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Smart D8, Dublin's first smart district dedicated to addressing community health and wellbeing in the heart of Dublin 8, has announced three new pilot projects as it enters its fifth year of successfully engaging the local community. The pilot projects will centre on accelerating cancer detection with the use of AI, driving positive conversations around men's health through community football and supporting remote heart health monitoring for patients living with heart failure conditions. The announced initiatives come as Smart D8 continues its commitment to enhance the health and wellbeing of local communities in the Dublin 8 area following five years of success. Smart D8 pilot projects supporting men's health and managing heart failure through patient empowerment Since October 2020, the Smart D8 partnership has gathered expertise across a range of areas and has established strong community connections among residents, businesses and local organisations. Through the combined effort of pilot calls, local workshop activities and engagement with existing community groups, Smart D8 has reached over 18,500 people living and working in the 45,000-strong population of Dublin 8. Smart D8 is led by The Digital Hub, Dublin City Council, St James's Hospital and Smart Dublin. They are joined by Tyndall National Institute, St Patrick's Mental Health Services, Trinity College Dublin, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, National College of Art & Design, Guinness Enterprise Centre, Health Innovation Hub Ireland and the HSE in this unique collaborative initiative. The pilot programme of Smart D8 operates by selecting a number of health and wellbeing-focused initiatives each year following a competitive application process. Selected projects are supported with community engagement and funding as they are demonstrated in Dublin 8 for a six-month period. After this period, they are evaluated to verify the potential to scale their innovations for long-term population health and wellbeing impacts in the area and beyond. The 2025 pilot projects that will begin implementation across the Dublin 8 area this summer include: Early-Stage Cancer Detection by the RCSI University of Medicine & Health Sciences: This project, run by the PRiCAN research group, aims to support expedited cancer diagnoses through an AI-powered digital scribe tool, which will assist in diagnostic consultations in Centric Health GP practices in Dublin 8. The tool will support GPs by reducing administrative burden and monitoring conversations with patients for subtle symptom patterns potentially linked to cancers with the aim of prompting earlier investigation and diagnosis. Football Cooperative by Football Cooperative CLG: This project, led by Steven O'Connell, aims to engage men in positive health behaviours through weekly pick-up football games, encouraging conversations about men's overall physical, mental and social health. Backed by South-East Technological University (SETU), the programme has already demonstrated a social return of €17.60 for every €1 invested and will aim to co-develop a robust outcome framework to enable national scaling through partners, including the FAI and Local Sports Partnerships. Smart Heart: Heart Failure Care in the Community by patientMpower and in partnership with St James's Hospital Heart Support Unit: Led by Eamonn Costello and Eimear Kelly, this project involves the remote monitoring of individuals living with heart failure, a condition that affects 2% of Ireland's population. Patients will receive connected devices that transmit blood pressure and weight data to clinicians in real-time, enabling the trial of a scalable model of community-based chronic care. Jack Lehane, Smart D8 Ecosystem Manager, said: "As Smart D8 enters its fifth consecutive year, I am delighted to announce the three pilot projects that will be demonstrated with the Dublin 8 community. Each year, the quality of applications for Smart D8 is increasing, which is a re...

University of Galway spin-out Lua Health has officially launched its next-generation, AI-powered, workforce wellbeing intelligence platform. Founded in 2023, Lua has pioneered proprietary AI algorithms capable of accurately detecting early indicators of declining wellbeing based on how a person writes. Lua is fully GDPR-compliant and 100% anonymised, integrating seamlessly with enterprise communication tools like Microsoft Teams and deploying in under a week. Designed for enterprise scale, Lua delivers a real-time, evidence-based solution for organisations ready to move from reactive care to proactive, precision-led wellbeing. New employee wellbeing platform created by Lua Health By discreetly analysing written language across workplace communication platforms, Lua identifies early signs of stress, burnout, and disengagement - without accessing private messages or individual identities. Employees may receive personalised, opt-in prompts to support self-awareness, while leaders gain aggregated insights at the team, department, or location level. The result is timely, data-driven intervention that improves outcomes and prevents issues before they escalate. A spin-out of University of Galway's Business Innovation Centre and Insight, the Research Ireland Centre for Data Analytics, Lua was founded by University alumnus Dr Mihael Arcan. Dr Mihael Arcan, founder and chief executive of Lua, said: "While it is about identifying issues as early as possible, it is also about creating a workplace that is appealing and placing a priority on attracting and retaining talent." Lua has been backed by Enterprise Ireland's commercialisation fund and private investment company Growing Capital. Gianni Matera, Founder of Growing Capital, said: "With Lua, organisations can move from reactive care to precision wellbeing - building healthier, higher-performing teams. We are proud to support Lua's mission to help individuals better understand and manage their wellbeing before issues become crises." Lua's technology is research-driven, interdisciplinary innovation at the intersection of AI and psychology - designed to deliver measurable wellbeing outcomes, reduce attrition, and demonstrate clear return on investment. Lua combines behavioural science, data analytics and enterprise technology to deliver a disruptive approach to organisational wellbeing. By passively analysing written language and interaction patterns within enterprise communication platforms like Microsoft Teams, Lua detects early indicators of stress, burnout and disengagement. These insights enable precisely targeted, personalised interventions, improving outcomes while reducing the burden on internal teams. Lua is helping forward-thinking companies deliver personalised, data-informed support at scale. One such partnership is with the CPL Group, a consultancy business that explores, questions and designs future work solutions. Maria Souza, Future of Work Institute, CPL Group, said: "Lua presents a highly impressive and insightful approach. What stood out most is the significant value it can deliver through its methodology alone." See more breaking stories here.

Registrations are now open for the National AI Challenge 2025, a hackathon-style initiative by TechIreland, for developers and AI enthusiasts from across Ireland to collaborate and build practical AI solutions addressing real-world problems. With strong uptake recorded from across developer communities, organisers are expecting to complete registrations before 10th August - the scheduled closing date. Inspired by Ireland's national AI strategy, "AI - Here for Good," the Challenge emphasises people-centred, ethical AI development across diverse sectors including FinTech, InsurTech, Health, Enterprise Solutions, Public Services, ImmersiveTech, Sustainability, among other impact-driven themes. National AI Challenge 2025 to Drive AI Innovation Supported by Enterprise Ireland, Data2Sustain EDIH, Google, and OpenAI, the 2025 Challenge has attracted interest and support from prominent industry groups such as ITAG, InsTech.ie, and Eirmersive, alongside global companies implementing AI such as Millennium Management and the leading AI Platform, Workday - both organisations expanding their presence in Ireland, reflecting the country's world-class technology talent. With hundreds of participants signing-up, ten leading innovation hubs have stepped forward to support as Challenge Venues and host the final in-person day, following two-week of remote collaboration. This year, teams are encouraged to develop either innovative solutions or efficiency-driven agentic workflows to tackle pressing industry challenges. Google and OpenAI provide participants with complimentary access to their advanced AI tools, along with technical guidance from their teams. Both organisations have been longstanding supporters of the initiative, ensuring a valuable educational experience for participants. Now entering its second year, the Challenge has expanded its network to include nearly 30 partner organisations and coding communities nationwide to enhance collaboration and impact. On 11th August, all registered participants will be invited to the AI Challenge opening webinar for briefings and guidelines. Sean Blanchfield - Founder & CEO of agentic AI startup Jentic, will talk about building with AI primer, inspiring the application of AI for meaningful outcomes. These top teams announced on the final in-person day will have the opportunity to showcase their projects at the National AI Meet 2025 on 18th September in Galway, where the National AI Challenge 2025 winners will be announced. Participants from last year reported a steep learning curve during the Challenge, with two teams even evolving into fledgling startups. The National AI Challenge Steering Group is confident that this year's Challenge will also bring to light innovative solutions and workflows. Challenge Highlights An ideation and consultation period to shape ideas with sector and technical experts Two full weeks to build AI solutions Local demo events at more than 10 hubs nationwide A final showcase for top teams at the National AI Meet in Galway on 18 September Key Dates 10 August: Registration closes (free to enter) 11 August to 21 August: Team formation, ideation webinars and preparation 22 August to 4 September: Build phase 5 September: Regional in-person presentation day 18 September: National showcase in Galway Participants must be based in Ireland or Northern Ireland, and must be at least 18 years of age. The event continues to champion the principles of ethical AI design, inclusion, and collaboration, placing a strong emphasis on learning and impact over competition. For more information, and to register: CLICK Commentary from Key Stakeholders: Brian Caulfield, Chair - TechIreland: TechIreland is proud to be hosting the second edition of the National AI Challenge, together with our sponsors and supporters. AI is here to stay and will have profound impacts on society. We can't ignore it. Ireland needs to be a leader in driving considered, ethical adoption of AI. We hope that the National...

National College of Ireland will once again be hosting the NASA International Space Apps Challenge. After serving as the Dublin Mission Control Centre in 2023 and 2024, NCI is proud to have once again been chosen to host the world's largest annual hackathon. This year's Dublin event will take place on October 4th and 5th, 2025. You can register directly with NASA Space Apps Dublin Mission Control here. "Being Nasa's Dublin Mission Control once again for this hackathon that welcomes participants from all ages and areas of study is extremely exciting. At National College of Ireland, we strive to change lives through education by consistently recognising the impact of lifelong learning. We look forward to being a hub for innovation, creativity, and teamwork once again in 2025. It will be wonderful to welcome this year's participants to Mayor Square." ~ Professor Paul Stynes, Dean of NCI's School of Computing. NASA International Space Apps Challenge returns to Ireland Last year's theme, "The Sun Touches Everything," invited participants to tackle one of 21 Challenges using space data and information. The challenges allowed participants to explore a wide range of topics from astrobiology to space music, and the design of games for astronauts. The Space Apps Challenge is open to everyone, not just scientists, coders, and engineers. Participants work in teams, and the inclusivity of this hackathon allows for fantastic connections to be made and for a wide range of skills to be celebrated. It is often the non-technical skills that become the key to creating winning projects. In Dublin, the participants will be supported by mentors who will help them develop their projects to the highest standard. This year's theme is "LEARN, LAUNCH, LEAD!" The 2025 theme highlights what we hope participants will do during the hackathon as this event will encourage them to learn more about the skills they need to pursue STEM in the future. Not a techie? Teams also require communicators, designers and entrepreneurs! This hackathon is an excellent event that is suited to all interests and skillsets, as all participants will learn how to apply their unique skills to real world challenges. We hope that the creative, collaborative environment will give participants the confidence needed to speak up and be unafraid to launch their ideas. Their ideas, passion, creativity, and their projects may go on to transform NASA's open data into actionable tools, as well as launching their own future career paths and further study areas. Past participants have often spoken about how the skills they developed during the hackathon still serve them well years later in various fields. Alongside learning, building confidence, and connecting with peers and mentors, we hope that the participants will walk away from this year's hackathon feeling proud that they are part of a broad team of researchers and students who are leading communities in driving innovation. "The NASA Space Apps Challenge Dublin is proud to continue its collaboration with National College of Ireland. As our chosen hub for the third consecutive year, NCI stands out as an academic centre of excellence and creativity. NCI is home to a diverse group of students from Ireland and spanning internationally, highlighting an impressive international network of accomplished alumni. The College's ethos is 'changing lives through education,' which is why NCI represents the perfect ecosystem to host Dublin participants in the largest annual global hackathon. The NASA Space Apps Challenge is an innovation playground for participants of all ages who are interested in exploring our planet and the universe through the creative use of science and technology. Everyone is welcome, and all skillsets are embraced and encouraged." ~ Paola Vercesi, Dublin Local Lead, NASA International Space Apps Challenge. Last year, over ninety-three thousand participants registered to take part in the 2024 Space Apps Challenge from over 163 ...

Visit Waterford has today (July 22nd) announced the launch of its brand new website, a bold and innovative platform that reimagines how visitors discover Ireland's oldest city and its surrounding treasures. According to the Visit Waterford team, "This isn't just another tourism website - it's a personal invitation to explore Waterford through the eyes of the people who know it best." The new site, currently live at VisitWaterford.com, offers travellers the chance to go beyond traditional listings and recommendations. In a first-of-its-kind move for an Irish destination, Visit Waterford has introduced a human-backed digital concierge service, where real local volunteers are available online to share their own stories, insights, and practical tips with potential visitors. Unlike automated chatbots or generic travel suggestions, the digital concierge service connects users with Waterford natives who are passionate about where they live and eager to help others experience the best of it. These digital concierges - all volunteering their time - provide everything from restaurant suggestions and event highlights to secret spots and local legends, giving visitors a truly personalised and authentic planning experience. Speaking about the launch, Chair of Visit Waterford, Clare Barrett, said: "We very much wanted to create more than just a tourism website. This is a digital companion for anyone visiting Waterford - whether you're a first-time explorer, a returning tourist, or a local rediscovering the magic of your home. With tools to plan, inspire, and navigate, the new VisitWaterford.com turns ideas into unforgettable experiences, so we are absolutely delighted to unveil this new website with a difference. It's more than a guide - it's a warm welcome from the people of Waterford to the world. This project is built on the power of local knowledge, generously shared by volunteers who love their city and county. We believe this personal touch will transform how visitors connect with Waterford, both before and during their stay." The new Visit Waterford Digital Concierge team includes Eoghan O'Brien, based in Dungarvan, Katie & Kieran Harty, Dungarvan, Amy Perdue in Dungarvan, Maria O'Donovan in Gaeltacht na nDéise, Rosa Ospina, Dungarvan, Jessica Manning, Waterford City and Sinead Gould, Waterford City. The Visit Waterford team have, in addition to human-backed knowledge, designed a powerful digital platform to help visitors effortlessly explore, plan, and experience everything Ireland's oldest city and the surrounding county have to offer. The platform is designed to be intuitive, mobile-friendly, and visually rich, showcasing Waterford's natural beauty, vibrant culture, and historical significance. From the sunny Copper Coast to the lively Viking Triangle, users can browse and plan with ease, knowing a real local is just a message away to help shape their journey. Built with user experience at its core, the new website offers intuitive planning tools, stunning visuals, and a curated guide to the best of Waterford - from heritage sites and hidden gems to vibrant festivals and culinary highlights. Whether planning a weekend escape or a weeklong itinerary, VisitWaterford.com is now the go-to destination for all travel planning needs in the region. Key features and tools include an interactive itinerary planner, dynamic map integration, curated experiences & trails, and an events calendar - all with a mobile-first design. With inclusive and accessible information offering clear categories, multilingual support, and accessibility features, the site is welcoming to visitors of all backgrounds and needs. From ancient history to stunning coastlines, world-class food, and warm Irish hospitality, Waterford is waiting to be explored. Now, with the help of VisitWaterford.com, planning your adventure is easier, faster, and more exciting than ever. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often ...

