Irish Tech News Audio Articles

Rethink Ireland has launched the new €1.5 million Skills for Tomorrow Fund in collaboration with Deloitte Ireland and the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht. The fund will support innovative projects helping marginalised individuals and communities develop the skills they need to succeed in the future world of work. The fund will also support successful applicants to strengthen their impact through the practical and responsible use of artificial intelligence. Skills for Tomorrow will support up to nine organisations over 2.5 years, with cash grants ranging from €137,500 to €200,000. The fund comes at a time of shifting labour markets and rapid technological change, with increasing concern that individuals and communities already experiencing marginalisation risk being left further behind due to barriers to accessing education, training, digital literacy and employment opportunities. Applications are encouraged from projects and organisations focused on improving education and employment outcomes for marginalised groups including young people not in education, employment or training, long-term unemployed individuals, people with disabilities, minority ethnic communities, lone parents and those experiencing educational disadvantage. Launching the Skills for Tomorrow Fund, Deirdre Mortell, CEO of Rethink Ireland, said: "As the world of work continues to evolve, we need to ensure that people and communities already experiencing marginalisation are not further excluded from future opportunities. The Skills for Tomorrow Fund is about creating practical and inclusive pathways into employment, education and lifelong learning. "Through this fund, we want to support organisations that are already doing transformative work in communities across Ireland and help them scale their impact. We are also particularly excited to support successful applicants to explore how artificial intelligence can enhance and streamline the work they do every day." Welcoming the launch of the fund, Lorraine Griffin, Chairperson of Deloitte Ireland, said: "At Deloitte, we are proud to support this multiyear fund with Rethink Ireland. We understand that Ireland's future innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders will need new skills to meet tomorrow. Through the 'Skills for Tomorrow' fund, we are investing in innovative approaches that support education, digital skill development and training opportunities so more people have the opportunity to succeed in the modern economy. "As technology expands opportunity for those with access and skills, it can also reinforce barriers for those without. With the right support, more people can participate in and benefit from the future economy. Organisations serving communities are also facing rising demand and equipped with the right technology, they can do more and reach further." Reflecting on the impact of previous funding, Stuart Buchanan, Head of Advocacy & Impact at YMCA Dublin, an awardee organisation of Rethink Ireland & Deloitte's previous fund, said: "Funding like this can completely change what is possible for organisations working at community level. It allows us to reach people who often feel excluded from education, employment and digital opportunities and provide them with the confidence, skills and support they need to build better futures. "The long-term support from Rethink Ireland helped us grow our impact, strengthen our programmes and create meaningful opportunities for people who are too often left behind." The Skills for Tomorrow Fund is seeking applications from two strands, the first is organisations providing supports for young people; and the second is support for adults. Projects supported through the fund should demonstrate innovative and evidence-based approaches to future skills development, digital inclusion and workforce participation. Applications are now open and will close on 29 June 2026. Further information is available at https://rethinkireland.ie/current_fu...

Unit4, a leader in enterprise cloud applications for people-centric organisations, has launched international research commissioned from Pierre Audoin Consultants (PAC) examining the transformation challenges facing professional services firms. With 60% saying their work volumes will escalate and/or become more complex in the next 12 months, there is an urgent need to modernise business processes. However, firms face significant challenges to retrieve time lost to fixing operational inefficiencies and errors, which are leading to project delivery delays and teams having to work overtime. One group of global respondents indicates a possible way forward, as 33% say they are running their businesses on modern, integrated, cloud-based platforms, and therefore spend less time correcting errors. Compared to global averages these leaders in adopting cloud-native technologies experience less errors in finance reporting (leading firms: 29%; global average: 37%), and budgeting and forecasting (leading firms: 28%; global average: 36%). Firms in the US are the most advanced (36%) in adopting cloud-based systems, compared to Germany (22%) which has the lowest adoption. Business and Professional Services firms are the most advanced (43%) in embracing the cloud ahead of IT Services (36%). "Professional services firms are facing possibly the biggest inflection point in a lifetime as technology disruption and volatile economic conditions encourage clients to reevaluate their use of consulting expertise," said Donna Dobson, Director Professional Services, Unit4. "PAC's research shows why modernisation of core processes is giving leading firms an advantage in terms of productivity and reduction of time lost on manual processes and error correction. As competition heats up, firms understand that limiting the impact on their workforce is crucial to retaining talent and delivering projects more efficiently." 30% of respondents internationally admit to frequent or regular delays in project delivery due to operational inefficiencies, which rises to 34% among IT Services companies compared to only 25% of Business and Professional Services firms. The Nordics has the highest percentage (34%) admitting regular interruptions to project delivery, compared to 26% in Canada. The state of IT infrastructures could indicate a possible cause, as 66% admit relying on fragmented application environments and 19% even rely on multiple systems requiring manual work and spreadsheets – a figure that rises to 30% in Germany. As a result, it is no surprise that many teams complain of having to work additional hours citing a number of reasons including: 68% – monthly or quarter-close bottlenecks 59% – inconsistent data models 55% – outdated technology 47% are being forced to spend time correcting timesheets while teams must work overtime in areas like accounts reconciliation (37%), project cost & profitability management (37%), and project timeline management (36%). More than a quarter (28%) of client-facing specialists spend more than 30% of the working week completing administrative tasks rather than focusing on their core work. IT Services firms struggle most with overtime with 40% regularly needing to work beyond core hours to complete tasks such as timesheet management, budgeting & forecasting and accounts reconciliation. This is concerning, given that IT Services respondents are also the most likely to say their workloads are going to increase and/or become more complex in the next 12 months. "Many professional services firms are being pushed by clients to transform commercial models to better serve their needs, but this is only possible if firms embrace modern cloud-based systems," said Nick Mayes, senior consultant, PAC. "This will give them the agile, scalable foundations to deliver process automation and adopt AI tools, but it will require investment to optimise and integrate existing workflows so that companies have a single view of company-wide information....

There has been a recent surge in AI-generated online adverts promoting bogus state-backed investment schemes, according to FraudSMART, the fraud awareness initiative led by Banking & Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI), as consumers are warned to be on alert. The ads feature fake images or videos of high-profile politicians and businesspeople encouraging consumers to click a link to register for the scheme. This is the latest trend in an ongoing wave of investment fraud in recent years, particularly targeting people in their 50s who may be looking for investment opportunities ahead of retirement. New figures from An Garda Síochána show an increase of over 20% in reports of investment fraud in 2025 compared to 2024, with more than €20 million in losses. This upwards trend is continuing into 2026. Niamh Davenport, Head of Financial Crime with BPFI, said: "We are seeing a worrying rise in AI-generated online adverts featuring fake images and videos of well-known and trusted politicians and businesspeople. Fraudsters are exploiting recent news coverage of a planned state-backed savings and investment scheme to make their adverts appear legitimate. They often claim the scheme is open to everyone, but that places are limited and being 'snapped up' fast, in order to pressure people to act quickly. They typically promise guaranteed returns or a guaranteed monthly income. While these scams are targeted at people of all ages, recent trends show that many victims of investment scams like these are in their early 50s, often at a stage in their life where they are actively managing savings or making longer?term financial decisions for retirement." Describing how the scam works, Ms Davenport continued: "Most investment scams tend to follow a similar pattern. Consumers are encouraged to click on a registration link and asked to fill in a short form with their contact details to receive more information. They may then receive a call from a so-called 'financial advisor' urging them to make an immediate 'security deposit' to secure their place on the scheme. Once the victim is convinced and has authorised the payment, the criminal will quickly transfer the money through multiple accounts, often overseas, where it is then cashed out." Reports of investment scams to Gardaí rose by over 20% of in 2025 with over €20 million in losses Commenting on wider investment scam trends, Michael Cryan, Detective Superintendent at the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau stated: "Reports of investment fraud in Ireland rose by over 20% in 2025 compared to 2024, with over €20 million in losses. This upwards trend is continuing into 2026. Individual losses can start anywhere from €250 on a crypto scam, but for bigger investment scams involving bonds and shares, it can start anywhere from €10,000 and can increase significantly beyond this. While the amounts may seem high, victims are not necessarily wealthy individuals. They are often ordinary people who have worked hard to build up a pension or savings and are looking for an opportunity to strengthen their finances ahead of, or during, retirement. We would urge everyone, particularly those aged over 50, to be alert to these scams and, if they believe they may have fallen victim to investment fraud, to contact their bank and An Garda Síochána immediately." FraudSMART partners with Age Friendly Ireland to raise awareness at community events Catherine McGuigan, Chief Officer, Age Friendly Ireland added: "These are very serious scams that can have a life-changing impact on victims. The best defence against these fraudsters is knowledge and Age Friendly Ireland is pleased to partner with FraudSMART to raise awareness at community events across the country in the coming weeks and months and help people recognise the warning signs. It is so important to pause, take time to check, and speak to someone you trust before responding to any unexpected offer. Importantly, people should not feel embarrassed if they are caught...

Increased R&D Tax Credit shows clear impact as companies prioritise research and innovation amid global uncertainty – IRDG & KPMG Report. Specific Innovation Tax Credit urgently needed to bridge structural gaps in Ireland's R&D competitiveness framework The 2026 Ireland Innovation Index report from IRDG and KPMG shows that Irish businesses are strongly committed to research, development and innovation (RDI), with fresh evidence that the Government's R&D tax credit is directly driving new investment, even as companies contend with geopolitical uncertainty, international tax changes and competitive pressures. The 2026 Ireland Innovation Index is the annual nationwide survey by the Industry Research & Development Group (IRDG) and KPMG. This fourth annual report gathered detailed responses from a record 587 companies who are actively engaged in innovation across Ireland. The findings show a significant boost in R&D activity arising from the R&D Tax Credit, which was increased from 30% to 35% in last year's budget. 69% of businesses say they have increased R&D spend over the past three years, while 77% expect to increase investment over the next three years. In relation specifically to the recent 5% uplift in the tax credit, 58% of companies surveyed said they are directing this additional incentive into existing R&D projects, while 57% say it will support entirely new R&D activity. A further 39% say the enhanced incentive will support them hiring or retaining dedicated R&D staff. The findings also show the importance of the R&D tax credit in attracting and maintaining R&D activity and jobs in Ireland, with over half (54%) of MNCs saying that, without the credit, 10% or less of their R&D would take place in Ireland. For context, in terms of actual numbers of companies availing of the incentive, the latest available Revenue figures (2023) showed 1,804 claimants – the highest figure since the credit was introduced in 2004. In 2023, 225 large companies received over €764 million in R&D tax credits, while a further €213 million in R&D tax credits was claimed by 1,579 SMEs. Companies claiming the R&D tax credit are also significant contributors to the Exchequer through corporation tax. In 2023, total corporation tax liabilities for all claimant companies were €10.53 billion, with €8.81 billion of that amount attributable to companies claiming in excess of €1 million of R&D tax credits. The report also highlights the increasing strategic importance of advanced technology in Ireland's innovation economy. AI and disruptive technology is now a priority for 67% of respondents over the next one to three years, up sharply from 45% in 2024. This is the largest movement recorded in any innovation priority category over the four-year life of the Index. 'Disruptive technology' is innovation that significantly alters established industries and markets. The trends in this area reflect a profound shift in how Irish businesses are approaching innovation, with artificial intelligence moving rapidly from experimentation to operational deployment, productivity enhancement and product development. Necessity for Specific Innovation Tax Credit The R&D Tax Credit remains a critical pillar of Ireland's competitiveness offering and continues to underpin significant investment decisions. However, many forms of modern commercially valuable innovation sit outside the traditional fields of science and technology, within which activity must fall in order to qualify. This tends to exclude innovation such as digital transformation, design-led innovation, advanced process innovation and business-model innovation, the report says. As a result, 71% of companies surveyed said a specific new Innovation Tax Credit would enable more innovative work to take place in Ireland, while a corresponding 67% believe it would support new product and service development. Almost half (45%) of respondents said an innovation tax credit would directly support increased IP creation and ...

By David Stephen There is a recent report on The Verge, The Pope isn't AGI-pilled, stating that, "On Monday, Pope Leo XIV unveiled an encyclical letter addressing the societal implications of artificial intelligence. The letter, titled Magnifica Humanitas, warned that the "use of AI is never a purely technical matter: when it enters processes that affect people's lives, it touches on rights, opportunities, status and freedom." Alongside him was Anthropic cofounder and interpretability team lead Christopher Olah, representing a partnership between the Catholic Church and one of the biggest players in AI." "The decision to partner with the Vatican was a strategic move by Anthropic, a company that's built its business on a carefully curated reputation of being a more trustworthy alternative than its competitors. Anthropic famously spent the last few months embroiled in a battle with the Pentagon over limits to military AI use, and a connection with another powerful institution could help bolster its status — and let it help shape future Vatican recommendations." "In the encyclical, the pope compared AI to the Tower of Babel, a structure he describes as "supported by a uniformity that eliminated diversity and that chose homogenization over communion.". The world must "avoid the 'Babel syndrome,'" he wrote: "the idolatry of profit that sacrifices the weak, a uniformity that neutralizes differences, and the pretense that a single language — even a digital one — can translate everything, including the mystery of the person, into data and performance." In his reckoning, AI became not just a new technology, but a Biblical struggle. "The risk of dehumanization," he wrote, "is an ancient and ever-new temptation that today takes on a technical guise." The weight of those statements, not the technical specifics, is likely to be its lasting impact." Human Intelligence The first thing to care about, for humanity, in the era of artificial intelligence is human intelligence. Nothing is more important, even if artificial intelligence is 100% safe. Humanity is at a stage in civilization where the needs for productivity are the needs [mostly] for intelligence. If intelligence is supplied, productive tasks can be completed. This means that as much as artificial intelligence can do, in any given task, if it is good enough, consistent enough and affordable enough, it can stand-in for human intelligence. As artificial intelligence gets better, and human intelligence stays [say] static, there could be more displacement, or at minimum more competition — with machines. Already, among humans, with rising population and possibilities with learning, competition for opportunities are ferocious. It takes much more to get less than what was possible, for the same amount of knowledge, in the past. Now, machines have joined the race. The immediate enemies may appear to be corporations, profit, capitalism or whatever, but the ultimate enemy is actually the opacity of what human intelligence is, in the brain? What exactly is human intelligence? What are the types? How does it work? How can it be improved for problem-solving? What are the clear advantages over artificial intelligence, to map possibilities for competitiveness? What are the prospects of advancement for artificial intelligence and how can human intelligence be prepared against that? These questions are important because the vacuum with human intelligence is a risk in the AI era, where it is not just useful to blame AI as a blanket, but to ask the real question, and focus on the mind. For example, there were several eras of illegal drug trends across the world, opium, quaalude and so forth. Some of those were phased out or reduced, yet, addictions persisted. Till date, there is still no major model in neuroscience on addiction, how it works, what it is and so forth, that can be displayed to drive willpower. This should not be the case with human intelligence. Even with all that was complained about...

SD Worx Ireland, a leading payroll and HR solutions provider, has announced the results of new research which found that almost a quarter (22%) of employees in Ireland believe that their pay does not fairly reflect the work that they do. However, a far lower proportion (11%) of employers admit that they do not adequately compensate employees. Independent research from SD Worx, carried out by iVOX, surveyed 1,000 employees and 301 employers in Ireland as the deadline to transpose the EU Pay Transparency Directive into Irish law approaches on 7th June 2026. Under the new rules, employers will be required to adopt much stricter pay transparency, equal pay, and reporting practices. However, the Government has confirmed that Ireland will not meet this deadline to pass the Directive into national law. SD Worx's research shows that as the Directive approaches, some employers still have work to do; 24% of employees say they received a promotion without a pay increase last year. Meanwhile, employees admit that they can struggle to speak up about their entitlements. Less than half (45%) of workers feel comfortable discussing, or asking for, a pay increase. Of these, women (37%) are less likely thanmen (52%) to feel comfortable requesting a pay rise. The study found that, in many cases, employees do not know what their payment rights are and nearly a third (30%) are unaware of the EU Pay Transparency Directive or what it means for their rights. However, the majority of organisations in Ireland report that they are ready for its introduction. Some 68% say they have everything in place to comply with the new Directive, suggesting a lack of communication with their employees. As they prepare for the Directive, 69% of employers in Ireland – the highest proportion in Europe – say they are investing in greater pay transparency and 58% regularly review pay data to identify and address potential pay gaps. Nearly a quarter (23%) rank pay transparency initiatives such as pay gap analysis, clear payslips, and gaining employee insights among their top priorities for 2026. Many organisations are already making headway, with 24% of employers saying they currently offer pay transparency information such as pay ranges and salary bands to employees. Even so, one-in-10 Irish employees do not expect their organisation's pay transparency to improve in the coming years and 28% believe that there is a gender pay gap in their organisation. Eimear Byrne, Managing Director, SD Worx Ireland, said: "It's clear from our research that many employees in Ireland feel undervalued for the work that they put in, but are afraid to ask for what they are entitled to. The rollout of the EU Pay Transparency Directive should support employees in this regard by making conversations about pay increases easier, due to more transparent pay ranges. It's vital that workers feel encouraged and adequately recognised and rewarded in order to build a workforce that's motivated, productive, and engaged. "Not only this, but it will enable businesses to remain competitive in a crowded jobs market. Pay equity and transparency are playing an increasingly important role in attracting and retaining talent and, indeed, 73% of employees cited pay transparency as an important part of their decision to stay with or join an organisation. "Meanwhile, pay appears high on the agenda for employers too. Though Ireland will not meet the deadline to transpose the upcoming Directive into law, encouragingly, that hasn't stopped businesses from putting measures and processes in place to adhere to the new rules. However, it's concerning that a large proportion of employees do not know how the Directive will affect them, and communication from employers will be key to ensuring clarity and openness when it comes to payment rights." See more stories here. 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 ...

