a 'big step towards a Rewilding Nation'. While celebrating the two new laws, the Alliance says that with Scotland one of the world's most nature-depleted countries, the Scottish Government needs to be more ambitious going forwards. Although the Scottish government is committed to protect at least 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030, just 2.5% of Scotland's land is currently rewilding - with current rates of increase meaning it will take 65 years before major nature restoration is underway across 30% of the country. Rewilding is the large-scale restoration of nature to a state where it can look after itself, focusing on restoring natural processes and, where appropriate, reintroducing missing species. The Scottish Rewilding Alliance is calling on the Scottish Government to declare Scotland the world's first Rewilding Nation, bringing in bold legislation to support rewilding. Polling has shown this is supported by over 80% of the Scottish public....

Bluetech's wind-optimized SeaWasp tanker design models demonstrate significant gains in propulsion power and fuel savings on representative trade routes, based on a joint research project with tanker owner International Seaways, Inc. (INSW) Bluetech partnered with NYSE-listed INSW to explore a critical question: Can wind propulsion deliver more power in our ships of the future? Advanced simulations using Bluetech's new 'SeaWasp' vessel design showed the answer to be a resounding yes. SeaWasp boosts vessel performance With the support of wind-propulsion specialist Norsepower, Bluetech modified its BT50 design to extract maximum forward thrust from two 35-metre Rotor SailsTM. This resulted in a total savings of up to 876 kW of propulsion power on one representative INSW MR tanker route from San Francisco to South Korea - equating to around 597.2 MT of fuel per annum. The design modifications alone are estimated to contribute 104 kW or 71.5 MT of the savings, effectively improving the vessel's overall performance by around 13.5% in certain conditions. Wind-assisted ship propulsion (WASP or sometimes WAPS) technologies have traditionally been used to add propulsion power to existing ship types that were not originally designed to accommodate such forces. Even newbuild projects that integrate WASP from the planning phase make little or no changes to the ship's overall design beyond what is necessary to install the units and comply with regulations. However, Bluetech's designers went back to the drawing board with SeaWasp, creating a vessel that is purpose-designed for wind, but still practical for INSW MR fleet operations. STRONG FOCUS ON OPERATING PROFILE "We set out to develop a ship that is entirely WASP-optimized, but maintains every essential operational feature and meets all trade-specific terminal and port restrictions," said Sam Robin, Director of Energy Savings Solutions at Bluetech. Michael LaGrassa, Director of Performance and New Construction at INSW, added: "We focused on more than just energy savings and emissions reduction - our goal was a concept design that works in the real-world conditions of the MR trade. That meant ensuring reasonable build costs, equivalent cargo capacity and a design fit for purpose. Our approach was to test a wide range of scenarios across the MR trade, rather than rely on selectively favorable assumptions." For this reason, the project also carefully examined the lower end of the savings potential. For example, on a route from South Korea to Singapore, the SeaWasp saves 185.9 MT or 275 kW per annum versus a conventionally powered BT50, due to the prevailing wind directions. Keeping such a baseline allowed for a range in the data analysis and ensured that any commercial projections were realistic. EFFICIENCY BY DESIGN - ABOVE AND BELOW THE WATERLINE "On routes where wind propulsion offers limited advantage, the inherent efficiency of the vessel's core design becomes paramount. The BT50 design is itself approximately 12% more efficient than the typical tanker performance profiles in the sample fleet. Our design modifications enhance that efficiency even further," said Robin. One ground-breaking feature beneath the waterline is a unique new fin design dubbed 'blueSURF' that computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis shows has significant power saving potential. "We were genuinely surprised to see such pronounced benefits in power demand, making the fins an additional powerful design modification that improves the case for WASP deployment," said Juha Hanhinen, Head of Hydrodynamics at Bluetech. Modifications above the waterline include an aero upper deck and superstructure, as well as semi-enclosed mooring stations to reduce wind disturbance. COMPARING CONFIGURATIONS The project also examined which Rotor SailsTM configuration - four smaller 24-metre devices instead of the two 35-metre devices - had the best combination of cost versus thrust. "Each configuration had slightly better performan...

AI Research Lab: Has Human Intelligence Stagnated? By David Stephen "The advances in machine learning have taught us more about the essence of intelligence than anything that neuroscience has discovered in the past hundred years." - Doris Tsao, neuroscience professor at the University of California, Berkeley. The world has been unable to solve most of the major global problems in the last few years. This is not about things that went bad but needed to be solved to return to the preexisting status, but major problems that would have exponentially advanced the world - including in economics. Nations, mostly, are not solving their national problems either. There are projects, budgets and much else, but there is mostly stagnation, in most nations, across the globe. Has Human Intelligence Stagnated? Though it is true that there are lots of differences from centuries ago, progress, at this time, has become incremental. Sometimes, negligible. The lack of solutions to [most of] the world's problems is an indication that human intelligence may have peaked. People complain about brain rot, AI slop, doom scrolling, and much else. There are layoffs, hiring freezes, illegal migration and deportations, automation, and so forth. The numbers of universities, institutes, centers, labs, startups and so forth have ballooned, yet fewer major problems are getting solved because human intelligence is having efficiency issues. Human are sticking with intelligence with little economic value. Several problems that would not even require huge facilities or funding, where there is no excuse for not doing something excellent, yet nothing of major usefulness gets done. Criticisms are often partitioned. Oh, it's this political party, or that group, or that device or app, or whatever. Maybe some have had an effect, but the core is that major problems are no longer within reach for solutions. Human intelligence seems to be at sunset, after rapid progress in the last 200 years. So, for now, there is often something to utilize to manage most problems or find a way around [minor] problems [that were major, years ago]. And when big problems cannot be solved, which is a purpose in itself, then small or new problems take the stage and non-problems as well. Most importantly, human intelligence became adapted to finding ease, as the world became easier. AI is not suddenly making people lazy or unwilling to think, work, try or whatever else, human intelligence had already dwindled, unable to action solutions, then AI came along. LLMs Capex AI is the only thing propping the economy because AI is the only thing worth investing in, it seems and it is the only direction where growth in intelligence appears possible. Hence, the prospect for solutions, so the stock market gives AI all its mitochondria. The capital expenditures on large language models, by four of the big tech, was reported to be $360 billion in the last year. It was shown that jobs openings, since 2022, after ChatGPT was launched had plummeted, compared to the surge in the stock market. All these are signals that hiring en masse for the expectation that problems would get solved is now anachronistic. Managing or operating things are the outline of most tasks, while improvement that are expected are marginal - or spread over a long, unknown time. The United Nations does not have any world day for human intelligence. There should be a world day for human intelligence every month, starting from this November 10, 2025 and then December 20, 2025 and some date per month. There is no human intelligence research lab on earth. Neither the World Health Organization nor the United Nations has it. People are hating on AI. They are critical of data centers, in investments, energy consumption and water. However, there is something more to these. In recent years, several investments have been made to processes involving human intelligence - while some things are complex, and take a lot of time - most of those have not...

Glitch has raised €2 million in seed funding to make digital advertising faster and easier for lean marketing teams and boutique agencies. The round was led by Elkstone, with participation from Gaingels, HBAN, and several European angel investors backing the company's next stage of growth. Founded by Aisling Browne and Kingsley Kelly, Glitch is an AI-powered ad platform that helps B2B marketers launch high-performing campaigns in minutes. It automates campaign setup, targeting, budget allocation, and daily optimisation, while delivering detailed reports showing which audiences, copy, and keywords drive results. These insights power smarter campaigns and give marketing a strategic voice across the business. The company was built around one insight: lean teams don't lack strategy, they lack time. By automating repetitive, data-heavy tasks, Glitch gives B2B marketers the same performance edge as larger organisations with in-house specialists. Early customers report a 5x increase in conversion rates, a 9% lift in click-through rates, and a 30% reduction in cost per acquisition compared to previous setups. "Digital advertising shouldn't feel like decoding a foreign language," said Aisling Browne, CEO and Co-Founder of Glitch."We built Glitch to give lean teams the power, insights, and confidence to run high-performing campaigns - saving hours ofmanual work and removing the guesswork." Browne and Kelly met through Founders, the Dogpatch Labs talent accelerator, where they teamed up around a shared goal to simplify and modernise B2B advertising. Since then, Glitch has grown into a platform used by companies including Protex AI, Web Summit, We Are Riley, Mango Media, and Squid Loyalty. "In a crowded digital marketing landscape, Glitch stands out because it delivers measurable results for its clients," said Niall McEvoy, Managing Director - Venture at Elkstone. "The team has built a platform that truly empowers B2B marketers and boutique agencies - simplifying campaign management while driving performance." The impact of Glitch's platform is evident in customer collaborations. "Over the past four months, our partnership with Glitch Ads has significantly improved campaign efficiency and overall ad performance," said Dan Hobbs, CEO and Co-Founder at Protex AI. "Their data-driven optimisation, transparent communication, and automation tools have delivered measurable gains while allowing our team to focus on higher-value strategic initiatives." "Glitch handled the heavy lifting for our Search Ads. It's like having an extra performance marketer for our team" said Barry McCullagh, Senior Vice President at Web Summit. The new funding will be used to support Glitch's international expansion, grow its commercial teams, and launch new features - including multi-platform integrations with Meta Ads and LinkedIn. The company will also roll out CRM integrations designed to enhance cross-platform reporting and provide clearer visibility into campaign performance and attribution. See more stories here. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at Info@IrishTechNews.ie now to find out more about how we can help you reach our audience. You can also find and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

