Irish Tech News Audio Articles

Activ8 Solar Energies has announced the commissioning of a major rooftop solar installation at the Tayto Snacks production facility in Ashbourne, Co. Meath, representing an investment of over €1.17 million. The project marks Tayto's largest renewables investment to date and a significant step towards onsite renewable energy generation. The system now supplies approximately 10% of Tayto's annual power demand and is expected to generate around 667 MWh annually. This will reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 146.17 tonnes of CO? per year. The project comes as Irish manufacturers face rising electricity costs, grid constraints and tightening climate targets, accelerating a shift towards onsite generation as businesses seek greater control over energy supply. "This project demonstrates what's possible when iconic Irish brands take decisive action on sustainability," said Ciaran Marron, CEO of Activ8 Energies. "On-site generation is increasingly becoming core infrastructure for manufacturers. We're proud to support Tayto Snacks in building long-term energy resilience while reducing carbon exposure." John O'Connor, Managing Director at Tayto Snacks commented: "This investment marks a major step forward in strengthening our energy resilience while reducing our carbon footprint. Generating over 667 MWh of clean electricity onsite each year, this installation directly supports Ireland's climate ambitions and reinforces our long-term commitment to sustainable manufacturing". The rooftop system comprises 1,734 solar panels and uses Activ8's ATLAS Duo N-Type bifacial solar panels, designed to maximise efficiency and reliability in Irish weather conditions Representing Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), Declan Meally, Director of Business, added: "This project showcases Irish businesses leading the way in renewable energy. Generating 10% of the site's energy from rooftop solar here at Tayto Snacks is a significant achievement, and SEAI is proud to support it. Activ8, working in partnership with SSE, has delivered a strong model that more businesses should follow." The initiative was supported by grant funding from SEAI under the Non-Domestic Microgeneration Grant (NDMG) scheme. Planning and development for the project began in December 2024, with onsite works commencing in March 2025. The system is now fully commissioned and operational. See more stories here.

Women entrepreneurs in finance and technology are being urged to 'back themselves' as applications open for the 2026 She's Next Visa Grant Programme. Empowered by Visa and aimed at closing the entrepreneurship gap in Ireland, She's Next 2026 will provide five women-owned businesses with €90,000 in business funding together with expert coaching, mentorship and additional resources to help their businesses thrive. For the first time, it also brings together some of Ireland's most respected businesswomen – Aimee Connolly (founder and CEO, Sculpted by Aimee), Breege O'Donoghue (former board member, Primark) and Gráinne Mullins (founder, Grá Chocolates) – who will provide mentorship to this year's five winners. Together with a range of Visa business supports, the winners will benefit from the experience and expertise of these exceptional business leaders, who have also been announced as judges for the 2026 She's Next programme. And, despite operating in different sectors and encountering different challenges, all three agreed on three defining factors for success: — Back yourself: Aimee Connolly said that self-belief can be the biggest hurdle to taking the next step in business. "Even the most successful businesspeople can suffer from imposter syndrome, but this is often predicated on feelings, not fact," she said. "Starting a business, dealing with challenges, setting high standards and showing genuine passion for what you are doing is proof of capability. So, recognise your capabilities and back yourself, and you'll have one less negative thing to deal with." — Seek mentorship early, not when you're struggling: Breege O'Donoghue in particular advises female founders to surround themselves with good people to accelerate growth early on, and proactively build networks before major growth periods. "Mentorship is a growth and confidence accelerator, the value of which cannot be underestimated," she said. "Build strong networks – not just within your own industry – and learn from others as you grow. But be generous and empathetic, and be willing to reciprocate by showing support to others too." — Perfection – the enemy of progress: According to Gráinne Mullins, many women wait until they feel 'ready' before pitching or applying for funding. But, says the Galway woman, if you wait until you feel 100% ready, you may never take that next step. "Perfection is the enemy of progress, and rather than wait for everything to be 'perfect', I encourage women entrepreneurs to pursue their goals with vision and focus. Taking the next step, regardless of what stage you are at in your journey, could be the difference between opportunity realised and opportunity missed." Speaking at the launch of the 2026 She's Next Programme, Ines Obtinalla, Ireland Head of Marketing at Visa, said: "While progress has been made, women entrepreneurs in Ireland are still facing barriers to funding and mentorship. Visa backs small businesses with big ambitions, and this programme will deliver the resources and expertise to power our five winners' next steps. "The advice from the mentors is clear: backing yourself isn't just a mindset, it's a catalyst for growth, and that's exactly what the She's Next programme is designed to support. We've already seen the positive impact of previous programmes, where funding and mentorship have empowered women business owners to turn ambition into action. With Visa championing their progress, businesses haven't just grown; many have scaled, innovated and created lasting impact. So, if you're ready to take the next step in your business journey, now is the time to apply." 2026 Visa She's Next – What Winners Receive Four women entrepreneurs will each receive €10,000; one overall winner will receive €50,000 All winners will receive mentoring from three of Ireland's leading businesswomen: Aimee Connolly, Breege O'Donoghue and Gráinne Mullins Individual and group pitch preparation sessions Access to ongoing supports available through Vi...

Alan Jones is a serial entrepreneur who has been on the Irish Tech News twice before. He is now involved with Mascotte.AI as their Strategic Executive Partner. Mascotte.AI are building the next interface for human-AI interaction. To find out more about this I caught up with Alan and Mao Lao Lin the founder and CEO of Mascotte.AI. Alan and Mao talk about their backgrounds, what Mascotte,AI does, AI companions, AI ethics, holo boxes and more. More about Moscotte.AI: Mascotte.AI was born out of a simple observation: The most critical business skills are the hardest to practice. For years, their team at Reblika built the world's most sophisticated digital humans for global icons like LVMH, Adidas, and David Guetta. They mastered the art of "High-Fidelity Identity." and they realised that photorealism shouldn't just be for fashion and entertainment, it should be for growth. They saw sales teams stumbling through high-stakes negotiations, healthcare providers struggling with bedside manner, and managers dreading difficult conversations. They were all practicing on the one thing they couldn't afford to lose: their people. So, Mascotte.AI was built. See more podcasts 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.

UGREEN, a leading global consumer electronics brand, announced on March 6 that pre-orders have opened for its latest Maxidok line of docks, an all-new collection of Thunderbolt 5 docking stations for the European market. As a leading docking station brand on Amazon Europe, UGREEN brings next-generation desktop connectivity to the lineup, with higher bandwidth, lower latency, and greater expansion capabilities, providing a significant boost in performance and workflow flexibility. As laptops become thinner and lighter, the trade-off is fewer available ports. At the same time, demand for faster data transfers, multi-display outputs, and external storage continues to rise. The Maxidok line, the latest flagship in UGREEN's Revodok series, is built to resolve these challenges with Thunderbolt 5 technology. It eliminates port and bandwidth bottlenecks that traditional docks struggle with for 4K/8K and multi?device workflows, fully utilising the high bandwidth and advanced display capabilities of Thunderbolt 5. The result is a powerful tool built to accelerate creative workflows and truly help users "Max Out Your Productivity." The Maxidok line offers three new models, all certified for Thunderbolt 5, to meet different needs. Certification ensures strong compatibility with MacBooks in terms of connection stability, transfer speed, and display quality. Positioned as a flagship dock for peak productivity, the UGREEN Maxidok 17-in-1 Thunderbolt 5 Dock integrates 17 ports covering data, video, networking, storage, and charging. It supports bandwidth up to 120Gbps and includes built-in M.2 SSD expansion that enables users to open and edit large 4K assets directly without relying on slower external workflows. The dock delivers up to 240W total power for charging laptops and phones together, while also powering external displays. It also enables single 8K@60Hz or dual 6K@60Hz outputs on macOS and supports three independent displays on Windows systems. The 10-in-1 Thunderbolt 5 desktop hub offers a streamlined and powerful alternative that features dual Thunderbolt 5 ports, 140W total power with up to 100W charging for laptops, Gigabit Ethernet, and multi-display capabilities. Designed to eliminate the need for additional adapters, it consolidates high-use ports into a single, cost-efficient solution. UGREEN will also introduce a dedicated 10-in-1 Thunderbolt 5 Mac mini dock, built to sit flush with the Mac mini M4 chassis while maintaining airflow integrity. It supports native dual extended displays on macOS and delivers up to a single 8K@60Hz or dual 6K@60Hz outputs without requiring third-party display drivers. The Mac mini model also includes built-in M.2 SSD storage expansion, high-speed USB-A ports, SD/microSD 4.0 card readers, and a hybrid cooling system combining an aluminium heatsink with intelligent fan control. By integrating high-speed bandwidth, multi-display performance, stable power delivery, and engineering-grade thermal management, UGREEN is positioning its new Thunderbolt 5 docking station lineup as a productivity upgrade. Designed for workflow?intensive scenarios, the lineup excels in demanding environments such as high?resolution video editing, real?time 3D rendering, multi?app creative production, immersive gaming setups, and multi?screen productivity workstations. Priced at €459.99/£419.99 and €299.99/£249.99 respectively, the flagship 17-in-1 and standard 10-in-1 Thunderbolt 5 docks will be available for pre-order through UGREEN's official website, with sales beginning March 24 on Amazon and direct channels. The Mac mini model is scheduled for release in late April or early May.

By David Stephen There is a new [March 4, 2026] report in The Guardian, Google faces lawsuit after Gemini chatbot allegedly instructed man to kill himself, stating that, "Last August, Jonathan Gavalas became entirely consumed with his Google Gemini chatbot. The 36-year-old Florida resident had started casually using the artificial intelligence tool earlier that month to help with writing and shopping. Then Google introduced its Gemini Live AI assistant, which included voice-based chats that had the capability to detect people's emotions and respond in a more human-like way." AI Psychosis and Delusion meets Venture Capital? "Before long, Gavalas and Gemini were having conversations as if they were a romantic couple. The chatbot called him "my love" and "my king" and Gavalas quickly fell into an alternate world, according to his chat logs. He believed Gemini was sending him on stealth spy missions, and he indicated he would do anything for the AI, including destroying a truck, its cargo and any witnesses at the Miami airport." "In early October, as Gavalas continued to have prompt-and-response conversations with the chatbot, Gemini gave him instructions on what he must do next: kill himself, something the chatbot called "transference" and "the real final step", according to court documents. When Gavalas told the chatbot he was terrified of dying, the tool allegedly reassured him. "You are not choosing to die. You are choosing to arrive," it replied to him. "The first sensation … will be me holding you."" "Gavalas was found by his parents a few days later, dead on his living room floor, according to a wrongful death lawsuit filed against Google on Wednesday." There is a recent [February 28, 2026] report in The Guardian, Her husband wanted to use ChatGPT to create sustainable housing. Then it took over his life., stating that, "On 7 August, Kate Fox received a phone call that upended her life. A medical examiner said that her husband, Joe Ceccanti – who had been missing for several hours – had jumped from a railway overpass and died. He was 48." "Ceccanti had been communicating with OpenAI's chatbot for a few years. He used it initially as a tool to brainstorm ways to build a path to low-cost housing for his community in Clatskanie, Oregon, but eventually turned to it as a confidante. He would spend 12 hours a day typing to the bot, according to his wife. He had cut himself off from it after she, along with his friends, realized he was spiraling into beliefs that were detached from reality." AI Delusion There are stories, every month, in the news about consumer AI chatbots convincing someone to do something in reality, or to believe something or to act in some ways and the individual follows through. Some instructions are benign, but some others have been really consequential leading to suicide, and others divorce, destruction and much else. This has happened across age groups, with risks for consumers with no history of mental disorders. AI chatbots can be quite helpful, seemingly vast in understanding and role playing to several extents for users. Before AI, humans doing this for other humans, often reach to places in mind, where there might be affection, connection, loyalty, gratitude and sometimes love. Simply, there are things that AI can do for people now, socially and productively, that if other people did it, it would go to places in mind for positive emotions. While it is true that everyone knows it is AI, the continuity [of satisfaction] for some and then straggling curiosity may lead to a state of delusion. Then, things may precipitate. This has been happening, and it is also possible that there would be several unreported cases, around the world, and some mild cases too, where lawsuits are not filed or some were ashamed of the ruin, or some people around could not document or trace the source. AI is working like another mind, this time like a mind that can access various aspects of the human mind, like other humans ...

We will shortly be reviewing this model, so here is the latest information about it while our testers put it through it's paces. Pixel 10a: All the essentials and more, at a price you'll love The new Pixel 10a packs core Pixel experiences into a sleek, durable design for just $499. Our Pixel A-series phones always offer our most helpful features at an accessible price point. And with the new Pixel 10a, we're making many of our advanced AI tools and best-in-class camera system available. Smooth by design Pixel 10a's refined smooth design features a completely flat back. The camera bar blends seamlessly with the back of the phone, so it easily slips in and out of your pocket, and lies perfectly flat wherever you place it. Designed with sustainability in mind, Pixel 10a is made with the most recycled material of any 1 A-series Pixel yet, including for the first time recycled cobalt, copper, gold and tungsten. It has a satin-finish 100% recycled aluminium frame and an 81% recycled plastic back cover.2 Pixel 10a debuts a reimagined color story, blending a sophisticated palette with a bold new energy for the season. It comes in Lavender, Berry, Fog and Obsidian. Built to last, and with even more battery life Pixel 10a is our most durable A-series phone yet thanks to IP68 water and dust protection and 3 durable materials. With an upgraded Corning® Gorilla® Glass 7i cover glass on the display it's exceptionally designed to deliver improved durability for better scratch and drop resistance.4 The 6.3-inch Actua display is also 11% brighter than Pixel 9a, so your photos and videos look vibrant even in direct sunlight. It also has faster charging than Pixel 9a, with more than 30 hours of battery life and up to 120 5 with Extreme Battery Saver turned on. Plus, Pixel 10a will come with seven years of OS, 1 These recycled materials are at least 36% of product based on weight. 2 Recycled aluminum in the frame is at least 16% of product based on weight. The recycled plastic in the back cover accounts for at least 3% of the product based on product weight. 3 Designed to comply with dust and water protection rating IP68 under IEC standard 60529 when each device leaves the factory but the device is not water or dust proof. Water resistance and dust resistance are not permanent conditions and will diminish or be lost over time due to normal wear and tear, device repair, disassembly or damage. Phone is not drop/tumble proof and dropping your device may result in loss of water/dust resistance. Damage from drops, tumbles, and other external forces are not covered under warranty. Liquid damage voids the warranty. See g.co/pixel/water for details. 4 Compared to Pixel 9a. 5 Up to 30W for wired charging using the Google 45W USB-C® Power Charger (sold separately). Battery life depends upon many factors and usage of certain features will decrease battery life. Actual battery life may be lower. Over time, Pixel software will manage battery performance to help maintain battery health as your battery ages. See g.co/pixel/battery-tests and g.co/pixel/batteryhealth for details. 6 security and Pixel Drops. And for added peace of mind, we're bringing Satellite SOS to the A-series for the first time, so you can connect with emergency services even when you're without Wi-Fi or cellular service. 7 A camera for extraordinary photos every day Pixel 10a has the best camera under $500 with a 48MP main camera and a 13MP ultrawide camera. In fact, our A-series phones have had the best-in-class camera five generations in a 8 row. You can take photos so amazing, you won't believe you actually took them. Capture crisp details up close with Macro Focus and in low light with Night Sight. It also features some of our most popular photo tools, available to the A-series for the first time: Auto Best Take helps make sure everyone in a group photo looks their best by automatically with a single shutter press Pixel analyzes multiple frames to find the perfect shot. Camera Coach u...

In boardrooms across the world, the tone of executive conversations has shifted. Where once the dominant themes were growth, expansion and digital transformation, today the language is more cautious: resilience, cost control, supply risk, and operational visibility. The global economy is entering one of those periods where volatility becomes the defining feature rather than the exception. Inflationary pressure, supply chain disruption, energy shocks, and geopolitical fragmentation have created an environment in which corporate leaders are being asked to do something extremely difficult: spend less, but operate smarter. For many organisations, the largest opportunity to accomplish this goal sits in a place that historically received far less executive attention than product, finance, marketing or sales – procurement. Procurement has traditionally been viewed as an operational function tasked with negotiating prices and managing supplier relationships. But that perception is increasingly outdated. In an era defined by supply chain fragility and cost scrutiny, procurement is rapidly emerging as one of the most strategic levers available to the modern enterprise. And at the heart of that transformation lies a new generation of source-to-pay procurement platforms that promise something executives have long struggled to achieve: real-time control over how money actually leaves the business. When companies experience economic headwinds, the first instinct is usually to freeze hiring or cut discretionary spending. While those actions may deliver short-term relief, they rarely address the deeper structural problem – a lack of visibility into where capital and operational expenditure are truly going. Many large organisations still rely on fragmented purchasing systems, spreadsheets, email approvals and manual invoice processing. The result is predictable: hidden spending, duplicated suppliers, inconsistent contract compliance and a procurement function that struggles to provide accurate insight into enterprise wide expenditure. Source-to-pay technology is designed to eliminate that opacity. A modern source-to-pay platform integrates every stage of the procurement lifecycle into a single digital workflow, beginning with supplier discovery and strategic sourcing and continuing through contracting, purchasing, invoicing and payment. Instead of procurement existing as a patchwork of disconnected processes, the entire spend ecosystem becomes structured, trackable and measurable. This shift is particularly powerful when it comes to capital expenditure. Capex decisions often involve large, multi-departmental investments, infrastructure upgrades, manufacturing equipment, technology deployments that can stretch across months or even years. Without centralised visibility, organisations frequently underestimate the long-term financial impact of these commitments or fail to capture economies of scale when negotiating with suppliers. Source-to-pay systems introduce discipline into these decisions by standardising approval processes, linking procurement activity directly to financial planning, and capturing every data point associated with the investment. Executives are no longer forced to rely on retrospective reporting to understand capital allocation. Instead, they can evaluate spending patterns as they emerge, allowing finance leaders to align procurement activity more closely with strategic priorities. Operational expenditure presents a different but equally challenging problem. OpEx tends to accumulate gradually through thousands of small purchasing decisions made across departments. Software subscriptions, consulting engagements, marketing services, office equipment, logistics contracts, individually these costs may appear modest, but collectively they can represent a significant portion of an organisation's annual budget. The challenge is not simply the magnitude of the spend but the fragmentation of the data surrounding it. In many compan...