Irish procurement support company BidReview.ai has launched a new self-service AI platform designed to help businesses assess and improve tender submissions before they are submitted to buyers. The new online tool allows users to upload draft tender responses alongside Request for Proposal (RFP) or tender documentation and receive an AI-generated assessment of the submission, including indicative scoring and practical recommendations for improvement. The launch comes amid growing use of generative AI in tender writing and increasing concern among procurement professionals about the quality, accuracy and competitiveness of AI-generated submissions. Speaking following the launch, Tony Corrigan, Founder of BidReview.ai, said: "AI has made it dramatically easier for businesses to generate tender responses, but faster does not necessarily mean better. Buyers are now seeing higher volumes of submissions, many of which sound convincing but fail to properly address scoring criteria. Our platform is designed to give businesses an independent assessment of how competitive their submission actually is before it goes into the market." The platform provides users with feedback designed to help businesses identify weaknesses, improve scoring alignment, reduce internal review cycles and strengthen overall submission quality ahead of deadlines. The new self-service offering has been developed to complement BidReview.ai's existing procurement advisory services and respond to increasing demand from SMEs. Founded by procurement specialist Tony Corrigan, BidReview.ai was developed using analysis from more than 750 winning tenders and over 3,500 public sector competitions. Ireland's public procurement market is worth more than €21 billion annually, yet one in four competitions still receives one or zero bids. See more stories here. 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.

Microsoft has announced a series of updates at its Build 2026 conference, introducing a new platform for AI agents, seven new in-house AI models and a range of developer platform capabilities designed to support a new era of "ubiquitous intelligence". The company said the announcements are focused on enabling developers to build, deploy and manage intelligent systems with greater flexibility, control and security, while meeting enterprise requirements for governance and trust. Central to the updates is the new Microsoft Agent Platform, which allows developers to build agents using organisational context through Microsoft IQ, deploy them via Microsoft Foundry and access them across Microsoft Teams and Microsoft 365. Microsoft said the platform is designed to reduce trade-offs between context and governance, security and speed, and between models and tools. Microsoft also announced that Microsoft IQ is now generally available across GitHub Copilot, Microsoft Foundry and Copilot Studio, providing a unified context layer across enterprise and external data. New capabilities include Work IQ, which captures how work happens across Microsoft 365, organisational systems and external sources, and Web IQ, an AI-first web search stack announced at Build that delivers real-time grounding for agents. Alongside the platform, Microsoft unveiled a new family of seven in-house AI models, including MAI-Thinking-1, its first reasoning model optimised for complex, multi-step tasks. Additional models span image generation, transcription, voice and coding, reinforcing what Microsoft described as a multi-model ecosystem. The company also introduced new tools across the stack, including Microsoft Execution Containers, now in preview, which provide secure, operating-system-enforced sandboxes for agents. The Foundry Agent Service, also in preview, for cloud-scale managed agent deployment; and the GitHub Copilot app, in preview, which brings agent-driven development workflows to a native desktop experience. Beyond software development, Microsoft highlighted applications in scientific research through its Microsoft Discovery platform, which is now generally available as an enterprise AI solution for the full scientific workflow. The company also outlined progress in quantum computing with its next-generation Majorana 2 chip, citing significant improvements in qubit reliability and a path towards a scalable quantum system later this decade. Microsoft said these advancements aim to position developers at the centre of innovation in the AI era, giving them greater agency to build intelligent systems with enterprise-grade controls and trust. See more stories here.

By Phoebe Nieves & Simon Cocking. We look at The 8 Laws of Employee Experience, see more about this book here. This book comes at an interesting time, with a push back from some employers, HR departments and companies who feel that meeting the demands of employees have become too high. Initially when reading this book, we were wondering if there was an anti-woke agenda even being laid down here. Naturally in a period of flux and discourse between different generational needs, perspectives, and goals, it is a tricky path to navigate. Do new entrants have unrealistic expectations from what work should be offering them. At the same time, for employers, it can feel like the amount of time necessary to be expended, to get people up to speed, and delivering a suitable level of work done in return for renumeration offered, is seriously challenging. Jacob Morgan does a good job of finding a wide range of opinions and perspectives to help the reader navigate this challenging subject. The story of his own grandfather, newly arrived in the US, Georgian, barely speaking English, but clearly determined to work hard and return the faith in the first person who would hire him, is a smart, logical, and relevant anecdote. Immigrants are often some of the best hires, they want to work, have moved heaven and earth to even be in their new country, therefore they could be some of your best hires. It is unfortunate we live in a time where it is an easy, lazy, cheap trick to demonize those that look or sound different to us, when they may be a fantastic future asset to your company. Morgan aims to take through the nuances of how to find the best people people for your business, and to then continue to ensure there is value for all parties. Companies with the best retention rates are always to be looked at, and to also have an open door for returning ex-employees too, as they can then bring even more value. Therefore holistic attitudes and approaches can often bring more, and better value for the company and those who work for you, both now, in the past, and in the future. This was a thought provoking read, and one that will reward return visits too. More about the book here Organizations around the world have lost their way. It's time to get back to basics and focus on what really drives people and performance. In chasing talent, organizations have turned employee experience into an entitlement culture – lavishing perks without accountability, lowering standards in the name of empathy, and confusing short-term fixes with long-term solutions. The result? Performance suffers, leaders are scared to lead, and culture drifts. The 8 Laws of Employee Experience is a reset, a new framework to build a future-ready organization in an AI driven world. Best-selling author and professionally trained futurist Jacob Morgan shows that employee experience must return to its core: a value exchange where employees contribute, grow, and lead, and where organizations enable them to thrive. Based on over 100 CHRO interviews at companies like Verizon, Delta, Hilton, IBM,and LVMH, Morgan lays out eight unshakeable laws that form the new operating system for the future of work. This book isn't just about where we are today – it's about where employee experience is going over the next decade, and how leaders can design the future instead of being dragged into it. After reading this book you'll learn how to: Separate signal from noise in an era of trend-chasing with the STEEPLE methodology Discover the eight laws required to build a future-ready organization and how to implement them Use futurist frameworks like the Cone of Possibilities to map out multiple employee experience scenarios Conduct a future-ready audit to see where your company stands today and where it must go next Explore the five potential futures of employee experience and how to steer your organization towards the right one Challenge the myth that employee experience is about making people happy Combining...

TechIreland has released its Irish Startup Funding Review 2026 Edition, a report of startup fundraising activity in 2025. The report shows that 319 Irish startups raised a total of €992 million last year. Since the highs of 2021, annual fundraising now appears to have settled at around the €900m–€1 billion mark, with the 2025 total up just €14m compared to 2024. In terms of the number of companies raising funding, there was also a slight uptick from 2024, when 307 companies raised funding. Early-stage activity remained notably strong – primarily attributed to Enterprise Ireland's PSSF and HPSU supports. A record 211 companies raised up to €1 million while data also reveals that there is an ongoing challenge in scaling into Series A and beyond, where momentum continues to lag. As in previous years, a small number of large outliers skewed the total figure. The top four companies: Lets Get Checked (€150m), XOCEAN (€115m), Tines (€114m), and ProVerum (€73m), accounted for nearly half of all funding raised. Furthermore, the majority of large rounds were concentrated in Q1, which alone accounted for €616m raised – a record high for any quarter over the last ten years. This, however, reveals a more concerning picture for the following three quarters, in which fundraising activity sharply cooled, with just €376m raised over the remainder of the year. Deep Dive into 2025 A standout first quarter saw 69 Irish companies raise €616m, making Q1 2025 one of the strongest quarters on record for Irish startup funding. However, funding levels flattened significantly during the remaining quarters, with a combined funding total of only €376m, across 250 startups, underlying a weakened momentum after Q1. The findings align with new figures from the Irish Venture Capital Association VenturePulse survey, published in association with William Fry, which show that Irish technology SMEs raised €221.7m in venture capital in Q1 2026, a fall of 58% compared with the same period last year. IVCA noted that the decline should be viewed in the context of an exceptionally strong Q1 2025, when Irish firms raised more than half a billion euro – a record for a first quarter. Early Stages Early-stage funding activity reached an all-time high in 2025, with 211 companies raising rounds below €1m. This was largely driven by Enterprise Ireland, including the 198 startups announced at the StartUp Day 2026. Despite the strength of early-stage activity, the report identifies ongoing weakness in follow-on and scale-up funding. The number of €1-5m rounds increased to 58 However, €5-30m rounds declined to pre-2019 levels Large growth rounds above €30m remained relatively stable, though most were concentrated in Q1 Findings suggest that while Ireland continues to generate new startups at scale, access to follow-on capital is becoming increasingly competitive. The IVCA's Q1 2026 data suggests that these pressures are continuing into the new year. IVCA reported that funding declined across all deal-size bands except transactions of less than €1 million. The report also notes that just four outlier deals accounted for 46% of all funding, showing the extent to which headline totals remain dependent on a small number of large rounds. Sectoral Focus Life Sciences retained its position as the strongest-funded sector in Ireland during 2025, accounting for more than half of total funding. Major rounds included LetsGetChecked, ProVerum, Deciphex and Perfuze. Enterprise Software and FinTech followed as the second and third strongest sectors, both performing better than in the previous two years. Several of the year's largest rounds reflected Ireland's growing reputation in deep tech, AI, medtech, and robotics. Enterprise Ireland also notes growing momentum in AI-enabled solutions, with 99 of its supported startups in 2025 incorporating AI as a central part of their product or service. The report also notes a sharp decline in Energy/CleanTech funding, falling from €328m in 2024 to €...

Running a business in Ireland is expensive. Energy bills are one of the biggest overheads for businesses across the country, and the building you operate from has more impact on those bills than most business owners realise. New research from Procure.ie analysed at 80,526 non-domestic building energy ratings (BER) published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), which measures the energy performance of commercial and public buildings such as offices and warehouses across Ireland between 2009 and 2025, to find out which counties are leading the way. Counties were then ranked by how many of their buildings achieved an A rating, the highest score a building can get. Kildare came out on top by a landslide, with 7% of its buildings (235 out of 3,355) rated A. That's almost double the national average of 3.6%. The county has become a hub for modern, energy-efficient commercial development, with planners recently approving a €3 billion data-centre campus by Herbata at Naas, and Kildare's pharma and semiconductor sites being built to high standards. Three counties share second place, each with 5% of their commercial buildings A-rated. County Dublin leads the trio with 296 out of 5,915 buildings achieving an A rating. Meath follows with 134 out of 2,672 buildings A-rated. The new 21,000 sq ft Thrive Centre of Business Excellence opened in September 2025, offering dedicated climate action services and adding to the county's growing reputation for energy-smart business. Westmeath completes the joint second-place trio, also at 5% (84 out of 1,684 buildings). In September 2025, Westmeath County Council signed contracts to upgrade its three biggest buildings (Áras an Chontae in Mullingar, the Civic Centre in Athlone, and Athlone Regional Sports Centre) to high energy-efficiency standards. Ballymore Group has also announced plans for a new sustainable town in Athlone, designed for 100,000 residents by 2040, with 90% of its energy coming from renewables. Longford (4.1%) and Laois (4%) rank in third and fourth place respectively, showing that even smaller counties can make a massive impact. Longford County Council received €793,822 from the EU Just Transition Fund to develop the Longford Enterprise and Energy Centre, and Laois County Council recently signed a multi-million-euro funding agreement with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to retrofit buildings across the Midlands. The Rebel County rounds out the top five, with 291 out of 7,263 commercial buildings achieving an A rating. Cork has more commercial buildings in this dataset than any county outside Dublin, and it is one of Ireland's biggest business counties for a reason. Pharma, tech, and manufacturing companies have all planted roots there. At the other end of the list, Limerick City has the highest proportion of G-rated commercial buildings in the country at 17%, making it the worst-performing county in Ireland. Kilkenny and Sligo are not far behind at 16%, with Louth and Monaghan following at 14%. A lot of this comes down to older heritage buildings and ageing warehouses along the Dublin-Belfast route. For more information and to view the full research, please visit: https://www.procure.ie/irelands-most-energy-efficient-counties/ Procure.ie analysed 80,526 non-domestic BER audits by county, published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), covering everything from offices and warehouses to hotels, schools, hospitals and shops across Ireland between 2009 and 2025, to find out which counties are the most energy efficient. About Procure.ie Procure.ie are Ireland's largest business utility consultants, specialising in providing strategic guidance and solutions to businesses across the country. Procure.ie offers comprehensive services ensuring you get the best deal across energy and merchant services. See more breaking stories here. 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 fantasti...

Iaros Belkin and Philip Cripe reporting on Istanbul Blockchain Week 2026. Istanbul has never been just a city. Straddling two continents, it has always been a place where civilisations collide and deals get made. This week, that same energy filled the Hilton Bomonti Hotel as Istanbul Blockchain Week returned for its fifth edition from June 2-3, 2026. And the city was still buzzing from something else entirely. Just three days before the first panel kicked off, Kanye West drew an estimated 118,000 fans to Atatürk Olympic Stadium in one of Europe's biggest concerts in years. It was a record breaking spectacle organised by Access Opera, ILS Vision, and Backstage Global. With concerts cancelled or blocked across the UK, France, Poland, and Switzerland, Istanbul emerged as the tour's 2026unlikely but triumphant launchpad. The city had just made global headlines, and the Web3 crowd arrived into that afterglow. Istanbul was not just hosting a blockchain conference. It was having a moment. IBW 2026 arrived at a point when the crypto industry is moving away from speculative narratives and returning to infrastructure, liquidity, interoperability, and sustainable business models. That shift was clear on the conference floor. Gone were the moonshot promises of earlier bull cycles. In their place were serious conversations about financial architecture, compliance frameworks, and what actually scales. A breath of fresh air for those of us that have been in web 3 through ups and downs. The backdrop matters enormously here. According to Chainalysis, Türkiye leads the Middle East and North Africa's largest cryptocurrency market, recording nearly $200 billion in annual on-chain transactions, almost four times that of the UAE. This is not a country just discovering crypto. It is one where digital assets have become an economic necessity for millions navigating currency volatility and inflation. IBW 2026 was positioned to foster meaningful connections between startups, incumbents, and policymakers seeking pragmatic insights and collaborations. The program reflected that ambition. Attendees moved through fireside chats, panels, roundtables, workshops, and hands-on sessions covering real-world asset tokenisation, AI agents, privacy, stablecoins, DeFi security, layer-2 scaling, cross-chain liquidity, and regulatory compliance. Running alongside the main summit were BlockDown Festival, DeFAICon Istanbul, the RWA Builders Summit, DealFlow Den, and IstanHack, each serving a distinct corner of the ecosystem, from experienced investors to hackathon developers building late into the night. IBW 2026 brought together 5,000+ projects, 1,700+ influencers, 200+ media outlets, and 300+ international speakers, with past editions welcoming over 20,000 total attendees. Not a niche gathering. But a top tier event that any serious Web3 operator, whether based in Dublin, Dubai, or Denver, needs on their radar. What sets IBW apart from the Brussels or Singapore circuit is the regulatory dimension. Turkey's government has been actively shaping crypto legislation, and having policymakers in the same rooms as founders and VCs accelerates the kind of alignment the industry needs. The institutional track, run as a closed-door forum, brought together asset managers, exchanges, and infrastructure providers to work through the hard questions around custody, capital formation, and compliance: the unglamorous plumbing that determines whether Web3 actually crosses into the mainstream. For European builders and investors, Istanbul represents something increasingly rare: a high-growth market with genuine retail adoption, government engagement, and a young, technically literate population. IBW founder Erhan Korhaliller said in his welcome speech that the goal was to make this edition "bigger, bolder and more impactful than ever." By all accounts, the city delivered. With a little help from 118,000 Kanye fans who reminded the world, just days earlier, that Istanbul knows how to p...

Greenvolt Next, part of Greenvolt Group, a leading specialist in renewable energy solutions for the commercial and industrial sector, has announced the creation of 90 new jobs – 50 of which will be based at its Waterford headquarters. Over the next 12 months, the company will be recruiting mid-level to senior managers to support its operations in Ireland and the UK. Roles will include project engineers, senior project engineers, project managers and site managers. These new positions are part of a significant investment into the company's expansion, talent acquisition strategy and future growth plans. This funding will also go towards the further development of Greenvolt Next's existing Waterford HQ, which is being increased by 2176 sq ft and will be equipped with the latest technologies. In turn, the expanded team will enable Greenvolt Next to deliver more large-scale projects, supporting developers and landowners in advancing renewable assets, while meeting the increasing demand for green energy solutions in the Irish and UK markets. As an organisation, Greenvolt Next supports businesses with their renewable energy transformations. It is responsible for some of Ireland's largest and most innovative renewable energy projects, including Sanofi Waterford solar farm. It also works with leading retailers including Lidl, Aldi and Tesco. Over the next three years, Greenvolt Next forecasts significant increase in revenue following accelerated market growth. This will be driven by the rising demand for sustainable and renewable energy, as well as requirements around CSRD reporting. Specifically, the organisation anticipates growing demand for solar panel installations and battery storage projects over the next 12 months. In 2025, Greenvolt Next reduced customer CO2 emissions by 30,000 tonnes, with a further reduction of 150,000 tonnes of CO2 projected over the next three years as demand for renewable energy soars. Owen Power, CEO of Greenvolt Next Ireland & UK, commented: "Our success to date has been driven by our ability to deliver the most reliable and cost-effective energy solutions to customers, underpinned by unmatched resources and expertise. Looking to the future, which will only see greater demand for such projects, we want to continue making a tangible impact for businesses and the environment. "That means investing in operations, growing the team and innovating for customers. As well as marking the next stage in our own journey, this will allow us to make renewable energy easy for more organisations across Ireland and the UK. In turn, they will not only be more sustainable but also more successful." Greenvolt Next operates within a dynamic and agile environment. As a growing international Group also focused on Utility-Scale and Sustainable Biomass projects, Greenvolt Next offers opportunities for professional development, enabling people to contribute to projects with tangible impact, supporting the advancement of the energy transition. To apply for available roles at Greenvolt Next – https://next.greenvolt.com/ie/careers/ See more stories here.