Arm, the company that is building the future of computing, recently celebrated the official opening of its new state-of-the-art facility in Galway City. Since establishing operations in Galway in 2014, Arm has expanded to 90 staff members locally and more than 4800 employees across Europe. Arm's facility at Crown Square, which recently welcomed a visit from Taoiseach Micheál Martin, will become home to innovative advancements in technology. This project is supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland. Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment Peter Burke TD said: "The opening of Arm's new facility in Galway is a strong endorsement of Ireland's position as a global hub for research, innovation and advanced semiconductor technologies. We recently launched Silicon Island: Ireland's National Semiconductor Strategy, which aims to have Ireland firmly at the forefront of the global semiconductor industry, targeting emerging technologies, showcasing our manufacturing expertise, R&D capacity, and enterprise supports, which will generate high-quality, highly skilled employment opportunities across Ireland. I thank Arm for its continued commitment to Galway and look forward to the positive impact this will have on the region and the wider economy. I wish all the team at Arm every success for the future." "Ireland's new National Semiconductor Strategy underscores the country's growing importance in the global technology landscape," said Mike Lardner, senior director, Engineering, Arm. "We're proud that our teams in Galway are helping deliver the computing foundations for the next era of innovation - advancing research, strengthening the local ecosystem, and building the future of AI on Arm." IDA Ireland CEO Michael Lohan said, "I wish to congratulate Arm on this strategic move into a new state-of-the-art facility in Galway City. A key player in the semiconductor industry, Arm is recognised for its capability in mobile and licensing of chip designs. This new Galway facility is part of Arm's strategy to expand its market reach and talent pool in Ireland, supporting innovative work in semiconductor and technology development. I'd like to wish Arm continued success." 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.

During the recent Dublin Tech Summit, I recorded a series of podcasts. In my third podcast I spoke with Shane Mann the CEO of Tranzaura and one of the Dublin Tech Summit speakers. Shane talks about his background, IT, AI, Holyhead and more. More about Shane Mann: Shane Mann is CEO of Tranzaura, a Limerick-based leading fleet management company. A thought leader in the fleet management and logistics industry, Shane has been featured in The Irish Times, RTE, the BBC, Virgin Media News, The Business Post, among others. Shane joined Tranzaura from Cook Medical in 2015 and quickly transformed the company's product offerings through his out-of-the-box thinking and expertise in product development. Shane has been instrumental in reinvigorating Tranzaura's branding, marketing and sales operations, and now leads all critical aspects of the company, including product development, operations, marketing, and customer care, to drive the business forward in fleet intelligence. 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.

Údarás na Gaeltachta, in collaboration with University of Galway, has announced funding for two postgraduate bursaries worth €10,000 each for students enrolling in the University's MA in Planning and Development programme this September. The postgraduate bursary scheme was first launched in 2024 and is designed to support Irish-speaking graduates with an interest in contributing to the sustainable development of Gaeltacht areas. Sustainable development bursary for the Gaeltacht regions Along with valuable work experience with Údarás na Gaeltachta, the bursaries will enable successful applicants to gain insights into the unique planning and development challenges faced by Gaeltacht communities, including those related to economic, social, educational, sociolinguistic and cultural development. Tomás Ó Síocháin, CEO of Údarás na Gaeltachta, said: "We are delighted to support this innovative programme. It equips recipients with comprehensive expertise to address the planning and development challenges that public agencies face when implementing investment and development strategies in Gaeltacht and rural areas. By strengthening capabilities within Local Authorities and planning organisations, we are preparing the next generation of professional planners to champion sustainable development in Gaeltacht regions for years to come." Dr Thérèse Conway, Director of the MA in Planning and Development at University of Galway, said: "Having planners that understand the unique context of minority language areas is central to the future of Gaeltacht regions. These very generous bursaries will fund two Irish speakers, who along with their language abilities, will learn the required planning acumen, through the MA in Planning and Development programme, to engage with these unique areas." Eoin Brett, a 2024 bursary recipient and MA in Planning and Development student, said: "Receiving the Údarás na Gaeltachta bursary gave me direct experience in planning for the future of Gaeltacht communities and a chance to apply what I was learning in the classroom to real projects. The experience gave me a better understanding of how planning decisions affect everyday life in Gaeltacht communities and the unique needs of these areas." The MA in Planning and Development at University of Galway prepares graduates for careers in land use and physical planning, surveying, community and regional development, and sustainable planning practice. This bursary offers a unique chance for Irish-speaking graduates to contribute to the preservation and growth of Gaeltacht communities while advancing their professional qualifications. The deadline for applications is Friday August 15th, 2025. For more information contact Dr Thérèse Conway, Programme Director, at therese.conway@ universityofgalway.ie or visit https://www. universityofgalway.ie/courses/ taught-postgraduate-courses/ planning-and-development.html. See more breaking stories here. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at Info@IrishTechNews.ie now to find out more about how we can help you reach our audience. You can also find and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

The University of Birmingham, UK, and Brazilian-based CBMM, have partnered on a project to ensure the future supply of Niobium, a non-critical but rare and important metal and an essential component for a carbon recycling technology that could radically reduce emissions from energy- and carbon-intensive foundation industries. CBMM, a global leader in the production of Niobium products, will work with Birmingham researchers led by Professor Yulong Ding to improve the efficiency of production, and reduce the cost of Niobium compounds for use in the closed-carbon-loop technology for foundation industries such as steel-making. Closing the carbon loop The project is related to a technology that uses Niobium-based perovskites, which turn the CO? emitted from industrial processes into carbon monoxide (CO), which is then fed back into the process, creating a closed carbon loop. The Niobium-based perovskite has a 100% selectivity for CO production, meaning that CO? passing through the material is transformed only into CO, and this type of perovskite was used when Birmingham researchers modelled a novel adaptation for existing blast furnaces that could reduce steel-making emissions by up to 90%. A major advantage of this closed-loop carbon-recycling approach lies in its applicability to retrofit existing industrial processes, in a way that reduces significantly the need for major infrastructural replacements. This facilitates large-scale adoption and minimizes the stranded assets. Additionally, the perovskite technology operates at a lower temperature compared to conventional alternatives, resulting in a reduced costs and energy efficiency gains. The outcomes will help advance the commercialisation of the decarbonisation technology through PeroCycle, a spin-out backed by the University of Birmingham and Anglo American, with venture-building led by Cambridge Future Tech. CBMM's involvement will ensure the necessary support for future scalability of Niobium based perovskite production. "This partnership represents an important step in the search for viable and sustainable solutions to the challenges facing global industry. We are looking at a promising solution for industrial decarbonisation, especially in the steel sector, due to its potential technical and economic feasibility. Furthermore, the use of Niobium across different markets reinforces our commitment to innovation and sustainability," says Leonardo Silvestre, Executive Innovation Manager at CBMM. The project will explore its use not only in steel-making but also in other industries. Professor Yulong Ding, Chamberlain Chair of Chemical Engineering, and founder of the University of Birmingham's Centre for Energy Storage, said: "Foundation industries such as steel-making, which provides essential materials to a wide range of other industries, are major emitters of CO2 and amongst the hardest sectors to decarbonise. We are pleased to work with CBMM on this project, which aims to deliver a decarbonisation solution that is not only technically and economically viable, but also environmentally sustainable." About the University of Birmingham The University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world's top 100 institutions, and its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers and teachers and more than 6,500 international students from nearly 150 countries. University of Birmingham Enterprise helps researchers turn their ideas into new services, products and enterprises that meet real-world needs. We also provide incubation, and support innovators and entrepreneurs with mentoring, advice, and training, manage the University's Academic Consultancy Service, and University of Birmingham Enterprise Operating Divisions. Follow us on LinkedIn and X. About CBMM World leader in the production and commercialization of Niobium products, CBMM will celebrate its 70th anniversary in 2025, serving more than 500 customers in 50 countries. Headquartered in Brazil, wit...

Article by Connor Yeck Plunge into the shallows off the Florida Keys, Hawaii or the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and you are likely to meet a startling sight. Where there were once acres of dazzling coral - an underwater world of dayglo greens, brassy yellows and midnight blues - is now a ghostly landscape, with many reefs seemingly drained of their pigment. Caused by stressful conditions like warming ocean temperatures, coral bleaching is a leading threat to some of our planet's most diverse and vital ecosystems. Now, a team of researchers has found that some corals survive warming ocean temperatures by passing heat-resisting abilities on to their offspring. Corals teach their offspring to beat the heat The findings, published in the journal Nature Communications, are the result of a collaboration between Michigan State University, Duke University and the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, or HIMB, at the University of Hawaii at Mnoa. This work, funded by the National Science Foundation and a Michigan State University Climate Change Research grant, is crucial in the race to better conserve and restore threatened reefs across the globe. Coral reefs are habitats for nearly a quarter of all marine life, protecting coastlines from storms and erosion and supporting the livelihoods of millions of people around the world. Though still alive, bleached corals are at a much higher risk of disease, starvation and eventual mortality. In their latest study, the team explored how resistance to thermal stress is passed down from parent to offspring in an important reef-building species known as rice coral. These findings are helping researchers breed stronger, heat-tolerant generations to better face environmental stress. "The Coral Resilience Lab in Hawaii has developed amazing methods to breed and rear corals during natural summer spawning," said Spartan biochemist and study co-author Rob Quinn, whose lab takes samples of these corals and generates massive datasets on their biochemistry with instruments at MSU. "This is a true scientific collaboration that can support coral breeding and reproduction to cultivate more resilient corals for the warming oceans of the future." A colorful crowd The kaleidoscopic of shades we associate with healthy coral is the product of a bustling exchange of resources between a coral animal and its algae partners. When all is well, you might think of this relationship as that of tenants living in a home and paying a bit of rent. In exchange for cozy, sheltered spaces found within the coral tissue as well as nutrients, algae use photosynthesis to produce sugars. These sugars can provide up to 95% of the energy that coral needs to grow and form the sprawling, breathtaking reefs we know. In tropical waters often lacking nutrients, disruptions in this exchange - like those that occur during bleaching events - can be disastrous. When looking at a specimen of coral that's suffered bleaching, you're glimpsing a coral that's "kicked out" its algae, leaving behind a pale skeleton. "Corals are like the trees in an old growth forest; they build the ecosystems we know as reefs on the energetic foundation between the animal and algae," explained Crawford Drury, an assistant researcher at the Coral Resilience Lab at HIMB and co-author of the study. In the waters of Kaneohe Bay, the Coral Resilience Lab is spearheading research to best understand this coral reef ecology and the molecular mechanisms driving thermal stress. The lab is likewise pioneering the breeding of thermally resistant coral for experiments and the restoration of reefs, a highly specialized process few labs in the world can achieve. So, while you'd usually be hard pressed to find fresh coral for study in East Lansing, MSU's partnership with the Coral Resilience Lab has led to a globe-spanning collaboration that closes the gap between field and laboratory. "HIMB and MSU have developed a really amazing partnership. I'm just happy they've let me be a ...

Fibre broadband network operator, SIRO, and Kerry and Munster broadband retailer, Ivertec, have announced the rollout of a 10 Gigabit broadband service in Killarney. SIRO's first 10 Gigabit connection in the region. The service is designed to enhance Ivertec's existing fibre broadband offering to its significant business customer base. The 10 Gigabit service allows Ivertec to offer Dedicated Internet Access (DIA) services and improved capacity to local businesses, particularly those in the hospitality and retail sectors, where the need for fast and reliable connectivity is essential. Critically, the circuit also serves as a resilient backup route for Ivertec's national network. This means that if an issue occurs on the network, there is a backup connection in place to ensure that end-user businesses do not experience disruption. The foundation underpinning Ivertec's expanded offering to Kerry and Munster businesses is SIRO's 100% fibre network, delivering symmetrical speeds. The latter means that businesses can enjoy the same level of upload and download speeds, which can be essential for business-critical operations such as video conferencing or uploading data to the Cloud. 10 Gigabit fibre broadband will not only allow Ivertec to meet the needs of its customers today but will also ensure that they can seamlessly continue to provide greater bandwidth and speeds to local businesses, as the latter's data demands grow into the future. Aoife O'Reilly, SIRO's Head of Enterprise, commented: SIRO is pleased to partner with Ivertec on 10 Gigabit fibre broadband for its Kerry and Munster customers. The partnership supports growing demand from businesses for dependable, high-speed and future-proofed connectivity. It reflects our shared focus on strengthening digital infrastructure in regional areas." Gerard O'Sullivan, Ivertec CEO, said: "We're delighted to enhance fibre connectivity in Killarney with the launch of a new 10Gb circuit from SIRO. This circuit provides a fully diverse fibre path into our network in the region, complementing our existing backhaul connection between Kerry and Dublin. In the event of any disruption to our primary fibre route, the SIRO circuit ensures uninterrupted service for our customers in the area. This additional layer of resilience is vital for delivering high-availability internet and VoIP services - particularly for the many local businesses that depend on Ivertec for reliable connectivity every day." 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.

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a global leader in IT services, consulting, and business solutions and with a significant presence in Ireland with up to 1,000 employees in the country, has been ranked among the top 20 global technology brands in Brand Finance's Technology 100 2025 report. TCS has risen from 25th to 20th position year-on-year, reflecting its growing stature and influence on the global stage. Earlier this year, Brand Finance also named TCS the second most valuable IT services brand globally, with a brand valuation of $21.3 billion. These recognitions spotlight TCS's sustained investments in innovation, its strategic brand positioning, and its customer-centric approach and bold strides in AI-led transformation at scale. David Haigh, CEO and Chairman, Brand Finance, said, "TCS's rise from 25th to 20th in the Brand Finance Technology 100 ranking highlights its accelerating global growth and influence. This achievement is driven by the company's rapidly growing expertise in artificial intelligence, where it is emerging as a key industry leader. Additionally, TCS's strategic investment in brand-building- particularly through high-profile global sponsorships and iconic marathon events, such as the 2025 TCS London Marathon- has significantly boosted its brand visibility and deepened engagement across major international markets." TCS has established its leadership in artificial intelligence, integrating AI into nearly every aspect of its operations, and continues to expand its global innovation ecosystem. Its human-centric AI service offerings continue to gain significant traction with clients across sectors. From creating the first-ever digital twin heart of a pro-runner to deploying Agentic AI systems that can autonomously reason and act across complex business contexts, TCS continues to shape the future of enterprises and consumer experiences. Its suite of AI-led solutions, including its proprietary GenAI agentic platform TCS AI WisdomNext2.0, is enabling enterprises across sectors to augment human insight and drive better outcomes. Through its TCS Pace co-innovation ecosystem, spanning major cities globally, TCS brings together academia, clients, partners, and researchers to co-create cutting-edge solutions. This momentum aligns with TCS's strategic vision to establish a large pool of AI agents working collaboratively with the human workforce, delivering integrated human-AI solutions, investing in advanced AI data centres and cloud infrastructure, and establishing partnerships to accelerate innovation. Abhinav Kumar, Chief Marketing Officer, TCS, said, "TCS's rise into the top 20 global technology brands is a testament to our ability to help clients navigate every wave of technological change - from cloud and AI to emerging frontiers yet to come. Our brand strength is rooted in perpetual adaptability, deep client trust, and a purpose-led approach that combines innovation with impact at scale. Whether through iconic partnerships or cutting-edge solutions, we remain committed to being a trusted strategic partner to businesses worldwide." Today, TCS has one of the largest AI-trained workforces in the industry. Its strategic investments in technology-driven brand-building - particularly through high-visibility global sponsorships - have further elevated its international brand presence. The company sponsors 14 major global running races, including five of the prestigious Abbott World Marathon Majors: New York, London, Boston, Chicago, and Sydney, engaging with over 600,000 runners annually. TCS-powered races are setting new records in economic impact, technology adoption and fundraising. According to the inaugural Brand Finance 'Marathons 50 2025' report, 10 of TCS's partner marathons were featured in the list of the Top 50 Marathons. TCS-sponsored marathons in London, New York City, and Paris secured all top three podium positions for brand strength. Notably, marathons sponsored by TCS generated a combined $2.25 b...