Coffee from the sky: inside Manna's drone delivery service in Dublin 15 In parts of Dublin, takeaway deliveries no longer arrive by car. They come from above. From a launch pad at Blanchardstown Shopping Centre, Irish company Manna Air Delivery has been flying small autonomous drones over the suburb since February 2024, dropping coffees, groceries and take-away orders into gardens and driveways. For residents in the catchment area, it's gone from novelty to routine. For the rest of Ireland, and for visitors hearing about it for the first time, it still sounds like science fiction. Manna's operation in Dublin 15 has already completed more than 52,000 deliveries, part of over 200,000 flights worldwide since the company was founded. The service has removed thousands of local road journeys in Blanchardstown alone, replacing short van and car trips with battery-powered flights. What is the Manna's drone delivery service? At its simplest, Manna is a local delivery service that swaps vans and scooters for small aircraft. Customers order through the Manna app, choosing from 49 partner businesses in and around Blanchardstown Shopping Centre. That list includes independent Irish grocers, bookshops, clothing stores and a butcher alongside a number of national brands. Once the order is confirmed, staff at Manna's base pack it into a standardised cargo box. A drone is loaded, lifted to the launch point and sent on its way. The aircraft flies at up to 80 km/h, typically within a 3 km radius of the centre, though some routes stretch to 6 km. Most deliveries take five to six minutes from loading to drop-off. When the drone reaches the delivery point, it hovers, lowers the box on a tether, releases it gently, and returns to base for the next job. For the customer, the experience is simple: order, track the aircraft on the app, collect the parcel from the lawn or driveway. The complexity lies elsewhere. How it works behind the scenes? Manna's aircraft are fully autonomous, but they don't operate alone. Every flight is supervised from the company's operations hub in Glasnevin, where trained staff monitor multiple missions on large screens. Each drone follows a pre-approved flight path designed to avoid obstacles and respect agreed corridors with the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA). Onboard sensors and navigation systems manage altitude, speed and route, while ground staff can intervene if needed. Power comes from rechargeable batteries which are swapped between flights and charged using renewable electricity. According to an independent emissions study, Manna's drones are up to eight times more efficient in CO? terms than a petrol car doing the same delivery. The company estimates that in each suburb it operates, the service cuts local emissions by around 150 tonnes a year. Safety? Manna's safety case is built on redundancy. Each aircraft has dual motors, backup communications and automatic return-to-base protocols. If something unexpected happens - a sudden change in wind, or a technical fault - the drone is designed to take the safest possible action without waiting for human input. The operation in Dublin 15 runs at roughly 140 flights per day, serving a population of about 120,000 people. Every one of those flights is logged. "We're running a delivery service, not a tech experiment" Eoghan Huston, Manna's Chief Operating Officer, detailed that his emphasis was less on the drones themselves and more on the discipline needed to run them at scale. "The technology does most of the work," he said, "but what makes it real is the operational discipline. We treat every flight like an airline flight - logged, checked, verified." Each mission is authorised by a safety supervisor before take-off. After landing, data from the flight are reviewed and fed back into the system to improve performance and reliability. "People assume we just press 'go' and the drone flies off," Huston added. "In reality, it's a carefully controlled environment with layers o...

We look at the new FlexiSpot Power Swivel Rocker Recliner with Waffle Back. See more about it here. FlexiSpot Power Swivel Rocker Waffle Recliner reviewed At first our reviewers wondered if the Waffle Recliner was a concept like Emmet's double decker sofa in the Lego movie. Good, dumb, fun, interesting, crazy, impossible, or some mix of all of them. In the demo video there is someone laughing and chatting with a glass of wine in the chair. Initially this raised alarm bells, suppose they spilt the wine, but of course this was the point. The chair is stain resistant, so, as we use the chair for leisure and pleasure as well as work, it does it's job, and ensures it is future proofed, to some degree at least. There are charging ports too, so, like Emmet's buddies initial responses, 'that is the literally the dumbest idea I have ever heard of', maybe, just maybe as our testers pushed back in my conversation with them, it is actually quite handy. If you think about it, how many times are you sitting in your current, pre-waffle chair, with a cable snaking it's way over the edge and up into your lap? Yep, admit it, you have done it, so, therefore, maybe it is not actually quite the dumbest idea ever afterall!? The waffle concept seemed a bit sketchy at first too, just think about all the actual waffle crumbs that could end up in the waffle cushioning? Of course it is better designed than that, and it actually works well. We preferred the green option, and it has a cosy feel to it. A good point made by our testers was the limited range of colours however, they were not sure that, if there were only two colours that these would be the only two that they would offer. Maybe more will be added in the future perhaps. The swivel and rocking sound good in theory, but, you would probably also want to be confident that, once you have found your sweet spot, it is something that you can then fix and ensure that this preferred setting remains locked in place. There is a nice element of fun to the swivel waffle chair and our testers enjoyed road testing it. One to check out perhaps when your boss declines your pay rise, but you can at least counter with this to help you out for your deep thinking moments instead? More about the FlexiSpot Power Swivel Rocker Recliner with Waffle Back Experience comfort that moves with your mood. Whether you're relaxing, reading, or chatting with loved ones, the FlexiSpot Power Swivel Rocker Recliner lets you unwind your way - with gentle rocking, smooth swivel motion, and effortless power adjustment for ultimate relaxation. Designed for both comfort and convenience, it reclines up to 135°, includes USB and USB-C charging ports, and features extra padding for superior back and lumbar support. The wide armrests and non-compressed cushioning create a cozy, supportive feel right out of the box. Crafted with easy-care chenille fabric, it's waterproof, oil-proof, and stain-resistant, making maintenance stress-free. From its plush waffle-back design to its modern functionality, this recliner redefines home comfort - so you can relax clean, stay serene, and enjoy every moment. Sale details: From November 12-18 its discounted from 499.99 to 379.99, see here for more information. See more product reviews here. Irish Tech News is an award-winning online publication aimed at keeping you informed of all the latest news from the world of Technology. With the main focus on Irish based news, we cover a wide range of topics from social media and smartphones to start-ups and SMEs. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help pro...

Government-backed not-for-profit Business For Biodiversity Ireland has opened up its membership for 2026 to Irish businesses now and said there is no time to lose for the private sector to start factoring nature into decision-making to maintain a sustainable society and economy for Ireland. BFBI is partnering with global experts Business For Nature, Deloitte WorldClimate and KPMG Sustainable Futures Teams as they deliver a Nature Strategy Accelerator Programme, including an online information hub, step-by-step guidance and workshops to help Irish businesses of every size and sector to be prepared and understand the steps they should be taking regarding nature-related risk. Nature initiative for Irish businesses to boost biodiversity BFBI Executive Director Dr Maria Fitzpatrick said: "It is clear that 'business as usual' is not an option anymore, as the 2025 WWF Global Risks Report warns, four of the top 10 risks in the 10-year forecast are environment-related risks. With our Nature Strategy Accelerator Programme, we support our members to understand the risks ahead, build resilience in the face of those challenges and find ways to adapt to what's in store." BFBI offers expert guidance and peer support, with long-term members including Bank of Ireland, Iarnród Éireann/Irish Rail, ESB and SAP Landscapes involved since soon after BFBI's founding in 2021, with seed-funding support from National Parks and Wildlife Services and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. "Their feedback as they navigate the evolving sustainability reporting landscape has helped shape the BFBI Nature Strategy Accelerator Programme which incorporates international best practice, leading science-based frameworks and updates to help businesses to stay abreast of ESG regulation. "The members currently in our Strategy Track have been working closely with us since close to our inception and have been developing and honing their Nature Strategy and feeding back to us in workshops about the challenges and opportunities involved in navigating stakeholder engagement, environmental reporting and monitoring and assessment of their biodiversity actions in an ongoing, iterative process. Their testimonials feature on our website and our new brochure, available at businessforbiodiversity.ie" Many more businesses are joining each year, and BFBI has been undertaking research and educational collaborations with Irish institutions including Trinity College Dublin and Bord Iascaigh Mhara, and fellow initiatives including Horizon Nua and Go Nature Positive, and now various local authorities as they lead the movement to a Nature Positive Economy for Ireland. Maria adds: "We are collaborating on an upcoming free webinar with Waterford City & County Council. The overall aim of all our work is to support businesses in the move to a Nature Positive Economy for Ireland. This is a concept that emerged as a global goal, via a collaborative forum of business and nature institutions of which BFBI is a member, which aims to ensure, put simply, more nature in the world in 2030 than in 2020 and continued recovery after that. We advocate for ensuring that all of our economic and policy decisions are made with this goal in mind." BFBI has also collaborated with National Parks and Wildlife Services on the Biodiversity Duty for Public Bodies - a guidance document on how to assess and report on their biodiversity impacts and actions, launched earlier this year by Minister for Nature Christopher O'Sullivan, Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage. What is the Business For Biodiversity Ireland Nature Strategy Accelerator Programme? The Nature Strategy Accelerator Programme consists of four stages to progress through at the businesses' own pace. Discovery Track: The free introductory 10-step Discovery Track is a great way to swiftly learn how to make the business case for nature with access to online resources and webinars. Action Track: Paid members will then advance th...