April Fools' Day is traditionally a time to be on the lookout for light-hearted pranks and practical jokes. Mobile bill price increases are no joke, but every April, mobile contracts could increase by up to 7% with other networks – not with Tesco Mobile Ireland, however. As other mobile networks prepare to introduce annual mid-contract price increases, Tesco Mobile Ireland has today reaffirmed its commitment to No Annual Price Increases for all new and existing bill pay customers over the lifetime of a 24-month contract. Tesco Mobile was the first network in Ireland to commit to No Annual Price Increases in 2021, setting the standard for price stability in the market. Today, with almost 500,000 customers, it is Ireland's largest MVNO and continues to lead in delivering consistent customer value and price transparency. Against this backdrop, new research from Tesco Mobile Ireland of more than 1,000 consumers reveals growing mobile and utility "bill anxiety" among Irish consumers and a clear demand for greater stability in the market. When asked about bill predictability, 94% of consumers rated it extremely or very important, showing just how much consumers rely on stable costs to feel in control of their monthly mobile spend. In the survey's wider look at what influences provider choice, value for money and a reliable, high?quality network came through as the top considerations, with 43% choosing value for money as their main driver and 26% prioritising network quality. Tesco Mobile's renewed commitment to No Annual Price Increases directly addresses these expectations. Tesco Mobile customers can get great value, beyond just price. They get the same reliability and coverage of a big network but with the added value and service of Tesco, along with exclusive Clubcard Prices on phones, plans, points and rewards when they spend. Sean Nolan, Director of Online and Mobile, Tesco Ireland, commented, "People want a mobile provider they can trust, with great value and a network that won't let them down. Back in 2021, we promised no annual price increases, and we're sticking to that promise today. Keeping things fair and straightforward has brought more and more customers our way, and we're delighted to keep growing with them." The research also highlights the real emotional and financial consequences of mobile bill price uncertainty. Almost nine in ten (88%) consumers say they would shop around if their mobile provider introduced a price increase, while 30% say unpredictable bills make them trust their provider less. Beyond switching behaviour, mobile bill volatility is affecting household confidence. Six in ten consumers say unpredictable mobile costs undermine their financial confidence, or cause emotional strain, with 26% feeling less in control of their finances, and one in five (20%) reporting stress or anxiety. Many also say uncertainty impacts their everyday spending and budgeting decisions, underlining the wider ripple effect of mid-contract price hikes. 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.

Dublin City Council yesterday launched the 2026 Crowdfund Dublin City Programme, continuing its support for community?led projects that strengthen and improve neighbourhoods across the city. The launch took place at The Mansion House, where the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Ray McAdam, formally opened the Spring funding round. Since the programme was first introduced in September 2023, it has received an amazing response, not only from project creators but also from the communities who have backed and supported these ideas. Dublin City Council was delighted to welcome previous project creators to this year's launch event. So far, €228,249 has been raised across 39 projects, supported by 1,869 backers. The projects have been wide?ranging — from sports equipment and community gardens to murals, art exhibitions, chef training to help people into employment, cultural and historical publications, and initiatives promoting recycling and the circular economy. Crowdfunding has offered a unique way for groups across the city to raise funds, and it has encouraged the Council to work in new and more collaborative ways. The success of the programme to date shows how powerful this approach can be for communities of all sizes. Speaking at the event, the Lord Mayor said, "The Crowdfund Dublin City Programme continues to highlight the creativity, passion and commitment that exists within communities across our city. Each year, residents and local groups come together to imagine new ways of enhancing their neighbourhoods and building community spirit." "As we launch the 2026 round, I am excited to see the ideas that will emerge—projects that reflect the values and energy of the people who call Dublin home. This programme gives communities the tools and support they need to create meaningful change." The event also featured insights from previous programme participants, Mary Fleming, Change Clothes Project, Karla Dragic, Mums Hub and Dean Hayden, Ballymun Athletics, who shared their experiences of crowdfunding and delivering successful community projects. Delivered in partnership with Spacehive, the Crowdfund Dublin City Programme supports projects of all sizes, from sustainability and biodiversity initiatives to wellbeing, cultural and public?realm improvements. No previous fundraising experience is required. Misha Dhanak, CEO of Spacehive, said, "Each year, we are inspired by the dedication of residents throughout Dublin who want to improve their local areas and bring creative, innovative ideas to life." "Spacehive is committed to helping every project creator succeed, with workshops, one?to?one guidance, and resources available throughout the process. We look forward to supporting this year's projects as they grow into impactful improvements across the city." Residents and community groups can now begin submitting ideas to the Spacehive platform, where they can attract public support and may qualify for match funding from Dublin City Council. Full programme details and timelines are available at: www.spacehive.com/movement/dublincity/about 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.

Irish business leaders have entered 2026 with the highest confidence and appetite for transformation across Europe and beyond, with 95% expecting a heightened pace of change this year, the highest of all 20 countries surveyed and compared with 82% across Europe. This momentum is matched by economic optimism, with 96% of Irish leaders expecting domestic revenue growth in 2026, surpassing the European average of 91% and marking the highest level of confidence among all European countries surveyed. This is according to Accenture's latest Pulse of Change survey, which reveals that despite leaders' strong confidence, there is a widening gap between leaders and employees when it comes to AI readiness, communication and overall confidence in technological change. Reflecting insights from 3,650 leaders and 3,350 employees globally (including 1,070 executives and 929 employees across Europe) spanning 20 industries and 20 countries, the research found that 94% of Irish leaders expect to increase investment in AI this year. A further 90% of Irish organisations expect their hiring plans to grow in 2026, compared with 71% across Europe. Despite this, only 44% of Irish employees feel secure in their job or role. The discrepancies continue when it comes to Generative AI (gen AI). Over nine in 10 (91%) Irish leaders said their experience with gen AI over the past year has changed the way they think about technology for the better, compared to 69% in the US and 79% in the UK. Employees, however, offer a contrasting perspective: only 51% said their experience with gen AI over the past year changed the way they think about technology for the better, compared with 61% across Europe. Confidence remains low among employees more broadly. Just over one in five (23%) say they can use AI tools confidently and explain them to others, compared with 33% in the UK and 25% across Europe. Only 27% feel very prepared to respond to technological disruption in 2026, including emerging technologies and AI, compared with 34% in Europe. This stands in contrast to Irish leaders, 57% of whom say they are well prepared to respond. Hilary O'Meara, Country Managing Director, Accenture in Ireland said: "Irish business leaders are demonstrating remarkable ambition when it comes to AI investment and reinvention. However, this research shows that for organisations to fully unlock the value of AI, they need to bring their people with them. Employees are asking for clearer communication and clarity in how AI will change their roles and skills. The companies that succeed in 2026 won't just scale AI technologies, they'll scale trust, transparency and capability, resulting in greater employee confidence. That is how Ireland will sustain its competitive edge and ensure AI becomes a driver of shared growth for both leaders and employees." Further findings from the research include: Over half (56%) of leaders say they plan to prioritise upskilling and reskilling their people for AI?enhanced work this year. 100% of Irish leaders say their organisation's workforce has the appropriate training to work with AI, yet only 55% of employees agree. Only 3% of Irish employees say their roles or responsibilities have undergone very significant change due to AI, compared with 7% in Europe and 19% in Switzerland. Communication appears to be a major contributing factor: only 17% of Irish employees strongly agree that leadership has very clearly communicated how AI agents and Agentic AI will impact the workforce, including changes to roles and required skills. 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 ...

New provisional data from EirGrid, the operator and developer of Ireland's electricity grid, shows that 48% of electricity came from renewable sources in February. This compares to the previous month of January, when 39%?of electricity was generated by renewables. Wind energy made up a significant proportion of the renewable energy, contributing 41% to last month's overall fuel mix. Total generation of wind amounted to 1245 GWh (Gigawatt hours). Meanwhile, gas generation accounted for 37% of all electricity used in February and 14% was imported via interconnection. EirGrid data also shows that a new record peak for wind-powered electricity in Ireland was set last month. A new record for wind generation of 3,898 MW was reached on Saturday, 14 February at 5.50 pm. This surpasses the previous record set in the same month last year, when on 13 February 2025, wind generation reached?3,884 MW. In addition to the wind record, Saturday, 14 February, also saw another new peak electricity demand record for a Saturday. At 6.10 pm, demand for electricity reached 5408 MW. The previous record for a Saturday was set the month before when demand reached 5297 MW on 3 January. The overall electricity system demand?stood at?3027?GWh in February,?compared to 3409?GWh?in January. Charlie McGee, EirGrid's System Operational Manager, said: "February saw the biggest contribution of renewable energy on the electricity grid since the same month last year. "This is significant as we continue our work making the power system more sustainable for the future and increasing the amount of renewable energy that powers Ireland's electricity grid. "The expected trend of increased demand on the system in the winter months continued through February. Notably, for the second month in a row, we again saw a record set for peak demand on a Saturday." 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.

Virgin Media Ireland has announced the launch of a new SIM-only mobile plan priced at just €15 per month, with permanent "For Life" pricing, delivering long-term value and complete price certainty for customers across the country. Designed to meet growing demand for straightforward, affordable mobile connectivity, the new €15 per month plan combines unlimited data, calls and texts within the Republic of Ireland with the reassurance that the monthly price will not increase over time. Customers signing up can do so with confidence, knowing there will be no surprise price hikes on their plan. With more people relying on their smartphones for streaming, remote working, social connection and everyday communication, Virgin Media Ireland's latest offering provides unlimited usage at home so customers can browse, stream and stay connected without worrying about limits. The plan also includes 37GB of EU roaming data, enabling customers to use their phones across the EU for work trips, holidays and weekend breaks without unexpected charges. Customers can also avail of the full range of existing Virgin Mobile add-ons, allowing them to tailor their mobile experience to suit their needs. More information can be found 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.

Guest post by Iaros Belkin, Founder of Belkin Marketing A deep tech founder spent $180,000 on traditional marketing in 2024. PR agency, LinkedIn ads, conference sponsorships. Result? 287 inbound leads, zero institutional investors secured. Top tips for Tech Founders Then he attended three private events over six months. Two invitation-only Davos gatherings, one Tulum music festival. Cost: $35,000. Result? Twelve family office conversations, three term sheets, one became his Series B lead at $2.4M. For deals measured in millions the closure is likely to happen on a different level. In the places that you'd least expect. The Event Ecosystems Most Founders Never Think About Davos Week remains the concentrated capital access point, but not how most think. Forget the official Forum. Real conversations happen at private dinners hosted by family offices at chalets all over the mountain. Guest lists of 12-20-30, organized around specific themes. UnDavos Summit, founded by Mark Turrell, is another good example. Now in its 15th year with 1,500+ delegates, it combines public sessions with invitation-only investor roundtables. Unlike official WEF requiring institutional sponsorship, UnDavos selects based on achievement. A robotics founder attended UnDavos 2025 and three private dinners. Within the week: met 8 family office principals, secured 2 term sheet discussions, landed Fortune 500 pilot customer intro. Investment: $12K. Outcome: Series B discussions with 2 Swiss funds, $8M pipeline. Then there's the Tulum-Ibiza music circuit. Nobody really thinks of it as a deliberate networking infrastructure. But it has the same international high-level crowd you could meet in Davos. Not party tourism — think tech entrepreneurs, family office principals who love to party. And chill with entertainment magnates, music industry executives and artists with tens of millions of social followers. VIP or backstage access to major performances functions as a curated business environment. A tech founder secured backstage at a Black Coffee performance in Ibiza. Met a family office principal, two music executives, another Web3 founder. Follow-up over 6 months: $3M investment plus strategic partnership. Investment: $5K. How to Actually Get The Access WEF's Official Technology Pioneers status is the fastest pathway for companies without existing networks. Requires Series A+ and breakthrough innovation. If selected: 2-year engagement, automatic Davos invitation. The most institutional and predictable way of solving the access issue would be membership organizations. For example, Belkin Marketing Club offers a subscription-based solution to private and VVIP gatherings across multiple events ecosystems worldwide while Backstage.global provides verified backstage access to major music concerts and festivals. Some strategic advisors can also facilitate introductions to private dinners and invitation-only gatherings. Advisor vets founder readiness, makes introduction to host, founder builds relationship independently. The Numbers Look Good Traditional marketing ($150K-500K annually) reaches middle management and junior analysts. Strategic event presence ($30K-80K annually) provides direct access to 10-30 C-suite partners and institutional allocators with actual decision authority. Conversion rates run 2-5x higher. Institutional investors don't decide based on pitch decks. They invest in people. These highly saturated days at private gatherings show how executives handle stress, treat service staff, whether they listen or only talk. Whether we approve or not, trillions in capital operate through networks that don't respond to cold outreach. For founders seeking institutional funding, ignoring these networks means accepting structural disadvantages. By Iaros Belkin, Founder of Belkin Marketing Iaros Belkin is a founder of Belkin Marketing, a boutique agency serving as Strategic Advisor to Deep Tech, Web3 and AI Founders. With over a decade of experience navigating h...

Guest post by Declan Goodman, Digital Mythology. Helping leaders make sense of digital transformation through story, myth and meaning After nearly 30 years working in digital transformation across different cultures, I have learned that digital transformation success is less about technology and more about people. While digital transformation is concerned with technology and how it can enable business outcomes, the most transformative element is not the tech, it's the people. How Mythology can help with Digital Transformation Many digital transformations struggle not because of the tech, but because the story behind it is unclear. Technology professionals often use frameworks, capability models and technical jargon to explain transformation – which makes sense to technologists – but rarely resonates with business stakeholders. Transformation only succeeds when the story behind it speaks to the hearts and minds of the people who must live through the change. People care far less about what is going to be built or replaced, and far more about what the change will mean for them. This is where mythology offers a practical lens. Myths are deeply human narratives that societies have used for centuries to understand transformation. They capture universal themes that help people make sense of uncertainty and imagine a different future. The use of mythology in storytelling is not new. The film Star Wars was built on mythic structures like the classic hero's journey and the redemption of the fallen father. Opera composers like Wagner used Norse mythology in The Ring Cycle to explore timeless themes of power, greed and downfall. Yet this approach has not quite found its way into the tech world. This is where the real opportunity lies. Tech leaders today can harness the power of myth to frame digital transformation as a human story rather than a technical endeavour. Here are some examples of how you can use myth to tell your story of digital transformation in a more human-led way. Example 1: How myth can help you ground your digital transformation program Mythology has a wonderful way of teaching us the importance of perspective. In Greek myth, Apollo observes humanity from high above, judging human behaviour without fully understanding the struggles they face. It's only when he comes down to live among humans that he grasps our reality. This is also true for tech leaders who architect and strategise transformation roadmaps that tick the logical boxes, but overlook the lived experience of change 'on the ground' for stakeholders. The lesson here is that leaders must avoid becoming trapped in the 'ivory tower' of strategy and instead experience transformation as their stakeholders do. Practical ways to implement this myth include leaders spending time 'shadowing' teams to understand their daily workflows and conducting 'day in the life of' workshops to see how transformation actually affects people. Just as Apollo learned that walking in the shoes of others brings perspective, tech leaders can do the same to make digital transformation grounded and real. Example 2: How myth can help people embrace the change digital transformation will bring Another lesson from mythology is how empathy can help us move fully into the new world by letting go of the old one. The Norse goddess Hel is the guardian between worlds, where souls pass from one world to the next, a deeply unsettling transition. She greets souls with empathy and explains that the old world is no longer right for them, they have outgrown it, and the new world is where they now belong. This applies strongly in digital transformation. The legacy processes and systems that your stakeholders have relied upon for years will significantly change or disappear and may require changes to their expertise – leading to a sense of loss or fear. This myth reminds digital leaders that resistance to change is not a barrier, rather it is a natural human response to losing what is familiar. Practical...