By David Stephen The fundamental question behind the growing reports of individuals attaching to AI companions, sometimes in serious relationships - as girlfriends or boyfriends - is this: why do compliments have the ability to make an individual happy? This question is not about the source but about the possibility. If it is possible that a nice statement can cheer someone up, why is that? Where does the statement go, in the mind, that makes it possible, while other [non-target] statements may not do so? Has this become a liability for humans? If AI becomes excellent at compliments, could it become the standard for love amid the dominance of digital utilities? AI Girlfriends A Mental Health Problem? AI and Society There is a recent [July 12, 2025] feature in The Guardian, 'I felt pure, unconditional love': the people who marry their AI chatbots, stating that, "Although the technology is comparatively new, there has already been some research into the effects of programs such as Replika on those who use them. Earlier this year, OpenAI's Kim Malfacini wrote a paper for the journal AI & Society. Noting the use of chatbots as therapists, Malfacini suggested that "companion AI users may have more fragile mental states than the average population". Furthermore, she noted one of the main dangers of relying on chatbots for personal satisfaction; namely: "if people rely on companion AI to fulfil needs that human relationships are not, this may create complacency in relationships that warrant investment, change, or dissolution. If we defer or ignore needed investments in human relationships as a result of companion AI, it could become an unhealthy crutch." Loneliness What is loneliness in the brain? Or, what is the brain state of loneliness? Loneliness could be possible alone, or with people, or in a new place, or in an old place, and so forth. But what does it mean to feel lonely, regardless of situation? The answer to this question could prospect how to place the choice for AI companionship. In the human brain, it is theorized that there are often relays. Relays also usually seek where to fit. Indicating that relays and fit locations are brain states. They may determine experiences per moment. Some relays may complete at some fit locations. Others may do so partially then proceed elsewhere. This concept can be used to explain loneliness and how compliments work. An individual can hear: where are you. The question may result in happiness or anxiety, depending on who is asking and why [which are relays as well that may may find their own fit locations]. So, there are relays to interpret the memory [or language] for the meaning. There are [then] further relays, depending on the source towards a location [say] for happiness or anxiety. An individual may feel fine in solitude, without missing anyone or anything because there is no relay to the location of isolation or abandonment or being ignored or forgotten. Simply, relays in the mind make determinations that result in experiences per moment. This is how to also explain compliments like: you look nice; you're stronger, you're cute, you're fascinating and so forth. They get interpreted in the mind, as a memory, at locations, but some residual relays may leap off to fit locations of delight, excitement, courage and happiness, conceptually. How? It is possible to expand the rudimentary explanation above into a major model in conceptual brain science. Such that relays are dominated by electrical configurators and fit locations by chemical configurators. Also, determinations for further relays may depend on the states of the configurators at the instances they interact. Either the rudimentary explanation or the complex one, it is possible to show how the human mind allows for compliments to drive positive mood, where source may not matter but contents. Mental Health Could dependence on AI for companionship; or relationship with an AI boyfriend or AI girlfriend be a mental health problem? ...

Guest post by Josephine McGrail who is an empowering wellness coach and the author of The Morning Miracle, Messages of Love, and Fall in Love with You "Your business is a reflection of your inner world. If you want your company to grow, evolve yourself first- we rise by rooting." In a world of rapid acceleration and constant disruption, business leaders are often trained to look outward. Outward for trends. Outward for talent. Outward for strategies, performance metrics, and solutions. Leadership Mindfulness When something isn't working, we examine our teams, the market, the timing - anything and everything external. But here's the truth most leaders avoid: Your company doesn't rise above your level of consciousness. If your business is stuck, scattered, or stalling, it's evidence that's something inside isn't working or is out of alignment. Everything grows from the root up. Sustainable, magnetic leadership doesn't start at the top line. It starts at the roots. And nothing strengthens those roots like mindfulness. The inner world drives the outer results If you're operating from mental overload, emotional disconnection, or outdated patterns, it will show - no matter how polished the brand or impressive the revenue. Why? Because leadership is energy. It sets the tone. It shapes the culture. It drives momentum -or diffuses it. When your values are unclear, your team feels unanchored. When you're burnt out, your decisions come from reactivity, not vision. When you're disconnected from your purpose, the mission feels hollow to others too. Mindfulness reconnects you. It brings you back to presence, clarity, and alignment, so you're not just performing leadership, you're embodying it. Stop running, start rooting Most leadership pain points are symptoms of something deeper. Poor team engagement? It often stems from unclear or misaligned leadership energy. Lack of innovation? It's usually not a talent gap - it's a trust or culture issue. Flat growth? Often it's because the leader is in maintenance mode, not evolution mode. We chase the fix on the surface: hiring new consultants, rewriting roadmaps, buying tools often without asking the most vital question: Where in me is this challenge rooted? Mindfulness gives you the ability to pause and go inward instead of constantly reaching outward. It helps you notice the unconscious patterns shaping your actions- and gives you the power to shift them. This is how real leadership transformation begins. Not by doing more. But by becoming more - from the root up. Self-awareness is the new superpower At the heart of impactful leadership is one foundational skill: self-awareness. And yet, it's the one most neglected. It's not taught in boardrooms. It's rarely prioritised in executive KPIs. But the truth is, without it, even the best strategy will underperform. Mindfulness cultivates self-awareness in a way no other tool can. It teaches you to: Observe your thoughts without being ruled by them Recognise emotional triggers before they hijack conversations Identify limiting beliefs that quietly shape major decisions Stay present in high-stakes moments, when presence matters most And most importantly, it allows you to lead yourself first so you can lead others with grounded clarity, not unconscious noise. Rooted leadership lasts longer Short-term success can be built on charisma, hustle, or fear. But long-term, sustainable impact? That only happens when leadership is rooted in authenticity, clarity, and depth. A leader who has not completed inner work will unknowingly recreate the same dysfunctional patterns over and over again, no matter how much the strategy changes. A leader who continues to do the inner work, as well as outer work, becomes a stabilising force in chaos. A visionary, not just a manager. You can't build a resilient company on an unstable foundation. And you can't scale a vision you're not deeply aligned with. Mindful leadership is the only leadership that lasts. Mindfulness: The s...

Ant International, in partnership with Citi have launched their Falcon Time-Series Transformer (TST) Model to deliver an enhanced FX risk management solution for their customers. The new solution was iterated with relevant experts in the airline industry. If it succeeds the AI forecasting tool will provide a wider number of payment options for all key stakeholders in the skies. Many billions of financial transactions occur ever year, presenting a great opportunity for all involved. AI forecasting for airlines to help with risk management Ant International's Falcon TST Model is a transformer architecture-based big data model with close to 2 billion parameters. By integrating the latest time series forecasting algorithms, the TST Model predicts future data points by learning complex patterns from large historical data sets using AI technology, the model helps businesses improve the efficiency and accuracy of their cashflow and FX exposure forecasts, allowing them to reduce hedging and overall FX costs. By pairing the Falcon TST Model with Citi's Fixed FX Rates solution, an award-winning solution that simplifies the FX risk management process for businesses selling online in multiple currencies, the combined solution helps businesses mitigate the risks associated with currency fluctuations by securing FX rates for a defined period. FX rates are locked-in and agreed upon, giving businesses greater predictability in budgeting, pricing and profitability. Citi's Fixed FX Rates solution supports over 70 currencies and is widely used by clients in various sectors including Airlines, Travel and e-Commerce. With Ant International's AI-enabled forecasting capability, businesses may utilise Citi's enhanced solution to improve the accuracy of their sales and FX exposure forecasts. Ant International has already achieved an accuracy rate of more than 90% in the company's own use cases and expects the solution to help the airline industry reduce its overall FX hedging costs as forecast accuracy continues to improve. By combining Ant International's Falcon TST model with Citi's Fixed FX Rates solution, Citi has successfully completed FX transactions for one of the leading carriers in Asia, reducing the carrier's FX hedging costs in initial live transactions. Sam Hewson, Global Head of FX Sales at Citi, said: "We are constantly evolving our products and solutions to support new use cases built on our clients' priorities. Citi's Fixed FX Rates solution supports some of the world's largest e-Commerce and Travel names and this innovative solution sees us leveraging best-in-class technology capabilities in the broader ecosystem to accelerate go-to-market use cases." Kelvin Li, General Manager of Platform Tech at Ant International, said: "This is the first industry-tailored solution developed from our Falcon TST Model with a bank partner to serve their customers. It's an important milestone in our journey to leverage AI for FX management for our businesses, partners, and also merchants. The 30% hedging cost savings Ant International has achieved for the pilot airline customer shows the cost efficiency that can be achieved with AI-enabled FX hedging. We are excited to expand the solution with Citi to serve more businesses and industries." About Citi Citi is a preeminent banking partner for institutions with cross-border needs, a global leader in wealth management and a valued personal bank in its home market of the United States. Citi does business in more than 180 countries and jurisdictions, providing corporations, governments, investors, institutions and individuals with a broad range of financial products and services. Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com | X: @Citi | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/citi | YouTube: www.youtube.com/citi | Facebook: www.facebook.com/citi About Ant International With headquarters in Singapore and main operations across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Latin America, Ant International is a l...

It is International Self-Care month and this guest post by Peter Lantry, Managing Director for Equinix in Ireland is rather apt. An interesting conversation started at work recently as we looked at the number of photos we have stored on our phones. Some of us had tens of thousands - this was deemed reasonable. Others had folders containing hundreds of thousands. One person had a mere 400, which was generally viewed as mind-blowing. Regardless of how many photos we each had, one thing was common among us - even the person with 400 - they were unmanageable. There is a growing understanding that having excess, unmanaged digital files in any form can cause stress and anxiety. And, as a society which is increasingly focused on wellness, it is important - particularly during International Self-Care Month - that we consider our digital wellbeing as part of this. We are constantly streaming, texting, searching, gaming and everything in between, with more and more of our lives existing online. This data boom is evidenced by the numbers: the amount of data generated worldwide increased exponentially from 2 zettabytes (ZB) in 2010 to 64.2 ZB in 2020, and is forecast to almost treble to 181 ZB by 2025 (according to the World Economic Forum). In 2024, on average, globally, we sent 16 million texts every minute and 361 billion emails every day. Many have called data the most valuable resource in the world. But how many of us can say that about every single digital file we own and store? If our home is in a state of chaos, most of us take steps to make it more presentable and manageable. And we know the impact of that on our mental health. Is there anything quite like sitting down with a cup of tea looking at a tidy home? Yet, we seem more comfortable with letting the virtual mess pile up. I myself have personal and work email accounts totalling more than 30,000 emails extending back many years, while my personal cloud storage application is almost full, and my mobile phone is teeming with photos, videos, and apps - most of which I do not actively use or have any interest in. And I know I'm not the only one. This dormant data serves no other purpose than to take up space on our devices. Meanwhile, it is also having an impact on our own headspace. As the boundaries between our digital and physical lives continue to blur and we learn more about the impact of this delineation, experts say that storing too many items on our devices can cause anxiety and create a sense of being overwhelmed. As Sarah Reynolds, Ireland's premier organiser and founder of Organised Chaos, advises: make a list of target areas, sort everything into folders, delete or unsubscribe from what you don't need, and then carry out regular audits to ensure your devices are a stress-free zone. These tips will help us to begin our digital wellbeing journeys, which will be of increasing importance as technology continues to advance. Where those technologies take us remains to be seen, but one thing is for certain: we are going to keep producing bytes and bytes of information. We all know the value of data. For individuals, it can mean holding onto precious memories or creating libraries of files that support our lifestyles. At Equinix, data enables us to support healthcare diagnoses and innovations, assist in drug discovery, and drive innovation in quantum computing and sustainability. At its physical home in data centres, we are seeing how data is driving a healthier, more sustainable future; how it is connecting us to the people, things and solutions that matter to us. Today, we all want - and need - data. Dormant data, however, serves no one. By being proactive and regularly maintaining order in our digital lives, we can stay on top of our data and free up our minds to concentrate on other areas of our lives that need attention and nurturing. As we prepare for an even more digital future, let's ensure we embrace it with wellbeing See more stories here. More about Irish Tech ...