A visit to TeraWulf's Lake Mariner campus reveals how AI infrastructure is evolving far beyond the traditional data centre Standing beside the former Somerset coal-fired power station on the shores of Lake Ontario, it was difficult to miss the scale of what is now taking shape. (See photo above of the Lake Mariner facility under construction). Construction crews were working across the Lake Mariner campus, where TeraWulf is transforming a site once associated with coal-fired electricity generation, and later bitcoin mining, into a major AI and high-performance computing facility. One of the largest buildings currently under development, known as CB-4, spans approximately 330,000 square feet, equivalent to more than four full-sized football pitches under one roof. The site was one of several stops during a Schneider Electric-hosted visit to Buffalo, New York examining the infrastructure emerging around large-scale AI computing. While much public discussion focuses on AI software and increasingly powerful processors, the visit highlighted something less visible: the industrial infrastructure now being built to support the next generation of AI systems. Lake Mariner's story is also one of industrial regeneration. Rather than developing a completely new location, TeraWulf is repurposing an established industrial site, reusing land, transmission infrastructure and grid connections already associated with power generation. The company has stated that its operations are powered predominantly by zero-carbon electricity, drawing on hydroelectric and nuclear generation available through New York State's electricity system, alongside solar generation currently under development on site. During a tour of the campus, Sean Farrell, COO of TeraWulf, described a project being delivered at remarkable speed. Around 1,600 people are involved across engineering, construction and specialist trades. "We work around the clock," Farrell said. According to Farrell, facilities that once took years to deliver are now being brought online in less than 12 months. The speed of development was one of the most striking aspects of the visit. Walking around the site, it became clear that this was no longer simply a story about data centres. Alongside the buildings themselves were substations, transformers, cooling systems, power distribution equipment and extensive electrical infrastructure. Having toured Lake Mariner, I asked Robert Bunger, Global Director of Data Centre Solution Architecture at Schneider Electric, whether the industry had reached a point where access to power, cooling and grid capacity now matters as much as constructing new facilities. Bunger's answer was immediate. "Scale, capacity and grid capacity," he said. "Absolutely." The response reflected much of what visitors had seen throughout the day. The challenge facing operators is no longer simply creating more data centre space. It is securing enough power, cooling and supporting infrastructure to keep pace with rapidly growing AI workloads. Speed is also becoming a critical factor. Throughout the visit, Farrell, and later Bunger, returned to the challenge of delivering infrastructure quickly enough to meet demand. The issue is no longer limited to buildings. Power equipment, cooling systems, specialist engineering expertise and supply chain capacity all have to be available at the right time. Facilities that once took years to deliver are now expected in months. For operators competing to support AI customers, the ability to deploy infrastructure rapidly is becoming a competitive advantage in its own right. One of the questions I put to Bunger concerned the growing industry discussion around 800 VDC and new high-density power architectures. Was this simply another technical trend, or evidence that traditional data centre electrical architectures were no longer sufficient for AI-scale workloads? Bunger's answer suggested the latter. "The need to change the way we're doing things from a ...

Pictured at the launch of the report, "Digital Infrastructure for the Future We Want", were Darren Maher, Managing Partner, Matheson LLP, Jim Power, Amárach Research, Minister of State Timmy Dooley, Michelle Wallace, Interim CEO, Digital Infrastructure Ireland and Maurice Mortell, Chairperson, Digital Infrastructure Ireland. An economic study on the data centre industry has revealed the critical role the centres play in Irish corporate tax windfalls and in the €107.5 billion in taxes paid here by the ICT industry. The study by economist Jim Power and statistician Gerard O Neill from Amárach Research has also sounded a warning bell that the ongoing limitations on the development of datacentres are now posing a considerable risk to Ireland's attractiveness as a location for foreign direct investment. Speaking at the launch of the report, Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, Timmy Dooley, said: "Ireland's data centre ecosystem is and will continue to be a critical driver of national economic performance, underpinning high?value sectors, foreign direct investment, digital competitiveness, operational resilience, and export growth, while supporting tens of thousands of jobs." Maurice Mortell, Chairperson of Digital Infrastructure Ireland added: "Ireland has a long history of attracting investment and has positioned itself as one of Europe's leading locations for digital infrastructure. Sustaining Ireland's taxes and its role as a leading investment hub requires a National Digital Strategy that integrates digital infrastructure, energy, planning and industrial policy to support long term competitiveness. The Government's announcements must now translate into tangible actions. With a renewed approach, Ireland can lead the next generation in developing sustainable, high performance digital infrastructure – but delivery is essential. The reality is that considerable taxation is paid where IP assets are located and this has been instrumental to the strong growth in corporation tax revenues since 2015. The risk is that if data centres are going to be built in other locations, because they cannot be built in Ireland, the IP assets could follow the data centres, with very negative implications for Irish corporation tax revenues. Ireland is losing business and global companies are moving their investment pipelines elsewhere." The study, "Digital Infrastructure for the Future We Want", says there has been €18 billion in investment from Ireland's data centre ecosystem, spanning across 105 facilities and 35 operators. It finds that the economic significance of data centres is greater than the direct employment they create and the vital element of critical infrastructure that they provide. "Data centres are essential for the Government's AI and digital strategy, the modernisation of the public sector and the indigenous business economy," the report notes. "Ireland has a high dependence on foreign-owned companies in terms of employment, corporation and income tax receipts, and general economic activity. Given this high level of 'concentration risk' there is considerable pressure on Ireland to preserve its status as a good country in which to do business. That is now under considerable pressure," the authors say. The report highlights that a lot of global intellectual property is stored in Ireland and is a major contributor to tax revenues. "Many of the largest corporations in Ireland are in high-tech industries like pharmaceuticals or information technology that rely heavily on IP. Unlike a building or a machine, it is very easy to move Intellectual Property into or out of a country. There is a lot of Intellectual Property held in Ireland. Some of it has been produced here, while much is imported between different arms of the same multinational corporation." "The location of IP in Ireland makes a significant contribution to exports of goods and services from Ireland. In 2024, exports of computer services...

Registration is now open for the Law Society's latest free online course exploring the fast-evolving world of social media, artificial intelligence (AI) and the law, with over 2,200 participants already signed up. Open to anyone with an interest in tech and legal innovation – and its real-world impact – the new on-demand course starts on Tuesday 9 June 2026. This year's course will provide participants with an insight into the rapidly developing impact and intersection of Social Media, AI and the Law, offering an overview of recent advancements, delving into issues surrounding liability, regulation, privacy and data protection, social media bans, cybercrime, and ecommerce. It will also explore the considerable impact on our work environment and daily lives including digital manipulation and surveillance. President of the Law Society, Rosemarie Loftus, said: "The Law Society is proud to deliver this year's course on Social Media, AI and the Law. As AI continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, understanding its impact and how this intersects with social media use, society, business, and the legal world is no longer optional. "Delivered by expert speakers with engaging content, this course will help participants become more informed about liability, risk, regulation, and the implications of using AI in our modern online world. "Whether you are already working in the legal sector, retired or in education, this course is open to anyone, anywhere. All participants will learn how to navigate social media and AI both ethically and responsibly, which will be of benefit to you and wider society." Expert speakers, lawyers, public figures and academics will review the current state of play, demystify concerns, discuss the potential impact in the coming years, and much more. The course will be addressed by guest speakers, including: Niamh Hodnett, Online Safety Commissioner, Coimisiún na Meán Aisling Kelly, Head of Cybercrime Division at the Council of Europe Prof. Terry Flew, Professor of Digital Communication & Culture, The University of Sydney; Co-Director of the Centre for AI, Trust and Governance Owen Bennett, International digital policy expert; former Head of Online Safety Ofcom Nicola Byrne, Founder, RiskEye; Executive Chair, SaferSocial Paul Delahunty, Chief Information Security Officer, Stryve Dr. Lollie Mancey, Anthropologist, Futurist and Innovation Advocate Philip Andrews, SC, Andrews Law Carlo Salizzo, Partner, Dentons Kieran Kelly, Partner, Flynn O'Driscoll Shane English BL Clare Daly, Legal Advisor, Tusla Hazel McDwyer, Partner, Mason Hayes and Curran Maureen Daly, Partner and Head of Intellectual property, data protection and AI department, Reddy Charlton LLP Simon McGarr, Solicitor, McGarr Solicitors Public legal education Each year, the Law Society brings free legal education to members of the public through its Massive Open Online Course. Since 2014, the annual five-week courses have attracted over 41,200 participants from 119 countries with a record-breaking 7,064 participants signed up last year. This year's Social Media, AI and the Law course features online recorded and streamed presentations, together with interactive discussion forums and quizzes that allow participants to engage directly with expert presenters. The course is on-demand making it easy for participants to catch up at any stage with new course content released every Tuesday. For more information and to register, visit: https://mooc2026.lawsociety.ie/ The Law Society of Ireland has representative, regulatory and educational functions in respect of the solicitors' profession. It delivers high-quality legal education and training, encourages and supports the highest professional standards, and places significant emphasis on civic engagement, supporting local community initiatives and driving diversity and inclusion within the profession. Law Society website: www.lawsociety.ie See more breaking stories here. Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Onl...

Guest post by Shefaly M. Yogendra, Ph.D. Her book "Uncharted Spaces. Reset the Agenda. Reimagine the Boardroom." is out now. A recent Institute of Directors Ireland snap poll of Irish business leaders found that most directors use AI tools with varying degrees of confidence, and a majority believes AI adoption is critical for competitiveness and relevance. However fully two-thirds are not confident about their understanding of the impact of the Regulation of AI Bill 2026 on their business. Fewer than half of the boards have discussed AI governance in the last year. This suggests a gap in broader AI fluency and hence potentially deficient guardrails and governance mechanisms. While there is huge opportunity, risks need to be managed smartly too. E.g. a 3GEM research report found that while 89% of Irish SME workers actively use AI tools in their daily workflows, only 44% of those organizations have a formal AI policy or strategy. In plain English this is a shadow IT challenge. On steroids. How could Irish SME boards enable strategic success for their businesses, such as by ensuring safe, responsible, compliant AI adoption? Here are some actionable ideas. Relevant skills: A recent EY CHRO 2030 survey found that Generative AI adoption and the transition to a green economy are both accelerating at the same time. This means that skills that did not really crystallise even five years ago are needed urgently. It is crucial to get hiring right and to build strategic, ongoing skills development capacity in the business. This change would start with the board and the executive leadership team, underpinned by a regularly updated, dynamic skills matrix. The skills matrix needs to move away from box-ticking with the static safety of well-known employers and past big titles, and move towards active exploration of experience, capabilities, and evidence of growth and reflection. This will of course change sourcing, interviewing, and appointment of candidates, and then how the board evaluates its own construction continually for relevance. Relevant mindsets: In addition to hiring for demonstrable capabilities and skills, future-relevant boards need mindsets that shape the business for future success. A changed mindset would view compliance and governance not as burdens or checklists but as enablers of growth and client acquisition. Cubic Telecom's well-known governance evolution serves as an illustrative example. Following a capital event where SoftBank became a majority owner, the board reconfigured itself to balance global ambition with local roots and operational agility. SoftBank-appointed directors serve alongside strategic customer observers from Audi and Qualcomm, while the founder and CEO Barry Napier helps bridge the company's Irish product roots with its international ambition. Barespace provides another live example, this time of how high-calibre, enterprise-grade governance could be designed and implemented well, right from the start. Following a €2.9 million seed round in September 2025, the company appointed prominent Irish VC and tech veteran Brian Caulfield as Chair of the board. Its strategic advisers include Rick Kelley and Barry Napier, who bring growth and strategic nous to the boardroom right from the foundational stage. The wisdom of these choices is borne out in the experiences of building new businesses, where specialists, hands-on warriors and famous names all play specific roles in the shaping of the business. Relevant cadence: Future-relevant boards need a different workflow and cadence than the current practice of quarterly, compliance-centric approaches. Rolling strategic reviews would serve the business well especially with shrinking and super-short technology hype cycles. These hype cycles do not need reactive, kneejerk responses but steady and calm leadership to steer the business through a time of rapid change. Wild success, however we define it, is not accidental but deliberate. Culture as the underpinning e...

By David Stephen Conceptually, humans have generalized memory. Simply, humans do not have specific memory of everything in the external world, however familiar. There are groups or collections in human memory that make it easier for humans to navigate the world. These collections also make access thorough for relays or transport, than having the memory area cluttered with respective memories of everything. This says that the function called human intelligence is foundational on memory. So, if human intelligence is generalized, then human memory is also generalized. This indicates that if artificial general intelligence [AGI] will be possible, a lot of effort has to include new memory architecture, similar to human memory. While there would be better deep learning architectures than transformers, it should be evident that the excellence of transformers, even with classical memory would have been better if there was a different memory structure. So, no matter the promise of world models, or the promise of neurosymbolic AI, memory is so integral to intelligence that it is unlikely that both directions would archive AGI. Intelligence can be defined as the use of memory for expected, desired or advantageous outcomes. This means that the way memory is used, determines what becomes intelligence. The better memory is used, the more intelligent or the more effective the memory is, for whatever outcome. If memory use means intelligence, it implies that memory is a station or destination, then intelligence is transport across those destinations. It is true that in the brain, there are many destinations — so to speak — but those for memory and how they are visited make determinations for intelligence. Now, for all there is to know about the external world, assuming that every memory is separately held, so a violet door, a green door, a long door, a wooden door, a metal door, and so on, then if intelligence would keep visiting all, it would be too slow to respond and sometimes not reach where it should. This is a reason that human memory is stored as a collection of similarities. Simply, assuming a destination is a thick set, then a thick set collects whatever is similar between two or more thin sets. Conceptually, a set refers to an assembly, configuration or formation of electrical and chemical signals. A set is also theorized to be obtained in a cluster of neurons. A cluster of neurons may have one or more sets. However, a set is how information is organized. Now, because a set organizes a door, there are respective chemical signals and electrical signals that must assemble in a particular way, to result in that door. Then, if another door is seen, there would be similar assembly [of signals] even as they are not the same. So, what the brain does is that it collects all those similarities, between any set into a bigger one. This is what becomes utilized to make interpretations. This implies that whenever any door is seen, what is used to know it is a door is the thick set. While there are several thin sets for specific things — with no similarities — they are usually fewer. Aside from thick sets, there are overlays of thick sets, which often changes. For example, the thick set of door overlays with the thick set of knob. The thick set of door can also overlay with the thick set of metal or wood, key, or lock and so on. Overlays are often temporary. And sometimes switches fast as well. They allow for memory to be positioned for use, more easily and to ensure that creativity or innovation is possible or even when something is routine, there is at least the chance to have it feel different. Overlays are also useful to ease how to figure things out, or come up with something new even without the intention of doing so. Memory can overlay in certain ways, making relays pick on that to use it. While thick sets have several advantages, one of their major disadvantages is learning, especially something new and not as familiar, for an adult. I...

The Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland (SEAI) has announced a new round of Government of Ireland funding of €20 million to support energy research and innovation under its 2026 National Energy Research, Development & Demonstration (RD&D) Funding Programme and Energise Fellowship Programme. The RD&D call welcomes innovative energy research proposals that will help accelerate Ireland's transition to a clean, secure and affordable energy future, supporting national climate and energy objectives. The 2026 call is open to researchers across all disciplines and to public and private sector organisations, encouraging collaboration to deliver impactful and scalable solutions for Ireland's energy transition. The deadline for applications to the RD&D call for the call is 13:00, Tuesday 30th June 2026. SEAI is pleased to announce that the 2026 RD&D call involves co-funding partnerships with Met Éireann and Geological Survey Ireland. In parallel, the SEAI Energise Fellowship Programme 2026 calls are now open, offering opportunities for researchers to undertake high-impact, policy-relevant energy research. The programme aims to build capacity in the sustainable energy sector, strengthen the link between research and policy, and support evidence-based decision-making for Ireland's clean energy transition. Fellowships are available in both academic settings and within SEAI, with the SEAI-based fellowships offering a unique opportunity to gain direct experience of energy policy development and implementation. Eligibility for those has been expanded for 2026 to attract more senior and established researchers, including academic staff, broadening participation and strengthening the impact of the programme. The deadline for the SEAI based fellowships applications is 13:00, Thursday 11th June 2026, and for the academic fellowships is 13:00, Tuesday 30th June 2026. SEAI has supported energy research since 2002, with the RD&D programme playing a central role in delivering innovation across the energy sector. More than 300 projects have been supported to date, with total funding of over €120 million, spanning areas such as renewable energy, energy systems, energy management and efficiency, transport, energy policy, human behaviour and community engagement. What's new for 2026 The 2026 programme introduces several key updates: A revised thematic approach, focusing on priority research areas in line with government national priorities A new (optional) Offshore Renewable Energy RDD+ funding pathway, supporting projects that are relevant to offshore renewable energy, and require access to specialist test facilities outside Ireland, with funding of up to €2 million per project Enhancements to the Energise Fellowship Programme, broadening eligibility and strengthening links between research and policy Equal, diverse, and inclusive teams lead to higher productivity, creativity, and greater problem-solving ability, resulting in more impactful research. We strive to enhance opportunities to address gender imbalances in research leadership. Wider support is also available to support equality, diversity and inclusion including funding for those who may have additional support needs and accompanied travel for those with caring responsibilities. Further information is available at: https://www.seai.ie/seai research/research-funding/ Minister for the Climate, Environment and Energy Darragh O'Brien, TD said: "This €20 million investment highlights the Government's strong commitment to driving innovation that will accelerate Ireland's transition to a clean, secure and affordable energy future. I welcome the continued growth of SEAI's RD&D and Energise Fellowship programmes, as well as the new Offshore Renewable Energy pathway, which will help position Ireland at the forefront of renewable innovation. I encourage researchers and organisations to apply and play a key role in shaping a more sustainable energy system." William Walsh, CEO of SEAI added: "Innovation...