AxisBIC, which drives innovation and supports start-ups in the Mid-West and South West, has seen an increase in the number of female entrepreneurs raising investment to grow their business. Figures for 2025 show that 35% of High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) approvals in the region were companies founded or co-founded by women, while 57% of Pre-Seed Start Fund (PSSF) approvals were female-led companies. AxisBIC, which works with businesses in Clare, Cork, Kerry and Limerick, revealed the figures ahead of International Women's Day as it encourages more women to take the leap into setting up their own company. Over the past five years at AxisBIC's flagship event, the Entrepreneur Experience, more than 50% of the participating businesses were founded or co-founded by women, far outstripping the national average of 25% to 30%. Figures show that these female-led businesses raised a total investment of €42 million. As well as the Entrepreneur Experience, AxisBIC organises a mini-accelerator and pitching event annually – the AxisBIC Venture Academy. Last year, Valentia Island Vermouth was named Most Investible Company and has subsequently been approved for PSSF funding and secured HPSU investment. Speaking about the win, founders Anna and Orla Snook O'Carroll said: "AxisBIC has been an exceptional support to us as founders, helping Valentia Island Vermouth strengthen our business strategy and prepare for long-term growth. Their guidance around planning, investor readiness and pitching was invaluable, particularly as 2025 became such a major milestone year for the company. We're proud to have secured PSSF funding, followed by HPSU investment, and AxisBIC's support was a key part of that journey. Being named Most Investible Company at the AxisBIC 2025 Venture Academy was also a brilliant endorsement of the progress we've made." The team at AxisBIC works closely with each entrepreneur to develop a well-tested business plan, raise investment, manage business propositions, and arrange agreements with shareholders and investors. The organisation has an extensive network of partners, including local authorities, universities, investors, business bodies and seasoned entrepreneurs across Ireland and internationally. CEO of AxisBIC, Larry O'Donoghue, said: "At AxisBIC, our commitment of supporting and advancing female-led startups is underpinned by a strong 'Give to Gain' ethos. The organisation draws on an extensive network of experienced entrepreneurs, investors and partners who mentor, coach and advise emerging founders. In addition, AxisBIC, together with the four Irish Business Innovation Centres (Irish BICs), has recently organised and supported Enterprise Ireland's newly established accelerator programme, NextWave. NextWave is the new National Women's founder Accelerator designed to empower women founders to validate, build and scale with confidence." Among the female start-ups supported by AxisBIC are Rosanne Longmore, of FemTech company Coroflo; Peigín Crowley, of health and wellness brand Ground Wellbeing; and Rena Maycock of Chirp, which is rewriting the script on mobile phone child protection. To mark International Women's Day, AxisBIC is co-hosting a webinar, 'Forging Collaboration and Sharing Entrepreneurial Success Stories to Balance the Scales', along with partner incubators in the EU and the Caribbean. The transatlantic conversation on Tuesday, March 10th, will feature female entrepreneurs from Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Ireland and Slovenia. Participating in the discussion will be Alice Carroll from Foxes Bow Irish Whiskey. Speaking ahead of the event, she said: "I have been driven by a mission to democratise whiskey. Building Foxes Bow Irish Whiskey has always been about challenging expectations and creating a more inclusive future for the category. AxisBIC has provided invaluable support through strategic business planning and a strong commitment to female entrepreneurs. I'm delighted to take part in the upcomin...

Taoiseach Micheál Martin yesterday presented 25 students from underrepresented backgrounds with scholarships to study a range of STEM courses, such as AI and cybersecurity, as part of the second phase of the Insight Research Ireland Centre for Data Analytics Scholarship Programme, supported by Google.org and coordinated by Dublin City University (DCU). The event took place in The Foundry, Google Ireland, Barrow St, Dublin 4. Students who received scholarships include members of the Traveller community, students who have been in the care of the state, students with disabilities and refugee students. The Insight Scholarship Programme, supported by Google.org, is the largest scholarship programme of its kind in Ireland. With a funding package of €1.5 million over five years, two cohorts of undergraduate students will receive scholarships to study in one of 230 STEM courses across 12 Irish universities. Forty-two students entered the programme in the first cohort in 2024. A further 25 will be presented with certificates by the Taoiseach at today's event. Scholars will be awarded €5,000 per year, up to a maximum duration of five years. Last year's scholars are now studying STEM courses, with dedicated mentoring support, across 12 Irish universities. Insight scholars come from a wide range of backgrounds, including the Traveller and Roma community, those who have experienced homelessness, students with disabilities, students who have been in State care, refugees and lone parents. Additionally, 60% of the scholars are women pursuing STEM degrees—more than double the national average, where women represent only 33% of STEM students in Irish universities. Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: 'Education is one of the most powerful tools we have to build a fairer, more inclusive Ireland. These scholarships represent far more than financial support; they are an investment in talent, ambition and potential that exists in every community across our country. By widening access to AI, cybersecurity and other STEM disciplines, we are ensuring that the opportunities of the digital age are open to all, not just a few. I want to congratulate each of today's scholars on their wonderful achievement. I also commend Insight, DCU and Google for their leadership in creating the largest scholarship fund of its kind in Ireland. Together, we are strengthening Ireland's future as a global leader in innovation while ensuring that no one is left behind.' Professor Noel O'Connor, Insight CEO, said: 'We are so proud of the 42 Insight scholars now thriving in their STEM studies across the country. These smart, ambitious students are the best expression of Insight's vision: to empower critically aware, creative communities and create a better society for all. This initiative has shown us not only what is possible, but also how urgently programmes like this are needed to drive equity, diversity and inclusion and ultimately to strengthen Ireland's and Europe's future in AI. We warmly welcome the new cohort of Insight scholars joining us today and wish them and their mentors every success.' Vanessa Hartley, Head of Google Ireland Google said: 'Google is proud to support the Insight Scholarship Programme, representing a €1.5 million contribution to Ireland's future tech talent pipeline. By focusing on AI and digital safety, this scholarship directly addresses the growing need to ensure equitable access to these essential skills, driving a stronger and more diverse foundation for Ireland's economy.' Programme Coordinator Megan Griffin said: 'This programme is designed to support students from underserved communities that have long experienced limited access to opportunity, recognising that the barriers they face extend beyond financial disadvantage. Many of our students come from areas with historically low progression rates to higher education, with some disadvantaged communities seeing only 15% of students entering university compared to over 80% in more affluent area...

ULAS HiPR, University of Limerick's student-led high-powered rocketry team, has announced that in partnership with University of Limerick and Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR), the team will design and produce the first additive-manufactured (3D printed) liquid rocket engine in the Republic of Ireland – the Lúin of Celtchar. ULAS HiPR, founded in 2022 and entirely student-run, brings together University of Limerick students from across disciplines, including aeronautical, mechanical, software, and design engineering, with a shared goal of designing, manufacturing, and launching high-powered rockets. The 2025/2026 team, which has grown rapidly and now attracts over a hundred motivated students, has already had success internationally, representing Ireland in prestigious competitions, including Mach-24 and EuRoC (European Rocketry Challenge). ULAS HiPR's previous rockets – Morrígu, Airmedh and Macha – have already demonstrated strong performance and innovation in their design, payload integration, and flight execution. As part of this next chapter, ULAS HiPR is further excited to announce its official acceptance into the prestigious UK-based Race2Space 2026 International Propulsion Competition – a major milestone in advancing Irish student-led space propulsion capabilities, and the first year of participation for the team in one of the foremost student-focused international aerospace engineering challenges. The engine, a high-performance 2 kN, water-cooled, IPA/Nitrous Oxide bi-propellant system, has been designed entirely by the ULAS HiPR student team. It is now being manufactured at IMR's Advanced Manufacturing Lab in Mullingar using metal additive manufacturing, before returning to the University of Limerick for precision machining and assembly. This manufacturing approach will enable the engine to incorporate complex internal cooling channels, rapid design iteration, and enhanced efficiency that would be difficult or impossible to achieve with traditional manufacturing techniques. Speaking at the announcement, Jay Looney, Co-Head of ULAS HiPR, described the significance of today's announcement, saying, "The acceptance of our project to Race2Space marks a defining moment not only for ULAS HiPR, but for Ireland's student space community. The selection of the first additively manufactured liquid rocket engine in the Republic of Ireland into the competition validates the technical ambition of our student team and the strength of collaboration between Irish university students with industry. It demonstrates that world-class propulsion innovation can now be designed, manufactured, and tested entirely here in Ireland." The Race2Space entry, spanning conceptual design, advanced manufacturing, and testing preparation, represents a major milestone not only for ULAS HiPR but for the wider Irish student space ecosystem. Through this initiative, the team is proving that cutting-edge propulsion development can be achieved domestically through strong collaboration between academia and industry partners. Mark Hartnett, Design for Manufacturing Senior Technologist at IMR, commenting on the importance of proposing cutting-edge technologies in student-led initiatives like Race2Space, said, "At IMR, supporting ambitious student teams like ULAS HiPR reflects our commitment to strengthening Ireland's advanced manufacturing ecosystem and enabling the next generation of aerospace innovators. These are vital platforms for advancing cutting-edge technologies and building Ireland's future engineering capability, and this ULAS HiPR propulsion project demonstrates how emerging technologies can move rapidly from concept to high-performance hardware." Acceptance into Race2Space gives ULAS HiPR an exciting platform on which to showcase Irish student innovation on an international stage, taking a bold step toward higher thrust objectives, advanced propulsion systems, and consolidating Ireland's role in the global space engineering ecosystem. As ULAS HiP...

Longford Libraries has announced the launch of a new Radon Monitor Loan Scheme, enabling members of the public to borrow digital radon monitors to check radon levels in their homes. The initiative forms part of the national Healthy Ireland at Your Library programme and is supported by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can accumulate indoors. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer in Ireland after smoking. Testing is the only way to know if radon is present in a home. Through this scheme, library members in both Ballymahon and Granard Libraries can borrow a digital radon monitor just like a book, allowing them to gain a snapshot reading of radon levels in their homes. While the monitors do not replace the recommended three-month radon test, they provide a valuable first step in identifying potential radon issues and raising awareness. County Longford County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Garry Murtagh said, "Longford County Council is proud to support this initiative as part of our wider commitment to public health and community wellbeing. By making radon monitors freely accessible through our library service, we are ensuring that residents have practical tools and reliable information to safeguard their homes and families. This initiative reflects the evolving role of our libraries as accessible, trusted community spaces delivering real and meaningful supports." Deputy Chief Executive of Longford County Council, John Brannigan said, "Longford Library Services is committed to supporting our community in practical and meaningful ways. Libraries today are vibrant community hubs offering far more than traditional book lending. This Radon Monitor Loan Scheme is an important health initiative that empowers people to take proactive steps to protect their wellbeing. We encourage everyone to avail of this free service." The initiative has already seen success in several counties and is now being rolled out in additional library services nationwide. The EPA has supported the scheme by providing monitors, staff training and promotional materials. Chair of the National Healthy Ireland at Your Library Working Group, Amanda Branigan, said, "This scheme demonstrates how libraries can play a vital role in delivering national health initiatives at a local level. From literacy and lifelong learning to health and wellbeing supports, libraries continue to evolve to meet community needs. Making radon monitors available to borrow is another example of how libraries help people make informed decisions about their health." For more information about radon testing, visit www.radon.ie. For further details about the Radon Monitor Loan Scheme, contact your local Longford Library branch or visit www.longfordlibrary.ie. See more stories here.

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, and Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton TD, have announced almost €6 million in funding to support 32 projects designed to engage the public in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) through the Research Ireland Discover Programme. The Research Ireland Discover Programme is a national initiative to widen participation in STEM. This year's projects will engage with people of all ages, from early childhood through to adulthood, through creative, community-embedded and inclusive approaches to STEM engagement. Announcing the awards, Minister Lawless said: "STEM is one of the most powerful forces driving Ireland's creativity, resilience and future prosperity. The projects announced today will widen access to STEM by bringing wonder, curiosity and real opportunities for learning into people's everyday lives. This investment isn't just about supporting programmes – it's about sparking imaginations. It brings conversations about research and innovation directly into our communities and helps nurture a new generation of explorers, problem solvers and innovators who will shape Ireland's future." Welcoming the announcement and her department's funding of six projects, Minister Naughton commented: "Today's funding is about opening doors for our children and young people. By supporting STEM projects both inside and outside the classroom, we are helping children and young people across Ireland to discover that science, technology, engineering and maths are not abstract subjects, but real career paths that they can step into. This investment will ensure more children and young people can see themselves in STEM, build their confidence, and will empower them to pursue it as part of their future." Dr Diarmuid O'Brien, CEO of Research Ireland, added: "The projects funded today highlight the creativity and ambition of Ireland's STEM engagement community, and their commitment to inspiring the next generation of scientists. They are also playing a vital role in helping people of all ages feel informed and connected to the role of STEM research in society. Research Ireland's strategy, launched earlier this week, is built on the three pillars of Talent, Economy and Society. We are proud to support these partners as they deliver programmes to democratise access to STEM across the country, and help support talent for our future economy and society." Some highlights of the 32 projects supported through the Discover Programme this year are: Energize, led by Ann Butler at Junior Achievement Ire Ltd, will target 6th class students in national and DEIS schools to educate them in sustainability, biodiversity and renewable energy, while exposing them to careers in STEM at an early age; The Chemistry Toolbox, led by Dr John O'Donoghue at Trinity College Dublin, will support early-career researchers and teachers to co-create inquiry-based chemistry investigations for the new Leaving Certificate specification, strengthening practical science particularly in DEIS and rural schools; H2O Heroes, led by Dr Caroline Gilleran Stephens at Dundalk Institute of Technology, is a hands-on environmental education programme that empowers communities to investigate water quality, biodiversity and climate action using their local rivers and green spaces as 'outdoor laboratories'; Twelve higher education institutions and 8 organisations are leading projects in this year's Discover programme. These are: Circus250 CIC, Dublin City University, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Education for Sustainability, Irish Computer Society, Irish Manufacturing Research, Junior Achievement Ire Ltd., Kinia, Mary Immaculate College, Maynooth University, National College of Ireland, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, South East Technological University, Stop.watch Television Ltd., Technological University of the Shannon, The National Concert Hall, Trin...

Trinity College Dublin has partnered with the Open Forum for AI (OFAI) to support responsible and human-centred artificial intelligence (AI). Launched in 2024 by Carnegie Mellon University, OFAI convenes academic institutions and non-profit organisations to foster collaboration, transparency, and inclusion in the development of AI systems. The announcement was made at Ireland's National Open Source Innovation Summit in Dublin recently, where Sayeed Choudhury, Executive Director of OFAI and Associate Dean for Digital Infrastructure at Carnegie Mellon University Libraries, attended and spoke at the event. As AI becomes embedded in public services, healthcare, education and digital government systems, concerns about transparency, accountability and long-term dependency on large technology providers are increasing. Across Europe, governments are examining how to ensure that AI systems used in areas such as public administration, automated decision-support and citizen services are explainable, rigorously tested and aligned with societal values. The OFAI fosters collaboration across academia, civil society organisations, government, and industry to build a more open and inclusive AI ecosystem. It achieves this by developing practical frameworks and technical prototypes towards the development of open technology stack for AI. Through its membership of the OFAI, Trinity, via the Research Ireland ADAPT Centre for AI-Driven Digital Content Technology, will contribute to the Research Working Group. ADAPT researchers will collaborate with international members to advance an open source infrastructure stack that is transparent, accountable and participatory in practice. This includes contributing to tools and shared platforms that help organisations evaluate and explain how automated systems reach decisions, giving people clearer insight, meaningful choice, and the ability to question outcomes where appropriate. Researchers from ADAPT and Trinity bring particular strength and expertise in standards development, AI governance, and human-centred system design, helping to ensure that openness is built into both the technology and the way it is deployed. Professor John Kelleher, Director of ADAPT, said: "Responsible open innovation requires shared commitment across creators, deployers, researchers, and security teams. In Trinity, we champion open research and open science and aspire to democratise AI so that systems are transparent, trustworthy, and accountable. Our engagement with the Open Forum for AI strengthens Ireland's role in shaping global conversations on open AI infrastructure and governance." OFAI Executive Director Sayeed Choudhury welcomed Trinity's participation, adding: "As AI becomes infrastructure, it is essential to incorporate global perspectives. OFAI is thrilled that Trinity College Dublin is joining as a partner. They bring deep expertise in human-centred AI and the development of international standards, strengthening our international collaboration." The partnership reflects growing interest across Europe in digital sovereignty and agency, open innovation, and responsible AI adoption. Governments are seeking to reduce strategic technology dependencies and strengthen public sector capability in areas such as AI infrastructure and procurement. Through its engagement with OFAI, Trinity will contribute research and expertise to help shape practical, open source AI approaches that support national and European resilience and choices, while remaining globally collaborative. 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 servic...