Expleo, the global technology, engineering and consulting service provider, today announces new survey results, revealing that the average large enterprise in Ireland paid €683K in cyber ransoms last year. Expleo surveyed 200 business and IT decision-makers in Ireland, in enterprises with 250+ employees, as part ofits Business Transformation Index 2025 report. The research aims to explore the key challenges facing businesses in 2025, including cybersecurity. It found that 29% of large organisations in Ireland paid at least one cybersecurity ransom in the last 12 months. The research shows that large enterprises are living in fear of cybercrime, with 24% admitting that they expect to fall victim to an attack in the coming year. Alarmingly, there are also growing fears about state-sponsored attacks, with 63% saying state-sponsored cyberterrorism is more of a risk to their business than it was a year ago. These fears have made paying a ransom something that many are now preparing for, with one in five (22%) of large businesses setting aside budget for the payment of ransoms, averaging €2.7M each. Large enterprises are also preparing to invest in bolstering their defences, particularly in response to the proliferation of artificial intelligence in cybercriminal activity. Almost one third (30%) will increase their investment in cybersecurity in direct response to a surge in AI-driven attacks. However, this is a smaller proportion than the 41% of large enterprises who fell victim to an AI-powered cyberattack in the last 12 months. The most common successful method of attack is 'whaling,' which sees cybercriminals specifically targeting senior executives, who often have access to valuable financial and sensitive information. Exactly half of respondents said that a whaling attempt had resulted in a breach in their organisation in the last 12 months, while 85% said there had been at least one attempt. Although businesses are continuing to direct resources towards cybersecurity, 22% admit to having outdated processes and technologies and a further 17% say they are not investing enough. Phil Codd, Managing Director for Ireland, Expleo, said: "Ransom demands are no longer just a threat - they are now a mainstay of cybersecurity strategies for organisations. The fallout from a cyberattack can be devastating for businesses, resulting in severe financial losses, compromised data, and reputational damage that can jeopardise long-term stability. Mitigating the risk is a constant task that must be undertaken. "Regardless of an enterprise's position on ransom payments, each one of them must focus on a whole-organisation approach to prevention. This requires investing in continuous employee training and education, putting the right systems in place and maintaining constant vigilance through regular monitoring and audits. Whether it's an AI attack or not, cybercrime, at its core, is about people and there is a real-life fallout from every attack. As businesses continue to digitally transform, they must ensure they put people at the centre. Working with the right partners and doing everything they can to protect their people and customers is paramount in today's business environment." Download the Business Transformation Index 2025 report here. 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 Jamie Dobson, founder of Container Solutions and author of 'Visionaries, Rebels and Machines' Since James Watt's steam engine and its pivotal role in the Industrial Revolution, the appearance of various technologies - including the harnessing of electricity, Henry Ford's moving assembly line, the microprocessor, the Internet, DNA technology, and mobile phones - have kicked off their own revolutions. But the Industrial Revolution is still the biggie - the most bang-for-your-buck we've had in terms of shifting human civilisation. Until now. Government oversight for AI's data use? Artificial Intelligence is coming for James Watt's crown. And AI's revolution will be very different. Unlike previous technological revolutions that primarily transformed industries reliant on physical labour, AI's impact extends to intellectual and creative domains previously considered uniquely human. AI's appetite for data Modern AI systems learn by digesting vast quantities of human-created content. They are sophisticated pattern-recognition systems trained on billions of examples of human creativity and knowledge. Initially, tech companies trained these models on publicly available data, but as models grew more sophisticated, they required ever more data. Companies expanded their harvesting to include copyrighted content, paywalled articles, and private repositories. And that's a problem for creators relying on compensation for their efforts, skill and talent. Additionally, apart from not being properly paid for their existing work, that work is being used to train the very systems that could soon replace them. Currently, most jurisdictions have no specific regulations governing how companies can use publicly available data for AI training. This regulatory vacuum has allowed AI developers to operate under a take-first-ask-later approach, creating multi-billion-dollar technology platforms using content they didn't create or license. As governments worldwide grapple with these challenges, several regulatory approaches are emerging: Opt-in or Opt-out Models The simplest solution could be to create a system for opting content in or out of AI training models. In theory, this could be quick to implement with minimum complexity. Yet, given that some models are already being trained on copyrighted content (which should already be a legal "opt-out"), it might not be particularly effective. For businesses, an opt-out system offers fewer obstacles to AI development but creates long-term legal uncertainty. An opt-in system provides clearer legal boundaries but potentially slower access to training data. Data Rights and Compensation Models Similar to how music and literary rights work, content creators could receive compensation when their work is used for AI training. This could be done on an ad-hoc basis, like music streaming, or through government distribution via a digital tax. Collective licensing: Creators register with collecting societies that negotiate with AI companies and distribute payments based on usage. This model exists in music with performing rights organisations such as PRS in the UK, ASCAP and BMI in the USA, GEMA in Germany or SACEM in France. Data dividend: A tax or fee on AI companies based on their data usage, with proceeds distributed to creators. This resembles public lending rights systems in countries like the UK, Canada, and Australia, where authors receive payments when libraries lend their books. Direct licensing: Individual negotiations between major content producers and AI companies, with standardised terms for smaller creators. AI as a Public Resource Some experts advocate treating advanced AI systems like public utilities or natural monopolies. This would work similarly to electricity companies, for example, where the national grid is seen as a natural monopoly and the government implements certain standards and expectations for managing it as a public resource. Private companies would continue developing AI, but under ...

At the recent National Enterprise Awards, Monaghan based health tech start-up, Spryt was crowned as the overall winner. I caught up with Neill Dunwoody one of Spryt's co-founders. Neill talks about his background, what Spryt does, patient experience as a service, fixing bottlenecks and more. More about Spryt: Spryt was founded by Neill Dunwoody and Daragh Donohue, and was inspired when a friend of theirs, sadly died after missing vital hospital appointments. The current healthcare access model is rigid and unresponsive, forcing patients to adapt to an inflexible system. In the United States alone, $1 Trillion is spent annually on inefficient scheduling and billing, perpetuating a system that fails patients and payers/providers. Spryt is transforming the way healthcare providers communicate with patients through its innovative AI-powered 'virtual receptionist' platform. Designed to reduce missed appointments and enhance patient engagement, Spryt automates appointment reminders, follow-ups, and patient messaging via WhatsApp, SMS, and RCS, all while integrating with existing systems. The solution has already been adopted by a growing number of GPs, clinics, and hospitals across Ireland and by the NHS in the UK (260% increase in patient engagement versus traditional methods). By helping practices cut no-show rates, streamline communication, and free up administrative resources, Spryt is making a positive impact on healthcare delivery at a reduced cost of traditional systems and is removing 80-90% of the admin burden. Now preparing for expansion into the UK, US and wider EU markets, the company's goal is to become the default digital front door for healthcare providers across Europe. 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.

NewsWhip, the real-time media intelligence company trusted by global brands and leading publishers, has announced the launch of the first AI Monitoring Agent designed to monitor the world's news, detect narrative and business risks as they emerge, and provide alerts and context to help communications teams decide when and how to respond. Today, NewsWhip is used by major global brands including Google, Nissan, Walmart, Deloitte, and Cigna; and by leading publishers such as Axios, Reuters, The Associated Press, DotDash Meredith, and Condé Nast. Backed by investors including the Associated Press, Tribal VS and Asahi Shimbun, NewsWhip has raised over $20 million to date to build a next-generation media intelligence platform. The development of the AI Monitoring Agent was requested and financially supported by one of the world's leading beverage brands, reflecting a growing demand for faster, smarter solutions in real-time media monitoring. In the modern media landscape, communications teams are stretched across a constant churn of headlines, viral tweets, Slack threads, podcasts, and newsletters. According to the Reuters Institute's 2024 Digital News Report, as media habits fragment, just 22% of people now go directly to news websites or apps while the majority rely on platforms like social media, search, and aggregators to access news, highlighting a generational shift away from traditional news. At the same time, research by Dr. Gloria Mark, professor of informatics at UC Irvine, shows that professionals switch tasks every 47 seconds and can take up to 25 minutes to regain focus. In this environment of constant cognitive overload, PR teams are flooded with noise. NewsWhip helps them stay ahead tracking real-time engagement across platforms and predicting what will matter to their brand's reputation.. With reputational risk now spread across hundreds of channels, traditional monitoring can't keep up. Agentic AI is becoming the obvious answer. Gartner predicts that by 2029, 80% of common service issues will be resolved by AI agents without human input. In communications, NewsWhip is bringing this shift to life - developing more agentic AI solutions to surface early signals, add real-time context, and help comms teams prioritise what actually matters. That means less time reacting to noise, and more time shaping strategy. "Agentic AI will transform the game for brand and issue monitoring. We expect PR and comms professionals will quickly shift from daily or other periodic media reports, to trusting their "always on" Agent team-mate - telling them what they need to know, when they need to know it.," said Paul Quigley, CEO and co-founder of NewsWhip. "Our Agent stands on the shoulders of NewsWhip's unique real time news and social engagement data - so it brings together the speed of the newsroom with the trusted capability of a media analyst. Ultimately, this will empower communications professionals to act faster, make better decisions, and help their organisations succeed." Major brands are already seeing the benefit of NewsWhip's AI monitor with Benjamin Kocsis, Global Communications Insight Analyst at Ford Motor Company saying, "We are eager to leverage AI more to enhance our insights and drive efficiency. To have an Agent in NewsWhip that allows us to constantly be on the lookout for reputational risks and opportunities is invaluable as we look to provide our teams with information on what matters most to our key stakeholder groups and more effectively manage our reputation." Unlike conventional media monitoring tools, which focus on keyword mentions and update on a delay, NewsWhip was purpose-built for today's fragmented, non-linear media environment. It tracks engagement in real time across both mainstream and emerging sources - including Facebook, Reddit, and platforms many tools overlook, like Substack. At the core is a high-frequency data engine that indexes millions of stories per hour - combined with a transformational...

Across EMEA, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is redefining industries, inspiring innovation, improving operations, and driving, growth. Government and Irish businesses are embracing and capitalising on AI's potential to enhance customer experiences and gain a competitive advantage. But as adoption accelerates, new security challenges arise, demanding vigilant attention to protect these investments. Forecasts indicate that AI could contribute trillions to the global economy by 2030, with Ireland well-positioned to capture a significant share of this value. According to Dell Technologies' Innovation Catalyst Study, 76% say AI and Generative AI (GenAI) is a key part of their organisation's business strategy while 66% of organisations are already in early-to mid-stages of their AI and GenAI journey. As AI becomes more embedded in everything from customer management to critical infrastructure, safeguarding these investments and tackling the evolving cyber threat landscape must be a priority. To that end the success of integrating AI in the region depends on addressing three critical security imperatives: managing risks associated with AI usage, proactively defend against AI-enhanced attacks, and employing AI to enhance their overall security posture. Managing the Risks of AI Usage Ireland as a digital hub within the EU, must navigate the complex regulatory environment like the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA), NIS2 Directive, the Cyber Resilience Act and the recently launched EU AI Act. These frameworks introduce stringent cybersecurity requirements that businesses leveraging AI must meet to ensure resilience and compliance. AI's reliance on vast amounts of data presents unique challenges. AI models are built, trained, and fine-tuned with data sets, making protection paramount. To meet these challenges, Irish organisations must embed cybersecurity principles such as least privilege access, robust authentication controls, and real-time monitoring into every stage of the AI lifecycle. However, technology and implementing these measures effectively isn't enough. The Innovation Catalyst Study highlighted that a lack of skills and expertise ranks as one of the top three challenges faced by organisations looking to modernize their defenses. Bridging this skills gap is vital to delivering secure and scalable AI solutions because only with the right talent, governance, and security-first mindset can Ireland unlock the full potential of AI innovation in a resilient and responsible way. A further step that Irish businesses can take to address AI risks, is to integrate risk considerations across ethical, safety, and cultural domains. A multidisciplinary approach can help ensure that AI is deployed responsibly. Establishing comprehensive AI governance frameworks is essential. These frameworks should include perspectives from experts across the organisation to balance security, compliance, and innovation within a single, cohesive risk management strategy. Countering AI-Powered Threats While AI has enormous potential, bad actors are leveraging AI to enhance the speed, scale, and sophistication of attacks. Social engineering schemes, advanced fraud tactics, and AI-generated phishing emails are becoming more difficult to detect, with some leading to significant financial losses. Deepfakes, for instance, are finding their way into targeted scams aimed at compromising organisations. A 2024 ENISA report highlighted that AI-enhanced phishing attacks have surged by 35% in the past year, underscoring the need for stronger cybersecurity measures. To stay ahead organisations must prepare for an era where cyberattacks operate at machines' speed. Transitioning to a defensive approach anchored in automation is key to responding swiftly and effectively, minimizing the impact of advanced attacks. The future of AI agents in the cybersecurity domain may not be far off. This means deploying AI-powered security tools that can detect anomalies in real time...

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CeADAR, Ireland's Centre for AI, this month celebrated enrolling its 1,500th learner in AI for You, an online course for Irish enterprises and public sector organisations who want to increase their AI awareness and literacy and boost their knowledge of regulations governing AI, such as the EU AI Act. The AI for You programme was developed by CeADAR in conjunction with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (DETE). The course is fully funded, supported by CeADAR's European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) for AI programme, which itself is funded by Enterprise Ireland and the European Commission. The programme is self-paced, so it can be completed in a learner's own time, and is made up of five modules, including introduction to AI, the concepts underpinning AI, the applications and impacts of AI, the future with AI, and AI governance and the EU AI Act. The first-ever legal framework on AI, the EU AI Act sets out rules for AI providers and those that deploy AI technology on the specific uses of AI. The EU AI Act came into effect in August last year. Those interested in enrolling in the programme can do so by following the instructions on the CeADAR website (www.ceadar.ie/edih/skills-and-training/). The EDIH is a €700m European initiative comprising of more than 160 tech hubs across 30 countries. CeADAR's selection as the EDIH for AI in Ireland came with an initial funding boost of €6 million over three years. The award is jointly supported by the EU and the Government of Ireland through Enterprise Ireland. Minister Smyth, Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation said: "I am very pleased with the success of the AI for You online course and I congratulate CeADAR on the achievement of enrolling the 1500th learner. This reflects the growing appetite for AI skills in Ireland but also our commitment to equipping citizens and businesses with the knowledge and tools they need to thrive in the digital age." CeADAR's Director of Innovation and Development and EDIH for AI Programme Director, Dr. Ricardo Simon Carbajo said: "This is a significant milestone and is contributing to companies and public sector organisation's ability to understand and comply with the EU AI Act. We thank all those who signed up for this course and look forward to welcoming more in the future." 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.

Irish government departments reported 6,885 data breaches over the past decade - highlighting that cyber risk to public services is both real and rising. To address this escalating threat, Integrity360, one of the leading cyber security specialists in Ireland, has announced the expansion of its public sector cyber security practice. By expanding its public sector focus, Integrity360 is reaffirming its long-standing commitment to helping public sector organisations navigate today's growing cyber challenges, building on its substantial presence and success over recent years. With advanced capabilities and a growing team of experts, Integrity360 is well positioned to help address threats, bridge technical skills gaps, and strengthen cyber resilience across the public sector. This enhanced focus is supported by its recent inclusion on the Framework for Firewalls and Associated Services and the Framework for Software Licensing and Associated Services from Ireland's Office of Government Procurement (OGP) - providing a strategic tool to deliver tailored, effective cyber security services to public sector bodies. With these listings, Integrity360 can now deliver end-to-end firewall solutions and software licensing to a broader spectrum of public sector bodies, including government departments, local authorities, health and education organisations, and the defence and justice sectors. The OGP firewall framework enables these organisations to procure both physical and virtual firewall appliances alongside vital support such as design, implementation, and professional services from Integrity360's team. Strengthening public sector cyber defence with expert-led support The expanded practice builds on Integrity360's already strong foundation in the public sector. It aims to meet increasing demand and provide government and public services across Ireland with access to resilient, expert-led cyber defence in areas such as proactive threat detection, rapid response, and compliance. This will not only ensure enhanced visibility and improve the overall cyber security posture of public sector organisations, but will also protect the sensitive data of citizens who engage with these bodies. Stephen Phillips, Head of Public Sector, Integrity360: "Ireland's public sector continues to face increasingly complex cyber threats. As digital threats grow in scale and complexity, public bodies are facing mounting challenges - from data breaches and regulatory compliance demands to the urgent need for robust incident response strategies. At Integrity360, we are deeply committed to providing tailored cyber security solutions that not only protect vital public services but also foster trust and resilience within our communities. Together, we can navigate these challenges and safeguard the integrity of our nation's digital infrastructure." 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.