Ireland remains an attractive location for foreign direct investment (FDI) with investor sentiment positive and overall investment here holding steady even as Europe continues a multi-year decline in inbound investment. That's according to the EY European Attractiveness Survey, which tracks cross-border investment projects resulting in new facilities and job creation across the continent. Ireland attracted 75 FDI projects in 2025, matching 2024 levels. This places it 15th overall in Europe, up two places from last year, and tenth on a per-population basis. United States investment made up more than half (53%) of inbound FDI to Ireland, consistent with historical levels and considerably higher than the 19% average held by US FDI across Europe. The regional profile was balanced, with 41% of projects in locations outside of Dublin. Ireland ranked tenth in Europe by investors in terms of FDI attractiveness for 2026, with investors pointing to a range of factors that make Ireland an attractive location for future FDI investment. These include our EU location and the access to new markets and customers this brings, competitive tax policy – most notably the R&D tax credit, talent, language and cultural ties to North America in particular. In contrast, inward investment for Europe fell to a ten-year low in 2025, with a 7% drop in projects when compared to 2024. Total projects across the continent in 2025 (5,023) were 22% lower than the 2019 pre-pandemic level (6,412). While the number of projects from US investors in Europe stabilised during 2025, it remains 38% below its 2019 peak. This is driven by industrial policy decisions by successive US administrations, as well as perceptions by investors of weaker growth prospects, regulatory complexity, higher operating costs and policy fragmentation. Software and IT services (33) was Ireland's leading FDI sector during 2025, with the number of projects doubling versus 2024, and the sector accounted for more than 40% of the year's total. Business services (14) and financial services (9) projects were the next two largest FDI sectors in Ireland. A key highlight of the research is the strength of the Irish innovation economy. Research and development projects (R&D) accounted for 25% of Irish investments, far ahead of the total European share of 7%. This confirms Ireland's position as a leading knowledge economy with a strong capacity to attract innovation-driven investment and supported by an internationally competitive R&D tax credit regime. Ireland was also rated highly as a location for AI investment, innovation and deployment. However, the research also identified risks to Ireland's future attractiveness. Ireland is perceived as having challenges in terms of infrastructure, and the cost of energy, labour and other inputs. Infrastructure constraints was the top-rated risk affecting Ireland's future attractiveness, rising from sixth in the previous year's survey. EY Ireland Partner and Head of FDI Feargal de Freine said: "In what was another challenging year for FDI in Europe, holding our own is a strong outcome for Ireland as is the continued strength of investor sentiment towards Ireland. Our performances in software and R&D in particular highlight our enduring advantage in these fields, while Ireland was also rated highly as a location for AI investment, innovation and deployment. However, the broader European trend points towards a structural shift in global FDI investment that has been underway for several years now, as countries utilise industrial policy to aggressively court investment. Events over the past 12 to 18 months have accelerated this agenda, and businesses and policymakers are seeking to navigate disruption across a range of fields simultaneously, including geopolitical risk, economic shock and technological disruption. Carol Murphy, EY Ireland Partner and Head of Markets said: "It is encouraging to see Ireland continuing to secure a disproportionately strong share of in...

Ageing mind and impact of social media on the brain up for debate at Robert Boyle Summer School June 4 to 7 What effect does social media have on the mind? What changes take place in the ageing mind and what goes on in the minds of serial killers? All will be revealed as avid conversationalists and the culturally curious gather for four days of intriguing discussion and debate. 'Mind and Matter' is the theme for this year's Robert Boyle Summer School, a not-to-be-missed gathering from June 4 to 7 that promises thought-provoking talks, discussions and entertainment in Waterford city and Lismore. This year begins with a special opening evening with SETU forensic psychologists Dr Lorraine Bowman Grieve and Dr Jennifer O'Mahoney as they explore our fascination with true crime and serial killers, followed by a weekend full of engaging conversation and social events. The Summer School is a weekend event for adults interested in exploring the role of science in our culture, organiser, Eoin Gill said. It's an annual pilgrimage to the south east for many from across Ireland. "The annual Robert Boyle Summer School is in the tradition if Irish cultural summer schools -very much a Festival for adults, not a school; focusing on Science, but not for Scientists," Eoin Gill said. "We explore where ideas come from and how they impact and affect how we see the world today. The annual Robert Boyle Summer School brings together speakers across various fields on a particular theme relevant to society. This year's Mind and Matter theme will resonate with our audience and we look forward to really good, mind-opening conversation and debate. "We're honoured that this year, we will be joined by excellent speakers and experts in their field, among these Prof. William Eaton head of the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Georgia Southern University; Dr Emma Farrell from the Department of Psychology at Maynooth University, and Regius Professor Rose Anne Kenny from the Trinity College who leads the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing and is author of the best-selling Age Proof : The New Science of Living a Longer and Healthier Life "We're privileged to also have Prof. Mark Cunningham from Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience with us for the 2026 Festival, along with Prof. Luke Gibbons from Maynooth University. In addition to the talks and discussions, the weekend features an array of entertainment, social gatherings and the iconic Garden Party in the stunning surrounds of Lismore Castle Gardens," he explained. The Robert Boyle Summer School is organised by CALMAST, South East Technological University's STEM Engagement Centre in partnership with Lismore Heritage Centre, with support from Waterford City and County Council, Lismore Castle Estates, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), local industry West, Waters, Sanofi, Haleon and Bausch and Lomb. Book a session, a day or the whole Summer School on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/robert-boyle-summer-school-2026-tickets-1981338115640?aff=website See more breaking stories here. 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.

By Mr. Stefanos Angeletos, Mr. Nikolaos Koulierakis, Dr. Vasiliki Danilatou Europe's digital transformation is accelerating at an unprecedented pace. Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping industries, critical infrastructures are becoming increasingly interconnected, and cyber threats are growing in both sophistication and frequency. Against this backdrop, the European Union faces a critical challenge: how to equip its workforce with the multidisciplinary skills required to secure Europe's digital future. The answer may lie in a new ambitious European initiative: EU-iNSPIRE – iNnovative multi-diSciPlinary Industry-focused cybersecurity education for upskilling and ReskIlling the EU workforcE. The project is supported by the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HADEA) under the DIGITAL Europe Programme. EU-INSPIRE brings together 23 organisations across academia, industry, cybersecurity, policy, insurance, and standardisation to create a next-generation educational ecosystem for cybersecurity, AI, and cyber insurance. This four-year initiative officially began in January 2025 and will run until December 2028 under the coordination of the University of Piraeus Research Center in Greece. Eunomia Limited, an SME based in Dublin, Ireland, is proud to contribute to this groundbreaking initiative as one of the consortium partners. A Pan-European Initiative Addressing the Cybersecurity Skills Gap The cybersecurity skills shortage is no longer simply a workforce issue – it is a strategic challenge for Europe's resilience, economic stability, and technological sovereignty. Organisations across sectors increasingly struggle to recruit professionals who possess not only technical cybersecurity expertise, but also understanding of AI governance, cyber-risk management, regulatory compliance, and cyber-insurance. The rapidly evolving digital landscape increasingly demands professionals with multidisciplinary skillsets who can navigate technical, organisational, ethical, regulatory, and strategic challenges, rather than relying exclusively on narrow domain specialisation. EU-iNSPIRE was designed to address exactly this challenge. According to the project description, the initiative aims to revolutionise higher education within cybersecurity by cultivating a new generation of specialists with expertise spanning the political, organisational, and technological dimensions of cybersecurity, AI, and cyber insurance. The project will also support continuous upskilling and reskilling for professionals adapting to evolving digital threats and industry demands. The project is currently progressing towards the completion of course development. Why EU-iNSPIRE Matters Cybersecurity is no longer confined to IT departments. Every sector – from healthcare and finance to manufacturing, transport, insurance, and public administration – depends on resilient digital infrastructures. At the same time, AI technologies are rapidly being integrated into cybersecurity operations. AI can improve threat detection, automate incident response, and strengthen resilience. However, it also introduces new risks including adversarial attacks, algorithmic vulnerabilities, and ethical concerns around transparency, accountability, and bias. This convergence of cybersecurity and AI creates an urgent need for professionals who can work across disciplines. EU-iNSPIRE responds through a three-fold approach: 1. Training cybersecurity professionals capable of leveraging AI-driven technologies to enhance resilience of systems, infrastructures, and digital processes. 2. Developing cyber insurance specialists who understand the relationship between cybersecurity, AI, and cyber risk assessment. 3. Empowering domain experts with sector-specific digital transformation expertise, particularly in conformity assessment and regulatory compliance. The project goes beyond traditional academic programmes. It aims to create a sustainable ecosystem that combines: Master-level educati...

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a global leader in IT services, consulting and business solutions, who operate a Global Delivery Centre in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, today announced a landmark strategic partnership with Mistral, one of world's leading AI companies. As part of this collaboration, TCS has become the first global systems integrator partner for Mistral Forge, Mistral's advanced system for enterprises to build frontier-grade AI models grounded in their proprietary enterprise knowledge and domain-specific data. The partnership combines Mistral's frontier AI capabilities with TCS' deep context of enterprise customers, domain knowledge and engineering excellence, to help organisations scale enterprise AI responsibly with greater speed. As part of this strategic collaboration, TCS will leverage Mistral Forge to build custom AI models for enterprises. It will help customers deploy their data and enterprise context to improve decision outcomes. This collaboration draws on TCS' strong global presence across North America, the United Kingdom, Europe, and Asia-Pacific to deliver AI solutions tailored to industry needs, operations and regulatory requirements. The partnership will initially focus on sectors like banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI), manufacturing, healthcare, and the public sector, where trusted AI adoption is becoming increasingly critical. TCS will also establish a dedicated Centre of Excellence for Mistral to drive joint innovation, build industry-specific solutions, support project delivery, and accelerate client value through early access to Mistral's beta models. The Centre of Excellence will serve as a strategic hub for advanced talent, focused training, and the capabilities needed to design, deploy, and govern AI solutions. Arthur Mensch, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder at Mistral, said, "TCS' global scale and contextual industry knowledge make them an ideal partner for Mistral. Together, we are enabling enterprises worldwide to move from experimentation to AI deployment with systems that are open, production-ready and aligned with their strategic and operational requirements." K Krithivasan, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director at TCS said, "The partnership with Mistral reinforces TCS' commitment to scaling enterprise AI with trust, control, and measurable business outcomes at the core. This partnership expands TCS' AI ecosystem, uniquely positioning TCS to create a differentiated solution proposition for our clients. Together with Mistral, we will solve for specific industry challenges, regulatory requirements, and sovereign needs for our enterprise customers." As part of its broader Infrastructure to Intelligence AI strategy, TCS continues to invest across infrastructure, models, data, application, platforms and physical and digital intelligence. This aligns with TCS' ambition to become the world's largest AI-led technology services company, underpinned by a five-pillar strategy focused on embedding AI across the enterprise, scaling AI-led delivery capabilities, and driving measurable business outcomes for clients.

Irish Tech News is at Dublin Tech Summit and over the 2 days Ronan will be doing various podcasts. Our fourth podcast is with James Kretchmar SVP and CTO of Cloud Technology at Akamai the cybersecurity and cloud computing company that powers and protects business online. James talks to Ronan about his background, what Akami does, cloud outages and AI. Irish Tech News is at Dublin Tech Summit and over the 2 days Ronan will be doing various podcasts. Our ffith podcast is with Alvina Antar Chief Digital Officer at F5, an American technology company providing global scale and industry-leading converged application delivery and security platform offering unrivaled insight into the challenges and threats facing modern and legacy apps in the AI era. Alvina talks to Ronan about her background, embracing new technology, what F5 does, AI and getting the Grace Hopper award the night before Dublin Tech Summit started. Irish Tech News is at Dublin Tech Summit and over the 2 days Ronan will be doing various podcasts. Our sixth podcast is with John Wilson CISO and President of Forensics at HaystackID, and Jeff Shapiro Managing Director of Europe at HaystackID. John and Jeff talk to Ronan about their backgrounds, what Haystack does, their Dublin Tech Summit talk and AI deep fakes. See more podcasts here. 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.

Tech salaries trends to watch Irish tech roles now command salaries that compete with – and often exceed – those in other key global economies and tech markets, reinforcing the country's position as a top-tier destination for skilled professionals, according to the latest Hays Tech Talent Explorer. While much of the global conversation around Artificial Intelligence has focused on job displacement, the research highlights how AI is instead reshaping tech roles. Routine and administrative tasks are becoming increasingly automated, allowing professionals to focus on complex, high-impact work. In Ireland, this shift is contributing to continued salary growth as demand rises for professionals who combine technical expertise with critical thinking, creativity, and decision-making skills. Ireland's Growing Global Competitiveness The research benchmarks Ireland against other key international markets, focusing on salaries in each economy across a range of tech roles. Ireland maintains a significant pay advantage in several key roles, such as Data Engineers and Solutions Architects. When compared to markets like the UK and Germany, Ireland performs strongly, with overall tech salaries in those countries trailing by 17% and 19% respectively. While the United States remains the global leader in compensation – with average tech salaries reaching approximately €108,387 compared to €81,338 in Ireland – the data reveals a tightening gap in specialised fields such as Data Scientists. The findings suggest Ireland offers employers access to highly skilled technical talent at a more sustainable cost base. Furthermore, salary benchmarks in Ireland remain closely aligned with major global markets like Australia and Singapore, while contractor day rates rival major hubs including Luxembourg and Hong Kong, reflecting the country's strategic importance as a centre for global tech operations. Despite broader economic uncertainty, Irish tech wages continue to be driven by sustained demand for advanced, future-ready skill sets rather than AI-led disruption. Senior Managing Director for Hays Ireland, Barney Ely, said: "Ireland is no longer just a European branch office for major tech companies, it is now a primary engine of global tech innovation. We are seeing a shift where AI is enabling tech professionals to move away from routine tasks and towards work that is more strategic and globally impactful. "We've recently seen layoffs at major players across the tech industry, but the continued strength of salaries demonstrates the resilience of the Irish market. "For talent, Ireland offers a landscape where technical skills are met with high-value rewards. For employers, the challenge is no longer just finding people – it's partnering with experts who can navigate an increasingly AI-enhanced environment." See more breaking stories here.

EZO, Ireland's largest private electric vehicle (EV) charging network, has today announced a new partnership with eir, launching the first of a series of dedicated high-speed urban EV charging hubs. Dublin's Walkinstown marks the beginning of this rollout, following the successful programme where EZO and eir converted 109 public payphone kiosks into EV charging stations across 13 local authorities. The Walkinstown site is the first of 50 purpose-built EZO-eir hubs planned around the country, designed to significantly improve urban charging coverage, user access and charging speeds for the growing number of electric vehicle drivers nationwide. Unlike traditional single-point charging locations, the hubs are engineered as high-capacity urban charging destinations, providing multiple ultra-fast chargers in one place to reduce wait times and deliver a more convenient experience. These new hubs also demonstrate how existing infrastructure can be efficiently adapted to support Ireland's transport transition. Established locations are being utilised by repurposing former eir telephone exchanges and upgrading operational eir depots into modern high-performing charging facilities. The Walkinstown hub, which is an operational eir depot, features three 200kW ultra-fast chargers, enabling drivers to rapidly recharge and return to the road in minutes. Strategically located in a high-demand urban area, it represents a new model of EV infrastructure focused on scale, speed and accessibility. The multi-charger hubs mark a major step forward in the EZO's strategy to deliver true national urban coverage and meet accelerating EV adoption with infrastructure designed for future demand. EZO CEO Ollie Chatten said: "The EZO–eir partnership combines telecommunications infrastructure expertise with EV technology and operations capability, enabling rapid deployment of high-speed charging facilities in prime urban locations." "The launch of our first dedicated EV charging hub is a pivotal moment for EZO and for Ireland's EV infrastructure. These hubs are about looking forward and delivering faster charging, better access and urban coverage at scale. As EV adoption continues to grow in Ireland, drivers need infrastructure that is designed for convenience and reliability. Our nationwide hub rollout will play a critical role in enabling that future." eir CEO Oliver Loomes said: "We are pleased to progress our work with EZO, having already converted 109 former public payphone kiosks into modern EV charging stations. Our broadband and fibre networks virtually connect the people of Ireland, and this project represents a natural evolution of our commitment to nationwide connectivity. "By transforming our network of buildings in urban areas into accessible EV charging points, we are extending that connection to people and communities on the ground. This collaboration will expand the accessibility of EV charging across Ireland, utilising eir-owned sites to deliver more sustainable infrastructure and helping drive environmental progress in a meaningful and practical way." See more breaking stories here.