Equal1 is proud to announce its selection by the European Space Agency (ESA) to install a cutting-edge Hybrid Quantum Computing (HQC) System for Earth Observation (EO). This landmark partnership will bring Equal1's advanced Bell-1 Quantum Computer to ESA, marking a significant leap forward in applying quantum technologies to critical space applications. This partnership was carried out as part of ESA FutureEO flagship programme- a driving force for innovation and excellence across satellite missions, Earth system science and Earth action, all in pursuit of a more sustainable and resilient future. The installation of HQC will be part of ESA ?-lab's Quantum Computing for Earth Observation (QC4EO) initiative and aims to leverage the unique capabilities of quantum systems to accelerate the processing of complex Earth Observation data structures. Equal1's innovative approach, utilizing silicon spin qubits fabricated in CMOS technology, offers a scalable and efficient solution to tackle some of the most challenging computational problems in space science. "We are incredibly excited to partner with the European Space Agency on this transformative project," said Jason Lynch, CEO of Equal1. "Our Bell-1 Quantum Computer, designed for seamless integration into existing HPC environments, is perfectly suited to augment ESA's capabilities. This collaboration underscores our shared vision of making quantum computing a powerful tool for accelerating complex data center workloads, especially in vital areas like Earth Observation." Revolutionising Earth Observation with Hybrid Quantum Computing Earth Observation generates vast amounts of data, essential for climate modelling, weather forecasting, disaster monitoring, and precise image analysis. Classical computing, while powerful, faces limitations in processing these increasingly complex datasets. Hybrid Quantum Computing, which combines the strengths of quantum processors with traditional High-Performance Computing (HPC), offers a promising pathway to overcome these challenges. Equal1's Bell-1 Quantum Computer, a 6-qubit system, will serve as the core quantum processing unit. Its rack-mounted design, integrated closed-cycle cryocooler, and low power consumption (1600 W) make it ideal for deployment within ESA's existing infrastructure. This integration will enable ESA scientists to explore quantum algorithms for applications such as Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) raw data processing and mission planning for satellite constellations, demonstrating theoretical and practical advantages over purely classical methods. "This is an exciting and significant moment for us at ESA's Earth Observation Programmes, marking a major advancement in our mission to monitor our planet," stated Simonetta Cheli, Director of ESA's Earth Observation Programmes and Head of ESRIN. "The complexities of Earth Observation data, from environmental monitoring to disaster response, require unprecedented processing power, and we are thrilled that this collaboration between Equal1 and ESA could pave the way for hosting the first quantum computer at ESA." Equal1's commitment to innovation extends beyond the current Bell-1 system. The design of this system will emphasise "plug-and-play" upgradeability, ensuring seamless integration of future Bell quantum servers. This forward-looking approach ensures ESA's investment is future-proof, allowing the HQC system to evolve with advancements in quantum technology. Future versions of Equal1's UNITY-Q chips will integrate both quantum and classical computing hardware on the same chip, potentially enabling novel features like real-time quantum error detection and correction. This continuous innovation will be crucial for unlocking the full potential of quantum computing for complex Earth Observation challenges. Equal1 brings a unique blend of technological innovation and deep expertise to this collaboration, making it an ideal partner for ESA's ambitious quantum computing goals. Equal...

FraudSMART, the fraud awareness initiative led by Banking & Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI), is issuing a fresh warning to consumers, particularly those over the age of 50, to be on alert as highly convincing investment scams, promising guaranteed and profitable returns, continue to rise. The latest trend has seen a marked increase in the use of pop-up adverts online and on social media, featuring fake, AI-generated endorsements from celebrities as FraudSMART joins forces with football legend Niall Quinn to launch a new awareness campaign. Niamh Davenport, Head of Financial Crime with BPFI, said: "Scammers are continually finding new and complex ways of luring people into investment scams, often targeting people over 50 who may be looking for an opportunity to top up their finances ahead of retirement or to boost their current pension. In recent months, FraudSMART members have noticed a particular rise in 'pop-up' adverts featuring fake, AI-generated endorsements from well-regarded and trusted celebrities. These scams can promote a wide range of supposed investment opportunities, from cryptocurrencies to more traditional options such as bonds or shares. They can be difficult to recognise as fake, leading to an increasing number of people falling victim." Describing how fraudsters are catching people out, Ms Davenport continued: "Consumers who click on "Learn More" in the pop-up advert are asked to fill in a short form with their contact details so that they can receive more information. This is followed by a call, needless to say not from the featured celebrity, but from a so-called 'financial advisor' of an investment company. The 'advisor' often uses the names and branding of well-recognised banks and investment firms, with some fraudsters even going so far as to create a 'copy-cat' profile on social media of a real employee or 'agent' from an investment firm to convince people of their legitimacy and may even send an email with a link to what looks like a high-end and very convincing brochure. Once the victim is convinced to make an investment and has authorised the payment, as soon as the money has reached the criminal's account, the criminal will quickly transfer the money onwards to numerous other accounts, often abroad, where it is then cashed out." Gardaí have recorded a 21% increase in investment scams in the three months up to October 2025 Niall Smith, Detective Sergeant at the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau, stated: "Last year, almost €31 million was reported stolen in Ireland through investment fraud, up from €14 million in 2021. While overall reports of investment fraud have remained consistent with 2024 levels, a concerning 21% increase has been recorded in the three months up to October 2025, with large sums of money reported stolen. Losses can start anywhere from €250 on a crypto scam, but for bigger investment scams involving bonds and shares, average individual losses are ranging between €30,000 - €40,000, and unfortunately, there are victims who have lost multiples of this. While the amounts may be high, victims are not necessarily wealthy, but often people who have worked hard to build up a pension and are looking for a last opportunity to top up their finances ahead of or during retirement. We would like to advise all members of the public, particularly those over the age of 50, to be on alert for these scams and if you believe you may be victim of investment fraud, to report it to your bank and An Garda Síochána as soon as possible. Always seek trusted advice before making any investments, and if an offer sounds too good to be true, then unfortunately it probably is." FraudSMART joins forces with football legend Niall Quinn to launch national awareness campaign FraudSMART has joined forces with football legend Niall Quinn to launch a nationwide campaign to raise awareness about these investment scams, the red flags to look out for and tips on how people can protect themselves. Mr Quinn stated:...

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless TD joined Microsoft Ireland to unveil research on the use of digital technologies and AI in Irish classrooms, and to announce the expansion of the Microsoft Dream Space Teacher Academy, a free programme designed to empower teachers with the skills to effectively and responsibly use AI and digital technologies in the classroom. Powering new teaching models The research entitled, 'Digital Learning in the Era of AI', reveals how AI and digital technologies are helping to enhance learning and engagement in the classroom. Conducted by 3Gem for Microsoft, the survey of 201 educators across Ireland found that: · 87% use digital technologies to improve productivity and optimise classroom time · 86% say apps and platforms help personalise teaching to meet students' needs · 81% report stronger student engagement when digital tools are used · 72% support increased use of AI tools in the classroom · 83% say they lack formal training in AI While AI is one of the key technologies that teachers are embracing to enhance education and 64% of teachers believe it will positively transform education, adoption varies across the island of Ireland. In Northern Ireland, 74% of teachers report rapid uptake of generative AI, compared to 33% in the Republic. Digital Tools and AI in Classrooms: Opportunities and Challenges When asked about ways to bring technology and AI into the classroom, the top three suggestions agreed on by teachers include collaborative learning (49%), student-led initiatives (47%), and project-based learning (41%), approaches that are at the centre of the approach taken by the Microsoft Dream Space team. The research also highlights a growing integration of digital tools in classrooms, from online worksheets to interactive quizzes, with more experienced teachers using a broader range of tools compared to newer teachers. However, adoption is uneven, especially in schools slower to embrace AI. While 83% of surveyed teachers agree they have not received adequate training to use tech and AI tools effectively, this issue is more pronounced in schools slower to embrace AI, where 67% cite insufficient training as a major barrier, compared to just 32% in faster-adopting schools. Most educators report student use of laptops, tablets, or computers during lessons. In digitally advanced schools, 40% say devices are used in most teaching, compared to just 15% in slower-adopting schools. Overall, 26% of teachers report high usage (over 75% of teaching), while 51% report moderate use. Generative AI has seen the fastest growth among digital tools in the past year, marking a shift in teaching approaches. Adoption also varies by location: 64% of urban educators describe their school's digital transformation as fast or very fast, compared to 45% in suburban and 34% in rural schools. Teachers who use digital tools extensively are more likely to report rapid adoption (74%) than those who use them rarely (30%). Despite these advances, confidence gaps remain, particularly among non-STEM teachers - only 18% feel fully equipped to use digital technology effectively in the classroom. Even among STEM educators, many report that a lack of ongoing support has limited the impact of their training. In fact, 81% of teachers say they are lacking formal training in AI, and there is strong consensus among school leaders (92%) that AI training should be a mandatory part of both initial teacher education (ITE) and continuing professional development (CPD). Microsoft Dream Space Teacher Academy To help address the research findings and support teachers to leverage AI and digital technologies to enhance learning and engagement in the classroom, Microsoft today announced the expansion of its Dream Space Teacher Academy for the 2025/2026 academic year. This free, multi-week programme is designed to help primary and post-primary teachers begin their journey with AI in education. I...

New provisional data from EirGrid shows that 43% of electricity in October came from renewable sources. The majority of renewable energy generated last month came from windfarms, which accounted for 36% of all electricity used in Ireland. Meanwhile, grid-scale solar made up around 2%.2 Total generation from wind energy amounted to 1073 GWh (Gigawatt hours) in October, compared to 920 GWh in September. Electricity system demand for the month stood at 2969 GWh, up slightly from September.3 This compares with official metered data which shows that system demand in October 2024 was 2,877 GWh. This data also shows that 41.5% of electricity came from renewables, with 35% of demand being met by wind energy and 1.1% from grid-scale solar, in October last year. Gas generation accounted for 39% of all electricity used in October and 16% was imported via interconnection. EirGrid recently released its annual Winter Outlook which helps to inform the electricity industry and supports preparation for the coming months. The 2025/26 report covers the period from 3 November 2025 to 5 April 2026. The analysis of Ireland's peak demand over winter indicates that a 1°C decrease in outside temperature results in a 55 MW increase in peak demand, reflecting the fact that electricity demand is heavily influenced by weather conditions. Commenting on the data, Diarmaid Gillespie, Director of System Operations at EirGrid, said: "Wind energy accounted for the majority of renewable generation in October, with total generation from wind energy amounting to 1,073 GWh (Gigawatt hours) over the month. "As we would expect at this time of year, we saw an increase in demand for electricity as we head into the colder months and darker evenings. We recently released our Winter Outlook, which forecast that there will be adequate generation capacity and a reduced risk of system alerts in the coming months."