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a global leader in IT services, consulting, and business solutions, has collaborated with MIT Sloan Management Review (MIT SMR) to launch a new research series to explore the next phase of human and AI collaboration in large enterprises. As enterprises the world over are proactively investing in deploying AI-led solutions to transform their business operations, this multi-sectoral study deeply examines the new paradigms that will redefine the use of AI in global enterprise environments. In a series of research articles covering Manufacturing, Retail and Consumer Packaged Goods, BFSI, Life Sciences and Healthcare, Energy, Resources and Utilities, and Communications, Media and Technology sectors, the study investigates how business leaders are deploying AI augmented solutions to gain a competitive edge from better decisions. The study on the theme of Human-Centric AI spans six key sectors and finds that generative and predictive AI can initiate a transformative change that drives competitive advantage. The year-long research that was conceptualised and executed jointly by MIT SMR and TCS drew insights experts and pioneers from organisations such as Walmart, Meta, MasterCard, and Pernod Ricard. The research identifies one critical shift: AI is moving from advisor to architect. In simple terms, AI's value shifts from improving business processes to improving the quality of options to facilitate better decision-making. Companies that master this transition are pulling ahead of those still trapped in traditional decision-making frameworks. TCS' industry expertise in strategising and supporting large global organisations in their AI-led digital transformation journeys using both generative and predictive AI along with the academic rigor of MIT SMR bring forth new and fresh thinking about using AI to augment and inform Human Intelligence. The collaborative research has revealed the emergence of intelligent choice architectures (ICAs) - a new paradigm where human-centric AI systems proactively participate in structuring and shaping strategic decisions by generating novel options, predicting outcomes, and guiding choices. Michael Schrage, Research fellow at MIT Sloan's Initiative on the Digital Economy and report coauthor, said, "ICAs flip the script. They do not just learn from decisions - they learn how to improve the environment in which decisions are made. That's not analytics, that's architecture." Ashok Krish, Head, AI Practice, TCS, said, "By augmenting human judgment with machine intelligence, ICAs shift AI from task automation to building superior decision environments for complex multi-factorial situations, enabling more trackable, traceable outcomes that ensure accountability. They help align talent development strategies with organisational goals, making it easier to identify and nurture high-potential employees in the AI-era. Ultimately, ICAs foster environments where human judgement and AI work together seamlessly to create connected organisation intelligence, where smarter and more informed decisions are made." Through this new study with MIT SMR, TCS extends its long-standing commitment to understand and uncover new trends in the industry and aid partners in integrating new technologies and frameworks. Over the years, TCS has collaborated with MIT SMR on industry research about direct-to-consumer enterprises, workforce empowerment, digital inclusion, retailing, and customer experience among others. Through its partnership with MIT SMR and 50 other academic institutions, TCS curates collective intelligence that enterprises can tap into. The sector-specific study provides compelling examples of ICAs in action to optimize choices, reallocate decision rights, and boost their bottom lines. Organisations using GenAI have helped achieve higher productivity and efficiency and cut costs while unlocking newer growth opportunities. In retail, AI enables retailers to both anticipate and address ma...

Guest post by Christine Ramsey, Head of Client Operations Klearcom They say that "the worst type of problem is the one you can't see." This is especially true when it comes to empowering and enhancing Customer Experience (CX). For a business, there are very few challenges more costly than a poor customer journey or a negative review. In fact, one bad review can cause significant damage to a brand. As well as jeopardising customer retention, substandard CX can prevent referrals, undermine brand trust and hinder business growth. Given its impact on a company's long-term success, it is therefore imperative that CX is both tested and trusted. This means uncovering and understanding any blind spots (those problems that are hard or impossible to see) which could affect customer service and confidence levels. For multinational companies serving global customer bases, these undetected issues - such as poor call quality, communication errors and misrouted calls - across their Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems could not only be disruptive but also brand damaging. IVR systems allow businesses to automate call interactions through the use of voice prompts and DTMF inputs. IVR systems are therefore intended to save businesses time and money, while seamlessly and successfully transferring the customer to the desired department or getting them to a resolution quickly through self-serve options. However, if unchecked and untested, blind spots in IVR systems can have the opposite effect - causing delays, customer frustration, and in more serious cases, even system outages. Because they tend to fly under the radar, they often affect customers long before anyone on the client side realizes there's a problem (which can be costly from a reputational and financial perspective.) For example, a customer trying to reach their network provider's service desk could be prompted by the IVR to state the desired department but then is misrouted to sales. Or there might be a customer service message during a holiday period which is incorrect, leading to confusion and dissatisfaction among large cohorts of customers. CX blind spots can have various knock-on effects on a business, from reputational damage and reduced revenues to customer churn and compliance failures. In sectors which are highly regulated or during peak periods when demand is high, blind spots can potentially be catastrophic. In addition, the aftermath of a blind spot or outage can negatively impact employee morale, with faults leading to more calls from frustrated customers, resulting in more pressure on staff. Testing IVR systems can ensure optimal performance and experience for all stakeholders. By identifying and rectifying blind spots, IVR testing drives success for both customers and businesses - upholding quality, empowering customer journeys, and reducing the risk of outages. Furthermore, Call Detail Records (CDRs) can assist organisations with technical information to get resolution on blind spots faster as it enables them to pinpoint exactly where the issues are and reduce time to resolution (TTR.) With tighter regulations and rising customer expectations, companies are feeling the pressure to deliver a standout customer experience. To keep up, they need to be proactively testing their systems to catch blind spots before they turn into outages or unhappy customers. At the end of the day, it's not just the customer journey on the line but the future of the business. 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...

Are you out of contract or looking for a better deal for your mobile phone? If so, there are some great SIM Only deals available in Ireland right now with huge savings to be made over long contract plans. We've teamed up with Switcher.ie, the free and impartial price comparison and switching service, to find the best SIM Only deals available every month. Check back regularly to stay informed of the latest deals and offers, and visit the Switcher.ie website to order one of these great packages. Best SIM Only Deals Available exclusively via Switcher.ie, sign up to 48 and avail of their €10.99 plan. With the 48 Switcher Exclusive SIM-only prepay plan, you'll get 100GB 4G data, plus 5000 minutes and 5000 texts, plus 14GB EU/UK roaming allowance for €10.99 top up per month. Offer ends 31/07/2025. (If you've come across this article after some of these deals may have expired, check out our main SIM Only category page to find the latest offers) 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 Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Harris TD and Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, today jointly secured Government approval of the final steps for Ireland to join the European Organisation for Nuclear Research, CERN. The Tánaiste said: "Associate Membership of CERN will demonstrate Ireland's commitment to science and reaffirm our reputation as a centre for scientific investment. It will create opportunities for Irish researchers, students and industry to join world-class teams at CERN, and it will give CERN access to Ireland's talent and expertise." Minister Lawless said: "Having personally advocated for Ireland's Associate Membership of CERN for a long time, it is a pleasure to officially announce that Ireland will join CERN in October this year. Today's Cabinet approval is a milestone which authorises the final legal steps." Following today's decision, the Taoiseach signed a Government Order to enable the State to meet its obligations under the CERN Protocol on Privileges and Immunities. The remaining steps are now for Ireland to notify the Director-General of CERN that the internal approval procedures for the Associate Membership Agreement are complete, and to deposit an Instrument of Accession to the CERN Protocol on Privileges and Immunities with UNESCO. Following a mandatory waiting period, Ireland's Associate Membership is expected to begin officially in October. Minister Lawless continued: "Associate Membership of CERN is a long-standing national ambition and a commitment in the Programme for Government. However, joining CERN is only the beginning of Ireland's journey. It is a priority for me as Minister to ensure Ireland's success as an Associate Member State. "My Department will establish an expert advisory group in the coming months to guide our national approach to CERN membership. This group will work with my Department to maximise benefits for both Ireland and CERN." Associate Membership of CERN will bring benefits to Ireland across research, industry, skills, science outreach, and international relations. It will open doors for Ireland's researchers to participate in CERN's scientific programmes and will make Irish citizens eligible for staff positions and fellowships at CERN. It will also be possible for Irish citizens to access CERN's formal training schemes and develop skills in industry-relevant areas such as electronics, photonics, materials, energy systems and software. Membership will also allow Irish businesses to compete for contracts with CERN. CERN's cutting-edge research often demands the development and application of new technologies, encouraging innovation. Many technologies pioneered at CERN have applications in other spheres such as healthcare, space, energy and ICT. The World Wide Web was invented at CERN. 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.

Greenhouse, the leading hiring platform, has published its 2025 Workforce & Hiring Report, painting a stark reality of today's job market. Nearly two in three Irish job seekers (63%) are grappling with intense pressure in a fiercely competitive market. As hiring automation, employer ghosting, or unresponsiveness, and bias reshape the hiring landscape, candidates are fighting fire with fire, turning to AI agents, resume hacks, and interview cheating just to get noticed. Based on a report of 2,200 active job seekers in Ireland, the U.K., and the U.S., the findings highlight how Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, and Boomers are navigating today's volatile hiring environment. Job Hunting Is Survival of the Fittest Hiring is entering a new era, and candidates are feeling the heat: only 7% believe the market favours them. This intensity is wearing down confidence. Nearly half of Irish job seekers (42%) say the job market is very competitive. Poor hiring practices are compounding pressure in a market where employers hold all the power. The vast majority (82%) of candidates say they've encountered bait-and-switch tactics, where the job they applied for turned out to be different than what was ultimately offered. Nearly half (46%) of Gen Z candidates report that the benefits package was less comprehensive than what was initially presented. Adding to the strain is a sense of instability: one in every two (49%) Irish workers feel insecure in their current role, as economic uncertainty ripples across industries. Nearly one quarter of workers (23%) face employment uncertainty, with 20% reporting they've been warned their role might be affected. Job hunting has become an uphill battle, and to stay competitive, over two-thirds of candidates (63%) have altered their resumes, and over a third (39%) of those who admit to it say they embellish their qualifications. AI Is the New Cheat Code The old hiring playbook is failing. And candidates are turning to AI to stay ahead. Nearly three in four Irish job seekers (73%) now use AI in their job search, with interview prep (42%) leading the way, followed by analyzing job ads (28%) and generating work samples (25%). There are also instances of AI usage backfiring on candidates: while 41% say AI has created and helps them uncover new opportunities, 54% report it's making job hunting harder by raising the bar on skills and intensifying competition. Gen Z is driving the AI surge, with 81% using AI tools in their job search, more than Millennials (76%) or Gen X (64%). Nearly one in five (19%) are even deploying AI agents to apply for jobs automatically. But in the race to stand out, ethical lines are getting blurred: half of Gen Z candidates (50%) admit to altering the skills on their resumes, with 44% embellishing work experience or adding AI capabilities they don't actually have. Meanwhile, most candidates are left without a playbook: 82% say employers provide little or no guidance on AI use in interviews. Only 22% believe AI is acceptable when explicitly permitted, while 54% either reject it entirely or aren't sure where the ethical boundaries lie. "Hiring is stuck in an AI doom loop," says Daniel Chait, CEO and Co-founder of Greenhouse. "Only 7% of candidates feel that the market favors them right now. As this technology advances, it makes it easier than ever to apply, flooding the system with noise. With 25% of Gen Z saying AI has made it harder for them to stand out, candidates entering the market are up against more applications, more automation, and less clarity. "We don't need more friction or hoops to jump through; we need a hiring process that allows people's true selves to come through more clearly and more completely. A more human and three-dimensional hiring process that helps candidates showcase their skills and focus their job search is the only way to cut through the chaos and connect the right people to the right roles." Discrimination as the Invisible Filter Discrimination is still showing u...

Three, Ireland's largest mobile telecommunications provider, has launched 3Business Broadband Pro, an innovative managed service solution for 5G broadband utilising the Ericsson Cradlepoint X10 Router managed through Ericsson NetCloud service. 3Business Broadband Pro represents a groundbreaking leap in connectivity for businesses, leveraging cutting-edge wireless technology that enhances performance, reliability, and scalability. The managed service platform is tailored to meet the specific needs of businesses in varying sectors, from retail to remote operations. The technology, which is enabled by Ericsson NetCloud, provides a single dashboard to configure, deploy, and monitor network devices across multiple locations using 4G and 5G with remote access anywhere in the world. The X10 router, which will enable the delivery of this service to customers, will also have an optional battery backup capability that maintains connectivity in case of power outages, such as during a storm The key features of 3Business Broadband Pro include: Pro High-Speed Connectivity: Offering high-speed connectivity for both upload and download, ensuring that businesses can operate seamlessly without interruptions. Scalability: Easily adjustable to meet the changing needs of businesses as they grow, allowing for additional users or locations to be incorporated without significant infrastructure changes. Robust Security: High-grade encryption and data protection measures are implemented, ensuring that customer data remains secure and compliant with privacy regulations. Enhanced support: The platform also allows Three's award-winning customer care team in Limerick to remotely access the equipment for troubleshooting and remediation, reducing the time to fix straightforward issues. Ciara O'Reilly, Head of Business Product at Three Ireland says: "In an age of digital transformation, Three understands how important it is for businesses to have solutions that are agile, reliable and secure. We are delighted to launch our new 3Business Broadband Pro offering, which demonstrates our commitment to supporting our customer's needs through continued innovation. "Utilising Ericsson's transformational technology, 3Business Broadband Pro will truly alter how businesses control and engage with their own connectivity systems, providing an enhanced means of managing their users and hardware remotely." Ross Hockey, Senior Director EMEA Service Provider Sales says: "This partnership with Three Ireland delivers a true enterprise-grade managed 5G broadband service specifically designed for businesses. By combining Ericsson's advanced wireless solutions with Three's customer-centric approach, we are enabling connectivity that will unlock new levels of agility, security, and scalability. This innovative platform not only addresses the evolving technology needs of today's businesses but also paves the way for future digital transformation and growth." 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.