Schneider Electric, a global energy technology leader, will showcase the latest advancements in its AI-Ready solutions portfolio, designed to support next-generation AI factories and large-scale digital infrastructure, during Datacloud Global Congress 2026. As governments and businesses globally continue to accelerate investments in artificial intelligence (AI) to drive economic growth, AI infrastructure is becoming one of the defining industrial challenges of the decade. According to Morgan Stanley Research, nearly $3 trillion of AI-related infrastructure investment is expected to flow through the global economy by 2028, while Gartner forecasts worldwide AI spending will exceed $2.5 trillion in 2026 alone. Central to the AI revolution are data centers, which are transforming into the AI factories of the future. As AI workloads become more compute-intensive, operators are facing unprecedented demands around power availability, rack density, cooling and infrastructure resiliency. Throughout Datacloud Global Congress, which takes place from the 1st to the 4th June 2026, Schneider Electric will demonstrate how organizations can deploy AI-ready infrastructure responsibly through next-generation power architectures, liquid cooling technologies, intelligent software, and digital services. Keeping pace in the race for AI On 2nd June at 10.30am, Frédéric Godemel, EVP, Energy Management Business at Schneider Electric, will join executives from Oracle, DATA4, QTS Data Centers and CBRE for the Keynote Panel, entitled 'How is the Data Center Ecosystem Keeping up with AI Demand', to discuss why neocloud's have become the next disrupter in the market, how their deployments differ from hyperscale and enterprise requirements, and how Europe can keep pace in the race for AI. Additionally, on the 2nd June at 12pm, Schneider Electric will host a panel discussion exploring how operators can de-risk their energy investments via innovative project structures, stronger utility collaboration, and greater engagement with local governments. Thierry Chamayou, Vice President of Cloud and Service Providers in EMEA at Schneider Electric, will join industry experts from GreenScale, Trench Group, Kao Data, JSM Group and Solar Turbines to discuss the strategies needed to support responsible AI infrastructure growth. "AI is fundamentally reshaping the future of digital infrastructure, creating new demands around power, cooling and resiliency, at unprecedented scale," said Marc Garner, Global President, Cloud and Service Provider Segment, Schneider Electric. "At Datacloud Global Congress, we will demonstrate how collaboration across the ecosystem is enabling the next generation of AI factories and helping organizations build scalable, resilient and sustainable infrastructure, built for the AI era." Design, build, simulate and operate On the 1st June at 12pm, Sébastien Cruz-Mermy, VP Datacenter Innovation at Schneider Electric, will lead a technical innovation session focused on the future of AI factories and the infrastructure strategies required to support them. During the session, Sébastien will explore how ultra-high-density rack design, next-generation DC power delivery architectures and resilient cooling strategies are becoming critical to enabling the future of AI infrastructure at scale. The session comes as Schneider Electric continues to expand its AI infrastructure ecosystem. Later, Schneider Electric and NVIDIA will also co-host an exclusive invitation-only executive briefing, bringing together senior leaders and industry experts to discuss the evolving landscape of AI-driven infrastructure and explore NVIDIA's 5?Layer Cake framework, including the DSX Blueprint, supported by Digital Twins, that bridge the gap between design, deployment, and operations. Designed as a high-level executive networking experience, the event will feature strategic discussions focused on how advanced technologies are reshaping data centers and accelerating innovation at...

By David Stephen who looks at Neuroimaging and prediction adiction in this article. There is a recent report in The New York Times, Minnesota Becomes First State to Ban Prediction Markets, stating that, "Under the law, a person who creates, operates or advertises a prediction market that allows users to place bets on future events could be charged with a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The law would not subject Minnesotans who bet on the sites to criminal penalties." "Millions of Americans bet billions of dollars each month on markets ranging from the price of oil to who will win the reality show "Survivor." The markets have come under heightened scrutiny as suspicious trades have come to light and fueled concerns about insider trading." "Hundreds of other unusual bets have also raised eyebrows. A New York Times analysis of Polymarket data showed hundreds of bets placed one day before the United States launched an attack on Iran, suggesting some bettors may have known the strike was coming. In April, Kalshi said it had discovered three examples of congressional candidates placing bets on their own races." Problem gambling research lab with conceptual neuroimaging? There could be many ways to regulate prediction markets. However, the likelihood that they would eradicate most of the risks that people are exposed to might be slight. There are already gaming regulation suggestions, for example, in Europe to ensure that people do not bet using credit. There are several others around time limits, fewer betting options, and so on. However, these can be regarded as technical. This means that there are two approaches to dealing with problem gambling: a technical side and a mind side. Most of the ways that digital addictions, like social media, video games and others were approached has been lopsided. While progress was made, they were never as effective in amplifying willpower and providing measures of risks before certain consequential decisions. This is the reason to have a major problem gambling research lab, with conceptual neuroimaging as the core path, for mind safety, against prediction markets addiction. Simply, how can there be a dynamic display of the human mind, for relays and destinations that can show the reach of addiction in the mind? So, like a flowchart, there can be boxes and arrows, labeled with possible destinations of mind. Then, some data points [timing, type of game, odds, and so forth] can be used to decided relays, helping to show parallels of what is happening in the mind. It will especially show the addiction destinations and how they feedback to the pleasure destination, as well as ignore the consequences and caution destinations. The purpose is to ensure mind safety, so that people are aware of what is happening in their minds. This would be comparable to showing [say] the corrosion of something, given the effect of another substance. The application is a flowchart with different shapes representing destinations in the mind and then different lines and arrows representing relays. It will be dynamic, such that it can take some data, either entered manually or automatically, and then display the relays of mind, in the instance. It will be developed using data visualization algorithms, fitting in a flowchart format. It may also be pre-trained with some existing gaming data, to ensure that it is possible to automate tens of possibilities in the mind. The application will be miniaturized for compliance with some gaming apps aside from its standalone iteration. Some prediction markets can have this lab, while some other sports betting or addiction companies may do as well. Just to see the mind, score and fasten prevention against risks and losses. This solution will ensure that there is enough fairness to avoid people saying they did not have a choice or could not stop themselves. The application will standalone, but can also be displayed on the side of some apps, as well as...

Action plan for offshore wind energy launched as first projects expect to get planning this year. Wind Energy Ireland (WEI) today launched its Offshore Wind Action Plan 2026, setting out the urgent steps needed to . accelerate the delivery of offshore wind energy and achieve energy independence for Ireland. The plan, launched before more than 400 delegates at the annual Offshore Wind Conference taking place today and tomorrow in the Clayton Burlington Hotel in Dublin, comes at a time of rising costs for households and businesses driven by continued reliance on imported fossil fuels. Minister Darragh O'Brien TD will deliver the keynote address on Day One of the conference at 1.35pm and Minister Timmy Dooley TD will deliver the keynote address on Day Two at 9.30am. Recent research from the ESRI confirms that Ireland's electricity prices are the highest in Europe because of our dependence on imported gas. The report also pointed out that countries like Spain which, after the previous fossil fuel crisis caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, cut their dependence on gas the fastest saw prices fall quickest. The action plan highlights significant progress over the last 12 months driven by the Taoiseach's new Clearing House for Offshore Wind Energy and a successful auction for the new Tonn Nua offshore project on the south coast, with industry confident that the first planning decisions on east-coast offshore projects can be expected later this year. However, while progress is clear, challenges remain and the plan identifies 18 actions for delivery over the next 12 months with key priorities including: An Coimisiún Pleanála must be supported to deliver on its commitment to offshore wind planning decision timelines – including getting the first decision out in September; The CRU, EirGrid and industry must finalise all grid agreements and specifications for the existing east-coast projects so they can connect to the grid; Clarity is needed on Ireland's future offshore wind pipeline, which sites will be available to progress and when; The Government must publish the National Ports Policy and, where a strong and credible business case is made, facilitate State investment in ports so they can build Irish offshore wind farms. The Government should advance plans for coastal Green Energy Parks which use offshore wind energy to attract new industries and create jobs. Noel Cunniffe, CEO of Wind Energy Ireland, said: "Irish families and businesses are living through their second global fossil fuel energy crisis in five years. As long as we choose to depend on energy imports, in an increasingly volatile and erratic fossil fuel market, we are vulnerable. "And when the next crisis hits, pensioners will, again, worry about the price of heating oil. Transport, fishing and agricultural sectors will, again, face enormous pressures as diesel prices rise. Families will, again, sit at the kitchen table looking in disbelief at their electricity bill. "Let's make a different choice. We choose Irish energy independence. We choose to generate our own clean and affordable power from our own enormous offshore wind energy resources. We can transport this on our upgraded grid, we can store this using new technologies, like long-duration energy storage. "We can invest in electrification and use our opportunity as holders of the EU Presidency later this year to prioritise the coming European Electrification Action Plan." Achieving this will require a concerted and joined-up effort right across the policy system to enable the first phase of projects to be built and energised in the early 2030s. Noel Cunniffe continued: "Ireland is radically and permanently transforming our entire energy system from how we generate electricity, to how we move and store it, to how we use it. "Achieving this cannot rest with one single department or group of policymakers, no matter how committed they might be. "It requires sustained support across Government, EirGrid, the regulato...

Maynooth University's (MU) has announced the launch of 25 new Faculty of Science & Engineering (FSE) ARDÚ Doctoral Scholarships, marking a major investment in the next generation of research talent and innovation. The FSE ARDÚ Doctoral Scholarships will support 25 PhD research students across three of the University's Research Beacons: Data Science and Digital Transformation, Health and Wellbeing, and Sustainability and Climate Change. The scholarships will fund cutting-edge research projects spanning areas such as health and disease, AI-driven healthcare analytics, and the molecular understanding of advanced materials. MU's FSE has a strong track record of delivering research that combines fundamental discovery with real-world impact. Across the faculty, researchers are addressing major challenges in health, sustainability, and digital transformation through collaborative research. By bringing together expertise from across disciplines, the ARDÚ programme will give doctoral research students the opportunity to work in a dynamic and supportive research environment while contributing to internationally recognised research. The programme reflects the faculty's strengths in computational and data science, advanced materials and physical sciences, and health, psychology, and human-centred research, supporting interdisciplinary approaches to complex real-world challenges. Each scholarship includes: Student stipend: €25,000 per annum Annual tuition fees Full-time Programme Fully funded for up to 4 Years Professor Paul Moynagh, Dean of the Faculty of Science & Engineering at MU, said: "The Faculty of Science & Engineering ARDÚ Doctoral Scholarships demonstrate Maynooth University's commitment to support of research in the Sciences and Engineering. They also provide exciting opportunities for early-stage scientists and engineers to pursue a research PhD under the supervision of world-class researchers who are making significant contributions to addressing some of the major challenges we face today." Dr Robert Elmes, Faculty of Science & Engineering Associate Dean for Research & Engagement at MU, added: "ARDÚ is a really positive development for the faculty and for the researchers who will join us through these scholarships. The projects reflect the breadth of excellent research taking place across Science and Engineering at Maynooth, while also creating space for new ideas, new collaborations and new researchers to develop. We are very much looking forward to welcoming the successful students and supporting them as they build their research careers." For more information visit: https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/graduate-research-academy/scholarships-funding/ardu-scholarships About Maynooth University One of four constituent universities of the National University of Ireland, Maynooth University traces its origins to the foundation of the Royal College of St Patrick in 1795. It was formally established as an autonomous university in 1997. Maynooth University is one of Ireland's fastest growing universities with more than 17,000 students, including over 2,500 postgraduates. Maynooth University Faculty of Science & Engineering The Faculty of Science and Engineering comprises the departments of Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Electronic Engineering, Mathematics and Statistics, Physics, Psychology, Sport Science and Nutrition, and the School of Nursing. The role of the faculty is to coordinate the academic activities of individual departments, to oversee the strategic development of departments, and to support interdepartmental and interdisciplinary activities and programmes. See more breaking stories here.

Leading Irish neuroimmunologist Prof. Denise Fitzgerald has been awarded €6.26 million Research Professorship funding from Research Ireland to investigate ways that ageing affects how the immune system helps repair brain tissue in illnesses such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The funding means that over the next five years, Prof. Fitzgerald – who has, until now, been based exclusively in Queen's University Belfast – will lead a research team of ten based in Trinity College Dublin and partnering with FutureNeuro Research Ireland Centre for Translational Brain Science, St James's Hospital and Beaumont Hospital to discover why our immune cells become less able to coax brain stem cells to repair damage as we age. This research combines immunology, neuroscience and regenerative biology to tackle this complex problem. Prof. Fitzgerald said: "This ambitious programme of research will uncover new insights into fundamental changes in the older immune system that has a knock-on effect on brain repair. This new knowledge can then be used to develop pioneering regenerative treatment for MS and other neurological conditions. To speed this up, we are embedding research into new clinical trials led by consultant neurologist, Hugh Kearney. "This will increase the opportunities for people with MS in Ireland to access experimental treatments early, as well as to co-produce research with us as key public members of the research programme. Through this neuroimmunology research programme we will train the next generation of scientists, doctors and health professionals, side-by-side, in partnership with the public." Commenting on the announcement, Dr Diarmuid O'Brien, CEO of Research Ireland commented: "Research Ireland is pleased to support Prof. Fitzgerald's critically important work over the next five years, with the investment facilitating an additional 11 research positions, comprising postdocs, PhDs, research assistants and senior research fellows. Funding excellent research talent is a key part of our recently launched strategy, as is addressing Ireland's opportunities and challenges in areas such as public health. I look forward to seeing the outputs and impact of Prof. Fitzgerald's endeavours over the coming years." Through this appointment, Prof. Fitzgerald will divide her role between Trinity College Dublin and Queen's University Belfast, promoting all-island collaboration across neuroimmunology and other research areas. She will be an investigator at FutureNeuro, the RCSI-based Research Ireland Centre that aims to translate breakthroughs in understanding of brain structure and function to transform the patient journey for people with neurological diseases. She also brings extensive international collaboration with world-leading experts at Cambridge University, University College London, the University of Toronto, the Institute of Neuroscience – Alicante, the Wellcome Sanger Institute and Maynooth University. Prof. Colin Doherty, head of the School of Medicine in Trinity and a Principal Investigator with FutureNeuro said: "I have known Denise for some time and have marvelled at the quality of her research into one of the great and challenging areas of medical science. We are delighted that she will be leading a team here in Trinity while retaining her links with Queen's, strengthening all-island collaboration in neuroimmunology and creating exciting new opportunities across the wider FutureNeuro research network." See more stories here. 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...

Irish creative studio, The Studio of Possible, has been appointed by offshore wind and marine survey specialist, Sulmara, to support the business's next phase of growth through strategic positioning, brand storytelling and communications. The partnership spans brand strategy, positioning, digital, social, live experiences and commercial communications, with the work focused on helping Sulmara evolve from a traditional survey-led narrative towards a more future-facing position centred around seabed intelligence. Operating within the rapidly expanding offshore wind and marine infrastructure sector, Sulmara is increasingly positioning itself not simply as a business that gathers seabed data, but as a strategic intelligence partner helping clients make smarter, faster and more confident decisions across offshore energy projects. The appointment reflects growing demand within industrial, energy and engineering-led sectors for stronger strategic communications, clearer differentiation and commercially-focused brand positioning as businesses compete for investor attention, talent and market share in increasingly crowded categories. Founded in Dublin in 2021, The Studio of Possible works at the intersection of strategy, creativity and commercial growth, helping organisations clarify their value, strengthen market positioning and communicate more effectively across digital, brand and experience-led channels. The studio identified an opportunity to help Sulmara move beyond the conventional language commonly used across the offshore survey category, where many businesses communicate in similar terms around vessels, surveys, operations and data capture. Instead, the partnership focuses on developing a clearer and more differentiated narrative around intelligence, innovation and future offshore decision-making. Séamus Begley, founder and creative director at The Studio of Possible, said: "We're incredibly excited to partner with Sulmara, a business operating at the forefront of offshore wind and marine innovation. "As the renewable energy sector continues to evolve at pace, there's a growing need for companies driving real technical progress to communicate their value, vision and impact with greater clarity and confidence. "Sulmara has built an impressive reputation within the industry and our role is to help sharpen how that expertise is articulated across the market. "We believe strategic storytelling and positioning have an important role to play in supporting the future growth of offshore wind, helping businesses not only stand out commercially, but also connect more effectively with investors, partners, talent and the wider industry." Work to date has centred on helping Sulmara communicate its longer-term commercial ambition and innovation story more clearly, supporting the business as offshore wind matures from an emerging sector into a major global infrastructure and investment category. Miek King, Head of Global Sales at Sulmara, commented: "We were looking for a partner that could understand the complexity of our work, while also helping us communicate the bigger commercial value behind it. "The Studio of Possible immediately recognised that Sulmara's role goes beyond traditional survey work and has helped us build a clearer, more future-focused narrative around seabed intelligence, innovation and the role we play in supporting smarter offshore energy decisions." According to The Studio of Possible, branding and strategic communications are becoming increasingly important within technical sectors, where businesses are no longer competing solely on operational capability, but also on clarity, confidence, investor appeal and future relevance. Looking ahead, the partnership will continue to support Sulmara across brand, digital, social, events, investor communications and commercial storytelling as the business strengthens its position within the offshore wind and marine technology space. A podcast with Seamus Begley will be up so...