A researcher at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS) has issued a request for the public to help create the largest Irish archive of photos of the Northern Lights. In May and October 2024, the northern lights were visible across the island of Ireland, caused by some of the most intense geomagnetic storms of the 21st century. These storms were highly documented by people across the island of Ireland through photos on their phones and cameras, and DIAS researchers are now asking for people to share these images as part of a citizen science research project. To find out more and submit your photos, visit https://www.dias.ie/cosmicphysics/astrophysics/aurora-eire/ Dr Alexandra Ruth Fogg, Postdoctoral Fellow with DIAS School of Cosmic Physics, is the lead researcher who is asking for the public to contribute their images to her research so as to create a comprehensive dataset: "We want to create the first archive of auroral photos from the island of Ireland during these exciting events. Using these photos, we will be able to map the location, brightness, colours and shapes of the aurora across Ireland during these two storms. All of these characteristics of the aurora can tell us different things about what's happening in space. This will give us new and unprecedented information about space weather local to Ireland. This research will contribute to our understanding of space weather, which is a natural hazard and will help to bolster local space weather preparedness for the island of Ireland, which is a priority for the Irish government. Calling for as many people as possible to submit images as they can, Dr Fogg said: "The more images we collect from the public, the more information we will be able to find out. If we are able to gather a large archive of photos from people across the island of Ireland, our dataset can become one of the best scientific resources for analysis of the structure and form of the aurora during these two storms". More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at Info@IrishTechNews.ie now to find out more about how we can help you reach our audience. You can also find and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

Proveye, an Irish agri and climate tech company headquartered at NovaUCD in Dublin, today announced that it has been awarded a European Space Agency (ESA) contract to complete the development and deployment of ProvVari. ProvVari is a breakthrough precision fertiliser solution designed to increase productivity and reduce costs for farmers and significantly cut the environmental footprint of grassland farming across Europe. For decades, artificial fertilisers have been central to European food production, but their widespread use has also contributed to nutrient loss, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. The mission of Proveye, which is pioneering AI-driven remote sensing for grassland management, is to change that. With ESA's backing through the ESA Spark Funding initiative, ProvVari will harness space technology to guide the precise application of fertilisers, reducing waste and environmental impact while maintaining productivity and profitability for farmers. Built on Proveye's ProvGrass platform, ProvVari will combine satellite imagery from ESA's Sentinel-1 SAR and Sentinel-2 multispectral missions with high-resolution l imagery drone, GNSS guidance, and soil and meteorological data. The technology will generate variable rate application maps that optimise fertiliser use, safeguard water quality, and support national and European climate and biodiversity goals. "ProvVari has already drawn strong engagement from agri-advisors, machinery manufacturers, and seed and fertiliser companies, as well as a growing community of progressive Irish farmers. Together, these stakeholders reflect the urgent need for tools that help agriculture deliver food security while protecting natural ecosystems," said Jerome O'Connell, CEO, Proveye. He added, "At Proveye, we see little trade-off between farming and nature; our technologies are designed to enable both to thrive, and this ESA contract is a major step forward in our mission to align agricultural productivity with environmental stewardship, biodiversity protection, food security and climate resilience." Peter Finnegan, Manager of ESA Space Solutions Centre Ireland, which administers the ESA Spark Funding mechanism, welcomed Proveye's most recent ESA contract award and said, "The development of the ProvVari platform is an exciting new solution that will yield benefits for farmers and the environment alike, and is a timely intervention when positioned against the challenges of both increasing productivity and reducing negative environmental impact simultaneously." ProvVari will be launched first in Ireland in Q1 2026 before expanding to international markets. Alongside supporting farmers, ProvVari will also provide regulators and policymakers with a powerful mechanism to manage fertiliser use sustainably, contributing to healthier soils, cleaner waters, and more resilient landscapes across Europe. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at Info@IrishTechNews.ie now to find out more about how we can help you reach our audience. You can also find and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

The new Hays Global Talent Tracker, developed by Oxford Economics, shows that Ireland's workforce ranks highly in Innovation and Participation, but that high costs and skills pipelines could impact Ireland's long-term competitiveness when compared to key European rivals. Ireland has been ranked 33rd out of 35 of some of the world's leading economies in the new tracker, reflecting a mixed picture of strong innovation capabilities, offset by significant challenges which bring its ranking down. Overall, the report places Ireland behind European competitors such as Sweden (3rd), the Netherlands (7th), the UK (18th), and Germany (15th). The Global Tracker evaluates each country across five pillars of workforce quality. The pillars examined were Talent Value, Talent Participation, Talent Development, Talent Market Flexibility and Talent Innovation. While Ireland scored rankings in the global top ten for Talent Innovation (9th) and Talent Participation (10th), these strengths were offset by poor performances elsewhere in the other pillars of the tracker. A Story of Two Halves The core opportunity Ireland has to improve is utilising its strengths to address its weaknesses, in order to further improve and invest in workforce growth. Ireland's best results in the tracker reflect a highly educated, engaged, and digitally-savvy workforce that is resilient and ready to meet the demands of a modern economy - a major asset for employers looking to establish here. However, Ireland's ranking falls sharply in the pillars of Talent Value (35th) and Talent Market Flexibility (32nd), driven by high operational costs and growing pressure on skills availability in key sectors. The findings reflect the pressures of a market nearing full employment, where rising business and wage costs present an ongoing need to enhance productivity. Similarly, the ranking for Talent Development (20th) points to the importance of continued investment in Ireland's education and training infrastructure to ensure it keeps producing the specialised skills required to fuel its world-class knowledge sectors into the future. Global Context The Hays Global Talent Tracker concludes that no country performs perfectly across all workforce dimensions, and that those at the very top also have areas for development. Even high-performing nations such as Japan, which tops the overall index, ranks lower in areas like Talent Market Flexibility (17th). This global context shows that the key is not perfection, but for each country to understand and strategically address its unique economic pressures. Barney Ely, Senior Managing Director for Ireland at Hays, said: "The new Hays Global Talent Tracker offers valuable insights for Irish business leaders, policymakers, agencies and educational institutions. Ireland continues to benefit from a highly skilled and innovative workforce, but the findings suggest there are opportunities to strengthen our position further on the global stage. "The report highlights the importance of ensuring that investment in talent aligns with value creation and underscores the need to continue developing the skills pipeline required for tomorrow. "Encouragingly, the report positions Ireland as a country with strong potential to lead through innovation, adaptability, and its commitment to education and workforce development. "At Hays, we support organisations turn insights into action by helping them build workforce strategies that enable long-term success. Our focus remains on connecting employers with talent that drives real value, ensuring Ireland remains a competitive and attractive place to do business globally." More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast emai...

"Certain formats consistently trigger AI Overviews: clear explainers and definitions, step-by-step how-tos, detailed comparisons and buying guides, and local discovery content with consistent business details," writes Laughlin Rigby, Digital Transformation & AI Director of Core Optimisation The search experience has fundamentally changed. Users no longer just scroll through ten blue links, they are reading answers. Google's AI Overviews, now reaching 1.5 billion users across 200+ countries, synthesise trusted sources into concise, cited summaries above the fold. Meanwhile, agentic browsers like ChatGPT Atlas, Perplexity's Comet, and Edge Copilot sit beside the page, comparing options and completing tasks on behalf of users. This shift demands a new approach: be citable, machine-readable, and action-ready. The classic pillars of SEO remain foundational. What's changed is how we express them, ensuring machines can reliably extract and act upon our information. The behavioural shift When AI-generated answers appear above the fold, click-through behaviour transforms. Traffic concentrates on pages offering canonical facts, original insights, and proprietary data, which is precisely what AI assistants quote. Expect fewer low-intent sessions but higher post-click quality. KPIs must evolve to emphasise assistant-layer visibility through citations and mentions, alongside completion metrics like enquiries and bookings. The content strategy follows: write answer-first, then layer in nuance. Address likely follow-ups on the same page. Becoming citation-worthy Earning citations from AI systems requires deliberate choices. Remain discoverable. Allow reputable AI crawlers like OAI-SearchBot in your robots.txt. Keep high-value pages indexable and track assistant-origin traffic. Structure for dual audiences. Employ semantic HTML and WAI-ARIA. Write one idea per paragraph. Use proper tables for data. Implement schema.org markup for Article, Product, FAQPage, Organisation, and Person, always including datePublished and dateModified timestamps. Clear headings and concise sections improve both human comprehension and machine extraction. Deploy focused FAQs. On high-intent pages, add four to six genuine questions marked up as FAQPage schema. Place direct answers first, then link to details. Demonstrate provenance. Feature named authors with verifiable credentials. Cite reputable sources and maintain claim consistency across channels. Maintain currency. Regularly update priority pages, eliminate duplicates, and establish a single canonical source for each claim, price, or specification. Provide reliable APIs. AI assistants act, not just read. Publish OpenAPI endpoints for dynamic information like prices and availability with stable IDs and clear errors. For complex interactions, develop an official integration. Measure rigorously. Track AI Overview presence, citation share, and SERP features. Monitor assistant referrals using server-side tagging. This is continuous, data-driven optimisation for the assistant era. Campaign strategy in the AI Era Use consented, verifiable sources and label AI-assisted copy where appropriate. Develop a concise brand style guide documenting preferred phrases and model summaries to help your tone survive AI paraphrasing. Establish a visible "source of truth" for prices, policies, and key figures. Position this prominently and mirror it in structured data, ensuring AI assistants quote your facts directly. Agent-friendly design Agentic browsers navigate via the accessibility tree, making inclusive design both ethical and strategic. Bind inputs with proper labels, use descriptive button text, apply ARIA landmark roles, keep states predictable, and design forms for autofill and programmatic submission. Your goal: the agent completes the intended action correctly, first time. Preparing for agentic commerce September 2025 brought two competing standards: OpenAI and Stripe's Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP), now powering live...