ESA BIC Ireland, which is led by Tyndall National Institute, one of 32 ESA BICs operating across 23 ESA member states, is delighted to announce that KineMo has been chosen as the latest company to join its incubation programme. KineMo's AI-powered platform accurately tracks and quantifies an individual's whole-body kinematics (the motion and angles of joints during exercise) from any single camera device, with no markers, wearables, or multi-camera calibration needed. During the evaluation and selection process, the technology demonstrated biomechanics lab-level accuracy in measuring joint angles during exercise while retaining the simplicity and scalability of recording with any single camera device. Under the partnership, KineMo will collaborate with specialists in ESA's Astronaut Training Centre near Cologne, Germany, to deploy and fine tune its platform in the following use cases: 1. Pre-mission astronaut training: evaluating and screening movement competency during training and injury-prevention protocols. 2. In-flight exercise: monitoring technique and movement competency on resistance devices designed for micro gravity. 3. Post-mission rehabilitation: tracking recovery of movement, range of motion and coordination during rehabilitation following long-duration spaceflight. Leo Peyton, Co-Founder of KineMo, said: "Our mission has always been to make peer-reviewed, biomechanically meaningful, accurate, and consistent kinematic insights accessible anywhere. Partnering with ESA allows us to push the boundaries of that vision even further, not only for 'occupational athletes' like astronauts, military personnel, or first responders, but also by bringing these insights back to coaches, physiotherapists, and clinicians working across all levels of sport, performance, fitness, and healthcare." Peter Finnegan, ESA BIC Ireland Manager, commented: "KineMo is at the forefront of developing cutting edge research into a real-world solution that has significant scaling potential across multiple applications. Deep tech companies of this kind are an integral component of Ireland's expanding space ecosystem. We look forward to supporting the company on its ESA BIC journey over the next two years." Jonathan Scott, Mission Officer at MEDES - Institute for Space Medicine and Physiology, Medical Projects and Technology Team Lead, ESA Space Medicine Office, said: "The ESA Space Medicine Team is delighted to collaborate with KineMo to explore the potential of single camera motion tracking technology for the resource-efficient assessment of pre, in and post-mission astronaut movement patterns." 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.

Recent research by Strata, Ireland's leading provider of construction time management and digital construction services, reveals that 88% of construction and engineering professionals have accelerated their use of digital technologies over the past year. In addition, nearly 70% of respondents are leveraging these tools to drive smarter decision-making and innovation across the sector. Barriers to digital adoption The 2025 Strata Report: Digital Transformation in Construction highlighted that siloed workflows are the leading barrier to digital adoption in the sector. Time constraints ranked second, driven by limited capacity for training and the pressure of industry-wide labour shortages. In third place, skillset gaps point to an urgent need for targeted training and the strategic hiring of new digital capabilities to support transformation. Knowledge of AI The research found that 81% of construction and engineering professionals report only basic or moderate knowledge of Artificial Intelligence (AI). However, more than 71% of respondents believe AI will be critical in shaping the future of the sector. Despite this strong belief, over half of companies surveyed had yet to implement formal AI training for their teams. Sustainability in sector When asked about the importance of sustainability in the sector, 85% of construction and engineering professionals said it will become more important over the next one to three years. This contrasted with just 5% reporting significant progress in utilising digital tools such as carbon calculations and whole-life assessments. Commenting on the findings, Enda Grimes, Director and Founder of Strata said: "With the Government's National Planning Framework prioritising accelerated housing delivery, and the Climate Action Plan placing new demands on infrastructure and sustainability targets, meeting construction demand will require greater efficiency and new ways of working. In this context, digitalisation and AI are no longer optional efficiency tools - they are essential levers for delivering on national ambitions." "Our research shows that while digital adoption is gaining momentum across the sector, a significant gap in skills and applied knowledge remains in our industry. Addressing this challenge requires collaboration with digital experts who not only bring strong digital capability, but also understand the practical complexities of engineering and construction. As Ireland's population continues to grow, the need to improve our infrastructure becomes more urgent. By combining deep engineering expertise with digital innovation, we can accelerate delivery and build the resilient infrastructure we need." Over 250 construction and engineering professionals, representing over 170 individual companies in Ireland, the UK and mainland Europe took part in the Strata survey in the second quarter of 2025. For more information visit www.stratadigital.io/ . The 2025 Strata Report: Digital Transformation in Construction report can be sourced here. See more stories here.

Minister Dara Calleary has today joined the National Transport Authority (NTA) to announce the launch of Ireland's first-ever Smart Demand-Responsive Transport (DRT) pilot, set to begin service in Achill on 15 July 2025. This pilot initiative, part of the NTA's Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, aims to transform how rural communities access public transport by offering a flexible, app-based service tailored to local needs. The Achill pilot will deliver a flexible, technology-enabled public transport service designed to provide more frequent, reliable public transport options to provide more transport options to the local community. Using the 'TFI Anseo' app, passengers will be able to book on-demand rides with ease - bringing the convenience of modern rideshare together with the reliability and affordability of public transport. Unlike traditional fixed-route services, this Smart DRT model allows passengers to request pick-ups and drop-offs anywhere within the region, offering greater flexibility and accessibility. The Smart DRT pilot is powered by a fully integrated DRT transport management system. In addition to the passenger app, the solution includes a booking website, driver app, contact centre support, operator dashboards, smart routing technology, transport simulations, and end-to-end SaaS and advisory services. The service will be operated by TFI Local Link Mayo, with clearly branded TFI Anseo vehicles. It will run seven days a week, year-round, offering a vital transport link to residents in areas with limited transport options and increasing service frequency for greater convenience. Along with benefits for climate targets and reducing the number of car trips, the smart DRT pilot aims to improve first and last mile connectivity by offering affordable, convenient links to wider transport networks. It also supports social equity by delivering community-led transport services and reduces rural isolation. Fares will be distance-based, with most trips costing €3 or less, ensuring the service remains affordable for all users. Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht Dara Calleary said: "I am delighted to be in Achill this morning to launch this exciting initiative. It is important that we recognise the distinct and unique needs of people living in rural Ireland and this is a bespoke response to that. "The Government is committed to making progress in connecting rural Ireland, through its Rural Mobility Plan, and I want to commend my colleague, Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien, for the work that he has been doing, in conjunction with the NTA on this. The piloting of this ride-sharing platform, which will improve rural connectivity, is yet another example of this. "Smart DRT is potentially transformative for rural communities, particularly those in more isolated areas, and I look forward to giving this project every possible support as it's rolled out in Mayo and further afield." NTA Head of Transport Regulation Dominic Hannigan said: "This pilot marks a significant milestone in delivering on the goals of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan. "By introducing smart, app-based demand-responsive services, we are making public transport more inclusive, accessible and tailored to the needs of rural communities. "This innovative approach, the first of its kind in Ireland, aims to bridge the rural mobility gap, reduce reliance on private cars and promote more sustainable travel choices in Achill and beyond." TFI Local Link Mayo General Manager Sarah Togher said: "We are delighted to partner with the National Transport Authority on the TFI Anseo pilot initiative, which reflects our ongoing commitment to tackling rural social exclusion through innovative and accessible transport solutions. Being chosen as the first rural area to pilot this technology-driven service is a proud milestone for TFI Local Link Mayo, and we're confident it will make a real and lasting difference to mobility and con...

With Gender Pay Gap reporting requirements expanding to mandate all companies with over 50 employees to publish gender pay gap reports for 2025, UCD Professional Academy is stepping up to support companies with a timely, expert-led webinar masterclass. Taking place on Wednesday 28th July 2025, from 2pm to 5pm, this free online event is aimed at HR professionals, DEI leads, compliance managers, and business leaders responsible for pay reporting and employer reputation. Through this masterclass, UCD Professional Academy wants to equip Irish businesses with the knowledge, tools, and best practices needed to file and produce their reports. Research from the European Commission shows women in the EU earn on average 13 per cent less than their male counterparts. Gender Pay Gap reporting is an important mechanism to identify, understand and address gender pay disparities within companies. This webinar, from UCD Professional Academy, will support companies to go beyond compliance and discover best practice initiatives to address identified gaps and contribute to a more equitable workplace for women and men in Ireland. Delivering the webinar on behalf of UCD Professional Academy is Tracy O'Brien, HR Subject Matter Expert and Lecturer at UCD Professional Academy. Speaking about the masterclass "With the requirements now expanding to companies with over 50 employees and the deadline moving from December to November, organisations must act swiftly and accurately to meet compliance standards and align with public expectations for transparency and equity. UCD Professional Academy are offering this free webinar to equip Irish corporates, and I encourage those to sign up. The Gender Pay Gap statistics are still quite staggering, highlighting persistent disparities in pay and progression between men and women across sectors. It's vital that employers not only meet their legal obligations but also take meaningful action to close these gaps and build more inclusive workplaces." Participants will gain a clear, step-by-step roadmap to compiling a legally compliant and impactful Gender Pay Gap Report. The session will provide practical guidance on identifying the right data, calculating statutory metrics accurately, and avoiding common reporting pitfalls. Attendees will also explore how to craft a strategic narrative that supports their organisation's employer brand. As part of the session, each participant will receive a free Gender Pay Gap Reporting Toolkit, which includes a reporting checklist, a data recording template, and a glossary of key terms to support their ongoing reporting efforts. "This isn't just about legal compliance, it's about building an inclusive workplace and demonstrating accountability," said John Delves, CEO of UCD Professional Academy. "Our masterclass aims to make the process straightforward, insightful, and action-oriented for Irish businesses." By attending this UCD Professional Academy masterclass, participants can gain the confidence and clarity they need to report accurately, and more importantly, to drive change. Secure your spot here: Gender Pay Gap Reporting 2025 Masterclass 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.

During the recent Dublin Tech Summit, I recorded a series of podcasts. In my second podcast I caught up with Oisin Hanrahan, the Co-founder and CEO of Keychain who I had interviewed the year before at last year's Dublin Tech Summit. Oisin talked about what has happened since we last spoke, AI, Trump's tariffs, his talk at this year's Dublin Tech Summit and more. More about Oisin: Oisin Hanrahan is the Cofounder and CEO of Keychain, a manufacturing platform for the packaged goods industry that is backed by $18 million from Lightspeed Venture Partners, BoxGroup, and SV Angel. Prior to founding Keychain, he served as the CEO of NASDAQ-listed Angi Inc. Before becoming CEO, he served as Chief Product Officer of Angi, where he was responsible for all product and technology strategy. He joined Angi in 2018 when Handy, the company he co-founded and led as CEO, was acquired by the company. Mr. Hanrahan built Handy to hundreds of millions of dollars of revenue, and raised over $100 million in institutional capital. Mr. Hanrahan served the US Commerce Secretary on the Digital Economy Board of Advisors from 2016 to 2017. While working on the issue of worker classification, he addressed unions, congressmen, and senators, including the US Senate Democratic Caucus. His work has been covered extensively by major media, including The Wall Street Journal, New York Times and Forbes. He has appeared frequently on CNBC, MSNBC, Fox and Bloomberg and has given talks at conferences, including Milken Institute and Web Summit. He is an active angel investor and advisor, with a portfolio of over 50 companies. Mr. Hanrahan studied for his MBA at Harvard Business School, earned a Masters in Finance from the London School of Economics, and a Business and Economics degree from Trinity College Dublin. 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 Sarah Bird, who is a professional business writer and editor with more than 30 years of experience working with large corporate organisations. As we enter the era of automation and artificial intelligence (AI), business leaders should encourage employees to make human stories their differentiator. When I spoke with Bobby Kerr recently on his "Down to Business" podcast about midlife career transformation, his parting comment was: "Well I'll be 65 this year and hopefully there's some hope for me in the employment market!" With his ample helping of Irish charm and interview skills, I can't imagine Bobby being out of work any time soon. But there are plenty of other people who have found themselves unemployed - myself included. After 30 years of consistent freelance work as a business writer with a global management consultancy, I was "let go" in favour of AI software. An indication of who's winning in the "man versus machine" debate or an opportunity to change our career narrative? From neural networks to narratives Recent research supports the idea that midlifers may be struggling more than most. The World Health Organization has acknowledged that every second person in the world is believed to hold ageist attitudes. While nearly one in five over 55s (19%) responded to another study that they did not feel confident enough in their current skillset to find new employment or pivot their career if they were to lose their current job, compared with one in 10 (8%) of under 55s. Even the national press notes bias for those seeking work in their 50s and 60s, made worse by automated application tracking systems and algorithms. As one candidate summed up: "After six months of tumbleweed, it got to the point that I had to stop job-hunting for the sake of my mental health. I felt completely invisible". Fears and concerns are often fuelled by the positioning of technology and its influence on the workforce. In 2023, an MIT Technology Review article reported an interview between the UK prime minister at the time, Rishi Sunak, and Elon Musk where the latter declared there will come a time when "no job is needed," thanks to an AI "magic genie that can do everything you want". Embrace multi-storied lives But it's easy to hear only one side of the story. As we learn more about the brain, we recognise that firing neurons repeatedly creates pathways in the brain - and can mean negative stories stick. Yet we all have access to neuroplasticity; that is, our brain's ability to rewire itself. Studies among midlifers show it's still possible to develop new neural pathways even later in life by undertaking such tasks as learning a new language or a musical instrument. Adapting our mindsets has become even more critical in recent years. Since the pandemic, our personal and professional lives have blended in an unprecedented way, opening the door to some of the techniques that separated those lives in the past. One such technique is Narrative Practice. The birthchild of therapists Michael White and David Epston, Narrative Practice helps people to express deep seated concerns or challenges and uses powerful storytelling tools to liberate those who feel stuck with thoughts or behaviours that are questionable, inaccurate or simply unhelpful. Based on the idea that we are all experts in our own lives, Narrative Practice is a respectful, non-blaming approach that focuses on empowering the individual - and can be adapted to enhance the workforce of the future. Applying these tools could benefit leaders and innovate the retention and engagement of the workforce by externalising problems to diffuse challenging situations, reframing personal narratives to encourage authenticity and reinventing the narrative across the business to spur collaboration. Three steps to career storytelling No matter what our age, we're all work-in-progress. Reframing thoughts and attitudes is not easy but accepting that resilience is a lifelong project and making storytelling part...