New research from PayPal reveals that among SMEs surveyed in Ireland who sell online, 44% of sales come from outside Ireland. The findings also point to strong AI adoption, with one in four (25%) of those expanding internationally saying AI tools have made it easier to enter and operate in new markets. This survey commissioned by PayPal among SME owners surveyed in Ireland whose businesses sell online, finds that the majority (51%) are confident about their growth prospects for 2026. Central to this confidence is the rise of social commerce, with 78% reporting that they use social media channels for sales. More than half (56%) of business owners surveyed now feel that social media commerce is more effective than traditional ecommerce platforms for driving sales, while just over one in five (21%) expect it to be the main driver of business growth in the next 12 months. The study reveals that Instagram shopping (52%), YouTube shopping (52%), Facebook shops (51%) and TikTok shops (34%) are the leading social platforms for social commerce sales among Irish SMEs surveyed. According to the research, Irish SMEs are significant adopters of AI technology, with almost 8 in 10 (78%) business owners surveyed currently using AI in either business or customer processes. Driving innovation (62%), reducing finance administration (59%) and driving revenue growth (57%) are cited as the greatest benefits to business operations. Cross-border trade is an important revenue stream for Irish SMEs. Business owners expanding internationally believe it will help them to attract global talent (29%) as well as secure higher revenue/margin opportunities (25%). Among those already selling internationally, 80% expect overseas sales increase in the next 12 months. Digital payments continue to support Irish SMEs, with mobile payment apps generating the largest share of their sales, accounting for almost one-fifth (19%) of transactions on average. Four in ten Irish business owners offer mobile payment apps to customers, while digital wallets are also a popular form of payment among customers (36%). Jonas Breding, General Manager, PayPal Northern Europe comments: "Irish SME owners are operating in fast-moving and competitive environments. From AI adoption and the rise of social commerce to the introduction of new payment methods, business owners are continuously having to evolve to meet changing consumer expectations. The scale of this change also brings real opportunities for Irish businesses. On average, SMEs who sell online are generating 44% of their sale cross-border. "By leveraging digital channels, social commerce and ecommerce technology, we can see that Irish SMEs are well positioned to reach customers across the world. The businesses that will thrive are those that continue to invest in the right tools, removing friction from the customer journey and fully embracing international sales opportunities." See more stories here. 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.

I have long been inspired and educated by TED Talks. No doubt you have done the same and have your own personal favourites. Today, I wish to introduce you to a new group of inspiring speakers who recently spoke at a TEDx event organised by Trinity Business School in Dublin to celebrate their 100th anniversary this year. Trinity College in 1916 had a vision for Ireland and its people, while bullets and bombs were exploding in the Streets of Dublin and throughout the country. To mark TBS's 100th anniversary, they will create and host many events throughout the year. The theme for this TEDx event was Change101, allowing the speakers to reflect on what will define the next century across society, people and planet. The event was a huge success, with a packed-to-capacity audience, who were greatly appreciative of the speakers' ability to engage, entertain and excite in equal measure. I was very pleased to be chosen to coach and prepare the 14 speakers for TEDx Trinity, an event hosted at Trinity Business School, Dublin, on March 5th. There was a mix of participants, from current students, past graduates and academics. Here are just a few of the attention grabbing titles: Loneliness and Trust in the age of AI When the Law Gets It Wrong Rethinking Jealousy – How others success becomes your own The Chilling Effect of Cultural Silence Why not give yourself some time to learn and grow while being entertained? Click the image below to view each talk and choose your favourite: A good TEDx talk can be a calling card when starting out on a career or seeking advancement in your career. Good Speakers get promoted – I coach people to present on a wide variety of subjects with vastly differing styles as evidenced in these TEDx talks. By Executive Coach Andrew Keogh of Aristo.ie 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.

Schneider Electric and Motivair showcase how AI is reshaping cooling and power systems inside modern data centres Irish Tech News joined a group of international technology and infrastructure media in Buffalo, New York last week for a Schneider Electric-hosted briefing and site visits focused on the infrastructure emerging around AI computing. The programme included presentations from Schneider Electric engineers and executives, a visit to Motivair, the liquid cooling company acquired by Schneider Electric in 2024, and tours of TeraWulf's expanding AI infrastructure campus in New York State, where Schneider Electric technologies are being deployed as part of the wider infrastructure buildout. A major theme throughout the visit was the speed at which new cooling, power and infrastructure solutions are now being deployed as AI systems dramatically increase computing density inside modern data centres. For years, most data centres relied mainly on air cooling. Chilled air circulated through server halls to remove heat generated by computing equipment. That model worked reasonably well for earlier generations of enterprise computing and cloud infrastructure where heat densities were lower. Companies such as NVIDIA have dramatically increased the processing power packed into these systems, particularly for AI training and inference workloads. The result is that modern AI racks can generate far greater levels of heat than previous generations of computing infrastructure. According to Tuan Hoang, Head of Product Development and Innovation for Schneider Electric's cooling business, traditional air cooling systems are now approaching practical limits at very high rack densities. "Liquid cooling allows us to do that," Hoang told me during the visit. "It has 4,000% more heat capacity than air." At the Motivair facility and later at the TeraWulf site, journalists were shown examples of liquid cooling systems now being deployed beside high-density AI infrastructure. See photo above. Instead of relying entirely on chilled air circulating through server halls, the systems use liquid circulating through cooling units connected into server environments to remove heat more efficiently and closer to the chips themselves. The visual impression is quite different from the public image many people still have of data centres. Large pipework systems, cooling units, power systems and engineering infrastructure increasingly dominate these environments as AI deployments scale. Hoang stressed repeatedly that air cooling is not disappearing entirely. "It is still necessary," he explained, particularly for wider facility environments and supporting infrastructure. What is changing is the balance between air and liquid cooling as AI workloads become denser and more power-intensive. Another major theme during the Buffalo visit was speed. AI infrastructure operators increasingly want facilities operational as quickly as possible because expensive GPU systems only generate returns once deployed and running. That pressure is driving growing interest in modular infrastructure, prefabricated systems and repeatable engineering designs which can be deployed more rapidly than traditional bespoke builds. The scale and pace of construction at the Lake Mariner TeraWulf campus reflected that urgency. One AI-focused facility is already operational while further expansion continues across the wider site. Hoang also discussed the growing challenge of adapting existing data centres for AI workloads rather than building entirely new facilities from scratch. "A lot of customers are trying to retrofit existing data centres," he said during the interview, explaining that many operators are now attempting to adapt infrastructure originally designed for lower-density cloud computing. That pressure is one reason modular cooling systems and repeatable infrastructure designs are becoming increasingly important as AI deployments scale. The discussions also highlighted how AI is be...

Iaros Belkin caught up with Owen Healy at ETHCluj, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, in what turned into one of the more honest conversations I've had at a crypto conference this cycle. Healy is the Founder and Director of Owen Healy Blockchain Talent, a boutique Irish recruitment firm that has placed lots of people from 25+ countries into blockchain projects since he entered the space in early 2021. He built the whole thing from a standing start during COVID, living in rural Ireland, unemployed, with nothing but a LinkedIn account and a genuine curiosity about the technology. That backstory matters. It means when Healy talks about the current market, he isn't protecting a fund position or managing a narrative. He's telling you what he actually sees from the candidate and employer side simultaneously. And right now, what he sees is sobering. On AI and job displacement The WEF Future of Jobs report projects 92 million roles displaced and 170 million created by 2030. Net positive on paper. Healy isn't buying the framing. "There are a lot of companies that historically would have been over-bloated and overstaffed, and they're conveniently using AI as an excuse to conduct layoffs," he told me. "AI is replacing jobs, but maybe not to the extent that the corporate world would like you to believe." He's equally clear that nobody is immune. "Everyone is using the benefits of AI and suffering the consequences of it at the same time." On developers Developers who were comfortable at €150K two or three years ago are now accepting €120K. Healy is direct about why: the market is an employer's market, full stop. Location matters more than it did. The US and Asia are moving; Europe is quiet. And developers are being pushed up the stack regardless. "People are being forced to effectively do more and leverage the best AI capabilities. Sometimes it's reasonable, sometimes it's not." On institutional money arriving This is the part of the conversation that surprised me most. Healy's read is that institutional entry is changing the candidate profile the industry actually wants. "We're entering an industry where hoodies are less in demand and suits are in more demand." For years, TradFi professionals were crypto-curious but couldn't stomach the risk of leaving stable, pensionable careers for a space where ten-year jobs are rare and use cases can be murky. That's changing. JP Morgan, BlackRock, and others are doing blockchain-related hiring now, and it's pulling a cohort of talent that was always interested but never had a comfortable entry point. London, New York, Hong Kong, Singapore: that's where institutional-adjacent hiring is concentrated. On EthCC feeling like a funeral It was an offhand remark that landed harder than most prepared conference soundbites. "EthCC felt like a funeral in many respects," Healy said. His reasoning is rooted in what he sees from the inside: projects that look fine externally, companies still putting on a brave face while quietly running out of runway. He mentioned Code4rena winding down as one example, a business he described as legitimate and genuinely useful to the space. "Nobody's going to invest in you or use your services if you're anticipating you'll run out of business in six months." The one piece of advice he offered for a bear market Go to events. Build the relationships now that pay off when conditions improve. He did it in 2023. He's doing it again. Practical. Unglamorous. And coming from someone who built a 100-placement recruitment business from a rural Irish village during a pandemic, probably worth listening to. Iaros Belkin is a founder of Belkin Marketing, a boutique agency serving as Strategic Advisor to Deep Tech, Web3 and AI Founders. Two decades of experience navigating high-stakes global markets and orchestrating everything a good venture team needs: from grants and key partnerships to VVIP events elevated experience. See more breaking stories here. Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publ...

Solar Ireland is warning that too much clean, renewable energy is being wasted because grid and system development are not keeping pace with record levels of generation, limiting the full benefits solar can deliver for consumers, energy security and affordability. The industry group is speaking out as the current sunny spell delivers exceptional generation across Ireland's solar farms. At 1.30pm yesterday, one third of electricity demand across Ireland was delivered through clean, renewable energy generated at solar farms nationwide, according to Green Collective data. It follows record figures from Sunday afternoon, when these farms were providing almost the same amount of power as imported gas*. CEO of Ronan Power said: "This is a fantastic week for solar in Ireland and shows just how quickly the sector is growing and contributing to our energy system. Ireland's first utility-scale solar farm was only connected to the grid in 2022, and already we are seeing solar provide a significant share of electricity demand. This also highlights an increasingly important challenge. As generation levels continue to rise, parts of the system are struggling to absorb all the clean, renewable energy available, leading to increasing dispatch down and curtailment. Put simply, we sometimes have to turn off renewable generation because the system is not always capable of handling all the clean energy being produced. Grid remains a critical part of the solution, but this is now broader than grid alone. We need to look at the challenge with fresh eyes and focus on system optimisation, using the technology already available and the strong public support behind the energy transition." Power said Ireland now needs to move quickly from planning to implementation: "The investment commitment is there and we welcome that. The priority now is accelerating delivery and ensuring grid infrastructure, system services and operational measures keep pace with renewable deployment. Every unit of renewable electricity we can use helps reduce reliance on imported fuels, improves energy independence and supports consumers at a time when energy costs remain a concern. Solar is increasingly helping reduce Ireland's dependence on imported fossil fuels and creating a more resilient electricity system. Maximising that opportunity is not only a climate priority, it is an affordability priority too." Solar Ireland is calling for accelerated delivery across grid infrastructure, flexibility measures and operational actions to ensure Ireland can fully capture periods of strong renewable generation and maximise the benefits for consumers, businesses and the wider economy. NOTE: *At 2.30pm on Sunday, utility-scale solar contributed a record 37.06% of the fuel demand across the country, just 2% away from the level of imported gas being used in the 24-hour period leading up to Sunday afternoon. According to EirGrid, the total amount of renewable generation from wind and solar exceeded 46%. See more breaking stories here. 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 award-winning STEM Passport for Inclusion programme is calling on professionals across Ireland to sign up as mentors and support the next generation of STEM talent from under-served backgrounds. The initiative is now expanding its reach and is seeking volunteers to play a vital role in supporting students as they explore education and career pathways in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). By dedicating fifteen hours, across the next 12 months, mentors can provide guidance, share personal and professional experiences, and help students from under-served backgrounds around the city to build the confidence and skills they need to pursue further education and careers in STEM. A short online training session will take place across a number of dates, including the 4th, 9th, and 16th of June, and the 14th of July, equipping new mentors the tools and confidence to get started. While an in-person full day training day will take place on Tuesday July 28 in Microsoft offices in Leopardstown, Co Dublin. Anyone interested in becoming a mentor is encouraged to register their interest as soon as possible: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/dAqBVpL2DR. Additional training dates will be scheduled in August. STEM Passport for Inclusion is an initiative led by Prof Katriona O'Sullivan at Maynooth University's National Centre for Inclusive Higher Education. The programme is funded by Research Ireland, the Department of Education and Youth and Microsoft, as well as by many industry and education partners. It aims to tackle persistent inequalities in access to STEM education and career pathways, with particular focus on growing representation of under-served communities. The mentoring programme is designed to be flexible and accessible. All mentoring sessions take place online and are supported by the STEM Passport for Inclusion team, ensuring that volunteers are fully equipped to make the most of the experience. Importantly, mentors do not need to come from a STEM background, or even work in STEM; what matters most is their willingness to listen, support, and encourage the next generation. Professor Katriona O'Sullivan, STEM Passport for Inclusion, emphasised the importance of this work, saying: "Following a busy year for the STEM Passport for Inclusion, we are now focused on building on that momentum and expanding the programme's reach. As we grow the programme across Ireland, we are looking for people who are willing to share their time and perspective. By volunteering as a mentor, individuals can make a meaningful difference, while helping to build a more inclusive and diverse future workforce." About STEM Passport for Inclusion: The award-winning STEM Passport for Inclusion is an initiative led by Prof Katriona O'Sullivan at Maynooth University. Funded by Research Ireland and the Department of Education, as well as lead and founding partner Microsoft Ireland alongside many industry and education partners, STEM Passport creates an innovative pathway for students from under-served backgrounds to third level education by earning a Level 6 STEM qualification, work experience opportunities, and mentoring from inspiring industry role models. See more breaking stories here. 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.

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) a global leader in IT services, consulting, and business solutions, who operate a Global Delivery Centre in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, has expanded its global cloud portfolio with the launch of SovereignSecure Cloud in Europe. This bespoke offering, designed specifically for governments, public sector enterprises, and regulated industries, combines sovereign cloud architecture with AI capabilities to enable sovereignty across data, operations and digital infrastructure. In the European Union (EU), the offerings will enable enterprises to achieve digital autonomy, strengthen regulatory compliance and enhanced security in an increasingly complex global environment without compromising on the speed, agility, and interoperability essential to modern businesses. The launch of TCS SovereignSecure Cloud in the EU builds on its successful rollout in India in 2025, followed by expansions into Kenya, East Africa and the Philippines. TCS SovereignSecure Cloud for the EU has been designed to provide strategic autonomy through a multi-layered approach. It comprises a sovereign cloud layer delivered through hyperscalers, providing scale and the flexibility to operate securely within the EU regulatory framework. The national sovereign cloud layer enables country-specific localisation while bringing operations under a unified control plane. And its enterprise cloud services layer leverages the EU-specific TCS Enterprise Cloud Framework, a unified orchestration and control layer that enables enterprises to dynamically apply the appropriate level of sovereignty across data, operations, and technology based on workload, risk, and sector. Sapthagiri Chapalapalli, Head of Europe, TCS, said, "European organisations are looking to strike a balance between addressing supply chain and sovereignty risks while ensuring leverage of frontier technologies to be globally competitive. TCS SovereignSecure Cloud solutions mark an important milestone for TCS in Europe, as our customers can now benefit from a pragmatic approach to cloud that ensures resilience and sovereignty that is contextualised to the enterprise." TCS is also introducing the TCS Sovereignty Consulting and Delivery Framework in the EU to help organisations become a "minimum viable sovereign enterprise" by finding the right balance between control and flexibility. It recognises that not all workloads need the same level of sovereign protection. Using a practical, risk-based approach, it categorises workloads by importance and applies the right level of sovereignty to each, focusing effort where they deliver the greatest impact and risk mitigation. As enterprises and governments across Europe accelerate their digital transformation journeys, the need for secure, compliant and sovereign cloud architectures has never been more critical. With SovereignSecure Cloud, TCS is bringing together the scale of hyperscalers, localised sovereign controls, and AI-led capabilities to help organisations achieve digital autonomy without compromising on agility, innovation or operational resilience. This new TCS SovereignSecure Cloud offering leverages TCS' strength in the European region, enabling organisations to innovate and grow with more flexibility. Operating in Europe for over 45 years, TCS has a diverse workforce operating from 58 offices across the region. TCS drives digital transformation for some of Europe's leading multinationals adapting to the changing digital landscape of today across industries such as banking and financial services, manufacturing, telecom, retail, travel, logistics, and more. TCS is committed to serving as a trusted IT service provider across its TCS European Delivery Network of 10 data centres and 21 delivery locations across Europe and in Ireland where their operation in Letterkenny was integral in the rollout of Ireland's national pension auto-enrollment scheme, known as 'My Future Fund', going live in January 2026.