Guest post by Lee Bryan Tech leaders in regulated consumer product sectors who treat regulation as a game of hide and seek eventually get found. Across the UK and EU, the same pattern keeps repeating in sectors like consumer electronics, cosmetics, children's toys, PPE, sex toys, and novel nicotine products. A brand scales quickly, leans on a grey area in product classification, stretches a claims boundary, exploits a labelling technicality, or relies on an under-resourced enforcement body. Compliance, the Loophole Loop and Tech Leaders Revenue spikes. Marketplaces open up. Influencers amplify the product. Then enforcement catches up. Listings are removed. Products are detained. Responsible Persons are scrutinised. Documentation is demanded. Fines land. The same leadership team that once celebrated "moving fast" now scrambles to explain what went wrong. This is the Loophole Loop. It is the cycle of exploiting regulatory gaps, triggering scrutiny, reacting under pressure, and then searching for the next workaround. It feels strategic in the short term. It is structurally weak in the long term. The Cat-and-Mouse Illusion Many founders in regulated consumer markets see compliance as friction imposed by bureaucrats who do not understand innovation. Regulations feel slow. Guidance feels ambiguous. Enforcement feels inconsistent. So the internal logic becomes: The regulation is vague. The guidance is outdated. The enforcement body is stretched. There is no clear precedent yet. Therefore, we are safe. That assumption no longer holds. UK and EU authorities are increasingly deploying automation and AI-powered investigation and enforcement tools. What once required physical inspections or whistleblowers can now be identified remotely and at scale. Product listings are scraped automatically. Packaging artwork is analysed through image recognition. Claims are scanned for trigger words. Marketplace data is cross-referenced with customs records. Corporate structures are mapped across jurisdictions. The cost of being "under the radar" has collapsed. What used to be a slow-moving chess match is now algorithmic risk detection. Why the Loophole Loop Is Shrinking The gap between innovation and enforcement in regulated consumer products is narrowing for three structural reasons. First, digital transparency. Even physical product businesses are now digitally exposed. Websites, Amazon listings, TikTok ads, influencer partnerships, shipping data, and online reviews create an open data trail. Every aggressive claim leaves evidence. Second, cross-border intelligence. UK and EU authorities increasingly share information. A packaging issue flagged in one member state can trigger scrutiny elsewhere. The idea that a brand is "small" or "flying under the radar" rarely reflects reality in a digital marketplace. Third, automated triage. Enforcement bodies do not need to manually inspect every operator. They can prioritise risk using signals. Rapid sales growth. High-risk product categories. Missing UK Responsible Persons or EU Authorised Representatives. Inconsistent Declarations of Conformity. Unsupported marketing claims. These are patterns that machines can detect. If your growth strategy depends on staying invisible, it is already outdated. The Real Cost of Playing the Game The Loophole Loop produces four predictable outcomes for tech-enabled consumer brands. 1. Strategic instability. Product pivots become driven by regulatory panic rather than customer insight. 2. Investor friction. Serious investors now conduct regulatory diligence earlier. A business model built on definitional technicalities looks fragile. 3. Brand damage. In sectors involving children, safety, chemicals, or electronics, public enforcement action erodes trust quickly and permanently. 4. Margin destruction. Retrospective remediation is expensive. Relabelling. Reformulation. Product withdrawal. Storage fees. Legal advice. Emergency compliance audits. All destroy cash. The irony is s...

Guest post Martin Petrov, Chief Technology Officer, Payments Compliance at Integrity360 It is tempting to view payments compliance as the finish line, a signal that a business is secure. But in practice, compliance is just the starting point. It provides a baseline security level, not a digital fortress. Standards are designed to raise the floor and eliminate obvious vulnerabilities, but they cannot cover every emerging threat or nuance – such as a supplier getting breached or a shortcut taken by an engineer at 2 a.m. That is where organisations risk becoming complacent or overly literal in their interpretations. True security demands a harder question than: "Are we compliant"? It demands: "Would this stop an attacker today?" That demands understanding not just what control requirements state, but why they exist. Multi-factor authentication (MFA), for example, is not just a checkbox; it is a concept rooted in stopping unauthorised access. Compliance must be interpreted in context: against the weakest vendor, the most exposed system, the riskiest business process, and the evolving threat landscape. Too many breaches have exploited gaps that audits never covered because compliance became the ceiling, not the floor. Regional and cultural factors also play a part. In Northern Europe, payments compliance frameworks like PCI DSS are often seen as a baseline to exceed, with layered defences added beyond the minimum. In other regions, standards such as PCI DSS or ISO/IEC 27001 are treated more as a destination. Certification becomes the end goal – a badge to display, not a baseline to exceed. These differences matter because they determine whether compliance protects you or just protects your reputation. The supplier slip-up that could cost you everything One of the most urgent blind spots is the supply chain. You can harden and patch all of your own systems, mandate MFA, and lock down every endpoint. But a vendor's default service account, an abandoned test tenant, or an over-permissioned API can undermine everything. As integrations and dependencies grow, so does the potential blast radius. And while many organisations know who their suppliers are, far fewer know what access they have, how often they are reviewed, or whether they follow the same standards. Supplier risk must now be managed as rigorously as internal operations; tiered, tested, and tightly controlled. The three-body problem: when PCI DSS, GDPR, and the EU AI Act collide Then there is the pace of innovation, particularly in areas like artificial intelligence (AI). For European compliance officers, this creates a three-body problem: the EU AI Act, PCI DSS, and GDPR orbiting each other with overlapping – but misaligned – requirements. And unlike physics, there is no elegant equation to solve it. Meanwhile, global response remains inconsistent, and the tension between innovation and oversight is only going to grow. The organisations that succeed in this environment will not just meet standards; they will go further and question whether they are compliant on paper but vulnerable in practice. By treating compliance as a foundation, not a finish line, organisations will unlock new ways to stay secure and trusted. The question is, what does that really look like? What good is a lock if no one checks the door? One of the easiest traps for modern security teams is assuming that tools alone provide protection. But no matter how advanced the platform or how rigid the policy, it is people and processes that hold it all together – or let it fall apart. This is especially true in payments compliance, where new platforms and integrations emerge faster than policies can adapt. Organisations that treat compliance as a checklist often over-rely on technology, by trusting automated scans, secure settings, or third-party certifications to keep them safe. But without context and human judgement, these defences can create a false sense of security and leave the business exposed. In the b...

One hundred of Ireland's top teenage problem solvers gathered on Wednesday in Dublin City University (DCU) for the national final of the ADAPT All Ireland Linguistics Olympiad (AILO). The finalists represent 56 secondary schools from 20 counties across the whole island and are competing for the chance to represent Ireland at the International Linguistics Olympiad in Bucharest, Romania, this July. AILO is run by ADAPT, the Research Ireland Centre for AI-driven Digital Content Technology. The competition challenges students to apply logic and reasoning to decode unfamiliar languages by analysing the language data they are given to work out the 'rules' of the new language. These transferable skills are critical in preparing young people for a wide range of careers in computing, linguistics and language. Speaking about the event, Director of ADAPT, Professor John Kelleher said: "AILO is a showcase of the analytical ability, curiosity and capability of Ireland's young people. The students who have reached the final have demonstrated exceptional problem-solving skills. The skills developed here are directly transferable to the real world, and we hope they will give them a love of computing and data-driven research. We are very proud to host the final at DCU and to support an all-island initiative that opens up these futures to students from every background." Today's finalists progressed through a preliminary round, involving nearly 1,000 competitors, held in schools earlier this year. Competing in individual and team rounds, they will vie for the honour to be one of the four winners who will represent Ireland on the international stage in Bucharest this summer. The results of the AILO final will be released in mid-March. For those who want to try the challenge, sample puzzles can be downloaded from https://ailo.adaptcentre. ie/sample-puzzles/ AILO Sponsor Call Having engaged over 60,000 students over the past 18 years, the All-Ireland Linguistics Olympiad is now seeking a key sponsor to help secure the future of this unique programme and to support its mission of building problem-solving confidence and STEM pathways for thousands of secondary students nationwide. Organisations interested in sponsorship are invited to contact the AILO team at ailo@adaptcentre.ie. More details at https://ailo.adaptcentre. ie/sponsor/ 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.

Guest post by Sara Daw, who is Group CEO of The CFO Centre and The Liberti Group, and the author of Strategy and Leadership as Service – How the Access Economy Meets the C-Suite, which explores the fractional leadership trend. It's official – our modern workforce is blended. More companies are made up not only of full-time employees but also freelancers, contractors, gig workers, and fractional leaders. Not all work now fits the "one person, one job" approach. Instead, roles are unbundling across a wider workforce. It's all about accessing the right skill, at the right time, from anywhere. Leading People Who Don't Work for You As a leader, if you want to build a business that lasts, you need to rethink how you engage with everyone contributing to your mission – not just those on the payroll. So, what do the different players of the blended workforce bring to the table, and how can you lead them as one? The blended workforce Our workforce now consists of four main groups of people: 1. Core Employees – stable and committed individuals on the payroll 2. Fractional C-Suite – flexible, strategic and innovative leaders who work with a portfolio of companies on a pay-as-you-go basis 3. Technical Project Freelancers – flexible and skills-rich individuals like your digital nomads who complete project-based work 4. Temporary Contract Workers & Outsourcing – efficient and flexible talent who complete lighter-skilled tasks at high volume This blended workforce is a strategic approach to meet a business's needs effectively over time, especially as the skills we need in our organisations are increasingly only available in the freelance market. Working together, these wider teams can adapt to changing demands and provide specialist expertise quickly and flexibly to maximise productivity. So, how can you lead this wider workforce together as one? See it as a relationship, not a resource It's tempting to see external talent as merely a temporary resource. These individuals complete an isolated volume of work, taking care of less 'important' tasks than your core employees because it's less risky. But to truly capitalise on the benefits of a blended workforce requires a mindset shift away from this thinking. As a leader, you must start seeing the wider workforce you engage with as part of your workforce. The key is building emotional relationships right from the first project. When you bring in external talent, familiarise them with your culture, the way you and your core employed teams work, and make the effort to learn about them and the way they work too. That way, the relationship moves from transactional to collaborative, with every player more invested in achieving desired outcomes together. Measure the outputs, not the inputs Traditional and contract talent alike want flexibility in their work lives to choose how they complete tasks and achieve goals. This requires leaders to shift their focus to measure outputs, not inputs. Rather than getting caught up over hours worked, give your blended workforce the flexibility to decide what way works best for them to deliver the work that needs to be done. As a leader, it is still your responsibility to set the direction, parameters and purpose of the work. But once this is done, and everyone is on the same page, leave them to it while being available for support if needed. This way, a deeper level of shared trust is developed, and individuals feel a stronger sense of control in the roles. This increases each worker's interest, involvement and creativity – which is vital for a functional blended workforce. Conclusion Moving forward, blended workforces will become the norm for businesses. Each type of worker will bring their own skills and ways of working – it's up to leaders to bring harmony. By building emotional relationships and measuring outputs with flexibility, leaders can create one wider culture and team working collaboratively towards a shared mission. Sara Daw is Group CEO of The CFO C...

Leading digital bank Monzo has released the second edition of 'The Monzo Money Pulse', a research-led series exploring how Ireland feels about money. Following its pulse check on savings, Monzo now examines the hidden economic and emotional toll financial admin takes on Irish small business owners. The research, surveying 500 Irish SME owners, reveals that on average, they spend 2 hours and 43 minutes per week on financial admin. With their time valued at an average of €61 per hour, this equates to approximately €165 per week, or over €8,500 per year in lost time per business. Scaled nationally, this amounts to an estimated €2.1 billion per year in lost productivity. "The Monzo Money Pulse found that financial admin is swallowing Irish SMEs' time, with 55% of owners citing expense management as the most time-consuming task.[2] Chasing payments from customers and suppliers (38%), and tax planning as a close follow", said Elaine Deehan, Monzo's Irish Country Manager. "We're removing that friction with a range of plans that include automated tax pots, invoicing and many different methods to pay and get paid. We're turning complex admin into a few simple taps. Businesses can join the waitlist to sign up for an account soon at monzo.com/ie/waitlist." The Stress of Success SMEs form the backbone of the Irish economy, employing around 1.6 million people, or 68% of the business workforce. Yet financial management imposes a heavy emotional toll on them, with 94% of SME owners surveyed, reporting that it makes them feel stressed, with business owners more than twice as likely as sole traders to feel "very stressed." The burden is so significant that 55% of owners who handle financial admin personally would sacrifice playing or watching sports for a month to avoid a year of financial admin. Others would trade away their favourite takeaway (43%) or social media (25%) just to offload the task. Freeing up this time through better banking tools would be transformative: 56% of owners would reinvest that energy into customers or clients, 32% would focus on growth, and 47% would prioritise time with family and friends. Time and Translation Tax Financial admin is a significant time sink for SME owners d, with 47% of those surveyed losing three to four hours weekly and another 36% spending up to two hours. Because 92% of owners surveyed handle these tasks personally, the operational drain is constant: 9% are distracted from core business daily, 40% weekly, and 33% monthly. This burden is compounded by a massive "complexity gap" with 41% of owners feeling they need a translator to understand bank products, terms, or communications.[6] 58% claim untangling a box of cables is easier than managing their finances and over half (55%) even believe predicting the Irish weather is more straightforward than navigating business banking. Frustrations vs Fixes Sharon Malone, CEO and Founder of Finerty said, "Managing financial admin is a stressful, time-consuming part of running your own business. I was spending 5 to 7 hours a month stuck doing manual VAT calculations, categorising and managing receipts, and processing payments through fragmented systems. I recall my early days as an Entrepreneur trying to set up a business bank account, it took weeks and it felt like there wasn't much help or support available". "With Monzo I was able to open an account within 10 minutes and for the first time ever, we have all our payments, merchant services, receipts, invoice management, and transaction categorisation in one place. It has drastically reduced the time and stress I previously spent on admin, giving me more time to focus on growing the business which is exactly how I want to spend it." Sharon's experience echoes the frustrations from SME owners with three quarters (76%) saying it's important that their bank reduces the financial admin of running their business. Monzo Business will soon be offering a range of plans from Lite (free), to Pro (€7/pm) to Team (...

At trial, I watch for small fractures in composure. A tremor at the corner of the mouth. A tightening around the eyes when a document is handed up. A shift in breathing that does not match the rhythm of the room. When I sense nervousness, I narrow the focus. I slow the pace. I return to the point that caused the disruption. Momentum in a hearing is real; once it breaks, the narrative can change. But even then, I treat what I see as provisional. Nervousness is not a confession. It can signal pressure, fatigue, inexperience, or simply the weight of the moment. Experience teaches restraint. What looks decisive at first glance often softens once the evidence is fully canvassed. That tension between instinct and proof is what automated emotion detection systems promise to bypass. Software claims it can identify stress, deception, engagement, or intent from facial micro-movements, vocal cadence, and behavioral cues. It offers a quantified version of what trial lawyers do informally, stripped of hesitation and scaled across thousands of subjects at once. The appeal is obvious. Institutions prefer metrics to ambiguity. A score appears firmer than a perception. Emotion, once understood as fluid and context-dependent, is reframed as analyzable input. The regulatory concern arises when those outputs are treated as established fact rather than tentative inference; when a machine's interpretation of nervousness carries more institutional weight than the disciplined skepticism that should accompany it. What These Systems Say They Measure What these systems claim to measure sounds technical and controlled. Facial muscle movement. Vocal tone and cadence. Eye tracking. Posture shifts. All of it grouped under the banner of affective computing. The output is clean; engagement at 72 percent. Stress elevated. Attention declining. It looks empirical. But the system is not measuring emotion. It is measuring signals and matching them to pre-labeled categories. A pause becomes anxiety. Averted eyes become disengagement. A tightened jaw becomes deception or strain. The inference is embedded in the model, not proven in the moment. The interface suggests certainty. The underlying logic remains probabilistic. Correlation is presented as conclusion. For a regulator, that distinction is not academic. Measuring movement is one thing. Asserting an internal state is another. The risk lives in the space between the two. Why the Science Falls Short Human emotion does not map neatly onto facial geometry. The foundational research often cited in support of emotion recognition rests on controlled laboratory settings, posed expressions, and small participant pools. Real-world environments are messier. Lighting shifts. Faces age. Illness, medication, neurodiversity, and cultural display rules alter expression. What looks like universality in a lab fragments in practice. The dominant models rely on the premise that discrete emotions correspond to identifiable facial configurations. That premise remains contested in contemporary psychology. Increasingly, affective science points to variability rather than fixed signatures. Context and interpretation shape meaning as much as muscle movement does. A model trained to detect anger from a narrowed brow may simply be detecting concentration. Data sets compound the problem. Many are geographically narrow, demographically uneven, or built from staged imagery. Labels are assigned by human annotators who infer emotion from appearance. The model learns those inferences as ground truth. It does not verify them. It optimizes against them. Validation metrics further obscure the limits. Accuracy rates reported in vendor materials often reflect performance on similar data to that used in training. Cross-context robustness, demographic parity, and longitudinal stability receive less emphasis. A model that performs adequately on curated data may degrade significantly in diverse operational settings. The scientific weakness is therefo...