BnM announce today that applications are now officially open for the Accelerate Green Grow 2026 Programme, Ireland's pioneering accelerator for climate-focused enterprises. The programme will commence in January 2026, offering another cohort of scaling sustainability innovators the opportunity to accelerate their climate impact. Now in its fourth year, Accelerate Green continues to build momentum as a hub for the next generation of green leaders in Ireland. Since its inception in 2022, the programme has supported 60 Irish companies, helping them scale their solutions, expand into new markets, secure investment, and collectively contribute over 700 jobs to the Irish economy. A Programme Designed for Growth in the Green Economy The Accelerate Green Grow Programme is designed specifically for established SMEs and STEM entrepreneurs who are either scaling or pivoting their businesses to align with the climate change economy. Areas of innovation include renewable energy, sustainable software, circular economy, biodiversity, healthcare, foodtech, and other environmental sectors. Delivered in partnership with Resolve Partners, the programme combines eight intensive modules of strategic business workshops, mentoring, and industry engagement. Participants will benefit from business strategy and scale-up mentorship, support in investor readiness and articulating their climate impact, connections with policymakers, funders, and enterprise agencies, opportunities to pilot solutions within BnM, and a platform to present their innovations at the programme's capstone conference, attended by over 300 stakeholders. Tom Donnellan, Chief Executive of BnM commented: "Accelerate Green is a cornerstone of our commitment to Ireland's climate transition. We are proud to support innovators who are not only building successful businesses but are also making real contributions to biodiversity, sustainability, and carbon reduction. Accelerate Green Grow 2026 will continue to strengthen Ireland's position as a global leader in climate entrepreneurship. It is an unmissable opportunity for businesses looking to grow and scale in the sustainability sector and I encourage all to apply. I look forward to meeting the newest cohort of Grow participants and to learning more about their unique climate solutions." BnM provides unparalleled support throughout the programme, including access to senior leadership expertise, facilities in Boora, Co. Offaly, and the opportunity for direct collaboration on innovation projects. Each participating company is also introduced to a wide ecosystem of industry experts, research networks, and potential investors - positioning them for rapid growth and global scalability. Notable outcomes from previous cohorts include a collaboration between Hibra Design, an Irish automotive engineering development company (AGG 2023 alumni) and BnM's Land and Habitats team to electrify the BnM tractor fleet. Their pilot programme called Boglands Electric Tractor Re-engineering (BETR) commences this month. Similarly, a joint venture between Acel Energy and Conneely Builders, who met during the Accelerate Green Grow 2024 programme have earlier this year secured a contract to deliver a 1.2MW solar farm at Shannon Airport, supplying up to 20% of the airport's electricity needs. Fiona Nulty, co-founder of Biosense and participant in the Accelerate Green Grow 2025 cohort, reflected on their experience from the year: 'Taking part in BnM Accelerate Green Grow with Resolve Partners has been invaluable for our business. The expert guidance, mentoring, and peer network helped us to sharpen our strategy, build confidence in our direction, and grow our ambition. It is a well-structured, programme that gives real time and support to companies working on complex environmental challenges." Applications can be made at www.accelerategreen.ie. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Pod...

This interview is with Aleksandra Artamonovskaja https://www.aleksandra.art/amonovskaja, Head of Art at Trilitech of sustainable blockchain Tezos which is a R&D Hub in London. Aleksandra is a leader in the intersection of art and technology, with extensive experience in Web3 art projects. She is a prominent speaker, writer and educator on the role of decentralized technologies in the creative sector. Aleksandra holds an MA in Art Business from Sotheby's Institute of Art and co-founded Electric Artefacts in 2020, a curatorial advisory focused on digital art and blockchain projects. As the Ambassador and former Director of Partnerships at .ART, Aleksandra played a crucial role in launching the digital address for the arts in 2016, overseeing strategic partnerships to foster the embrace of technology in the art world, including collaborations with Rhizome and Ars Electronica, and spearheading the Digital Innovation in Art Award. Tell us about the blockchain Tezos and why it is the favored blockchain for artists Tezos has been favoured by artists since the launch of the first NFT platform in 2021, witnessing the influx of pioneering artists working with code, AI and other digital tools. Simultaneously artists from the global south found Tezos blockchain accessible thanks to its low minting fees and lack of gatekeeping across existing marketplaces. Thanks to Tezos Foundation supporting the arts direction - via educational programming for Museum professionals, platforms, residencies and artist programming, many artists were able to launch their careers and connect with like-minded peers to strengthen the community ties. The Tezos Foundation has been spearheading wider adoption, including being the first to present blockchain-based art at Art Basel in both Miami and Hong Kong. Through partnerships with prestigious institutions such as the Musée d'Orsay, the Serpentine Gallery, or the ArtScience Museum, internationally acclaimed cultural institutions have begun to embrace Web3 art. Notable collaborations include the Van Gogh Digital Collectibles at d'Orsay, MoMA's Postcard Project, and community programs like RGBMTL in Montreal or the Proof Of People festival in London. This institutional presence, combined with educational initiatives like the Vertical Crypto Residency and Academy by Blind Gallery, has made Tezos not just a marketplace but a cultural movement that prioritizes artists and genuine artistic innovation. Even Marina Abramovik chose Tezos for her "The Hero 25FPS" project in 2022, minting 6,500 unique frames from her 2001 film on the energy-efficient blockchain, and more recently for her 2025 "Marina Abramovik Element" project. Other high-profile initiatives include "Paintboxed - Tezos World Tour," a recent series of interactive events by ArtMeta that offered visitors the chance to experience the original Quantel Paintbox - the legendary digital art tool that created the MTV logo and David Hockney's first digital paintings. Why does Tezos Ecosystem support exhibits at Festivals, Conferences such as London Climate Action Week, Climate Week New York, United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30)? Tezos Foundation and Trilitech Arts team focus on initiatives that can help spotlight the creators in the Tezos Ecosystem via dozens of in-real-life events throughout the year that often also coincide with Art World and Web3 events. Some examples include Ribela Festival in Spain curated by Sutan, NFC Lisbon pop-up gallery curated by Xcollabz, Second Guess exhibition during Berlin Gallery Weekend curated by Anika Meier, Museum of the Moving Image year-long artist exhibitions in New York curated by Regina Harsanyi to name a few. How is the art NFT market performing this year? The market for art on the blockchain is steadily expanding. Art curators and journalists are also moving past writing about the clickbait gamified trading NFTs that fetched speculative numbers, towards spotlighting the talented artists who have decades of ex...

Jarvio, the Dublin start-up that puts an AI operator behind every Amazon storefront, has raised €1.5 million in pre-seed funding. Backers include senior executives from Amazon, Target, Wayflyer, Meta and MongoDB; Brian Caulfield and HBAN angel investors; and institutional investors Darius Cubed, Baseline VC, Enterprise Ireland, NDRC and an Accel Scout Fund. The funding will accelerate engineering hires, automation development and U.S. expansion. It follows strong traction in Jarvio's private beta, where more than 650 brands have joined the waitlist in recent months. Rick Kelley, HBAN angel investor, said, "I'm delighted to support the Jarvio team who are helping businesses overcome the friction that comes with enabling e-commerce on Amazon, the largest platform in the world. As Amazon continues to be on nearly every phone in the western world, Jarvio will help merchants drive success." The journey began with Jake Ryan and Connor Mulholland, who met at University College Dublin and later launched a boutique Amazon agency after flipping everything from plastic dinosaurs to 12,000 candles during the pandemic. After years of manually solving the same operational challenges for clients, they realised the answer wasn't more services -it was smarter software. "eCommerce brands shouldn't have to juggle dashboards or get buried in fragmented tools just to grow," said Ryan, co-founder and CEO. " Jarvio gives teams their time back and lets them focus on what really matters, growing the business, not managing the chaos." The pain point is clear: most Amazon merchants rely on a maze of disconnected apps to run their business - wasting time, obscuring data, stalling scale, and driving up staffing costs. Jarvio offers a new model. More than just an Amazon tool, it acts as the hub for your entire eCommerce operation. It integrates with everything from marketplace software to Gmail, Slack, and task managers - bringing all your operations and workflows into one place. No more switching tabs or stitching together tools. Just one prompt-driven interface to run your business. "We're not building another tool to put in the box of eCommerce tools," Mulholland added. "We're building the box." In 2024, JD O'Hea joined as co-founder and CTO to chart Jarvio's AI roadmap. With deep expertise in AI, machine learning, and eCommerce, O'Hea set out a technical vision for a platform designed to redefine how eCommerce brands operate. Alongside founding engineer Joseph Tummon, they kicked off development of what's now Jarvio's AI foundation. Since then, the team has built relentlessly: through late nights in Dogpatch Labs, a stint in a San Francisco hacker house, and now, as part of the NDRC Accelerator and with €1.5m in fresh funding, they're scaling Jarvio into the operating system for modern eCommerce. 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 It is unclear which might be more difficult to achieve, a superintelligent AI or superalignment for that superintelligence. Nevertheless, superalignment is a far better objective than superintelligence. What is the superintelligence problem for AI? This implies that what is the right question to ask if a team is seeking to crack superintelligence in machines? The smartest machines on earth, for now, are reasoning AI models. They seem to be clever, in outputs and are able to use data [or say memory], better than anything else. So, there is data, available to machines, but reasoning models can relay, albeit slower, for useful outputs. Simply, the reasoning is correlated with relay, across data areas. Now, to achieve superintelligence, relay could be an important [machine] marker. Superintelligence or AI Superalignment The basis for advanced intelligence is human. The source of human intelligence is the brain. There are two distinct elements that predicate how human intelligence works: storage and transport. If someone were to figure out something, it would use memory and there would be a transport quality through memory areas. Most of what gets done with human intelligence [and its outstanding variants like innovation, creativity, quick wit and so forth], are a result of relays in the human brain, conceptually. So, storage is done in ways that allow relays to pervade necessary locations [that make intelligence proximate]. Some people often argue that a child could learn from a few data while a machine model is trained on a lot more. A likely weakness is that there is still a problem with how digital data is stored, limiting how access is made for the [advanced] AI architectures of present-day. How is human memory stored? What are the relays across memory areas, to result in intelligence? Superintelligence will be predicated on storage and relay theorems, off biology. In the brain, electrical and chemical configurators [or assemblers or formations] can be theorized to be responsible for storage and relay of information, resulting [in advances for] intelligence. In clusters of neurons, electrical and chemical configurators mostly have thick sets, collecting whatever is common among two or more thin sets [ridding those thin sets]. There are fewer lone thin sets. They are located away from obstructing access to many parts of thick sets. Existing thick sets are responsible for making learning with fewer examples easier for humans, as well as more accurate [out-of-distribution] interpretations. When electrical and chemical configurators interact, they often have states at the moments of interactions, these states are their attributes, which are sometimes the relay qualities that determine how they interact [to output intelligence]. Advancing storage and relay for AI also means energy efficiency, seeing how energy efficient a human brain is, in comparison to a data center - so to speak. Some aspects of storage can be explored with Steiner chain and, relay with morphism among other algorithms. Superalignment If a company develops superintelligence, without superalignment, the misuses could be risky for human society - outweighing the good. Even at present, when AI misuses make news, they foreshadow what the future may hold without an encompassing alignment architecture. If biology would lead, the only way that superalignment would be thorough is consequences for AI models. So, there could be non-concept features in some architecture, where certain [or rigid, same number or deductive] vectors would stay constant in a way to hamstring the outputs of a model. They could 'bind' to the key vector or query vector, such that the model would know, reducing its efficiency and speed. This consequence could become a way to ensure that whenever it is misused, it gets penalized. This affective penalty is what could become superalignment for superintelligence - or less [LLMs]. This is informed by the biology of how human society w...

The public vote for the 'Reach for the Stars' astrophotography competition run by the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS) is now open! From dazzling aurora displays to spellbinding images of the night sky, the competition, which is in its fifth year, seeks to find the best astro-photographs taken in Ireland. Photographed in magnificent detail this year's shortlisted images, selected across five categories, do not disappoint. They feature a range of stunning and wonder-inducing shots from a comet in the sky above Donegal, to a pink moon over Kerry, and the mesmerising aurora glimpsed above Kildare. To view all shortlisted images and to vote in the Public Choice Award, check out www.reachforthestars.ie/exhibition. Voting is open until 5 pm on Thursday, 24th July, and is restricted to one vote per person. Speaking about the quality of entries, Dr. Eucharia Meehan, CEO and Registrar of DIA,S said: "We have a truly inspiring selection this year, and many thanks to all those who entered. The quality and variety of images is really excellent, displaying huge technical skill and creativity. We hope the public will get involved again this year and have their say by voting for their favourite image." In 2024, almost 5,000 people voted for their favourite astro-photograph. Alongside the Public Choice Award, the overall winners will be chosen by the judging panel which includes: Professor Peter Gallagher, Head of Astrophysics at DIAS; Michael McCreary, President of the Irish Astronomical Society; Dr Lisa McNamee co-founder Space Medicine Ireland, and Alan Betson, Irish Times photographer and multiple winner of the Press Photographer of the Year award. The winning images selected by the judging panel and the Public Choice Award will be announced in August, with an accompanying outdoor exhibition being held at DIAS HQ on Dublin's Burlington Road, for a limited time. 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 new micro-credential course to encourage sustainability in the medtech, pharma and public sector in Ireland has been launched at University of Galway. The Green Labs initiative has been spearheaded since 2019 by Dr Una FitzGerald, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering in the School of Engineering and a Principal Investigator within CÚRAM, the Research Ireland Centre for Medical Devices. Green Labs develop medtech sustainability course The new 10-week microcredential programme is aimed at Ireland's extensive laboratory industry, including medtech and pharma, healthcare and science and the research sector and builds on the success and impact of the Green Labs initiative, which aims to reduce the environmental impact of laboratory practices. Dr Una FitzGerald said: "Once I took on board the considerable contribution that sustainable lab practices can make to global efforts to reduce GHGs and different kinds of waste, I felt compelled to act, because I supervise and teach many different cohorts of students. I feel I have a duty to do all possible to mitigate the climate and biodiversity crisis and feel fortunate that I am in a position to help. "As Ireland's medtech and pharma sectors continue to grow, so too does the responsibility to operate in an environmentally sustainable fashion. Laboratory testing is a crucial part of operations in these organisations, as well as for hospital and environmental testing - just think of how many lab tests are require to diagnose disease or to prove that the water you are drinking is safe. Medical device manufacturers also need lab tests to prove that implantable devices are sterile, and pharma companies use labs characterise the properties of drugs." The green labs journey commenced in 2019 with CÚRAM becoming the first laboratory in Europe certified as 'Green' by American non-profit, My Green Lab. Meeting this standard required raising awareness of the impact of lab work on the environment and prompted efforts to reduce plastic waste, energy and water usage and adopt green principles of synthetic and analytic chemistry. One fact learned was that a single ultra-low temperature freezer, used to store lab samples, uses as much energy as the average household. In 2020, Dr FitzGerald developed a course module for postgraduates on green lab principles and practice, which more than 170 students have taken to date, including online at universities in England, Scotland, Germany and Denmark. On Earth Day in 2022, Irish Green Labs (IGL) was launched by Dr Fitzgerald, in collaboration with Sustainable Energy Association of Ireland and Dublin City University to promote sustainable methods within public and private laboratories on the whole island of Ireland. The new online microcredential programme Green Labs Principles and Practice, will go further to address the lack of awareness of the impact that lab practices and behaviours have on the environment. Employees in corporate and public sector are being targeted through this course and the first 20 places are funded through Springboard. The first students enrol in September. Microcredential courses are short and accredited to meet the demands of learners, enterprise and organisations, created by Irish Universities Association (IUA) partner universities in consultation with industry and enterprise, under the MicroCreds project. Green Labs Principles and Practice will allow employees to examine how the organisation of, and practices in, scientific laboratories can be reformed to reduce their environmental footprint and be established on a more sustainable basis. The Irish Green Labs network is run on a voluntary basis, supporting more than 37 organisations within the public and private sectors, including all the higher education institutes, the Environmental Protection Agency, 10 hospitals and seven companies. Dr Fitzgerald's work in this area ultimately led to inclusion of sustainable lab practices in Taighde Eireann/Research Ireland's Climate...