Ireland has long been recognised as a place where global technology meets local ingenuity. From ambitious start-ups in Dublin and Cork to research-led projects emerging from universities and innovation hubs, the country's technology sector is no longer defined only by multinational investment. Increasingly, it is shaped by entrepreneurs, engineers, scientists and social innovators who want to build tools that solve real problems. The next stage of Ireland's digital journey will not be measured simply by the number of apps launched or platforms scaled. It will be judged by whether technology can become more trustworthy, sustainable and useful in everyday life. Artificial intelligence, cyber security, clean technology, digital health and responsible data governance are now central to that conversation. Artificial intelligence is transforming how businesses operate, how public services are delivered and how people interact with information. Yet the rapid rise of AI has also created urgent questions around transparency, bias, regulation and control. For Ireland, this presents both an opportunity and a responsibility. Irish researchers and founders are well placed to help shape AI systems that are not only powerful, but also accountable. Rather than chasing automation for its own sake, the most valuable AI companies of the coming decade will be those that improve decision-making while keeping humans firmly in the loop. Whether in healthcare diagnostics, legal technology, agriculture, education or financial services, the strongest products will be built on trust. Climate change has made sustainability a business necessity rather than a marketing preference. This is where Ireland's green tech and clean tech communities can play a major role. Smart energy management, circular economy platforms, low-carbon manufacturing, precision agriculture and climate data tools all offer ways to reduce waste while creating commercial value. For small and medium-sized enterprises, sustainability is often a practical challenge. They need affordable tools that help them monitor energy use, manage supply chains, reduce emissions and report progress clearly. Even routine office choices, from cloud infrastructure to printing supplies such as Brother ink cartridges, can become part of a wider conversation about responsible procurement and waste reduction. The companies that succeed will be those that make sustainability easier, measurable and economically sensible. Ireland's technology ecosystem benefits from a rare combination of academic strength, entrepreneurial energy and international connectivity. However, innovation does not happen in isolation. Start-ups need access to funding, mentors, test environments, skilled graduates and early customers. Larger companies need fresh thinking and agility. Public bodies need practical solutions that can scale. Collaboration between these groups will be essential. A medtech founder may need AI expertise from a university lab. A cyber security company may need support from an enterprise agency to reach European markets. A green tech start-up may need pilot partnerships with local councils or established manufacturers. When these connections work well, Ireland can turn good ideas into globally relevant companies. The most exciting future for Irish technology is not purely digital; it is human-centred. The aim should be to create systems that improve health, protect privacy, reduce environmental harm and support better work. That means designing products with accessibility in mind, communicating clearly with users and thinking carefully about unintended consequences. As AI becomes more capable and connected devices become more common, public confidence will matter more than ever. People will not adopt technology simply because it is new. They will adopt it when it is reliable, ethical and genuinely helpful. Ireland's next digital leap will depend on more than technical talent. It will require responsible leaders...

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O'Brien announced a range of new and expanded measures under the New Residential Retrofitting Plan. These new measures included: new windows and doors grants. increased fixed grant levels for attic and cavity wall insultation with values set at up to 80% of median cost; and at up to 100% of median cost for those on qualifying welfare payments and for First Time Buyers (subject to scheme conditions). a greater focus on supports for undertaking retrofit measures on an incremental basis. increased heat pump grants to €12,500. improved grants to support Local Authorities and Approved Housing Bodies. new pilots focused on improving options for heat pump technology, including support for High Temperature Heat Pumps. providing support for older people accessing home energy retrofits under the Healthy Age Friendly Homes initiative. Energy poverty Minister O'Brien is delighted to announce that the Terms and Conditions in relation to the increased Approved Housing Bodies grant rates have now been finalised. These are now available to view on the SEAI's website: www.seai.ie/sites/default/files/publications/CEG-Application-Guidelines.pdf. Minister O'Brien commented: "I am delighted to announce the new grant rates for Approved Housing Bodies and households at risk of energy poverty participating in Community upgrade projects. In the Programme for Government we committed to take decisive action to provide warmer, more comfortable homes – as part of our drive to support energy affordability, security, and sustainability. "In the first quarter of the year, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) data shows a very positive upward trend with clear evidence of growth in both demand and output. The retrofit sector is mobilising and responding to the growing interest in energy upgrades underpinned by SEAI grant support. Applications to SEAI for individual home energy upgrades are up 186% on Q1 2025, and overall applications are up 96%. "The National Energy Affordability Taskforce, will identify, assess and implement measures to enhance energy affordability for households. This work includes examining how to support increased uptake of home energy efficiency upgrades and continued development of the SEAI retrofit schemes in line with commitments in the Programme for Government." CEO of the SEAI William Walsh said: "These increased grants to Approved Housing Bodies and private, energy poor homes taking part in our community grant scheme, will make a big difference to those that need it most, giving them more control and security over their energy costs. This is how we reduce bills in the long-term — by breaking the link between the costs of running a household and volatile international fossil fuel markets. At SEAI we are here to help, no matter what stage a person is at. I really welcome the Minister's announcement today, which further adds to what is already available to help our most vulnerable." The new grant rates being made available today will support Approved Housing Bodies to upgrade some of their worst performing homes and switch to heat pumps. It will also support the upgrade of more multi-unit developments in Approved Housing Body ownership. New National Residential Retrofit Plan The new National Residential Retrofit Plan (2026) was launched in January. It phased in a range new, more affordable measures. Applications to SEAI so far in 2026 (year-on-year) have doubled. Over 29,000 applications were processed between January and March. These applications included: 7,000 have already applied for windows and doors grants. Grant go to €4,000 for windows; up to €1,600 for doors. Over 1,700 applications are in for attic insulation (up 80% year on year). Grants go up to €2,500. Over 1,000 applications came in for cavity wall insulation (up 60% year-on-year). Grants go up to €8,000 for wall insulation, including internal, external and cavity. Over 350 applications came in for ...

Bay Broadcasting has announced the "imminent" rollout of three of its radio stations to DAB, making them available to an estimated 85% of the population. Radio Nova, Classic Hits Radio and Sunshine 106.8 will broadcast on the Failte DAB Mux2 trial, which will reach most of the country outside the Dublin when launched. Bay claims the move marks a new era of national scale and audience growth for the group and describes the launch of the three radio services on national DAB as the most exciting development for radio choice in over a decade. It believes the move will significantly increase its reach, with Nova and Sunshine expected to add 2.5m potential listeners and Classic Hits a further 1.2m people. Bay Broadcasting said the rollout gives the group the potential to challenge Bauer Media's monopoly on national radio commercial radio in Ireland. To find out more about this I spoke to Kevin Brannigan the CEO of Bay Broadcasting. Kevin spoke to me about his background, the radio stations Bay Broadcasting owns, Failte DAB Mux2, how technology has changed radio from the 1980's till now, and looking for more Irish talent to present on DAB radio. More about FáilteDAB Mux 2: FáilteDAB Mux 2 is an extended DAB+ trial network that covers approximately 85% of the Irish population. Launched in April 2026, it expands coverage well beyond the original Dublin-centric trial area to include the Midlands, Southeast, Cork, Limerick, Clare, Galway, and Mayo. 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.

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O'Brien announced the successful projects that have been awarded funding under Phase 2 of the Community Climate Action Programme, alongside an additional €2.6 million in funding to support further high-quality projects from Local Authority reserve lists. The announcement forms part of the Government's continued investment in community-led climate action through the Climate Action Fund (CAF), with almost €27 million (over €26.9 million) being made available to Local Authorities – to support communities building low-carbon, sustainable futures. Irish Community Climate Projects The newly announced and additional €2.6 million allocation will enable additional large projects, identified by Local Authorities through reserve lists, to proceed in the coming months. Successful projects under this additional funding stream will be communicated to local authorities today. Announcing the funding, Minister O'Brien said: "Communities across Ireland are leading the way in climate action, delivering practical projects that reduce emissions, strengthen local resilience and improve quality of life. I am delighted to announce the successful projects under this latest phase of the Community Climate Action Programme, and to provide a further €2.6 million to ensure even more of these ambitious community projects can move forward. "This programme empowers communities to take meaningful local action on climate change, while also contributing to our national climate and energy goals. The scale of interest and quality of applications received demonstrates the commitment of communities nationwide to building a cleaner, more sustainable future." Community climate action – 'learning by doing': The Community Climate Action Programme supports projects and initiatives that facilitate community climate action through education, capacity building and 'learning by doing'. Projects funded under Phase 1 of the programme: Phase 1 of the programme has already supported approximately 650 community climate action projects nationwide. Projects funded under the programme have delivered a wide range of benefits for communities, including reduced energy costs, enhanced biodiversity, wildlife restoration, improved local amenities and stronger community engagement. Ambition for Phase 2: Phase 2 of the programme sees Local Authorities continue to partner directly with community groups to deliver projects that contribute to Ireland's climate and energy targets, while supporting communities to scale up local climate action initiatives. Projects supported under the programme address five key themes: Community energy. Travel. Food and waste. Shopping and recycling. Local climate and environmental action. The programme is administered through the network of Community Climate Action Officers (CCAOs) in Local Authorities, who provide guidance, support and practical assistance to communities – seeking to become lower-carbon and more sustainable. The list of successful projects is available at this link: CCAP. Details on the Phase 2 funding allocated to each of the Local Authorities: Local Authority Local Authority Original Allocation Carlow County Council €381,068.08 Cavan County Council €489,000.00 Clare County Council €649,000.00 Cork City Council €967,058.00 Cork County Council €1,394,574.92 Donegal County Council €772,250.00 Dublin City Council €2,177,296.00 Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council €993,011.00 Fingal County Council €1,303,699.85 Galway City Council €500,550.90 Galway County Council €858,575.72 Kerry County Council €739,226.58 Kildare County Council €991,941.63 Kilkenny County Council €577,659.00 Laois County Council €519,164.27 Leitrim County Council €343,999.00 Limerick City & County Council €887,575.89 Longford County Council €333,781.00 Louth County Council €592,824.10 Mayo County Council €678,568.33 Meath County Council €910,459.72 Monaghan County Council €437,892.90 Offaly County Council €501,831.35 ...

We look at this Harvard Business Review Press book about Taylor Swift. For more about the book, see here. There's Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift, reviewed This book is certainly readable. As someone who is aware of who she is, knows a few songs, and has teenagers who may have even gone to see her in concert there are reasons why this book was of potential interest for reviewing. The author also cites a lot of business management and thoughtful marketing thinkers too, Clayton Christiansen and Seth Godin yes we are talking about you here. Similarly words like pivot and pilot are used with business dev enthusiasm. This is all fine and dandy, but, as we read it, it was hard not to wonder if this was an attempt to shoehorn the career of Taylor Swift into a startup ethos vibe. The other question, and challenge in reading this narrative, was that, were we looking at Taylor Swift's career through the prism of a confirmation bias. She was, now is, wildly successful for sure, but does that mean that all of her albums, and her musical steps, and decisions made were actually that strategic or as carefully considered as the subtitle of this book would like us to think? As Bill Gates may have said, success can be a lousy teacher. All the more so when you consider musical careers. Lou Reed was an awful grump and cranky guy, if many accounts are to be believed, the Velvet Underground were both wildly unsuccessful first time around, and yet created some great songs and are considered to be one of the seminal and most important bands to have come out of the sixties. Was this therefore a clever strategic performance, or did they, eventually, stumble onto fame and fortune. Walk on the wild side and Waiting for my Man would hardly be obvious topics towards musical stardom. Coming back to Taylor, the book was informative, interesting, but the business analogies felt a bit clunky at times. Many fans felt that The Tortured Poets Department was a good single, or perhaps double album, lost in a triple. It would have been good to see how the author factored in this mishmash of an album in the slightly breathless prose of her faultless strategic rise to the top? Perhaps the classic result of so many triples, like Sandanista for example, so great songs, mixed in with some slightly to very odd ones too. This book might fall between too stools, not Taylor enough for TS fans, and a bit of a reach for business insights for those coming from a business or marketing background. More about the book here A smart, page-turning exploration of the business and creative decisions that transformed Taylor Swift into an unprecedented modern cultural phenomenon. Singer-songwriter. Trailblazer. Mastermind. The Beatles of her generation. From her genre-busting rise in country music as a teenager to the economic juggernaut that is the Eras Tour, Taylor Swift has blazed a path that is uniquely hers. But how exactly has she managed to scale her success–multiple times–while dominating an industry that cycles through artists and stars like fashion trends? How has she managed to make and remake herself time and again while remaining true to her artistic vision? And how has she managed to master the constant disruption in the music business that has made it so hard for others to adapt and endure? In "There's Nothing Like This," Kevin Evers, a senior editor at "Harvard Business Review," answers these questions in riveting detail. With the same thoughtful analysis usually devoted to iconic founders, game-changing innovators, and pioneering brands, Evers chronicles the business and creative decisions that have defined each phase of Swift's career. Mixing business and art, analysis and narrative, and pulling from research in innovation, creativity, psychology, and strategy, "There's Nothing Like This" presents Swift as the modern and multidimensional superstar that she is–a songwriting savant and a strategic genius. Swift's fans will see their icon from a ...

By Selva Ozelli Esq, CPA, Author of Sustainably Investing in Digital Assets Globally This is the second article in a series of articles I am writing for Irish Tech News to explore the financial, technical, legal aspects of utilizing space solar energized orbital data centers that are rapidly evolving into "AI Factories, designed specifically to convert massive amounts of electrical power into intelligence, measured in tokens" around the world. The US Space Race My new series is a follow up to an interview ITN conducted with me in 2020 exploring how space solar energy could sustainably energize the tokenization of the global financial markets which is projected to grow to multi-trillion dollars by the end of the decade. The shift toward space-solarized data infrastructure is accelerating in the US rapidly following the historic March 1, 2026, drone strikes on AWS data centers in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain which has extended during April and May. Executed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), these kinetic strikes marked the first time commercial hyperscale data centers were directly targeted and physically damaged in active warfare. The attacks caused prolonged service disruptions, exposed the vulnerability of terrestrial tech infrastructure, and proved that earth bound data centers are now prioritized military targets. As detailed in the table below US technology and aerospace companies are increasingly looking to space-solarized solutions to address the immense energy and cooling demands of AI, with several key initiatives emerging. US Tech and Aerospace Companies Focused on Space Solarized Data Centers Hyperscale Cloud Company Orbital Edge Computing Orbital Data Center/Number of Satellite Constellation Space Solar LEO Network Rocket Launch Robotics Amazon Web Services (AWS) Y Y, Blue Origin – Blue Ring spacecraft/ Project Sunrise 51,600 Y Y, Amazon LEO Y Y Microsoft Azure Y, Azure Space N, Sold Azure Orbital Ground Station N, Space Azure Solar Cell Tech N N Y Google Cloud Y, Space Llama Y, Project Suncatcher in partnership with Planet Labs a high-profile "moonshot" initiative aimed at building and deploying artificial intelligence (AI) data centers in space/81 Y N Space X Y, Google Deep Mind Meta N, Terrestrial Edge Computing N Y, Metasat & Overview Energy N, High-altitude, solar-powered drones (Aquila project) N Y Starcloud Y Y Partnership with AWS/88,000 Y Y, Starcloud-1 (November 2025): first test satellite containing an Nvidia H100 chip, that survived radiation and function in space. SpaceX Y Space X – Orbital Data Center Y Y/ 1,000,000 Y Starlink Y Y Nividia Y, NVIDIA Space-1 Vera Rubin computing platform Y Y Y Space X Y Atherflux rebranded to Cowboy Space Y Y/ 20,000 Y N N Y Lone Star Y, (2021) First data storage and edge processing test at International Space Station Y, Orbital and Lunar Data Center with NASA Y Y Space X Y Axiom Space Y, In March 2025, Axiom deployed Red Hat Device Edge on the ISS to test terrestrial cloud applications in space, serving as a prototype for ODC Nodes. Y Y Y Space X Y Two Distinct Approaches in Space Solarized Data Center Operations in the US US technology and space companies in a race are aggressively pursuing orbital and space-solarized data centers and are tackling these operations through two distinct methodologies: orbital data processing (in-space edge compute) and space-based terrestrial power harvesting. Both approaches aim to bypass the escalating energy demands, cooling constraints, and land footprint limitations of Earth-based data center infrastructure. The two approaches differ significantly in how they utilize space and solar resources. Here is a summary: Terrestrial vs. Space-Based AI Compute Constraint Terrestrial Data Centers Orbital Data Centers Power Source Strained local power grids Unlimited, direct solar energy Cooling High water and energy consumption Natural cold of space vacuum Space & Regulation Tight zoning laws and land limits No ter...