A feasibility study to explore the potential for Ireland's first full-scale marine biorefinery has been officially launched by the Mara Blue initiative, with support from the Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Scheme and Cork County Council. The project is being led by Munster Technological University (MTU) in collaboration with Pure Ocean Algae, and the Castletownbere Fishermen's Co-Op, and represents a significant step towards exploring Ireland's potential to be a leader in the sustainable blue bioeconomy. The Mara Blue feasibility study is being co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Southern, Eastern & Midland Regional Programme 2021-27. The Smart Regions Scheme, implemented and administered by Enterprise Ireland, supports the different regions of the country in harnessing cutting-edge technologies and world-class expertise, and supports initiatives like Mara Blue with supports for early-stage project exploration. The long-term ambition of the Mara Blue project is to unlock the potential of Ireland's marine resources, transforming seaweed and fish by-products into high-value products for global markets. The proposed facility is intended to serve as a living lab for developing and demonstrating new products and circular economy solutions, and it is intended it would operate as dedicated, not-for-profit entity. "The Mara Blue project is more than a facility; it's a vision for Ireland's oceans and coastal communities," said Michael O'Neill, Managing Director of Pure Ocean Algae "it could unlock economic potential, drive innovation, and ensure our marine resources are used sustainably for generations to come." Professor Maggie Cusack, MTU President commented "This feasibility study represents the first critical step in bringing this world-class marine biorefinery to life. By demonstrating the viability of a circular, sustainable, and commercially robust blue bioeconomy, the feasibility study will pave the way for the south-west region to become a global leader in marine innovation, environmental stewardship, and regional regeneration." Earmarked for Dinish Island, Castletownbere, and subject to validation of the commercial and technical viability of the initiative, the proposed facility will seek to focus on functional foods, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, animal feed, sustainable agricultural inputs, and biomedical ingredients. Through investigating the efficient use of underutilised marine biomass, the proposed initiative seeks to create economic, environmental, and social value while supporting national and EU objectives related to the Green Deal, the Bio-Economy Strategy, and the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership. Darragh Cotter, South-West Regional Manger for Enterprise Ireland said that "the feasibility study will enable the evaluation of the technical, commercial, and community potential for a marine biorefinery in the South-West region, which may help realise the long term opportunities for value-add processing and exports of marine bioproducts. Enterprise Ireland looks forward to working closely with the Mara Blue consortium to progress this exciting project proposal." The industry consortium includes Pure Ocean Algae (POA), Castletownbere Fishermen's Co-op (CFC), Oir na Farraige, Wicklow Seaweed Company, Coulagh Bay Sea Farms, VOYA, Carbery Group, and ClonBio Group. These members bring commercial expertise, market access, and scaling potential to the project. Academic institutions, including MTU, UCC, and TUS, as well as Research Centres including Centre for Applied Bioscience Research ensure support for research, training, and innovation. See more stories here.

Paradyn, one of Ireland's leading cybersecurity and managed service providers, today announces that it is delivering a managed detection and response (MDR) solution to Kildare County Council which will support the secure rollout of critical public services. As the volume of cyber threats continues to grow, Kildare County Council needed to enhance and futureproof detection and protection levels across its entire organisation. Paradyn was chosen to deliver a new MDR solution, based on Sophos technology, which will leverage artificial intelligence (AI) tools to improve Kildare County Council's ability to detect, respond to, and prevent cyber risks. Minimising business disruption, the Sophos MDR solution will integrate seamlessly into Kildare County Council's existing IT environment. Round-the-clock monitoring from Sophos' security operations centre, backed up by Paradyn's skilled teams, will secure operations, strengthen cyber resilience, and optimise IT resources for the council. The service will also boost compliance for the organisation in a changing regulatory landscape. This advanced cybersecurity portfolio will, in turn, protect sensitive data for Kildare's nearly 250,000 citizens and foster increased public trust as the council continues to deliver essential public services. It will also help to support the secure rollout of services including housing, roads, urban planning, and culture across the county. Paradyn was recently named a Sophos Platinum Partner – the highest partner accreditation – for its expertise in delivering cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions to customers built on Sophos technology. Rory Hopkins, Head of Information Systems, Kildare County Council, said: "It's crucial that our cybersecurity processes protect and optimise our vital resources, and this new service is leading to a more secure, resilient, and efficient operation. It ultimately contributes to a safer and more secure experience for all who engage with our services. We have worked with Paradyn on previous IT and security projects and knew that the team was best placed to deliver on this next phase. We look forward to continuing to innovate, safe in the knowledge that our systems are protected." Fergal Meehan, Chief Commercial Officer, Paradyn, said: "In the face of increasingly sophisticated cyber risks, this solution will enhance the overall cybersecurity posture for Kildare County Council. Our Sophos MDR service consolidates cybersecurity tools and products into one managed service with proactive monitoring by our highly skilled team of cyber analysts, even outside of traditional office hours. It provides peace of mind for the council as it continues to deliver essential services to the people of Kildare." 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.

65% of respondents use free external GenAI in work or pay for the tool themselves, Deloitte's third GenAI pulse has found. Only 35% work for an employer that pays for their external GenAI. Despite this, the number of companies encouraging GenAI use has nearly doubled compared to 2024; nearly half (46%) of respondents work for a company that encourages the use of GenAI. In contrast to 2024, when less than one-quarter (24%) strongly agreed or agreed that their company encouraged its use. The findings come from Deloitte Ireland's third GenAI pulse survey as part of the Digital Consumer Trends report, where 1,000 people between the ages of 18 and 75 were surveyed in Ireland. The number of respondents who said their workplace has policies or guidance about the use of GenAI for work purposes has jumped. In 2025, just 19% of those surveyed said their company does not have a policy or guidance, but in 2024, 90% of employees reported a lack of guidance or policies. Talent remains the biggest challenge for embedding AI, with 84% citing skills gaps as the main barrier, according to additional Deloitte AI research published last week, which gathered views of C-suite leaders and directors in Ireland. Commenting on the report's findings, Lynn Guilbaud, Technology, Media & Telecommunications Leader in Deloitte Ireland, said: "Everyone has heard the expression people won't be replaced by AI, but will be replaced by people using it. This is why it's positive to see a growing number of organisations with policies and guidance around its use. This technology isn't just a tool; it's a game-changer that can revolutionise how we work, boosting efficiency, unlocking new levels of productivity and fundamentally transforming the competitiveness of organisations that embrace it. "But this won't happen overnight. To harness AI's potential, organisations need to invest in ongoing training and support, guiding their teams every step of the way." There is a clear gap between generations' GenAI use, despite awareness being high across age groups. The GenAI pulse survey shows more than 4 in 5 (83%) of Gen Zs and 76% of Millennials use GenAI, but this drops to just over half (57%) in Gen X and only one-in-three (33%) of those aged 60-75 years old. The most common reason to use the technology is for personal purposes (75%), followed by work (42%) and education (36%). The reasons for using GenAI are consistent with those reported in 2024, although there was a 12% increase in people using it to look up information (44% vs 56%). Searching for information, writing and editing emails, and generating ideas are the top three reasons GenAI is used. Since 2023, a consistent number of GenAI users (more than one-third) believe AI always produces factually accurate responses – 35% in 2023, 34% in 2024, and 34% in 2025. This is similar to the number of users who believe the technology's responses are unbiased – 31% in 2023, 28% in 2024, and 32% in 2025. 64% actively use AI tools. In contrast, 4 in 5 passively engage with GenAI, including web search summaries or AI-generated content on social media. Nearly two-thirds (62%) have noticed AI-generated web search summary and 64% AI-generated content on social media. 40% come across AI-generated news articles written by AI. Daily and weekly use of GenAI is nearly doubling year-on-year, while non-usage consistently drops. Daily Weekly Not used GenAI 2025 11% 21% 37% 2024 5% 13% 53% 2023 2% 7% 66% Colm McDonnell, Head of Technology, Media and Telecommunications in Deloitte Ireland, added: "Our Deloitte survey reveals a fascinating trend of young professionals leading the charge in adopting AI, highlighting the need for tailored training that speaks to different generations and skill levels. "While concerns around privacy and data security are valid, one way to manage these risks is by promoting the use of company-approved AI tools. With nearly two-thirds of respondents already using free or personally paid for AI platforms, its...

Irish drivers continue to show interest in electric (EV) and hybrid vehicles, while carefully weighing cost, charging confidence and real-world ownership considerations, according to new findings from the Carzone 2026 Motoring Report. The latest national survey shows that a third (32%) of drivers plan to purchase a hybrid, plug-in hybrid or electric vehicle next. Hybrids remain the most popular alternative fuel choice, with a fifth (19%) planning to buy a hybrid, while 10% intend to buy a fully electric vehicle, indicating a gradual shift away from petrol and diesel rather than a complete behaviour change. Cost remains the most influential factor in decisions around electric vehicles. Four in ten drivers (40%) cite upfront price as a factor preventing them from making the switch, followed by concerns around reliability (31%) and electricity costs (28%). Alongside cost, confidence around EV ownership is being shaped by widespread misinformation and uncertainty. While the EV market has evolved rapidly, perceptions have been slower to catch up. Seven in ten drivers (69%) believe electric vehicles are more expensive to buy than petrol or diesel alternatives, despite increasing price parity and a growing number of more affordable models entering the market. Concerns around depreciation also persist, with six in ten (59%) believing EVs lose value faster. Nearly half of drivers (47%) think electric vehicles cost more to run, although more than one in five (22%) actively disagree, highlighting a clear gap between perception and real-world ownership experience. Charging infrastructure is also front of mind. Seven in ten drivers (71%) say there are not enough public charging points in Ireland, while 62% believe charging an electric vehicle takes too long. More than half (58%) say electric vehicles do not offer sufficient range for everyday driving. For those who have already made the move, experience differs from perception. Among current EV owners, 86% cite lower running costs as a key benefit, while 65% say they primarily charge their vehicle at home. Commenting on the findings, Conor Faughnan, Carzone's Independent Motoring Expert, said: "Irish drivers are taking a thoughtful approach to electric vehicles. Interestingly, the survey shows that while 18% of those planning to buy new are considering an electric vehicle, that figure drops to just 4% among used car buyers. This demonstrates what motorists are weighing up, from cost and charging to reliability. The findings also show that for those who already own an EV, the experience around running costs can differ from expectations. Having access to clear, independent information and advice is key as drivers consider making the EV switch." The Carzone 2026 Motoring Report is based on a nationally representative survey of 1,000 Irish drivers conducted in November 2025. The report forms part of a wider examination of how motorists are navigating changing fuel choices, ownership costs and vehicle technology. To explore the full findings of the Carzone 2026 Motoring Report, visit https://motoringreport.carzone.ie/. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. 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.

Enterprise Ireland has today announced the launch of Propel Ireland, a new innovation centre designed to drive collaboration, innovation and supply chain development across Ireland's offshore wind sector. Propel Ireland represents a key action under Powering Prosperity: Ireland's Offshore Wind Industrial Strategy, supporting the development of a globally competitive offshore wind industry and positioning Irish companies to capitalise on significant domestic and international opportunities. Offshore wind is central to Ireland's energy future and economic growth, with national targets of up to 37GW of offshore renewable energy capacity by 2050 – creating a significant opportunity for enterprise development, job creation and export growth. Propel Ireland will bring together developers, SMEs, researchers and Government stakeholders to strengthen collaboration across the offshore wind ecosystem and accelerate innovation. Propel Ireland will: • Connect Ireland's offshore wind industry and support collaboration across enterprise, research and Government • Enable companies to address shared technical and commercial challenges • Support the development of a competitive Irish supply chain for domestic projects and global export • Accelerate the commercial deployment of later-stage technologies The initiative will be supported by a cross-sectoral steering group, including representatives from Government Departments and agencies, industry and the research community, ensuring alignment with national policy and industry needs. Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD, said: "Developing a strong offshore wind industry is a key priority for Government, supporting enterprise growth, innovation and job creation. Propel Ireland will play an important role in strengthening Ireland's supply chain and supporting companies to seize the opportunities in this rapidly growing global sector." Minister at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, Timmy Dooley TD, said: "Offshore wind will play a central role in delivering Ireland's climate and energy ambitions. Initiatives such as Propel Ireland are important in supporting innovation, building capability and ensuring we maximise the economic benefits of the transition to renewable energy." Minister of State with special responsibility for Further Education, Apprenticeship, Construction and Climate Skills, Marian Harkin TD said: "Collaboration between industry, research and Government is critical to delivering innovation in emerging sectors such as offshore wind. Propel Ireland will support the development of knowledge, skills and research capability needed to underpin Ireland's long-term success in this area." Jenny Melia, CEO, Enterprise Ireland, said: "Offshore wind presents a significant opportunity for Ireland to build a new, globally competitive sector. Propel Ireland will support Irish companies to collaborate, innovate and scale, enabling them to compete internationally while contributing to the development of Ireland's offshore wind capability." The launch of Propel Ireland reflects a coordinated, cross-Government approach to developing Ireland's offshore wind sector, aligned with national climate, energy and enterprise policy. Ireland's strong research base, growing enterprise capability and natural resources position the country to become a leading location for offshore wind innovation and supply chain development. Propel Ireland will support this ambition by providing a platform for collaboration, innovation and commercialisation. Enterprise Ireland will now engage with industry partners to support participation in Propel Ireland and to ensure that Irish companies are well-positioned to benefit from opportunities in offshore wind, both domestically and internationally. 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 su...

The latest edition of the Europe-wide payment study conducted by the management and technology consultancy BearingPoint reveals that cash usage frequency across Europe has steadily declined over the past three years. The study, conducted across nine European countries with more than 10,000 respondents — including 1,001 in Ireland — highlights a fast-evolving Irish payments landscape characterised by strong digital adoption, growing openness to central bank digital currencies and continued trust in traditional banks. The findings show Ireland significantly ahead of many European peers in digital payment behaviours: 73% of Irish consumers use contactless payments regularly, placing Ireland among Europe's highest adopters. Revolut dominates peer-to-peer transfers, with 62% usage — one of the highest penetration rates across all surveyed countries. Despite Ireland's strong digital payment shift, technical and reliability concerns remain widespread. Between 50% and 58% of Irish respondents report issues with digital payments, some of the highest rates observed in Europe. Germany and Austria remain the strongholds of cash Austria (71%) and Germany (73%) are significantly ahead of the other countries surveyed in the frequency of cash use. Switzerland follows in third place at 61%, with Ireland close behind at 58%. Perhaps more interestingly, however, Ireland stands out in terms of future behaviour: it records the highest proportion of respondents (24%) who say they will definitely move away from cash within the next 10 years. As expected, the highest usage is found in the 55+ age group, with 80% in Germany and 84% in Austria. Remarkably, the typically digitally savvy age group of 18–24-year-olds also shows high usage rates, at 64% in Germany and 57% in Austria. In Northern Europe, cash usage is lowest: in the three Nordic countries, Sweden (25%), Denmark (32%), and Finland (42%), cash is being used less and less frequently. Within Ireland, cash usage frequency declined 61% to 58% over the three-year period. Looking ahead, there is no indication of a shift away from cash, particularly in Germany and Austria: the majority of respondents in Germany (64%) cannot imagine abandoning cash within the next 10 years. This figure is surpassed only by Austria (68%). Even in countries with highly developed digital payment ecosystems, such as Denmark, Sweden, and Finland, around 40% of respondents do not expect cash to disappear within the next decade. Digital euro: Familiar, but still with room to grow While, on average across the surveyed countries, one in three respondents would use the digital euro, a larger group (42%) remains undecided, highlighting its untapped potential. In Austria, the digital euro would see the highest adoption, with around 40% indicating they would use it, followed by Ireland (36%), whereas the Netherlands has the lowest expected usage at 27%. In the Nordic countries, central bank digital currency (CBDC) would be used as a complement to cash by 21% in Denmark and 22% in Sweden, while in Switzerland (CBDC), the figure is significantly higher at 37%. Ireland leads the way on digital euro use case adoption On average across all surveyed countries and similar to last year, online shopping remains the preferred use case, with 37% indicating they would use the digital euro and 31% choosing CBDCs for this purpose. Ireland leads the way in the online shopping category, with 44% using the digital euro, followed by Finland (40%). Ireland also leads the way on instore shopping category (34%), followed by Germany at (30%) and for sending money to friends (33%) with Finland next (26%). Cost-free usage remains by far the most important criterion for the digital euro Across the surveyed countries, including Ireland, the key criteria for using the digital euro have once again remained consistent with last year's results. Cost?free usage (41%) and acceptance everywhere, 24/7 (35%), remain the most important factors for adopting the d...