A researcher in the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS) has issued a request for the public to help create the largest Irish archive of photos of the Northern Lights. In May and October 2024 last, the northern lights were visible across the island of Ireland, caused by some of the most intense geomagnetic storms of the 21st century. These storms were highly documented by people across the island of Ireland through photos on their phones and cameras, and DIAS researchers are now asking for people to share these images as part a of a citizen science research project. To find out more about the Northern Lights and submit your photos visit https://www.dias.ie/cosmicphysics/astrophysics/aurora-eire/ Dr Alexandra Ruth Fogg, Postdoctoral Fellow with DIAS School of Cosmic Physics, is the lead researcher who is asking for the public to contribute their images to her research so as to create a comprehensive dataset: "We want to create the first archive of auroral photos from the island of Ireland during these exciting events. Using these photos, we will be able to map the location, brightness, colours and shapes of the aurora across Ireland during these two storms. All of these characteristics of the aurora can tell us different things about what's happening in space. This will give us new and unprecedented information about space weather local to Ireland. "This research will contribute to our understanding of space weather, which is a natural hazard and will help to bolster local space weather preparedness for the island of Ireland, which is a priority for the Irish government". Calling for as many people as possible to submit images as they can, Dr. Fogg said: "The more images we collect from the public, the more information we will be able to find out. If we are able to gather a large archive of photos from people across the island of Ireland, our dataset can become one of the best scientific resources for analysis of the structure and form of the aurora during these two storms". See more stories here.

By David Stephen "Africa is about to get its first international neuroscience journal. The African Brain Journal, published by the Society of Neuroscientists of Africa (SONA), plans to release its debut issue in early 2026." reports The Transmitter. "Most African journals are not indexed online or in international databases, according to a study published in 2022, which reduces the chances of the work published in them being cited. But SONA plans to promote the new journal internationally, and Masocha says he is confident that the African Brain Journal will help African research shine." African Brain Journal coming in 2026 "The African Brain Journal plans to limit article processing fees to $200 for African researchers, $150 for SONA members and $600 for international contributors, Masocha says." Neuroscience in Africa The new African Brain Journal is commendable, given its opportunity to bring on more African researchers to the centerstage. However, it remains unclear if a journal is the most important thing that African Neuroscience experts can do for their society. This comment is not to knock their effort, given what it would have taken to get to this point that the contributions to knowledge, by Africa neuroscientists, are reachable. The significance though, for the continent is that while the journal is vital, what is on ground already or accompanying the announcement, to ensure that novel solutions are accelerated? What are the most common neuroscience-associated problems in Africa? What is SONA contributing, or what have they done to mitigate or manage many of those? There is a documentary category, BBC Africa Eye, laying bare many of the stark realities of Africa - where sometimes, drug addictions for youths, gambling and sports betting addiction, indoctrination of different sorts, violence with regards to post-election, forced labor by fear, some problems with the system of education and much else - are numerous. In most of these documentaries, while some location expert speaks and other officials, there had never been a sense that there is anything like the Society of Neuroscientists of Africa, at all. They have done no work, it seems, around applicable models in mental health, drug addiction, human intelligence augmentation for learning and education and so forth, that would have been useful in the mainstream, against many of the existing and budding challenges in Africa. This is not saying that their work in neurological disorders - coming off metabolic syndromes - or their work for degenerative diseases and much else do not matter. It does. It is saying that providing more help to their society requires an adaption beyond correlative studies or queueing behind "no one knows how the brain works", as an exemption to not make progress. Innovating Health Solutions for Africa There are answers that are possible against mental disorders that may not require top technical information and heavy neuro facilities. There are possibilities in preventive health solutions [digitally] for Africa, using bulk SMS, email newsletters and much else that they could power, for the entire continent, regardless of external support. Already, there are often public health programs, across primary health centers sometimes getting across rural areas. There are networks that would have made it extremely possible to reach deep places. There is no excuse that SONA [founded in 1993] is not mature enough to be present and [to] solve many of the harsh realities of brain problems in Africa. There are some major cities in Africa, where the density of those living with mental disorders - displaced on the street - is enormous. There are different new drugs, cooked, that several young people are hooked on, in different towns. There are children who drop out at some stage of school, in part, because they found education intractable, not necessarily because of insolvency. It is not all these problems that require just money, or are undone because of ...

New data released by Geotab Inc. ("Geotab"), a global leader in connected vehicle solutions and asset management, reveals that Irish and UK commercial fleets reduced their travel distances by almost 10% in the week before Christmas compared to other European fleets. However, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions increased by 9% during the holiday period. The findings, based on data from fleet vehicles across seven European countries during November and December 2024, highlight how the holiday shopping surge intensifies operational pressure on delivery services, resulting in more frequent stops, shorter routes and longer idling times. Across Europe, fuel consumption increased by 50%, amounting to an additional 160,00 litres of fuel burned. Idling times rose by 9% compared to pre-holiday levels, contributing to higher emissions and underscoring the negative environmental impact of increased consumption during the period. In Ireland and the UK alone, fuel consumption was up by 9%. While efforts have been made to electrify fleets across Europe, with the number of electric vehicles in operation steadily growing over previous years, Geotab's data shows that during peak periods only 12% of deliveries are completed by electric vehicles. Despite an industry-wide push for electrification, internal combustion engine vehicles still handle the majority of deliveries, leading to the notable increase in C02 emissions during this time. The surge in demand for fast, convenient deliveries not only impacts the environment, but also places considerable financial pressure on fleet operators. Across Europe, fleets incurred an additional €28,910 in fuel costs during Black Friday week alone. "Our data shows how the holiday period is a universally busy time," said Edward Kulperger, Senior Vice President EMEA at Geotab. "While people rush to find the perfect present for their loved ones, the immense operational challenges that come with that are often overlooked. As fleets work hard to keep up with the surge, there are often added operational and financial burdens, as well as challenges to maintain sustainability initiatives. Although the industry has been working hard to turn towards a greener future, the majority of Black Friday and Christmas deliveries are made by fuel-powered vehicles, putting into question the viability of conveniences like one-click shopping and next-day delivery." With Irish drivers making more frequent stops to deliver Christmas gifts nationwide, C02 emissions and fuel costs continue to rise, a trend likely to repeat itself this year. This presents a critical, recurring challenge for fleet operators and highlights the need for further electrification and sustainable logistics solutions to achieve greener holiday seasons in the future. See more stories here.

Ireland's Connected Hubs model is breaking new ground in Europe, as regions in Finland and France begin rolling out pilot projects based directly on the Irish system. Through the CODIL Pilot Action, Ireland's experience is now informing regional policy, digital infrastructure, and community hub strategy beyond its borders. Western Development Commission (WDC) oversees the Connected Hubs platform and network on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht. Allan Mulrooney, CEO of the WDC said the international adoption of the Connected Hubs model highlights Ireland's growing influence in shaping the future of work: "The Connected Hubs initiative is proof that big ideas tested in the west of Ireland can scale internationally. What started as a regional innovation to support rural communities is now informing digital and enterprise policy across Europe. This international expansion shows how the WDC's approach to pilot, prove and then scale can deliver real impact, not just for the west but for regions across the EU seeking to build smarter, more connected communities." In recent months, Liam Horan and Leah Fairman, both WDC, represented Ireland at in-person engagements with regional stakeholders in South Ostrobothnia, Finland, and Laval, France, respectively. Their visits included site tours of coworking hubs, local SMEs, academic institutions and community innovation spaces in the context of how Ireland's experience with remote work hubs can be tailored for local contexts. CODIL is a European project that aims to improve regional innovation policy instruments to better support the emerging distributed-team innovation model and its key component - highly skilled mobile knowledge workers. As the nature of innovation has fundamentally changed, policy instruments that support innovation must also change if they are to effectively support this changed post-COVID innovation ecosystem. Údarás na Gaeltachta are among the lead partners in the project. The CODIL project enables Finnish and French partners to trial the core functionalities of the Connected Hubs platform, including the hub directory, booking engine and event calendar. Through a 'sandbox' environment, these partners will simulate their own hub entries and explore the platform's community management features. This phase will also include knowledge-sharing, applying lessons from Ireland's approach to hub onboarding, community building and visibility. "These international engagements are a real vote of confidence in the Irish model. What began as a regional response to the needs of rural communities has grown into something with relevance far beyond our shores. It's a reminder that local innovation when backed with the right support can lead the way in rethinking how we live and work," added Stephen Carolan Head of Connected Hubs and Digital Innovation at the WDC. During his presentation in Seinäjoki, Liam Horan introduced the Connected Hubs project, from its inception within the Western Development Commission to becoming Ireland's national remote working infrastructure. He outlined the impact of hub networks on regional enterprise, inclusion and climate goals, and discussed the roadmap for future platform developments. Looking ahead, delegations from Finland, France and Scotland will attend the fourth annual National Hub Summit in Ballinasloe, Co. Galway on the 13th of November. They will join Irish and international speakers to discuss the evolving role of hubs in economic development, climate action and digital inclusion. This international interest reinforces the value of Connected Hubs as a leading European good practice and strengthens Ireland's reputation as a frontrunner in innovative and inclusive remote work infrastructure. See more stories here.