Guest post by Sapthagiri Chapalapalli, Head of TCS Europe The European Environment European organisations have a unique opportunity to lead with trusted infrastructure, rigorous compliance, and innovation that advances both growth and societal goals. The European Union is seen as a regulatory superpower globally, often setting the standards which the world then adopts. In technology, traditionally Europe sets the bar high on risk, safety, rights and antitrust, but there is recognition that there is tension between this approach, versus the more innovation-friendly and hands-off attitude in the US. Organisations are caught in the middle, needing to be compliant, to work globally, and ultimately ensure their entire digital ecosystem is serving their needs with minimal friction. Maintaining a competitive environment for growth is a constant tightrope to walk. Right now, the game-changing nature of AI, a fluctuating global legislative environment, and concern over geopolitical risks, data dependencies, and concerns over supply chain vulnerabilities are driving European organisations to reevaluate their technology stacks as a business priority. A sovereign cloud approach is a strong route to advancing business goals while maintaining compliance and being in control of your data. The sovereign cloud objective Sovereign cloud is a strong option for European organisations because, by placing the concept of sovereignty at the core of transformation, they integrate data protection and compliance mechanisms from the start to create a framework within which they can competitively innovate, while exercising ultimate control over their data in a protected environment. At its core, sovereign cloud is a purpose-built cloud computing environment that specifically meets certain protection, security or legal requirements, granting organisations more comprehensive control over their digital assets. Data stays within defined borders or jurisdictions, even when the organisation is working with a global cloud provider, while remaining scalable to the needs of the business. Sovereign cloud provides strategic autonomy, including protecting intellectual property and personal data to maintain business continuity in the face of geopolitical or supply chain shocks, while preserving speed, elasticity, and interoperability. And sovereign cloud infrastructure as a service (IaaS) is gaining popularity; spending in this area is forecast to total $80 billion (€68 billion) in 2026, a 35.6% increase from 2025, according to Gartner. As a technology service provider, we're seeing clients coming TCS with four needs in particular. 1. To reduce exposure to extraterritorial laws. With most mid and large-scale enterprises today storing data in off-premise in the cloud, organisations are often relying on international data centres. And as non-EU laws like the US Cloud Act and China's Cybersecurity Law become more numerous and powerful, organisations are increasingly looking to keep all of their data in a single controlled sovereign environment. 2. To adhere to strict EU data residency and processing requirements, and react to increasing pressure from regulations like GDPR, DORA, and other sector-specific policy. Organisations want a simple solution to stay compliant. 3. To manage data and supply chain risks in a tricky geopolitical environment by their data. This often means keeping data closer to home in Europe, but not always. 4. To competing on a global scale with new technologies like AI. Organisations want to control and protect the data environment for their AI solutions. Consequently, sovereign clouds are increasingly seen as critical for sovereign AI solutions. Achieving cohesive design and prioritising a 'Minimum Viable Enterprise' approach When talking with clients, we see sovereign cloud often described as a destination. In practice, it is a set of deliberate design choices working flawlessly in concert with the objective of ensuring meaningful and unambigu...

Istanbul Blockchain Week, organized by Web3 marketing agency EAK Digital is set to return for its fifth edition on June 2nd-3rd, 2026, at the Hilton Bomonti Hotel. Following last year's success, this year's event is gearing up to host prominent leaders and organizations in the industry, with more opportunities to learn at the heart of Eurasia's key crypto hub. June 2nd-3rd, Istanbul Blockchain Week According to a recent report by Chainalysis, Türkiye leads the Middle East and North Africa's largest cryptocurrency market, recording nearly $200 billion in annual on-chain transactions, almost four times that of the UAE. Challenging economic circumstances have driven substantial adoption of crypto in Türkiye, serving as an economic necessity and a form of investment to navigate financial uncertainties. Against this backdrop of rapid growth, Istanbul Blockchain Week will highlight the city's thriving ecosystem, its evolving regulatory landscape, and innovative projects that are shaping the Web3 revolution locally and globally. Erhan Korhaliller, CEO of EAK Digital and founder of Istanbul Blockchain Week, said: "We are thrilled to return with the fifth edition of Istanbul Blockchain Week, aiming to make it even bigger, bolder and more impactful than ever. We look forward to building on last year's success and creating an unforgettable experience where people connect, learn, and shape the future of blockchain together." Bringing the global Web3 community in Istanbul From blockchain and AI experts and thought leaders to influencers and enthusiasts, IBW 2026 is poised to draw thousands of attendees from around the world, leveraging Istanbul's strategic position between the major financial centres of Dubai and London to explore the latest in emerging technologies. The two-day event will host unique fireside chats, thought-provoking panels, insightful discussions, roundtables, and workshops showcasing the hottest topics in Web3, including real world asset tokenization, AI, regulations, privacy and stablecoins. Building on the success of last year's edition, which featured speakers such as Justin Sun Founder of TRON, Ali hsan Güngör, Executive Vice Chairman of Capital Markets Board of Türkiye, Mehmet Çamr, Chairman of OKX TR, Kostas Chalkias, Co-Founder and Chief Cryptographer of Mysten Labs, John Linden, CEO of Mythical Games, and Aaron Teng, CEO of Igloo Asia (Pudgy Penguins), IBW 2026 is the ideal platform for fostering meaningful connections, partnerships and growth within the crypto and blockchain industry. As the countdown begins, IBW 2026 is set to unveil groundbreaking innovations and hands-on Web3 experiences. Early sponsorship opportunities are now available to gain premium visibility and engagement with a global Web3 audience. This media partnership between Istanbul Blockchain Week and Irish Tech News was facilitated by Iaros Belkin, founder of Belkin Marketing and contributor at Irish Tech News. For more information, visit https://istanbulblockchainweek.com/. About Istanbul Blockchain Week (IBW) Istanbul Blockchain Week (IBW) is Türkiye's flagship Web3 conference and expo, bringing together founders, developers, investors, enterprises, creators, and policymakers in the heart of Istanbul. Produced by EAK Digital, IBW showcases the technologies and people shaping crypto, DeFi, AI agents, gaming, and real-world assets. Across recent editions, IBW has welcomed 20,000+ attendees and 500+ speakers from leading protocols, exchanges, and institutions. The program features a main-stage conference, large-scale expo, a KOL Summit, investor roundtables, workshops, and curated networking designed for real deal-flow. To learn more and get IBW tickets, visit https://istanbulblockchainweek.com/tickets/. See more breaking stories, product reviews, and event coverage 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 previo...

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has today published key insights from Ireland's National Comprehensive Heating and Cooling Assessment (HCA), highlighting the current challenges and opportunities for Ireland to significantly reduce its reliance on imported fossil fuels for heating with significant delivery required to reduce heating emissions by almost 90% by 2050. Heating currently accounts for more than one-third of Ireland's total energy demand and almost one-quarter of national greenhouse gas emissions, making it one of Ireland's biggest climate and energy security challenges. Approximately 90% of Ireland's current heat demand is still met by fossil fuels, with around 80% dependent on imported energy sources. Ireland's biggest energy challenge The assessment also finds that a rapid transition to low-carbon heating technologies including electrification, district heating, renewable gases and waste heat recovery could significantly reduce heating emissions under a high-ambition scenario assessed within the report. Commenting on the Assessment, Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O'Brien T.D. said: "Providing a comprehensive overview of the potential for efficient heating and cooling in Ireland, this report also gives us a timely insight into how Ireland can reduce its import dependency on fossil fuels for heating. The report highlights how this can be achieved through energy efficiency measures, electrification, district heating and incentivising indigenous renewable fuels for heat such as biomethane. "We have made major strides in decarbonising many areas of our society and our economy, including in particular the electricity sector. While we are making progress in decarbonising our built environment, more is needed. This report sets out pathways to achieve this." While the overall economic case for rapid heat decarbonisation is strong, the report notes that affordability will be critical to delivering a just transition for households and businesses. It highlights the importance of targeted grants, electricity pricing reform, long-term investment supports and clear policy signals to ensure households and businesses can transition confidently to low-carbon heating alternatives. SEAI noted that important progress is already underway through energy efficiency upgrades, increased heat pump deployment and wider climate action measures, but that significantly greater scale and pace of delivery will now be required to decarbonise Ireland's heat sector. William Walsh, CEO of SEAI, said: "We've looked at how we heat our homes and businesses and identified a number of ways we can break the link with oil and gas for good, giving Irish homeowners and businesses more security and control over their energy costs in the long-term. "Currently in Ireland, we are 90% reliant on fossil fuels for our heating. That means we are at the mercy of international affairs to price one of the core costs to any household or business. "Through coordinating our efforts and accelerating in areas such as the electrification of heating systems in our homes, businesses and public sector – our hospitals and schools, rapidly scaling district heating in dense urban areas, and using renewable fuels in hard to electrify areas like high temperature industrial uses, we can make a big difference. Reducing the amount of heat, we use is also crucial, and this is where energy efficiency measures and retrofitting become so important. "We've made progress in many of these areas, but it's not enough. We need a clear, long-term heat strategy, which puts Ireland on a path to energy independence and recognises areas for investment. District heating for example, a central component of many energy systems in other countries, is a major strategic opportunity for Ireland. "It will require a big effort, and we must do it in a way that protects our most vulnerable, but this assessment helps provide insights to how it can be done." The anal...

Energised Futures, Centrica's in-house research and innovation incubator, has partnered with Panasonic in a new pilot designed to advance intelligent heat-pump control. Demonstrating how collaboration across manufacturers, installers and technology innovators can accelerate the shift to smarter, more efficient low carbon heating. Heat Pump Trial The research has explored the automation and optimisation of heat pumps in Dublin homes as part of an EU funded Horizon-2020 programme – the DEDALUS project – to develop user-centered demand side response (DSR) systems. By combining technical innovation from Energised Futures with Panasonic's manufacturing expertise alongside local installer partner Mos Mechanical's on the ground installer insight, the project reflects the full lifecycle of heat pump deployment. Energised Futures is creating bespoke digital twins for all participating homes and remotely controlling each Panasonic heat pump with predictive algorithms to deliver optimum comfort and efficiency. Building on the success of its earlier MESH project, funded by the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, the team has developed advanced control algorithms to enable the Panasonic heat pumps to participate in Demand Response. The system prioritises heating the home and hot water tank when electricity is cheap and low-carbon, while preserving occupant comfort: reducing heat pump operating costs and emissions and simultaneously supporting grid balancing and integration of renewables. Insights from the Dublin trial will feed directly into complementary pilots in Austria, Denmark, Italy, Spain and Romania, helping to build a holistic understanding of how smart heating and flexibility solutions work across different climates, housing types and energy systems. The overall programme wrapped at the end of April, following which the combined results from Dublin and the other EU pilots will be analysed and shared. Ben Krikler, PhD, Head of Energised Futures and Director of Research & Innovation, Centrica, emphasised the opportunity ahead: "Heat pumps have incredible potential, but that potential isn't being fully realised" "By combining advanced controls, predictive algorithms, and real-world data, we can make heat pumps smarter, more efficient, and more rewarding for households by delivering comfort at the lowest running cost while also helping to balance the grid and reduce emissions." Underscoring the wider benefits of the project, Laurence Cox, Country Manager for Panasonic Heating & Cooling Ireland said: 'This project highlights the real-world benefits of heat pump technology, from reduced energy costs and improved comfort to lower carbon emissions. We are proud to be working alongside Centrica and MOS Mechanical to help underline the growing importance of proven, low-carbon technologies in supporting the transition to a more sustainable built environment." The pilot adopts a user-centric, co-creation approach to understand what drives or hinders participation in demand response, including factors such as comfort, data privacy, and energy literacy. Supported by a robust social science framework and drawing on behavioural science, motivation theories, and socio-economic insights, the project actively involves participants through workshops, segmentation analysis, and interface testing. MSM Renewable installed the heat pumps and worked directly with participating households, giving them practical support and helping ensure the trial reflected real-world installer and customer experience. Reflecting on the trial, Mick O'Shea, Founder & CEO of Mos Mechanical's said: "Heat pumps are evolving quickly, and projects like this make sure installers stay ahead" "Hands on experience with the latest systems gives us the confidence to show customers how efficient heat pumps really are. It also proves that when the industry works together, the technology delivers more for households — and opens new opportunities for installers." As the progra...

With the ripple effects from advances in artificial intelligence (AI) – mostly emanating from outside of Europe and taking place at breakneck speed – spreading relentlessly across the computing ecosystem, the HiPEAC Vision 2026 offers a calm, measured appraisal of the state of the art and offers a path forward for European computing research. Rather than blindly copying the trajectory of other countries, it argues that Europe must chart its own course based around the 'next computing paradigm' proposed in previous editions of the HiPEAC Vision. In this vision, computing is a utility which blends seamlessly into the fabric of everyday life, offering users services on demand while eschewing the antisocial incentives of the attention economy and surveillance capitalism. HiPEAC Vision 2026 'Artificial intelligence is the most disruptive technology in the domains covered by HiPEAC during the last 20 years. The pace of change is stupefying,' says Marc Duranton (CEA), the HiPEAC Vision editor-in-chief. 'In contrast to the dominant trends of concentrating computing resources in gigantic data centres, represented by the hyperscalers, the HiPEAC Vision calls for distributing computing on demand, spread from near the user to the cloud, with a "local-first" mindset. We foresee an agentic AI infrastructure where agents and specialized action models are dynamically selected based on user criteria, which can include non-functional properties including privacy, safety, energy, latency, cost and sustainability.' 'This edition of the HiPEAC Vision rejects the narrative that Europe cannot compete with the rest of the world,' adds Professor Koen De Bosschere (Ghent University), the coordinator of HiPEAC. 'While Europe lacks companies on the scale of those in the US or China, it has plenty of strengths which should be leveraged to deliver rightsized computing infrastructure for flexible, sustainable, resilient operation – all while respecting the values and culture which are important to European society.' Illustrated by cartoons exclusively produced for HiPEAC by the Belgian comic artist Arnulf, this year's HiPEAC Vision has chapters dedicated to the following key topics: The 'next computing paradigm' Artificial intelligence New hardware Tools Cybersecurity Open source Sustainability State of the European Union Each chapter has its own recommendations, while a consolidated list of recommendations is also available, grouped into technological, standardization, methodological and policy recommendations. This year, HiPEAC has also developed a tool which uses the HiPEAC Vision as the exclusive basis for returning answers via AI chatbots, which can be connected to your chatbot of choice via HiPEAC's MCP server. This is complemented by a dedicated tool to explore the text from different angles, such as the policy, industry, investment or educational perspective. HiPEAC Vision 2026: hipeac.net/vision HiPEAC MCP server, with instructions for connecting your chatbot: hipeac.net/mcp Dedicated tool to probe the HiPEAC Vision from different perspectives: ask.hipeac.net Teaser video on HiPEAC TV: bit.ly/HiPEAC_Vision_2026_teaser CONNECT University presentation at the European Commission, 19 May 2026: digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/events/hipeac-vision-2026-connect-university For further information and / or original copies of the images used in the Vision, contact Madeleine Gray: communication@hipeac.net. About HiPEAC Supported by the European Commission, HiPEAC (High Performance, Edge And Cloud computing) is the premier focal point for networking, dissemination and training activities in Europe for researchers, industry, and policy related to computing systems. First established in 2004, the project is now in its seventh edition. Today, its network – the biggest of its kind in Europe – numbers over 2,000 specialists. The latest edition of the project, HiPEAC7, began on 1 December 2022, steered by a consortium of 11 partners led by Ghent University. It f...

UGREEN continues to release new and updated accessories to help you stay charged on the move and keep track of all your items' locations. UGREEN Nexode Air 65W Charger The Nexode Air has an ultra-compact and palm-sized design. It is super light for a 65-watt charger as UGREEN has used their proprietary Airpyra stacked architecture to shrink down its size while still delivering high output numbers. Making the Nexode Air charger even more compact is the folding 3-pin plug. The 3 pins fold down completely flat into the base of the charger. The charger comes with one USB-C port on the front of the device. The Nexode Air utilises advanced GaN technology, enabling fast, efficient charging with lower heat and a smaller form factor. Like with all UGREEN charging products, there is a whole host of safety features built in to protect both the charger and the devices you are charging and to prolong the life of the batteries being charged. It is certainly the smallest charger we have come across to date that delivers this type of power, making it a great solution for on-the-go charging. The UGREEN Nexode Air 65W Charger delivers super-compact power on the go and will be available directly from the UGREEN website with an RRP of €34.99. UGREEN FineTrack Series The UGREEN FineTrack Series is a selection of smart trackers, which are an alternative to something like Apple's AirTags. We took a look at the first version of the FineTrack series here last year. UGREEN have updated the line now with some new trackers which focus on longer battery life than the original devices. UGREEN FineTrack Mini 2 Smart Finder The UGREEN FineTrack Mini 2 Smart Finder is a small device, ideal for connecting to something like a set of keys. The tracker comes with a silicone case and keyring connector to protect it from life's rough and tumble and help you attach it appropriately. The FineTrack Mini 2 comes with an inbuilt battery which can last between 5 and 7 years. The device is IP68 rated, which means it can withstand being fully submerged in 2 meters of water for up to 60 minutes. It also comes with a very loud 110dB speaker to help you audibly locate the device if needed. UGREEN FineTrack 2 Smart Finder The FineTrack 2 Smart Finder is a small ball-shaped device which comes with a short lanyard for attaching. The FineTrack 2 Smart Finder has similar specs to the FineTrack Mini 2 Smart Finder, also coming with an internal battery rated for 5 to 7 years of use and a 110dB speaker. The design lends itself towards being attached to a backpack or similar, but its solid design means it will be suitable for many applications. Both of these devices have high-visibility fluorescent accents, which make them stand out in low-light environments. They are both certified to work with Apple's "Find My" service, which means you can benefit from their global network for locating your devices and also get smart reminders on your phone when you leave a device behind. It is really straightforward to add the devices in the Find My App. You just head to "Items", click the "+" symbol and then press the button on the front of the tracker. Once you have given the device a name, you can then track its location from within the app, get directions to where it is located, play a sound to help find it and keep an eye on the battery level. More Info/ Where to Buy? To find out more about either the Nexode Air 65W Charger or the new FineTrack devices, visit the UGREEN website here: https://www.ugreen.com/en-eu The products will be available to pick up from the UGREEN website directly or Amazon this week.