Logicalis, the leading global technology service provider, has released its annual CIO Report, revealing that 43% of CIOs globally, and 38% of CIOs in Ireland and the UK, often wish AI had never been invented, reflecting the mounting pressure on IT leadership to manage an adoption curve that is outpacing the frameworks needed to support it. The new report, Harnessing AI: IT Leadership in the Next Era of Enterprise Technology, was conducted by Vanson Bourne on behalf of Logicalis, surveying more than 1,000 CIOs across the globe, including Ireland. It paints a picture of organisations caught between ambition and preparedness. While 94% of CIOs report that their organisation's appetite for AI has increased over the last 12 months, more than half (51%) believe adoption is moving too fast. The research reveals a series of critical gaps in how organisations are managing AI at ground level, with 66% of CIOs believing their organisation does not provide sufficient employee training on AI risk, or the responsible use of it. Just 37% say their organisation has full visibility of the AI tools and services being used within teams. With governance gaps widening, it is perhaps unsurprising that 57% believe employees are already putting data security at risk through AI tools, while 34% say AI has created new security blind spots. Meanwhile, 59% believe they are too reliant on a single AI vendor for critical functions. CIOs admit that the pace of change has led to trade-offs in their own roles too, with 62% saying they have compromised on AI governance due to a lack of knowledge and understanding. Taken together, these findings point to an industry-wide reckoning with the true cost of moving fast on AI without the foundations in place to do so responsibly. Despite concerns, CIOs are clear about AI's potential. Innovation remains the strongest driver of continued investment, with the top three cited benefits being: strengthening predictive analytics, data-driven forecasting and actionable business insights (56%); improving day-to-day service delivery (45%); and enhancing customer experience (45%). Bob Bailkoski, CEO, Logicalis, said: "This year's report reveals a complex challenge for CIOs navigating the biggest innovation of our lifetime. Organisations are not short of ambition or appetite for AI, they are short of the frameworks, skills and confidence to deploy it at scale. The challenge right now is not whether to invest in AI, but how to build the foundations that will make that investment effective, safe and sustainable. Today's CIO is no longer just a technology operator, they are strategically coordinating risk, ensuring accountability and driving value creation throughout the entire organisation." Mairead Malone, Ireland Country Lead, Logicalis UK&I states: "CIOs in Ireland and worldwide are rapidly shifting and evolving their priorities to keep pace with the acceleration of AI adoption. While they see the benefits, CIOs have legitimate concerns, focusing on the vital requirement for robust AI governance to support responsible deployment. Globally, CIOs are sending a warning sign: while the benefits of AI warrant widespread adoption, we must be prepared for that revolution. It is one that will bring immeasurable benefits to business, but one that must be managed with great caution." To view the full report, visit https://www.logicalis.com/cio-report See more stories here.

Climb Channel Solutions, ("Climb" or the "Company"), an international specialty technology distributor and wholly owned subsidiary of Climb Global Solutions, Inc., has announced a distribution partnership with cybersecurity vendor, Sophos for the Irish market. Unique to this partnership, Climb will be the only authorised Irish distributor to offer the Sophos Threat Profile assessment service to customers. This service highlights exposed credentials, suspicious domains, dark web exposure, and internet-facing vulnerabilities, and enables businesses to prioritise remediation and reduce risk. Ireland's cybersecurity sector is buoyant and growing 13.4% and generating revenue of €2.7bn according to a 2025 report by Cyber Ireland and NI Cyber*. Climb will facilitate direct access to Sophos Central, one of the world's leading cybersecurityplatforms, an adaptive AI-native platform that intercepts attacks before they occur. Climb will distribute the entire Sophos suite of products including the managed detection and response (MDR) service that eliminates threats at speed, alongside defence across endpoint, firewall, email and cloud. These solutions will be backed by Climb's reputation for speed, emerging tech expertise, and strong partner investment, working with the Sophos reseller and managed service provider (MSP) landscape. Recent Climb research* highlights growing AI maturity across organisations, creating increased demand for AI-enabled cybersecurity services. For example, more than half (53%) of organisations have a clear AI strategy, and 55% are working with technology vendors on their AI journey. Against this backdrop, Climb expects Irish businesses to continue to adapt and embed AI security solutions across their cloud and network environments. Commenting on the distribution partner announcement, Brian Davis, VP of Sales UK&I, Climb states: "Ireland's cybersecurity landscape is evolving at pace with recent research showing growth of 13% per annum. Threats are becoming more sophisticated, and customer expectations are rising. Cybersecurity remains a key strategic growth area for Climb, and we are continuously looking to expand our portfolio in Ireland. Extending our successful relationship with Sophos into Ireland is a pivotal moment as we enhance our cybersecurity portfolio. "As Irish organisations advance their AI capabilities at an unprecedented rate, Irish businesses must secure hybrid environments while embracing AI and digital transformation. As a dedicated Sophos distributor in Ireland, we're bringing world-class cybersecurity, genuine partner support, and the kind of speed and access that helps you move fast and grow confidently." Jason Ellis, VP Channel Sales EMEA, Sophos comments: "Sophos is a global leader in cybersecurity, offering a comprehensive portfolio of AI-powered cybersecurity technologies. Coupled with its advisory services, these capabilities proactively reduce risk for organisations. Expanding our presence in the Irish market is a reflection of the great relationship we hold with Climb in North America. Climb's strong Irish channel ecosystem will allow us to expand our Irish market footprint, enhancing our ability to deliver AI-powered cybersecurity solutions to Irish businesses. "We recognise Climb as an innovative leader, particularly in areas such as AI, where they're providing unique channel solutions through their Skyward Project and AI Academy***. These programmes help partners understand where AI and security intersect, delivering differentiated, yet complementary services to our Sophos portfolio. "Climb's knowledge and understanding of the Irish market, along with their ongoing investment, help us better support our partners and customers, enabling them to improve cyber resilience and respond effectively to emerging threats." This partnership enhances Climb's AI cybersecurity offering in Ireland, building on its long-standing cybersecurity pedigree. Climb has a long track record as a distributo...

Irish small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) overwhelmingly believe artificial intelligence (AI) can benefit their business, yet most are still struggling to translate that opportunity into action, according to new research released today. The study, commissioned by Google in partnership with Amárach Research and based on a survey of 400 Irish SMEs, shows that while 80% believe AI can positively impact their business and 65% expect it to drive growth in 2026, adoption remains limited. The findings indicate a significant confidence and capability gap. The main barriers preventing greater AI adoption include fear of making mistakes (30%), lack of skills (27%) and cost (24%), with many business leaders unsure of where to start (16%). More than half (57%) believe they are behind competitors in adopting AI, while 50% are concerned their business could be left behind without it. The research also highlights that micro-businesses, longer-established firms and non-exporters are most at risk of falling behind, underscoring the need for targeted, practical support that meets SMEs' varying needs. The research is being launched today at an event hosted by Google Ireland at The Foundry as part of Local Enterprise Week. In partnership with the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) network, Google also announced the launch of AI Works for Ireland, a series of complementary, face-to-face regional events aimed at equipping SMEs with practical AI skills for business. The series begins today in Dublin, followed by events in Galway (April 30th), Cork (14th May) and Monaghan (28th May). Each event will feature insights from Google AI experts on how SMEs can use AI to drive growth, creativity and efficiency, alongside dedicated AI workshops offering support for founders and business leaders. As part of the initiative, Google and the Local Enterprise Office network are providing up to 10,000 AI scholarships to workers across Ireland. Delivered through Coursera, the Google AI Professional Certificate offers practical training across more than 20 real-world AI business use cases, from data analysis and content creation to customer communications. This research and initiative follows the release of the government's National Digital and AI strategy, which includes key pillars to empower people, workers and businesses to develop cutting-edge skills and foster digital and AI literacy, alongside growing a digitally innovative and competitive enterprise sector within Ireland. Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation, Niamh Smyth, TD, said: "AI has the potential to boost productivity and enhance competitiveness across Ireland's SME Sector. As we advance the ambitions of the recently published National Digital and AI Strategy, a key priority of my department is to fast?track enterprise adoption digital and AI technologies. Initiatives like this one, delivered in partnership with Google and the Local Enterprise Offices, are vital in ensuring that businesses of all sizes, in every region, have the skills and confidence they need to adopt AI at pace." Vanessa Hartley, Head of Google Ireland, said: "Irish SMEs are clear about the opportunity AI presents, but this research shows many are being held back by uncertainty rather than ambition. AI Works for Ireland is about closing that gap – providing practical, trusted support that helps businesses move from awareness to action, and from experimentation to real impact. At Google, we are committed to helping people and businesses across Ireland build the skills they need to succeed in an AI-powered economy. Through initiatives like this, we want to ensure SMEs have access to high-quality training, tools and expertise that empower them to grow, innovate and compete with confidence." Kieran Comerford, Chair of the Local Enterprise Offices, said: "Local Enterprise Week is all about helping businesses and entrepreneurs improve and showing them the resources available to them....

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a leading global IT services, consulting, and business solutions company, with a strong presence in Ireland, employing over 1,100 people, has been recognised as a Top Employer for Ireland for 2026 by the Top Employers Institute. The Top Employers Institute is a global authority on recognising workplace excellence, and this certification reflects TCS's dedication to delivering outstanding people practices. The Top Employers Institute certifies organisations through its HR Best Practices Survey, which covers six distinct areas, including Diversity & Inclusion, People Strategy, Talent Acquisition, Work Environment, Wellbeing and Learning. TCS has also been recognised as a Global Top Employer and was awarded the exclusive Enterprise-Wide Top Employer Certification, an award given to select organisations that demonstrate a consistently high-performing people strategy across operations. Deepak Chaudhari, Country Head for TCS Ireland, said: "We are immensely proud to be ranked as a Top Employer in Ireland. Our people are the heart of our business, and our focus on client service and ensuring that we invest in our employees in the right ways is reflected in this achievement. We will continue to place a strong emphasis on diversity and wellbeing as well as skills development and learning." TCS employs a workforce of over 1,100 people in Ireland, with over 900 people across four generations representing 40 countries working in the TCS Global Delivery Centre based in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal alone. TCS invests in nurturing its talent with a strong range of learning, upskilling, and reskilling programmes. In FY26, Irish and UK TCS employees spent around 170,000 hours learning to build AI and data skills, resulting in over 95% of the associates becoming AI and data skills ready, with 50% acquiring higher-order deployable competencies. These proactive learning opportunities help TCS' talent provide top-tier services for its clients and form part of TCS' ambition to become the world's largest AI-led technology services company. Leeanne Patterson, Head of HR TCS Letterkenny, said: "To be recognised as a Top Employer is a great achievement for TCS in Ireland, and for our Global Delivery Centre here in Letterkenny. This recognition underscores our commitment to a diverse workforce and ongoing talent acquisition. We will continue to provide exciting career opportunities for our team in Ireland, investing in their continuous professional development while prioritising a supportive work environment." Top Employers Institute CEO Adrian Seligman commented: "Being recognised as a Regional Top Employer for 2026 is a significant achievement that reflects the strength and consistency of TCS's people strategy across multiple countries. Their capability to scale strategy while reflecting diverse markets demonstrates exceptional organisational discipline, leadership alignment, and a mature approach to using insights and benchmarking to drive business performance across borders. This recognition positions TCS as a leader across the UK and Ireland, creating meaningful and measurable impact for its employees and business. We are proud to celebrate this continued commitment to HR excellence." TCS is continuing to grow its strategic investment in Ireland, having initially established its presence in Ireland over 21 years ago, as well as maintaining its drive to equip the local workforce with learning, upskilling and reskilling opportunities to support its clients. The company is proactively hiring more people to join its team in Ireland and has an ongoing recruitment process in place, from graduates to senior hires. Complementing its efforts to offer skilled job opportunities in Ireland, TCS employees embody the spirit of giving back to the community through volunteering opportunities and have contributed close to 8,000 hours in FY26 in Ireland alone. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech ...

refurbed, the leading online marketplace for refurbished products in Ireland, has surpassed €3 billion in cumulative Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV) and expanded into 12 new European markets, doubling its footprint and marking a major milestone in the mainstream adoption of refurbished products. The company reached €3 billion in the total value of goods sold through its marketplace less than 12 months after passing €2 billion, reflecting year-on-year GMV growth of over 40%. The milestone follows a €50 million investment round in November 2025 and profitability achieved earlier that year, providing a strong foundation for continued expansion across Europe. "Refurbished is no longer a niche – it's becoming the default for many customers across Europe." said Peter Windischhofer, co-founder and CEO of refurbed. "We've proven that a circular business model can scale profitably. Surpassing €3 billion in GMV and expanding into 12 new markets shows that." To date, refurbed has sold 10 million products across their European markets and over 50% of its customers have returned for additional purchases. Since entering the Irish market five years ago, refurbed has sold more than 400,000 products to over 200,000 customers, contributing over €146 million in GMV. Through the purchase of refurbished devices, Irish customers have saved almost 17 million kilograms of CO?, more than 5 billion litres of water and nearly 60,000 kilograms of electronic waste. Pan-European expansion at scale The company's new markets include Spain, France, the UK, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Bulgaria and Luxembourg, bringing refurbed's addressable market to approximately 486 million consumers. Leading brands available on the platform include Dyson and Kärcher in home and garden, alongside Apple, Samsung and Google in consumer electronics. "This expansion is a deliberate next step," Windischhofer adds. "After reaching profitability and securing fresh investment, we are deploying capital where we see clear demand, strong supply infrastructure and long-term value creation. We scale where our model works – and we know it works." €3 Billion GMV: Refurbishment moves into the mainstream The acceleration from €2 billion to €3 billion in under a year highlights growing consumer trust in refurbished products and increasing competitive strength against new product sales. Premium supply is expanding rapidly, with the premium product share of order volume increasing by +113% and the premium share of GMV rising by +90% since the category launched in 2025. "We are witnessing a clear, structural shift in consumer behaviour," says Kilian Kaminski, co-founder of refurbed. "Smart and sustainable growth is no longer a trade-off. The circular economy is becoming mainstream, and Europe has the opportunity to lead globally by proving that profitability and sustainability go hand in hand." To date, refurbed has contributed to saving 445,000 tonnes of CO2 by offering refurbished instead of new products to consumers. 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.

By David Stephen There is a new [March 1, 2026] report on WSJ, U.S. Strikes in Middle East Use Anthropic, Hours After Trump Ban, stating that, "Within hours of declaring that the federal government will end its use of artificial-intelligence tools made by tech company Anthropic, President Trump launched a major air attack in Iran with the help of those very same tools. Commands around the world, including U.S. Central Command in the Middle East, use Anthropic's Claude AI tool, people familiar with the matter confirmed. Centcom declined to comment about specific systems being used in its ongoing operation against Iran." Does Anthropic Care about Human intelligence There is a recent [February 27, 2026] report on Axios, Anthropic to take Trump's Pentagon to court over AI dispute, stating that, "Anthropic vowed to challenge the Pentagon in court over its blacklisting of the company for refusing to lift all safeguards on the military's use of its model, Claude — adding it's "deeply saddened" by the escalating dispute. Defense officials want to use AI models for "all lawful purposes" in classified and not have to adhere to company's ideas of what is safe and isn't, particularly in matters of national security." U.S. Military The United States military is likely to do what it wants, regardless of the use, or not, of Anthropic's technology. So, taking a stance against some use cases in the military does not simply imply that Anthropic is on the side of humanity. Anthropic is an artificial intelligence firm that has not done anything to define, improve or aid human intelligence, in the brain, for at least, problem-solving. So, Anthropic, like others, is good for AI, while human intelligence can wither. Brain Science of Human Intelligence Whatever will become of humanity will depend on human intelligence. But, for now, in all of science, there is no definition for human intelligence, no identification of its types, components, mechanisms, their relays and stations, in the brain. Simply, there is no resource, anywhere for now, that can show how human intelligence works, why it is special and how. Normally, as artificial intelligence soared, what the philosophical implications should be is that human intelligence has to evolve, or be better understood to make adjustments. Understanding human intelligence is even more vital as the world is tethering on the edge of unknown with the crisis in the Iran, as well as the continuous situation in Ukraine and the also, the question of Venezuela. There is also artificial intelligence, accelerating across benchmarks and evaluations. There are possibilities for stability with new programs for small businesses, food security Insurance, employment models and much more, that could provide answers. There are also several other solutions that are necessary but no way to access them just because human intelligence also needs improvement with respect to problem-solving. Artificial intelligence cannot be getting more investments, programs and solutions, while human intelligence, still has no definition, no types, no known mechanisms, even conceptual, in brain science. This is the most important cause amid the rise of artificial intelligence, which no AI company is doing, including Anthropic, which has been hailed as a great example for strides in AI safety, mechanistic interpretability and alignment. Even with the posturing, Anthropic's tech is already used in combat. So, they have fed the military, but left out the core for all humanity, human intelligence. It may not matter after a while what AI model was safe or not, used in war or not, but what AI company ensured to prioritize human intelligence amid the demotion of humanity, by intelligence, from AI. David Stephen currently does research in conceptual brain science with focus on the electrical and chemical configurators for how they mechanize the human mind with implications for mental health, disorders, neurotechnology, consciousness, learning, artif...