University of Galway has been awarded funding for 25 collaborative projects as part of the ENLIGHT European university alliance. Title photo From left, Aishling Hanrahan, ENLIGHT Engagement Manager; Kathryn Kozarits, ENLIGHT Executive; Alex Metcalfe, Vice President International; Louise Hannon, Head of Research, Post Award; and Pamela Devins, Head of ENLIGHT, University of Galway. Academics and researchers leading the partnerships will focus on a range of areas including migration; cancer; hydrogen energy; multilingualism; accessible AI transformation; neurotherapies; and pain. ENLIGHT funding for 25 collaborative projects A total of €1.64million was awarded across the alliance to enable University of Galway staff to work with counterparts in 10 European countries across the ENLIGHT alliance, along with external stakeholders. The collaboration projects are all in areas linked to the University's key research pillars of Innovation for Health, Creativity, Culture and Society, Transformative Data and AI and Sustainable and Resilient Environments. Alexander Metcalfe, Vice-President for International, University of Galway, said: "ENLIGHT is a hugely positive initiative for University of Galway that has flourished in the last few years. This engagement with our ENLIGHT partners will support our strategic ambitions in education and research by providing diverse international opportunities to our university community and enabling our academics to further strengthen their international networks. "The focus of this second stage of ENLIGHT funding is on embedding the European University Alliance in each partner institution and in each country. Our 25 funded projects demonstrate that we are doing just that here in the west of Ireland and we look forward to seeing the outputs of these initiatives over the coming years." ENLIGHT is an alliance of ten European universities in ten European countries, with the aim of transforming higher education and empowering learners as globally engaged citizens. ENLIGHT is funded under the European University Initiative, part of the European Commission's flagship strategy for higher education. It is also supported by the Higher Education Authority. In 2023, the European Commission announced ENLIGHT would be supported with a four-year, €14.4 million investment, with a significant portion of that funding earmarked for academic collaboration, emphasising the alliance's commitment to supporting scholars. The collaborative projects are supported through the European Thematic Network initiative, which enables a community of multidisciplinary academic teams from at least three universities in the alliance to join forces around a specific topic with societal relevance and impact. About the 25 ENLIGHT funded projects B-MOVE - Beyond Migration: Organisms, Matter, Voices, Ecologies - Bianca Rita Cataldi and Andrea Ciribuco, College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies. LEMuR - Linguistic Equity in Multilingual Regions - Verena Platzgummer and Andrea Ciribuco, College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies. PainNet - Enlight Pain Education and Research Network - Michelle Roche, Physiology, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences. ETHYC - Education and Training for HYdrogen eCosystems - Pau Farras, College of Science and Engineering. IDenti-T - Interdisciplinary Dialogue on evolving identities in times of democratic Transformations - Ekaterina Yahyaoui and team, College of Business, Public Policy and Law and the Irish Centre for Human Rights. InfraCARE - Urban Infrastructures for Climate Action and Repair - Frances Fahy, Kathy Reilly and team, College of Science and Engineering. CROSS-ACCESS - Inclusive Systems Transformation for Migrants with Disabilities -Una Murray, College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies. NAI²TURE - Network for Accessible and Interdisciplinary AI Transformation at Universities through Research and Exchange - Olivia Mc Dermott, College of Science and Engineering a...

In Dublin, coffee sometimes falls from the sky via drone delivery Earlier this autumn I spoke with ORF Radio Austria for their technology programme Digital.Leben about something that's already part of everyday life in parts of Dublin: coffee, groceries, and takeaways delivered by drone. The short feature, broadcast on 29 October 2025, looked at how Irish company Manna Aero has turned what began as a pilot project into a real delivery service. The interview came about after meeting Franz Zeller, Head of Science and Innovation at ORF's Wissenschaft Unit, during Maker Faire Rome 2025. I was reporting for Irish Tech News as part of an international press group supported by the Italian Trade Agency and Innova Camera, the Rome Chamber of Commerce agency that runs the fair. How the Interview Happened Maker Faire Rome is Europe's largest festival of invention and creativity, bringing together researchers, artists, and small startups to show how technology can be practical, playful, and shared. Franz and I were part of the same international press delegation, invited by the Italian Trade Agency to visit the fair. In conversation with him, I mentioned that drones now deliver coffee to my home in Dublin, , and showed him a short video on my phone. He was intrigued. Austria has been cautious with drone trials, and the idea of receiving a flat white from the sky was something new. The interview took place one morning on the Gasometro Ostiense site, a former industrial complex turned innovation hub, just before the fair opened fully to visitors. Maker Faire Rome 2025 For more on Maker Faire Rome 2025, visit the Irish Tech News feature: Maker Faire Rome - Festival of Innovation "In Dublin fällt der Kaffee manchmal vom Himmel" "My name is Billy Linehan. I am a journalist with Irish Tech News. We have a home delivery service from Manna Aero, and every morning I can order a flat white dropped into my garden. When it arrives, there's a noise, you can hear the propellers overhead. It's cheaper than a car delivery and more environmentally friendly than using a van or motorbike. Whatever you want, your Chinese takeaway or whatever, you just order on the app, choose the item, and the drone arrives overhead. It lowers the package gently on a little string, and you can even watch the approach live on the map." That short exchange, broadcast nationally on Ö1 Radio Austria, reached a wide audience. It showed how Manna Aero has normalised drone delivery in the suburban area of Blanchardstown in Dublin, something that once sounded like science fiction. Listen here, find out about Dublin's Drone Delivery service, in German and English Why It Matters The interview was brief but said a lot about how technology travels. A conversation at an Italian innovation fair became a science-radio feature in Vienna. It reminded me how closely connected Europe's research and creative communities are. It also showed how public curiosity about practical innovation remains strong. Drone delivery may still be local, but its implications for sustainability, logistics, and convenience are global. A more detailed article on Manna Aero's work in Dublin 15 will follow soon here on Irish Tech News. Programme Note This segment aired on Digital.Leben, Ö1 Radio Austria, on 29 October 2025. The programme was produced by Franz Zeller, Head of Science and Innovation at ORF's Wissenschaft Unit. A longer five-minute version is available on the ORF website until April 2026: Digital.Leben, Kaffee aus der Luft Billy Linehan Billy writes for Irish Tech News on innovation, tech-for-good and entrepreneurship, covering events in Ireland and abroad. Alongside journalism, he's a business mentor and consultant at Celtar Advisers and has advised hundreds of owners of SMEs and startups. He also co-founded and organises StartUp Ballymun, Dublin's longest-running entrepreneurship series. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 T...

A wide-ranging selection of tech companies, from drone software to med-tech have today been announced among the winners of the inaugural North-South Business Cooperation Awards, a €500,000 programme launched by the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation to celebrate cross-border entrepreneurship on the island of Ireland. The Awards, which culminated in a high-profile ceremony at Castle Leslie Estate, Co. Monaghan, saw a total of nine entrepreneurs and entrepreneur businesses in partnership, recognised for their outstanding achievements in building businesses that bridge communities in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The Awards attracted a large volume of entries from across the island, with businesses demonstrating genuine cross-border collaboration and trade. Eligible companies were required to show a meaningful presence in both jurisdictions while also meeting minimum thresholds for turnover and employment. The result was a highly competitive field that showcased the strength and diversity of entrepreneurship operating across the island of Ireland. North-South Business Cooperation Awards A total of €500,000 in cash prizes was awarded: one Gold Award of €150,000, two Silver Awards of €100,000 each, and six Bronze Awards of €25,000 each. Partnering with Galway-based chocolatier, Grá Chocolates, Northern Irish tech platform needi took home a Silver Award. The female-founded service, created by co-founders Steph Scholes and Louise Doyle to connect businesses with local, independent vendors using AI technology and human curation, was set up in Armagh in 2020. Renewable energy solutions firm Acel Energy also received a Silver Award. The Monaghan-based company designs and implements solar tech, battery-storage and demand-management systems for commercial clients, often under co-ownership or Power Purchase Agreement models. Among the Bronze Award winners, med-tech companies saw huge success through cross-border partnered entries, with fertility clinics OvaScan Fertility Ultrasound (Dublin) and New Beginnings Scan (Strabane), which each combine advanced ultrasound technology with specialist expertise, taking home prizes through a joint entry. Súil Pharma, a Galway med-tech company developing novel therapies specialising in vision and hearing diseases, and Medinect Ophtho, a Belfast service provider delivering high-quality pre-clinic services, also joined forces to each take home a Bronze Award. Rounding off the joint entries, Subterranean Software, specialising in drone and embedded systems for constrained environments, and Good Friday Robotics, which develops advanced drone robotics for hazardous environments, were each also awarded a Bronze prize. Other Bronze winners in tech included Cotter Agritech, which develops precision livestock health tools, enabling selective treatment of livestock to reduce chemical usage and improve sustainability, and Arcus Cleaning Systems, an industrial hygiene and automated cleaning solution provider. Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, creator and owner of the easy family of brands - including easyJet.com, easyHotel.com and many others (see www.easy.com and www.easyHistory.info), and founder and president of the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation (see stelios.foundation and stelios.ie) - personally presented the awards and met the finalists at the ceremony. Speaking at an event announcing the winners, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, said: "This is a proud day for entrepreneurship on the island of Ireland. The winners we honour today show that when determination, innovation and creativity meet, borders become bridges. These entrepreneurs are not only building successful businesses - they are proving that collaboration across communities leads to prosperity for all. They are creating jobs, delivering services and setting an example for the next generation of entrepreneurs. I hope that their success today will encourage even more entrepreneurs to think ambitiously, work collaboratively, and see the entire isl...