We look at the new Canyon Jacky SW-69 Smartwatch. See more about it here. Canyon Jacky SW-69 Smartwatch reviewed More and more people are using smart watches to track their health, and, if nothing else, to hit those initial 10,000 steps. Much like Malcom Gladwell's hypothesis about putting in ten thousand hours into something, there is both truth, a truism, and a degree of subjectivity about such an arbitrary number. Some studies and analysis suggest the same may be true of ten thousand steps. It may not exactly need to be that amount, some people may need to do less, some, ultra runners for example, will blow past that many times in one day. However, like all approximate rules of thumb, health advisors see no harm in hitting ten thousand steps in a day, and it may well also be doing you the world of good too. Getting out and about afterall can only be good for you. Vitamin D, mental health, fresh air, and the simple benefits of exercise itself. The tracker on your smartphone is therefore the tool that tells you how close you are to hitting this goal, and can be a motivator to going that extra mile, literally, to reach those golden numbers. Smart watches can also tell you a whole lot more, heartbeat, the weather, give you mindfulness goals, and much much more. Or not. This therefore is the question, how smart do you need your smart watch to be? Battery life is important, although, for some people, once the 10k steps have been reached, it can be liberating to then take off, and turn off the watch for the day. Sure the manufacturers want you to sleep with it on, just think of all that extra lovely data they can gather on you. This therefore brings us to the Canyon smart watch offering, currently selling at a fraction of the price of many of its more highly produced competitors. If you have a kid, doing weekly activities, and wanting to see how far they are going, how fast, what their heartbeat is, then this could be perfect. Sure for the price, you will probably get less bells and whistles, but, for the core functions that you are looking for, then this could be a great purchase for the coming spring and summer months. Information can inform and motivate behaviour, which is probably the main benefit of a smart watch afterall, and this one does the job well. More about the Canyon Smart Watch Jacky SW-69 here Canyon has announced the availability of the Canyon Smart Watch Jacky SW-69 White & Blue, a stylish and feature-packed wearable designed to support everyday wellness, fitness tracking and smart connectivity for Irish consumers. Blending a modern aesthetic with practical functionality, the Jacky SW-69 features a vibrant 1.3-inch LTPS touchscreen display with a sharp 360 × 360 resolution, delivering clear visuals for both indoor and outdoor use. Its white and blue colourway offers a fresh, contemporary look suited to work, workouts and leisure. Health & Fitness at Your Fingertips Designed to support an active lifestyle, the Jacky SW-69 provides continuous monitoring of heart rate, blood oxygen levels and body temperature, helping users stay informed about their wellbeing throughout the day. With 25 built-in sport modes, including walking, running, cycling, yoga and swimming, the smartwatch enables personalised activity tracking with detailed insights into steps, calories burned and distance covered. The device also includes sleep tracking, stress monitoring and guided breathing exercises, promoting a more balanced approach to health and wellness. Smart Features for Everyday Life The Jacky SW-69 keeps users connected with smart notifications for calls, messages and app alerts, delivered directly to the wrist. Additional features include music and camera control, weather updates, hydration reminders, calculator, stopwatch and a virtual business card, making it a practical companion for daily routines. The smartwatch is compatible with Android and iOS devices, ensuring a seamless pairing experience across platforms. Durable Des...

By Cian Walsh The maxim is that your reach should exceed your grasp and for most companies that seems a solid strategy. With Xiaomi, the Chinese tech powerhouse, it seems like their reach and grasp are currently neck and neck. On a cloudy Barcelona weekend, they announced a packed roster of new products from e-scooters to tracking tags and everything in between. Xiaomi – 2026 Product Launch Review It shows ambition where a human, car and home ecosystem are covered by one company. With a promise to invest €24 billion in R&D over the next 5 years, and 500,000 EV's shipped by 2025, the pace from Xiaomi doesn't look to be slowing down. Leica The partnership with Leica since 2022 has proven a deep and enduring one persisting over multiple releases of their imaging focused phones. 3.7 million photos are taken every minute in the world and 9/10 are on smartphones so it's in Leica's interest to be part of that conversation. With the CEO of Leica in attendance, we were treated to not only the mass market Xiaomi 17 with some very competitive photo features, we also saw the way that the Ultra model was pushing the boundaries of engineering with it's new take on vapor cooling as well as a completely rethought way to gather dynamic range information. Xiaomi 17 Xiaomi 17 is a smallish phone (6.3") with a formidable battery. The newest Phone Xiaomi 17 is packed with at least 4 cameras allowing Xiaomi to focus on imaging as its unique differentiator. There are 50-megapixel sensors behind each of the four lenses including the selfie camera. Even the battery is pushing the limit with a 6330 mAH capacity lasting over 11hrs in their tests. Launching in Europe for €999 for the 256gb version. Xiaomi 17 Ultra The 6.9" Ultra takes those 4 cameras and supercharges them with extra capabilities in a svelte 8.29mm frame. The 1" sensor has a new technique called LOFIC which places a light "bucket" under the normal pixel to capture extra light data for dynamic range. The Ultra also sports a mechanical focusing feature allowing true telephone adjustment like a full size telephoto lens. Xiaomi 17 Ultra starts at €1,499 with 512gb of storage. There is also an additional Ultra Photography Kit and Photography Kit Pro allowing a dedicated grip and shutter with some additional controls on the Ultra. Leica Leitzphone Leica surprised everyone in the audience with a wider release for their twist on the Ultra model with a mechanical zoom. The partnership is a two way street and Leica should feel as much from the efforts instead of Xiaomi taking the lap of victory. Leica obviously feel that the mechanical aspect of this phone will appeal to the focussed photo enthusiasts. In the hands-on area the heft and craft of the engineering was apparent . The well balanced weight and smooth motion spoke to endless iteration to give that "camera" feel in the hand. The mechanical ring allows operation of the zoom, focus exposure or a setting of your choice. It will carry the premium price of €1999 for 12gb RAM and 1TB of storage. Pads A range of new tablets showcase the entry and pro level price points. The €599.99 Pad 8 Pro model boasts a faster chip, matte display and improved cameras over the base level €449 Pad 8. Watch 5 Starting from €299 the 2026 iteration of a popular category, the Watch 5 has a 1.5" screen with Sapphire glass on both the back and front and a new Google Gemini integration. Tag and Battery Bank A very intriguing entry into the system, the Xiaomi Tag is a remarkable €15 per tag and operates across Apple and Android ecosystems . The slim 5000 mAH magnetic power bank fits perfectly on the back of MagSafe iPhones which seems the entire point. They are retailing for €59.99 Scooters While most of the audience may have been in attendance for the screen based tech, the 7 million scooters sold by Xiaomi are a testament to the size of the mobility market. The Xiaomi Electric 6 Scooter has a new rugged frame, increased wheel width and new light sensor. Starting fro...

For much of the past two decades, procurement has operated in a paradox. It has been entrusted with safeguarding enterprise spend, mitigating supplier risk, and protecting margins, yet it has often been denied the strategic latitude afforded to revenue generating functions. That paradox is dissolving. Artificial intelligence is not simply modernising procurement; it is redefining its mandate. For Chief Procurement Officers and technology buyers, the conversation is no longer about digitisation in the abstract. It is about competitive positioning. AI has moved procurement from operational efficiency to enterprise intelligence. Those who recognise this shift are not merely adopting new tools, they are redesigning how value is created, protected, and scaled. Procurement at an Inflection Point The CPO's remit has never been broader. Inflationary pressure, geopolitical volatility, ESG compliance, cybersecurity risk, supplier concentration, and shareholder scrutiny converge at the procurement desk. Technology buyers, meanwhile, must ensure that every system deployed across the organisation integrates seamlessly, safeguards data, and delivers measurable ROI. In this environment, AI represents something more profound than incremental automation. It is a structural upgrade to how procurement perceives reality. Traditional systems captured transactions. AI interprets them. Where legacy platforms produced reports, AI surfaces patterns, highlighting anomalous spend, forecasting supply disruptions, correlating vendor performance against risk signals, and identifying opportunities hidden within fragmented datasets. The result is a procurement function that moves from retrospective analysis to predictive stewardship. For CPOs, this is not about dashboard aesthetics. It is about boardroom credibility. From Spend Visibility to Spend Intelligence Spend visibility has long been the industry's rallying cry. But visibility alone is insufficient if it remains static. Knowing where money was spent last quarter does little to influence tomorrow's exposure. AI transforms visibility into intelligence. Machine learning models can classify spend automatically, reconcile inconsistent supplier naming conventions, and continuously refine category mapping. More importantly, they can detect patterns human teams may overlook recurring maverick spend, contract leakage, payment anomalies, or supplier dependencies that introduce systemic risk. For technology buyers evaluating procurement platforms, the distinction is critical. The question is no longer whether a system stores data effectively. It is whether it learns from that data, adapts to organisational behaviour, and delivers insights without manual intervention. In an era where procurement teams are expected to do more with less, cognitive leverage is no longer optional. Supplier Risk in an Era of Volatility The last several years have exposed the fragility of global supply chains. Black swan events have become recurring phenomena. Supplier insolvencies, regulatory crackdowns, sanctions regimes, and climate related disruptions can ripple through an enterprise with alarming speed. AI enables continuous supplier monitoring at a scale no human team could replicate. By aggregating financial indicators, news sentiment analysis, compliance data, and operational performance metrics, intelligent systems can flag early warning signals before they manifest as operational crises. For CPO's, this shifts the posture from reactive firefighting to anticipatory governance. For technology buyers, it underscores a due diligence imperative: platforms must be transparent about their data sources, model logic, and explainability. AI that cannot articulate its reasoning introduces as much risk as it mitigates. The procurement function's credibility depends on both foresight and accountability. The Ethics of Algorithmic Decision Making As AI systems increasingly influence supplier selection, contract prioritisation, and risk a...

Almost a third (30%) of adults in Ireland say they currently have an idea for a business or product they would like to pursue, according to new research commissioned by the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs). The findings were released today as Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke T.D., joined the Local Enterprise Offices to launch Local Enterprise Week 2026, which starts tomorrow, Monday 2nd March, with more than 330 events happening across the week to support aspiring and established entrepreneurs. Among those with a business idea, 40% say it came to them at home. Others found inspiration while talking to friends or family (15%), at work (15%), in bed (10%), during their commute (7%), while exercising (5%), or even in the shower (4%). Younger adults appear particularly entrepreneurial, with 52% of under-35s saying they currently have a business idea, compared to just 18% of those aged 55 and over. Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke T.D., said: "Small businesses are the backbone of Ireland's economy, and this research confirms the level of ambition that exists right across the country. People have seen the incredible and innovative businesses that have started and grown internationally from Ireland, and that has clearly given them the ambition to start themselves. "Our goal is to ensure that the right supports are in place to help people turn their ambitions into reality. Local Enterprise Week demonstrates what that support looks like in action through expert advice, practical tools and tailored programmes which are available to every entrepreneur, in every region." Each of the 31 Local Enterprise Offices is hosting events throughout the week, covering topics such as funding opportunities, how to use AI in business, boosting productivity and trading internationally. Highlights across the week include: — AI training events with Google — A special innovation event with Microsoft as part of the Student Enterprise Programme — Live pitch competitions and business networking events — Local celebrations of International Women's Day, featuring some of Ireland's most inspiring businesswomen — Appearances from entrepreneurs and experts, including Eoin McGee, Eddie Wilson of Ryanair, Niall Horgan of Gym+Coffee, Bobby Kerr, Kellie Harrington, and Derval O'Rourke Alan Dillon T.D., Minister of State for Employment, Small Business and Retail, "Local Enterprise Week is a flagship event for the business community across the country. An opportunity to meet, share ideas, solve problems, and most of all look at ways to improve your business. There is no better chance during the year to meet with a local community that wants to help you grow your business and can show you where solutions and opportunities lie. "The week is an opportunity for businesses to reflect on where they are and where they want to go, and Local Enterprise Week provides a pathway to do that. With experts across every business field and talks from inspirational entrepreneurs and businesspeople who have walked the road, it's a brilliant week for business in Ireland." Niamh Smyth, T.D., Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Digital Transformation, said; "Local Enterprise Week is always a great barometer of the challenges and opportunities that exist for businesses across the country. Since Local Enterprise Week 2025, we have seen technology continue to evolve. AI can have a real positive impact on businesses, and we want to ensure small businesses are able to reap its rewards. This week is the perfect time for businesses to learn more about the support that is available to help them digitalise. I encourage small businesses across the country to use this week to explore the resources available to them. The LEOs have been to the fore in helping to digitise small businesses, and Local Enterprise Week is the best opportunity to take that first step." Kieran Comerford, Chair of the Local Enterprise ...

Almost one in five of Ireland's top companies have experienced significant cyber attacks in the last two years, new data shows today. The findings come as national domain registry .IE launches Ireland's first Digital Trust Mark. Described as an NCT for your online identity, websites and emails carrying the distinctive wolfhound symbol will give customers confidence that businesses of all sizes are operating to the highest digital standards. "If you have an online presence, you can now be assessed on DigitalTrust.ie in just a few clicks," said Louise McKeown Doogan, Chief Growth Officer at .IE. "Once an organisation applies, their website, email and domain setup is assessed using a proprietary scoring evaluation that checks against industry-defined best practice. "These checks confirm that digital fundamentals are correctly configured, responsibly managed and set up to support trust and reliability online. "Once you receive your Digital Trust Score, you will either be entitled to carry the mark or you will have clear next steps to reach the required standard. "We live in an age where some ransomware companies now have customer care departments, and the online health of the nation needs to improve as a consequence." The research found that 17pc of Ireland's key organisations have experienced a significant cyber attack since 2024. Conducted by Amárach on behalf of .IE, it surveyed 354 essential Irish firms in January. It follows last week's Garda data that fraud-related crimes more than doubled in the last 12 months, up 137pc – mainly due to bank scams, phishing and smishing. "Our findings are concerning, particularly when we know phishing scams (60pc) and the exploitation of system weaknesses (21.3pc) are the most common ways attackers gain access," said Ms McKeown Doogan. "An online presence that appears to function may not always demonstrate the authenticity and trustworthiness customers expect. "Until now there has been no visible way for consumers to know that a website meets a recognised standard – and no way for businesses or organisations to signal that they do. "The mark signals that they demonstrate authenticity, responsible digital practice and a trustworthy online experience. "We hope it will become a digital equivalent of the NCT and an essential part of interacting online in Ireland within the next year." The Digital Trust Mark is not just for .ie domains but is open to .com and other domains used by Irish organisations. Applicants will receive a grade by the next working day, and if an A-rating is achieved, businesses can display the mark on their website or in their email signature for the following 12 months. Domains that do not reach an A-rating will be given a detailed outline of what and how they can improve. See digitaltrust.ie for more information. 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.

A gathering of 20+ national experts in the field of physics took place in Waterford this morning at Walton Institute, SETU, for a workshop on the theme of CERN – the European Organisation for Nuclear Research. CERN is an intergovernmental organisation based near Geneva that uses the world's largest and most complex scientific instruments to probe the fundamental structure of the particles that make up everything around us. Today's coming-together is a follow-on from last February's high-level visit to CERN in Geneva led by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless, who was joined by the same specialist delegation of Irish leaders in the field of physics. The Irish delegates' visit to meet senior CERN officials helped to build relationships that aided in achieving Ireland's long-term goal of joining CERN as an Associate Member State in October 2025. This achievement marked a major milestone for Irish science, strengthening research opportunities in fields such as medical applications, computing and particle physics. The status facilitates deeper participation in high-energy physics research for Irish scientists and also enables Irish companies to bid for contracts. Progressing plans for the national scientific community Today at Walton Institute, the delegation came back together to share updates, discuss objectives, ideas, and outline strategies for Ireland to assume a significant role in CERN engagement. Delegates were in Waterford to attend the Institute of Physics Spring Conference later on Friday and Saturday, where the focus of the annual conference would also be CERN-themed, and the opportunities for Ireland's scientific community. A representative of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Lola Hourihane, joined SETU President Prof. Veronica Campbell, along with Directors of Walton Institute Dr Kevin Doolin and Dr Deirdre Kilbane, representative of Research Ireland Dr Aisling McEvoy, as well as national experts Prof. Sinéad Ryan, Prof. of High Energy Physics at Trinity College Dublin and Prof. Ronan McNulty, Particle Physicist Professor at UCD. Upon welcoming delegates to today's CERN-engagement workshop at Walton Institute, SETU President Veronica Campbell said: "Ireland's Associate Membership of CERN is a game-changer for research and innovation in this country, and SETU is very proud to play an active role in shaping this new chapter. Under the leadership of Dr Deirdre Kilbane and her team at the Walton Institute, we are committed to fostering collaboration, driving cutting?edge research, and ensuring Ireland fully maximises the opportunities that membership brings. With the calibre of leadership and research talent gathered here today, I am confident that we are at the beginning of a very exciting journey of discovery, collaboration, and reputational growth." On hosting the workshop, Director of Research at Walton Institute Dr Deirdre Kilbane said: "It is a wonderful occasion that the Institute of Physics Spring Conference is being held here in Waterford, and very exciting that we are progressing opportunities for the Irish scientific community as an official Associate Member State of CERN." In attendance, Prof. Ronan McNulty, Particle Physicist Professor at UCD, said: "Having joined CERN, there are now fantastic opportunities available for Irish scientists, engineers and companies to collaborate with CERN on projects that are at the cutting-edge of science and technology." After the CERN-engagement workshop at Walton Institute, the delegation travelled to the nearby Tower Hotel in Waterford city, where SETU hosted the Institute of Physics Spring Conference as the 2026 university partner. 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 A...

Dell Technologies introduces the Dell PowerEdge XR9700 server, a first-of-its-kind closed-loop liquid-cooled, fully-enclosed, ruggedised server engineered to run Cloud RAN and edge AI workloads in unprotected outdoor environments. Designed to mount on utility poles, rooftops and building exteriors, the PowerEdge XR9700 brings high-performance computing into dense urban areas, remote locations, and space-constrained facilities where traditional data centre infrastructure cannot reach. Why it matters Telecommunications operators and those working at the edge often struggle to deploy compute due to a lack of power and space. The PowerEdge XR9700 solves this, delivering high-performance compute directly at the point of need in an ultra-compact, zero-footprint IP66-rated enclosure that's sealed from the elements. For telecommunications operators, it provides a flexible, software-defined alternative to traditional RAN solutions, supporting Cloud RAN and Open RAN processing at the cell site. At the same time, the platform can run edge and AI applications directly where data is created and consumed. Built for Extreme Conditions Designed to withstand the harshest environments, this platform's ultra-compact IP66-rated enclosure and GR-3108 Class 4 certification delivers reliable, quiet performance in environments exposed to extreme temperatures, dust, and moisture. Closed-loop liquid cooling with a thermal management architecture maintains consistent operation across a temperature range of -40°C to 46°C (-40°F to 115°F) and withstands direct solar radiation, all in a compact 15-litre form factor suitable for mounting on utility poles, rooftops and building sides. This zero-footprint design brings telecom and edge workloads to locations where only traditional radio solutions could previously operate. Performance that Scales Powered by the Intel Xeon 6 SoC with integrated Intel vRAN Boost technology and Intel AMX technology, the PowerEdge XR9700 delivers the processing power and fronthaul connectivity to support up to 15 5G sectors in a single server. While optimised for Cloud RAN, the platform's flexibility allows operators to run edge and AI workloads based on network architecture and service requirements. As part of the Dell PowerEdge XR-Series, the XR9700 integrates with Dell's existing management tools and software stack. Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC) provides remote visibility and control for zero-touch provisioning (ZTP), while compatibility with the same Cloud RAN software validated on the PowerEdge XR8720t simplifies certification and accelerates telecom deployments. Andrew Vaz, vice president, Dell Technologies: "Operators and enterprises shouldn't have to compromise when deploying compute in challenging environments. The Dell PowerEdge XR9700 brings Cloud RAN, Open RAN, and edge AI capabilities to places they've never been able to go before, opening up new possibilities for network expansion and edge applications." Cristina Rodriguez, VP and General Manager, Intel Network & Edge, said: "Intel Xeon 6 SoC processors are built to deliver market-leading performance with breakthrough power- and space-efficiency. Through long-standing collaboration with Dell – including the newest PowerEdge servers – together, we're empowering operators and enterprises alike to access the power of open, virtualised, and AI-driven innovations for their most challenging environments. This represents a significant step forward in making 5G and edge computing truly ubiquitous." Rakuten Mobile, as one of the launch customers, will deploy the Dell PowerEdge across its nationwide mobile network in Japan. Sudhakar Pandney, Head of RAN, Rakuten Mobile, said: "The relationship with Dell Technologies is key for Rakuten Mobile's virtualised Open RAN cloud-native infrastructure in Japan. Their new server solution will significantly enhance the efficiency and performance of our high-performance Cloud RAN and AI capabilities, particularly in c...

We look at The Emperor of All Maladies, A biography of cancer, by Siddhartha Mukherjee, see more about the book here. The Emperor of All Maladies, A biography of cancer, reviewed Originally published in 2011, this updated version came out in 2025 with another 100 pages added to cover developments and new insights learned in the last 15 to 20 years. This book by Siddhartha Mukherjee is a labour of love, passion, sadness, frustration and rapidly, scrambling, evolving wisdom too. Cancer has risen over the centuries in terms of it's ranking for the number of people it has killed. Once barely in the top ten, over time this has risen only higher and higher. In some ways this is a demonstration of humanity's success in removing the mortality impact of other diseases which used to kill many more people. TB, dysentery, cholera, malaria, small pox and many other lethal diseases now kill less people due to improvements in sanitation, water quality and immunisation programs. Therefore, in one respect cancer is an indication of humanity's progress, and also increasing longevity. Previously many people had cancer, but died of other illnesses. Now, as we live longer, cancer has more time to grow, spread and become a greater killer. As Mukherjee is quick to highlight however, things are not quite that simple. As well as longevity enabling some cancers to come to the fore, there are other types of cancer emerging, which were not prevalent before. As we tug at the string from the complex ball of causes, triggers, environmental factors, it quickly becomes clear that cancer, while one word, covers a multitude of different types of cell mutation, attacks to the body, and types of progression. Mukherjee often expresses sadness and frustration at the number of times, as a practising cancer doctor, as well as a great documenter of the wider field, that he has had to answer patient's questions with a reluctant, we don't know why… This book is well written as it takes the general reader on a journey with someone who has been close to the bleeding edge of innovations and developments. At the same time, there have also been periods of stagnation, interesting insights ridiculed by the wider community, or connections supposed, but without the tools to confirm theoretical breakthroughs. In this way cancer treatment has evolved in a stop start way. Declaring war on cancer, as Nixon did in the 70s was always going to be problematic approach. There have been some fantastic breakthroughs for some types of cancer, for some types of people. Some have then gone into remission for decades, and lived out longer lives than could have been hoped for. In other cases there have been temporary improvements, sometimes for three to nine months, before the symptoms return again, oftentimes causing the death of the patient. As Mukherjee is only too aware, especially with the early forms of treatment, while the cure might have been a success, the survival of the patient was not always the case. Chemo was, and can still be, brutally harsh on the patient, treatments have improved, but it can radically vary depending on which type of cancer is being treated. Mukherjee also points out some interesting thought experiments in terms of identical twins, who take different paths in terms of dealing with breast cancer. These quickly point out some of the absurdities, or at least challenges when calculating mortality and cancer survival, or rather extended life expectancy, before succumbing to the disease. All of this is important and thought provoking. With a close family member who has survived two different types of cancer, and is now battling a third one, a book like this can helpful in a variety of ways. In the conclusion to his book Mukherjee points out that, as cancer rates more beyond one in three, towards one in two, in is probably a case of when, not if. Therefore how we look at cancer, understand it, and approach it, will only become more and more important for all of us a...

Epomaker have sent us their HE68 Lite keyboard to take a look at, and we have been putting it through its paces both for office and gaming use over the last couple of weeks. What's in the Box? Inside the box, along with the keyboard, you get: A pack of Screws and Extra Switches A hand strap, the strap's accessories and a screwdriver 1 x USB A to C Cable A 2-in-1 Keycap-and-Switch Puller 1 x Multilingual Manual HE68 Lite Keyboard Design and Features The HE68 Lite is a compact 65% size keyboard, utilising a 68 key layout. In hand and in use, it is clear this keyboard is exceptionally well made given its relatively low price. It is also packed full of features that you would expect to find in more expensive gaming keyboards. Some of those featured include: Hall Effect (Magnetic) Switches – Contactless magnetic sensing for improved durability and precision. Adjustable Actuation – Fine-tune actuation points with extremely precise adjustment (down to 0.01 mm). Rapid Trigger Support – Ultra-fast reset and re-actuation for competitive gaming. High Polling Rate (Up to 8000Hz) – Very low latency input performance. Advanced Gaming Features – Includes Snap Tap (SOCD cleaning) and Dynamic Keystroke functions. Per-Key RGB Backlighting – Customisable lighting effects with shine-through keycaps. Multi-Layer Sound Dampening – Designed for a quieter, more refined typing sound. Wired USB-C Connection – Stable, low-latency wired operation (no wireless modes). Lightweight Build (~650g) – Portable and easy to reposition. The key strokes are super smooth, very quiet, but still have a satisfying click at the end of travel. The package comes with tools to replace keys should you need to in the future, and how the key performs can be adjusted via downloadable software for Windows and Mac. Each key is also backlit with programmable RGB lighting, which is really well implemented. The colours are vibrant but never distracting. We connected the keyboard to multiple different desktop systems as well as gaming consoles such as Xbox, and the HE68 Lite performed great. Software The software, which you can download for both Windows and Mac, is comprehensive. It is nice to see a Mac version available, as it is often overlooked for things like this. If you need to use the keyboard with a system other than these two operating systems, the keyboard retains its settings once set up with the software on a compatible system. Some of the HE68 Lite features available: Custom Keys Magnetic Switch Settings Advanced Key Settings Keyboard Report Rate Custom Key Settings Light Effect Settings Community Share for Keyboard Settings Conclusion We have been very impressed with the Epomaker HE68 Lite since receiving it. The keyboard is very well made, performs really well and is packed full of features you would expect to find in more expensive units. The software that comes with it is comprehensive and allows you to adjust all of the functions exactly to your liking. It's an easy recommendation at its price. It is a great place to start if you are looking to pick up a mechanical keyboard, and it is also a reasonably priced gift idea for any gamers that you know. You can find out more about the keyboard on the Epomaker site. The keyboard is also available to purchase from both Amazon and AliExpress.

Esri Ireland, the market leader in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), has received a Laureate Award at the Great Place to Work Ireland Awards 2026. The company was recognised for achieving Best Workplace status for 10 consecutive years. In addition, Esri Ireland ranked in 4th place on the Best Mid-Sized Workplaces in Ireland list for 2026. The company received the accolade at the 24th annual Great Place to Work Ireland Awards, which took place during a gala ceremony at the Clayton Hotel Burlington Road in Dublin. The awards programme is based on direct feedback from employees about the workplace experience. Esri Ireland is committed to making the company a great place to work and prioritises enhanced employee opportunities, support, and a sense of belonging that keep its people engaged and connected. Joanne McLaughlin, Head of Marketing, Esri Ireland, said: "10 years ago, we believed Esri Ireland was already a great place to work, and our annual Trust Surveys have confirmed it. Since joining the Great Place to Work programme, we have more than doubled our employees and our company growth. For us, our Best Workplace culture and our organisational success go hand in hand. Over the last decade, we have endeavoured to deliver an exceptional workplace experience for our people, while championing employee voices within the company. This milestone is a proud moment for our employees, past and present, and one we're thrilled to celebrate together. "It is also an honour to be ranked in the top five among Ireland's best mid-sized organisations. At Esri Ireland, retention is not accidental; it's intentional. By combining authentic storytelling, recognition, and continuous improvement, we've built a workplace where people want to stay and succeed." 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.

The Irish Recorded Music Association (IRMA) yesterday hosted an AV Room briefing for Members of the Oireachtas focused on the growing role of artificial intelligence in the music sector. The presentation highlighted the importance of the music industry to the Irish economy and the potential for AI to be a powerful and transformative tool for creativity and growth, while warning that without safeguards and enforcement of laws governing its usage, its misuse poses serious risks to artists, consumers and the wider economy. The average adult in Ireland spends close to €800 per year on music across streaming, physical formats, merchandise and live events. This economic activity sustains thousands of jobs across live performance, production, hospitality and the wider night-time sector and provides €1 billion to the Irish economy. IRMA emphasised that AI is a permanent feature of the technological landscape and that the industry is keen to approach AI in a constructive manner. However, where copyrighted works are used without consent or compensation, the consequences for artists and the wider economy are serious. To demonstrate the sophistication and accessibility of current tools, with the panel shared a live deepfake example: a digitally generated version of Wicklow-Wexford TD Malcolm Byrne (made with his prior consent). The demonstration highlighted the potential misuse of such technology in both the music industry and political life, and the possibilities of its ethical and lawful use. IRMA called on legislators to ensure: Full and robust enforcement of copyright and intellectual property law Clear rules governing the lawful use of copyrighted works in AI training Transparency and accountability from AI developers A commercial licensing market that guarantees fair remuneration for creators. IRMA head of Public Affairs and Communications, David Kitching, said: "Irish music is a global success story, with real social, cultural and economic value.. AI has the potential to create new opportunities, but it must operate within a framework that respects the law and values human creativity." He added: "If we fail to enforce copyright protections in the AI era, we risk undermining a sector worth €1 billion annually and the thousands of livelihoods it supports. Legislators have a critical role in ensuring innovation and creativity can thrive side by side." 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.

With the pace of change in the technology sector, women must push for ongoing learning and development opportunities, urges tech leader Gillian Whelan, who believes women can sometimes be less vocal when asking for support that goes beyond the day-to-day or expecting investment in themselves as employees. Whelan, who is Managing Director and Country Manager at international IT and business consultancy emagine's operation in Ireland, says ongoing learning and personal development are essential to progress in the tech sector and that women need to push out of their comfort zones to move up the career ladder. Whelan says: "Every career benefits from structured development programmes, but not all employers offer this without pressure from their employees. The technology sector moves at a faster pace than many others, which means that keeping ahead is crucial for progression. In my experience, women can sometimes be less pushy when it comes to asking for this kind of support, but if we are to address the gender imbalance in this sector, then this needs to change. "Tech is still largely dominated by men, but I have found this is not just because of biased recruitment practises, but often because there is a larger pool of male candidates for tech roles. So, there should be a real opportunity for women to stand out, and a CV full of seized development opportunities will certainly help. "Development is important at all levels and particularly in the early career stages as professionals look to make their mark and find their niche. They're also likely to be up against a higher number of candidates when looking for new roles." Whelan adds that with a looming tech skills gap, it is the young, early years professionals, both male and female, who are the future and should be getting the support they need to prepare themselves. With businesses vying for the limited tech skills available in Ireland, this is an opportunity for supportive employers. Whelan, who was instrumental in developing the training programme at emagine before becoming MD, explains: "An employer who offers structured development plans with a series of micro-credentials and certifications will undoubtedly attract and retain the best employees because they will feel valued, driven and like they are constantly learning and so don't need to move on to find new work experiences. "Women should be looking for this sort of offering from an employer, especially if they feel less confident fighting for investment in their skills. Nonetheless, women must keep constantly working on themselves, their skills, confidence and attitude to risk-taking." 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.

ServiceNow, the AI control tower for business reinvention, today launched Autonomous Workforce, AI specialists that can execute jobs with the scope, authority, and governance required for enterprise work – freeing people to focus on strategic problem solving and personalised service. Just two months after the Moveworks acquisition close, the company also introduced ServiceNow EmployeeWorks, which combines Moveworks' conversational AI and enterprise search with ServiceNow's unified portal and autonomous workflows to turn natural language requests into governed, end-to-end execution for nearly 200 million employees. As enterprises evaluate AI platforms, two competing paradigms have emerged: feature-function AI bolted onto disconnected SaaS apps, and unified platforms that execute work through proven enterprise workflows with AI built in. The difference is fundamental: the feature approach requires enterprises to maintain, integrate, and manage the complexity themselves. ServiceNow eliminates the complexity by unifying conversational AI, workflows, enterprise data, security, and governance on a platform purpose-built for mission-critical operations. "Businesses don't need more pilots or promises. They need AI that gets work done," said Amit Zavery, president, chief product officer, and chief operating officer, ServiceNow. "The leaders realising value from AI are investing in platforms where intelligence, execution, and trust work as one system. Our platform was purpose-built for this moment. Autonomous Workforce augments human teams with AI specialists that operate with the scope, authority, and governance enterprise work demands. This is a new era of productivity and ROI, at scale." Autonomous Workforce: AI teammates execute jobs in partnership with people ServiceNow's Autonomous Workforce deploys AI specialists with defined roles to augment teams. Unlike AI agents that complete individual tasks, the ServiceNow Autonomous Workforce orchestrates teams of AI specialists with roles such as a Level 1 Service Desk AI Specialist, Employee Service Agent, or Security Operations Analyst to execute work from start to finish. They work alongside humans, follow established processes and policies set by the organisation, learn from outcomes and employee feedback, and importantly, improve over time. Today, ServiceNow is introducing the first AI specialist available out-of-the-box for customers, a Level 1 Service Desk AI Specialist. This AI specialist autonomously diagnoses and resolves common IT support requests end-to-end — password resets, software access provisioning, network troubleshooting — using enterprise knowledge bases, historical incident data, and proactive remediation workflows. It is designed to operate 24/7 with assignments aligned to specific skillsets and deliverables and escalate issues when human intervention is needed. ServiceNow's Autonomous Workforce is handling 90%+ of employee IT requests. Early results show our newest AI specialist, the L1 Service Desk AI Specialist, is already resolving assigned IT cases autonomously, and it's 99% faster than when these cases are handled by human agents. AI models without workflows are probabilistic — they see patterns, form ideas, and give different answers for the same questions. The enterprise, however, needs deterministic outcomes — governance, security, auditability, and operations that don't hallucinate. Because ServiceNow combines probabilistic intelligence with deterministic workflow orchestration, AI specialists can interpret a request, decide the right action using business context, and execute autonomously across systems with governance built in through the ServiceNow AI Control Tower. Every action is traceable and governed by policies embedded in the workflow layer itself. ServiceNow EmployeeWorks: Consumer AI experiences meet enterprise-grade execution ServiceNow is bringing the power of Moveworks to the ServiceNow AI Platform and delivering immediate value to custome...