Guest post by Orla Kelly, founder of Orla Kelly Publishing. You have a book inside you. It's a collection of your hard-won lessons, your unique perspective, your vision for the future. As a leader, you understand the power of a story to inspire change and build a legacy. Yet, that book remains unwritten. The document sits unopened, the ideas stay locked in your mind, and another year passes. As an independent publisher, I've seen this countless times. I work with coaches, founders, and experts who are brilliant at what they do - yet their book project lingers on the back burner. They build businesses, lead teams, and create impact daily, but when it comes to writing their book, something stalls. The truth is, this delay isn't about a lack of discipline or ambition. It's a complex mix of psychological, emotional, and practical hurdles that can stall even the most driven individuals. The Hidden Barriers to Writing Your Book Why do so many accomplished people put off this critical legacy project? The reasons are often deeply personal but universally understood. 1. The Weight of Perfectionism As a leader, your name is attached to quality. This drive for excellence, which is so valuable in business, can become a paralysing force in writing. You might feel that every sentence must be perfect, every idea groundbreaking. The fear isn't about writing a bad book; it's about producing something that doesn't live up to the legacy you've already built. 2. The Fear of Judgement Putting your ideas into the world is an act of vulnerability. What if people disagree? What if critics dismiss your life's work? This fear of being misunderstood can quietly stop even the most confident leader from starting. 3. The "Time" Illusion For busy professionals, "I don't have time" feels true. But procrastination is rarely about time and more about priority. The book becomes a "someday" project, overshadowed by immediate demands. 4. The Fog of Uncertainty Where do you begin? What's your message? How do you publish? The lack of a clear roadmap creates hesitation. When the path is unclear, standing still feels safer. Turning Procrastination into Progress Overcoming these barriers isn't about willpower - it's about clarity, structure, and support. Here's what consistently helps high-performing leaders make real progress: 1. Reframe the Goal Replace "write a bestseller" with "share my message." It lowers the stakes and reconnects you to purpose. Ask: Is it clear? Is it useful? Does it move someone forward? 2. Schedule Writing Sprints Momentum beats marathons. Block short, focused sessions and treat them like key meetings. 3. Start with a Mind Map Map your ideas before writing. It turns chaos into clarity and "writing" into "organising." 4. Speak Before You Write If typing feels stiff, talk it out. Recording your insights often captures your most natural, powerful voice. 5. Seek Trusted Support In my work with hundreds of aspiring authors, I've seen the breakthrough come when they stop trying to go it alone. A strategic publishing professional can help shape scattered thoughts into a clear, publishable message which transforms overwhelm into momentum. The rise of independent publishing has made it easier than ever for thought leaders to bring their ideas to life, but clarity and guidance still make all the difference. Your book isn't just about writing words. It's about sharing wisdom, shaping minds, and leaving a legacy that outlasts you. Stop waiting for the perfect time, idea, or first sentence. Your legacy isn't about perfection; it's about impact. The first step you take is the one that turns procrastination into progress. About the Author Orla Kelly is the founder of Orla Kelly Publishing, an Irish independent publishing house that helps experts, coaches, and thought leaders turn their ideas into beautifully crafted, professionally published books that grow their impact and legacy. You can get in touch with Orla via getpublished@ orlakellypublishing.com...

Three of Cork's highest-achieving female STEM students were today recognised by Stryker, a global leader in medical technologies, at the WISE UP Technological Awards to celebrate outstanding academic achievement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Founded by Stryker's WISE (Women in Stryker's Engineering) team in Anngrove, the annual award recognises outstanding students from Cork's all-girls secondary schools who have achieved exceptional results in their Leaving Certificate - earning at least three H1 grades in STEM subjects - and who have chosen to pursue STEM degrees at Irish universities. This year's winners include Gemma Collins from St. Aloysius' College, who received first prize; Abi O'Connor, also from St. Aloysius' College, and Aoibhe Sparrow from Mount Mercy College, who both received second prize. Speaking at the event, Mag O'Keeffe, Vice President of Advanced Operations and Global Additive Technologies, Stryker, said: "The WISE Group at Stryker's Anngrove location are delighted to present the WISE UP Technological Awards to these outstanding students who have shown a real passion for STEM. These awards are about more than academic achievement - they're about recognising potential, encouraging ambition, and showing young women that there is a place for them at the forefront of innovation. We're proud to support the next generation of innovators and play our part in fostering future talent." Following the presentation, Aoibhe Sparrow, a prize winner from Mount Mercy College, said: "Winning this award is an incredible honour that means so much to me. It represents recognition of my hard work, passion, and commitment to pursuing a future in science and technology. This opportunity not only supports my education but also motivates me to keep learning, innovating, and using my education to create positive change in the world. I am especially excited to continue my journey in pharmacy, where I hope to gain the knowledge and skills needed to make a meaningful impact on patients' lives through the development, preparation, and dispensing of medications. I am so deeply grateful for this opportunity and for everyone who believes in my potential." Tricia Ryan, Principal at Mount Mercy College, said: "We are delighted that one of our students has been honoured with this Stryker WISE Technological award. This recognition not only celebrates the talent, dedication, and potential of the student but also reflects the strong values and high standards we strive to nurture in our school community. It is very encouraging to see a leading company like Stryker acknowledge the achievements of our young people."

A researcher working on the design AI-driven methods for secure and trustworthy drone operations will share his expertise at one of the South East Science Festival's most keenly anticipated free events. 'Drones in Everyday Life - Promise, Potential, and Protection' is the title of Walton Institute researcher Iftikhar Umrani's talk in Clonmel Library in Tipperary on Wednesday, November 12, at 6.45pm. Pre-registration is not required. Drones are transforming how we live and work, from helping farmers monitor crops and improve harvests to enabling doorstep delivery of packages and medicines, he said ahead of the much-anticipated talk. "As these intelligent flying systems take on bigger roles in daily life, the UAVSec project at Walton Institute, SETU, funded by CONNECT Research Ireland Centre, investigates how to keep them secure ensuring they cannot be hacked or disrupted while in flight. The aim is to build trust in drone technology so it can serve communities with confidence and security. "Drones are opening new opportunities in areas such as precision farming, environmental monitoring, search and rescue, and the fast delivery of essential goods. They help reduce costs, save time, and support communities particularly in rural or hard-to-reach areas. "As drones become more autonomous, ensuring their safety, privacy, and security is essential. Public acceptance and regulatory frameworks also remain important challenges. Research under the UAVSec project focuses on protecting these systems from interference and building public trust in their use," the PhD researcher in the Department of Computing and Mathematics at Walton Institute, South East Technological University said. Iftikhar Umrani has been with Walton since March 2023, lives in Waterford City and has a keen interest in how emerging technologies can serve local communities safely and responsibly. The much-anticipated event is one of dozens on the South East Science Festival programme for 2025 from November 8 to 16 across pubs, restaurants, libraries, theatres, schools and community hubs in Waterford city and county, Clonmel and Carlow. All of the events across all three counties are designed to showcase how relevant all things science are in our everyday lives. Dr Sheila Donegan, Director of CALMAST, the South East Technological University's STEM engagement centre, said. "We're really looking forward to engaging with all sections of the community, from primary school children right up to adult-only audiences for this year's South East Science Festival programme. It's fun, it's engaging, it's entertaining and educational. We're delighted to work with Research Ireland and with our partners and sponsors, key among them the local authorities, SETU, key STEM employers in the region. "We now invite members of the public to peruse the schedule of events running across libraries, theatres, pubs, educational hubs, museums and so much more and to book their place. We will mix comedy and science and will be looking at why copper was mined in Waterford and if it could be again. We're examining fossils in the city, will host a coastal change workshop and walk and much more. Many events booked out within hours last year and we expect the very same for 2025," Dr Donegan said.

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a global leader in IT services, consulting, and business solutions and operating a global delivery centre out of Letterkenny in Ireland, has expanded its 18-year partnership with ABB, a global leader in electrification and automation. The partnership aims to modernise ABB's global hosting operations, simplify its IT landscape, and strengthen its digital foundation to drive resilience and innovation. As part of this multi-year engagement, TCS will operationalise ABB's Future Hosting Model, a next-generation modular IT infrastructure designed to streamline systems. This model will enable predictive operations, faster service restoration, and continuous security assurance through its AI-powered Zero Ops framework. This extension strengthens a trusted collaboration that has already delivered significant progress for ABB. TCS will help accelerate ABB's Core Platform vision which prioritises modernisation at scale, greater self-service and automation, cloud migration and agility, and orchestration and resilience. Alec Joannou, Group CIO, ABB, said, "Our extended partnership with TCS strengthens ABB's ability to deliver value to customers. By modernising our hosting operations, we're creating a foundation for agility, faster innovation, and improved reliability across the business." ABB envisions transforming the hosting landscape by leveraging state-of-the-art technologies that drive innovation and optimisation. This transformation aims to empower its evolving business demands with enhanced flexibility, superior quality, and cost efficiency. TCS' AI framework will ensure business continuity and excellent service delivery across ABB's global operations by minimising human intervention. Anupam Singhal, President, Manufacturing, TCS, said, "TCS has been a trusted partner in ABB's transformation journey for over 18 years. This latest milestone is not just a testament to our enduring collaboration, but a bold step towards reimagining ABB's hosting landscape with a modular, future-ready architecture. At the core of this engagement lies a shared vision: technology must serve a higher purpose - to empower people, enhance agility, and drive intelligent, responsible operations. Together, we embark on a transformative journey to build a platform-driven core that will unlock unprecedented levels of efficiency, autonomy, and innovation for ABB's global business." TCS's operational and industry expertise combined with ABB's platforms, security, and reliability will create a foundation that is resilient, efficient, and future-ready. Further, TCS' managed services platform architecture will enable flexibility in ABB's business integration needs across mergers, acquisitions, and carve-outs. Through a best-in-class, innovative environment built on a cloud-first approach and data-driven governance, TCS will help ABB reduce its carbon footprint. Over the past 18 years, TCS has supported ABB in initiatives such as ERP implementation, cloud migration, and data center consolidation. The new engagement will build on the foundation laid over the last two decades to transform ABB's infrastructure services and support service adoption to aid ABB's next phase of growth in electrification and automation, thereby enabling faster innovation to deliver more business value. Peter Alkema, Global Head of IS Technology and Platforms, ABB, said "ABB is committed to building a modular, scalable hosting service that drives agility and innovation. With TCS as our strategic partner, the Future Hosting Model strengthens this commitment and ensures operational excellence." This partnership builds on TCS' long-standing commitment to serving as a trusted IT partner for European enterprises, with a presence in the region for over 45 years. The company supports its clients in Europe with a robust network of highly skilled employees, operating out of 62 offices across 21 countries in the continent, serving over 350 clients. The company has been...

A majority of Irish organisations have enhanced cybersecurity measures in recent months yet under-investment in key areas of training and compliance, ongoing talent shortages and AI-powered cyber threats continue to be areas of concern for Irish cyber leaders. That's according to EY Ireland's inaugural Cyber Leaders Index, which surveyed 165 of Ireland's senior cyber leaders with a particular focus on the corporate, health and life sciences and government sectors. 83% of Irish cyber leaders report enhancing cybersecurity measures over the past six months, with nearly a third (32%) noting an increase in budgets, while two thirds (67%) report investment holding steady. However, more than 70% of cyber leaders report difficulties securing budget for staff cyber awareness training. 43% cited challenges in securing budget for hiring and retaining skilled personnel, which remains a key challenge for cyber leaders. Nearly half (48%) of cyber leaders identified AI and data security as a top priority for the year ahead, and many organisations are adapting their practices in response to the EU AI Act. Yet 44% say they face challenges securing budget for AI-related security initiatives, suggesting that investment is not keeping pace with strategic intent. This may reflect internal competition for AI budgets, rather than reluctance to invest in cybersecurity, and embedding cybersecurity into AI efforts positions the function as a driver of growth and advantage. Almost seven in ten (68%) of respondents said that protecting against supply chain and vendor-related threats is a top priority within their cybersecurity programmes, however only 4% identify third-party vendor risk as one of their main concerns. Compliance with relevant regulations and data privacy laws such as NIS2 was cited as a priority by 39% of respondents, while the EU AI Act is also having an impact with nearly half (47%) of the leaders surveyed stating they have updated their data handling and monitoring practices and four in ten (39%) having updated their data protection impact assessment systems. Puneet Kukreja, Technology Consulting Partner and Head of Cyber at EY Ireland said: "In an AI-driven world where algorithms and code are reshaping both attacks and defences, cyber risk is no longer something to eliminate, it must be managed with precision. This shift demands that cyber leaders evolve from engineers and managers to architects of trust, with a seat and a voice at the top table where strategic decisions are made and budgets are shaped. Cyber threats are escalating, with major breaches reported almost every week, and it's clear that defences are only as strong as their weakest point. Yet investment is not always going where it matters most, with gaps in staff training and talent retention remaining areas of concern." Carol Murphy, Consulting Partner and Head of Markets at EY Ireland said: "Irish organisations are strengthening their cyber resilience, with most reporting enhanced defences and stable or increased budgets. The challenge now is to direct that investment towards people and partnerships, ensuring teams are trained, supported and equipped to manage the growing demands of compliance and third-party risk. Organisations must prioritise the continuous training and wellbeing of their cyber teams, recognising that resilience depends as much on people as it does on technology." Burnout Risk As Cyber Threats Remain A Top Concern Burnout and fatigue amongst cyber leaders have been identified as growing resilience risks for Irish organisations, with 37% of those surveyed reporting concern about the gaps in their organisation's cyber risk coverage. More than one in four (26%) of respondents reported negative impacts on their mental health. Puneet Kukreja said: "Our research shows that stress is fast becoming a hidden cyber risk for organisations. Cyber risk is constant, and that unrelenting pressure is taking a toll on the people who defend against it. Burnout does...

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced Fastnet, a new state-of-the-art transatlantic subsea fibre optic cable system connecting Maryland, U.S., and County Cork, Ireland. When operational in 2028, Fastnet will add vital diversity for customers by building a new data pathway with unique landing points, keeping services running even if other undersea cables encounter issues. This enhanced network resilience will improve global connectivity and meet rising demand for cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI). Increasing resilience through system diversity Fastnet is a dedicated transatlantic cable system designed with two strategic landing points that deliver critical route diversity away from traditional cable corridors. This strategic placement strengthens the network in two ways: it provides backup routes if other cables encounter issues, and it creates a network design for growing demands in cloud computing, AI, and edge applications that use AWS services such as Amazon CloudFront and AWS Global Accelerator. The Fastnet system incorporates advanced optical switching branching unit technology, engineered to accommodate future topology needs. This state-of-the-art unit is strategically positioned on the cable route, enabling seamless redirection of data to future landing points as network demands evolve. This scalable architecture is specifically designed to handle growing AI traffic loads, allowing customers to rapidly expand their data demands while the system adapts to accommodate future growth. Fastnet is designed for long-term reliability and performance. The system combines robust cable armoring with additional layers of protective steel wires in nearshore areas to protect against natural and human activity. With a design capacity exceeding 320 terabits per second (Tbps), Fastnet will integrate directly into AWS's comprehensive global network. To put this capacity in perspective, the system could transmit the entire digitized Library of Congress three times every second, or stream 12.5 million HD films simultaneously. This integration enables rapid data rerouting and multiple layers of redundancy, helping ensure uninterrupted operations for customers. Unlike the public internet, where each networking device makes routing decisions with limited network visibility, AWS's centralized, real-time traffic monitoring system has complete visibility into every link within the global network. This system implements millions of daily optimizations to ensure customer traffic always uses the most available and performant path, avoiding congestion and other issues before they impact applications. Through Fastnet, customers benefit from secured long-term capacity and rapidly scalable bandwidth for their most critical operations, from generative AI and cloud-native applications to advanced research, transatlantic business connectivity, and international commerce. This investment in network diversity helps ensure customers can reliably access their cloud resources, with the flexibility to quickly expand capacity as their demands grow. Driving community development Infrastructure projects of this scale succeed when they're built in partnership with communities. From day one, AWS has worked closely with local organisations, nonprofits, and residents in both Maryland and County Cork to understand what success looks like for them. As part of our commitment to these communities, we are establishing Community Benefit Funds for both Maryland's Eastern Shore and the local community in County Cork. We will work directly with stakeholders to identify and support initiatives that address each community's unique needs and priorities. These community-driven funds could support a range of local initiatives, such as sustainability and environmental programs, health and wellbeing services, Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) education, future workforce development, economic development and leadership training, inclusion and diversity...

TechWorks Marine has commenced a comprehensive year-long metocean survey in Maritime Area A - Tonn Nua, of the Irish Government's South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan (SC-DMAP), supporting EirGrid's Powering Up Offshore South Coast project. Commissioned by Fugro, EirGrid's appointed marine survey supplier, the survey will deliver vital baseline oceanographic and environmental data to support the development of offshore substations and grid connections along Ireland's south coast. This flagship initiative aims to connect 900 MW of offshore wind generation to Ireland's power network, accelerating national progress toward the government's target of 80% renewable energy and at least 5 GW of offshore wind in the coming years.. The Tonn Nua site is a designated area for spatially planned offshore wind, selected for its pivotal role in achieving Ireland's climate action goals and enhancing energy security for nearly a million homes. TechWorks Marine, the leading Irish-based supplier to Fugro on Powering Up Offshore South Coast, brings over 20 years of specialist expertise in metocean data collection and analysis. The data gathered will help inform the design and delivery of robust infrastructure for clean energy and support regional economic development. Charlotte O'Kelly, CEO of TechWorks Marine, commented: "We are delighted to support EirGrid and Fugro on this landmark project for Ireland's energy transition. Our team is committed to delivering world-class oceanographic data that underpins a resilient, sustainable, renewable energy system on the south coast." Speaking about the 2025 survey campaign, Chief Transformation, Technology and Offshore Officer at EirGrid, Liam Ryan, said: "These surveys would not be possible without a huge amount of coordination and strategic planning of staff across EirGrid, our strategic partners, fishing communities and local landowners. The data being gathered from this research is essential in shaping plans for the installation of this transmission infrastructure for offshore wind and creating a cleaner energy future for Ireland."

ePower is reminding sports clubs across the island of Ireland who have been selected for grants to install electric vehicle chargers to ensure they have carried out the necessary paperwork to receive the funding. Through the Shared Island Sports Club EV Charging Scheme, which was launched earlier this year, 227 clubs, of which 179 are in Ireland and 48 in Northern Ireland, have qualified for the installation of a network of publicly accessible chargers. This scheme is administered by Pobal on behalf of Zero Emission Vehicle Ireland (ZEVI). The scheme is designed to cover 100% of the installation costs, allowing clubs to enhance their facilities for both members and visitors at no cost to them. Following a comprehensive tendering process, ePower and two other charge point operators were selected to deliver fast EV charging solutions for both Ireland and Northern Ireland through the scheme. Offers have been sent out to clubs nationwide, across a multitude of sports including athletics, boxing, GAA, golf, hockey, rugby, soccer and tennis clubs. However, ePower is reminding clubs to evaluate the offers they have received, and select their preferred charge point operator via the mini-tender process. ePower is delighted to have already been selected as the preferred CPO for many of the clubs eager to capitalise on this opportunity to lead the charge in sustainability in their community whilst at the same time generating revenue for their clubs. Ivan O'Connor, Commercial Sales Director with ePower says: "This is a wonderful opportunity for sports clubs and ePower is delighted to be part of the scheme. Like with all grants, there's an element of paperwork involved, and the key is for clubs to take the next step and choose their operator, so we would encourage people with questions around this to liaise with the CPOs and Pobal. We look forward to seeing this initiative come to life; further expanding on the public availability of EV charging in communities the length and breadth of Ireland and Northern Ireland." More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at Info@IrishTechNews.ie now to find out more about how we can help you reach our audience. You can also find and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.