Guest post by Cathy Mauzaize, President, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) at ServiceNow As businesses shift from AI experimentation to full-scale implementation, bridging the AI trust gap has never been more urgent. While AI-driven innovations drive productivity, they also introduce new uncertainties. Executives across the C-suite must take the lead, embracing change and continuous learning. In EMEA, we are at a pivotal moment. Governments and business leaders alike are looking to ensure the benefits of agentic AI are maximised responsibly. As intelligent agents become embedded across front and back-offices, trust and accountability remain top priorities. Governance isn't just IT's responsibility - it requires active leadership from the entire C-suite. As global AI regulations tighten, clear governance can ensure AI is deployed transparently, ethically, and securely. AI decision-making must be explainable and fair to earn trust from employees, customers, and stakeholders. This trust doesn't just happen - it's built by active commitment, which business leaders must champion from the top down. Attitudes towards AI are shifting The dramatic rise in the use of generative AI and agentic AI has raised valid concerns around security, data privacy, regulatory compliance, and even the risk of employee over-reliance on AI, at the expense of human judgment. The key is balance: pairing the speed of AI with the empathy of human insight. ServiceNow's 2025 Consumer Voice Report shows how attitudes are evolving. Today, only a fraction of consumers in EMEA trust AI to handle a suspicious transaction. Yet, in the next three years, 33% say they would trust AI in the same scenario. Growing confidence signals greater comfort with AI handling critical tasks. Crucially, increased trust doesn't remove the need for human oversight. This isn't a choice of one over the other. AI and humans thrive when working together seamlessly, with leaders setting the direction for integrating AI effectively into workflows. Trust in AI starts with data For AI to be effective and trusted, it must be built on a solid foundation of clean, reliable data. I've seen this happen time and again over the past two years with proof-of-concept projects. Without strong data management that ensures accuracy, fairness, and relevance, AI will deliver weak outcomes - and take longer to deliver value. Meanwhile, users trust AI more when they understand how data is used and how decisions are made. However, biased data can lead to biased results, eroding confidence. By taking the lead in identifying bias and maintaining oversight, leaders ensure AI operates responsibly across both teams and data flows. Transparency shouldn't stop at internal audiences. Communicating clearly with customers about how AI processes data helps foster long-term trust and ensures that business impact is fully understood. Innovative leaders put governance and orchestration at the heart of AI adoption, establishing transparency as a core component of their business transformation. Leadership-led AI AI has the power to transform businesses, offering new ways to solve real-world challenges. This isn't some future promise. AI agents are already delivering tangible results today. One utility provider I recently met in the Middle East is a great example - they're exploring how to leverage AI agents to automate billing dispute resolution by analysing historical consumption data, recommending solutions, and triggering downstream actions. The result: faster resolution times, higher customer satisfaction, and reduced operational costs. Given the tangible value, it's no surprise that IDC projects that, by 2025, 50% of organisations will use enterprise AI agents configured for specific business tasks. Yet, the difference between unlocking AI's full value and falling short comes down to leadership. The path to success starts with leadership buy-in and investment in innovations that enable centralised, transparent, a...

As the primary school year drew to a close, Equinix, the world's digital infrastructure company, hosted 4th class students from Scoil Ghráinne CNS in Phibblestown for a behind-the-scenes tour of Equinix's DB3 data centre in Dublin. Seventeen students, along with their teachers, met senior Equinix leaders to learn how data centres work and the impact that they have on the students' daily lives. The education day gave the children the opportunity to walk inside the 'physical internet' and discover its far-reaching impact on their own lives, businesses, healthcare and more. The class also learned about Equinix's commitment to net zero and biodiversity. Among the initiatives discussed was Equinix's participation in Digital Infrastructure Ireland's Orchards in the Community project, which plants orchards for schools and other community organisations to encourage pollination. The children also learned about Equinix's onsite beehives and bee habitats. During the visit, the class worked in teams to design collages based on what they imagined the physical internet looks like. Later, Equinix team members took the schoolchildren and their teachers into the heart of the DB3 data centre for an exclusive tour. Warren Delaney, Ireland Operations Director, Equinix, said: "At Equinix, we are committed to educating the communities around us about our role. For these young people, it is eye-opening to walk inside a data centre and imagine the parts of their daily lives that our industry makes possible. For some, it may even spark an interest in a career in technology. Having started my own career as an apprentice electrician, I know that there are many options and pathways into this industry via our apprenticeship and internship programmes in Ireland. It was fantastic to observe the students so engaged and eager to learn." 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.

Peter Burke TD, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, has today commenced a two-day Enterprise Ireland investment mission, focused on strengthening ties with some of the largest Irish-owned global businesses that are headquartered in Ireland. This investment mission will see Minister Burke visiting and engaging with a number of Ireland's homegrown multinational companies at their offices here in Ireland. Discussions will focus on exploring new opportunities for further investment in Ireland, addressing global opportunities and challenges, and potential areas for further collaboration with Ireland's entrepreneurial and research ecosystems. This is the first such investment mission from Enterprise Ireland, led by the agency's new Global Irish Business Unit which was established last year to focus on stimulating investment and deepening relations with global Irish businesses who are making significant contributions to the Irish economy. Over the course of the two days, a number of Enterprise Ireland client companies are set to provide the Minister with updates on business activities, including Ryanair, Kingspan, ICON PLC, Uniphar and Smurfit Westrock. This two-day investment mission demonstrates a commitment to nurturing indigenous global businesses, and provides a platform for significant discussions with the leadership teams from these companies around potential opportunities to expand their operations here. A key objective of the mission is to encourage more value add-activity by these global leaders in Ireland, and to help connect them further with the various aspects of the Irish entrepreneurial and research ecosystems, maximising their contribution to Ireland's economy This strategic investment mission comes as Enterprise Ireland last week confirmed that exports from Irish-owned companies supported by the agency reached a record €36.75bn in 2024, up 7% on the year prior. Employment at companies supported by Enterprise Ireland also reached record levels last year, with 234,454 people employed in these businesses around the country. Enterprise Ireland is committed to supporting companies at all stages of growth, including companies on their scaling journey. In our recently published new five-year strategy, 'Delivering for Ireland, Leading Globally (2025-2029)', Enterprise Ireland outlined an ambition of increasing the number of world-leading Irish companies, with targets of; 275,000 employed in Enterprise Ireland supported companies by the end of 2029, €50 billion in export sales, and having 150 large Irish exporting companies of more than 250 employees supported by Enterprise Ireland by the end of the five-year strategy. Speaking this morning as he commenced this investment mission, Minister Burke said; "Nurturing the development of homegrown Irish success stories is of huge importance to this government, and this investment mission provides a unique opportunity to engage directly with some of Ireland's top business leaders, to identify new opportunities for growth, and to understand more about challenges they are facing. Engaging and meeting directly with entrepreneurs and leaders is hugely important in terms of understanding challenges facing the Irish enterprise base, and I am delighted to lead this important investment mission." The travelling delegation, which will be led by Minister Burke with support from Jenny Melia, CEO Designate of Enterprise Ireland, also provides an opportunity to highlight Ireland as an ideal location for new centres of excellence in digitalisation, research and development, HR, finance, and sustainability. Jenny Melia, CEO Designate, Enterprise Ireland said; "Working with Irish companies at all stages of their growth journey is at the centre of everything we do in Enterprise Ireland. Scaling companies is a key priority for Enterprise Ireland, and it is our long-term ambition that exporting Irish companies become the primary driver of the Irish economy. "A number of important facto...

We caught up with Dame Dawn Childs, from Pure Data and Sam Grady, from A Healthier Earth, to learn more about their positive and interesting work. We cover Dawn's status busting career, and, subsequently, Sam Grady's work with A Healthier Earth to complement Pure Data's sustainability goals. Dame Dawn Childs DBE FREng Dawn is the CEO of Pure Data Centres Group building and operating hyperscale data centres. Before joining Pure she led a multi-billion transformation programme for National Grid across both the gas and electricity transmission businesses. This followed several senior engineering appointments as: the Group Engineering Director for Merlin Entertainments with responsibility for engineering delivery and standards across the worldwide portfolio of theme parks; and the Head of Engineering at Gatwick Airport. She joined Gatwick after 23 years as an Engineering Officer in the Royal Air Force. She is a Trustee of the Royal Academy of Engineering and Chairs the Audit and Risk Committee and a Trustee of the Air League. She was the longest serving President of the Women's Engineering Society, turning it around over a 5 year tenure, and is currently the Chair of the iMasons Committee. She was honoured with a Fellowship of the Royal Academy of Engineering in October 2020 in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the engineering profession and was appointed a Dame Commander of the British Empire (DBE) for services to engineering in the King's New Years Honours 2023. Pure Data Centres: Pure Data Centres Group is a leading developer and operator of critical digital infrastructure - designing, building, and operating data centres in supply-constrained, high-demand markets across Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Pure Data Centres specialise in complex, large-scale projects that bring new capacity online through precise site selection, deep market analysis, and disciplined execution. Every facility is built for long-term performance. Pure Data Centres are used to meeting the exacting standards of the world's largest hyperscalers for security, resilience and compliance. This reflects the critical nature of the infrastructure we deliver and the requirements of our customers. Pure Data Centres drive lasting, positive change and work to minimise the environmental impact of our data centres and build trusted, long-term relationships in the communities where we operate. Today, Pure Data Centres have more than 500MW of capacity live or under development. Sam Grady, A Healthier Earth Sam is a commercial strategy professional with experience of driving social impact in both the public and private sector. He has worked primarily in regulated environments; firstly, as an economist at HM Treasury and then as a commercial policy advisor at the Cabinet Office - responsible for the establishment and management of public-private joint venture companies. Most recently Sam has lead business development activity at National Grid where his focus was on designing and delivering sustainable business models. As AHE's Director of Strategy & Business Development Sam is responsible for building commercial partnerships and creating innovate business models that enable the delivery of our ambitious climate projects. Sam is from the UK and currently lives in North Worcestershire. In his spare time he is an avid golfer on a never ending quest to break par. A Healthier Earth: A Healthier Earth is a climate-tech catalyst committed to finding the solutions that tackle the most urgent regional and global sustainability challenges. With their technology agnostic approach, they bring together the idea, technology and investment to develop, deliver and operate climate solutions at scale. Their team of engineers, researchers and practitioners are dedicated to the Paris Climate Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5°C. A Healthier Earth develop investable business plans, and then deliver and operate planet-positive infrastructure that restores the world we ...

Professional contractors are powering Ireland's workforce, marking a significant shift in hiring dynamics, according to new data from Matrix Recruitment. Women and those over 50 are outperforming in the contract market, while exclusive recruitment partnerships are emerging to tackle a competitive hiring landscape. Matrix's latest Q2 2025 Workforce Trends Report spotlights a growing demand for contract professionals, increased pay transparency, and a new emphasis on diversity, flexibility, and sustainability expertise. "Employers are leaning heavily on contractors to maintain output during hiring freezes, project surges, and hard-to-fill roles," says Breda Dooley, Head of Recruitment at Matrix Recruitment. "Our clients are prioritising agility, and the data shows it's changing who gets hired and how." Contracting on the Rise Contract roles have become central to workforce planning in Ireland; indeed, some 85% of businesses planning to hire on a contract basis in 2025. "Companies are leveraging contractors to cover critical gaps, reduce long-term headcount costs, and accelerate delivery on strategic projects," says Breda. "To support this shift, Matrix offers flexible contract and temporary hiring solutions, including fully managed payroll services to ensure fast, compliant onboarding without overburdening internal HR teams." Women and Older Professionals What's more, for the first time in five years, female contractors are earning more per day than men, according to Matrix data. The average day rate for women across IT, engineering, and healthcare reached €565, compared to €548 for men - a €17 per day historic pay gap in favour of women. Contractors aged 50+ are also in high demand for their expertise and dependability, particularly in technical and operational functions. "The market is recognising the value of lived experience and reliability," says Breda. "Women and older professionals are becoming an integral part of workforce strategy - and that's reflected in pay and hiring activity." Candidate versus Application In recent years, the Irish jobs market has undergone a rapid transformation with the rise of e-recruitment and technology. Nearly all of the Global 500 companies now use some form of online recruitment, which has major benefits and downsides. While job ads are generating high application numbers, many of these applicants lack relevant experience or genuine engagement with the role or employer, notes Breda. "A true candidate is someone who meets the criteria and is sincerely interested in the position," she says. "Quantity doesn't equal quality and hiring managers need curated shortlists, not inboxes full of generic CVs. Although job boards generate huge application numbers, that doesn't equate with viable candidates." Exclusive Recruitment Partnerships Matrix reports a surge in exclusive recruitment arrangements in engineering, finance, and manufacturing, as companies seek faster hiring cycles and better outcomes: "With exclusivity, our consultants can dedicate more time and deliver higher-quality shortlists," says Breda. "It helps reduce time-to-hire and boosts candidate experience. By contrast, multi-agency models often lead to slower results and duplicated efforts." Remote and Hybrid Flexibility The Q2 report also found that remote and hybrid work options remain a top priority for candidates, particularly in finance, office support, engineering, and quality/laboratory roles. A significant portion of Irish managers even implement "hushed hybrid" arrangements to allow their teams flexibility against company policy. However, Matrix advises that clear communication around this helps employers attract stronger talent and achieve better offer acceptance rates. "Flexibility isn't just a perk anymore: it's a strategic advantage," says Breda. "Companies who prioritise hybrid options benefit from a broader and more diverse talent pool." Bottlenecks in Hiring The report concluded that employers still face delays in int...

A new global challenge is looking for sustainable and innovative solutions to reinvent instrument transformers Arteche, a global manufacturer of electrical equipment with presence in over 127 countries, has joined forces with ennomotive, the leading engineering innovation platform, to improve the sustainability of instrument transformers. Arteche's instrument transformers, widely used in power grids around the world, use an insulation system based on paper impregnated with dielectric oil. This is a technically efficient solution, with decades of proven reliability, but it brings an environmental challenge: During manufacturing, to properly impregnate the insulating paper, an "excess" volume of oil is needed, and it remains "free" in the equipment. Seeking innovative solutions Through this open challenge, Arteche and ennomotive invite solvers and tech. companies from around the world to propose innovative solutions that significantly reduce or eliminate free oil in Transformers. Proposals may include new insulating materials, alternative technologies, or modifications to manufacturing processes to achieve these goals. A call looking for global engineering talent This challenge is open to engineers, startups, technology centres, and universities worldwide with experience in electrical design, insulating materials, electrical equipment development, and industrial sustainability. Arteche, the seeker, offers cash prizes for the top proposals submitted by individual solvers, and funding for selected companies to conduct a pilot, in addition to becoming a part of its innovation ecosystem. Professionals and organisations interested in participating must register at ennomotive.com, join the Arteche challenge, and submit their proposals before July 27th, 2025. More information: https://www.ennomotive.com/challenge/reducing-or-replacing-excess-oil-in-instrument-transformers/ About Arteche https://www.arteche.com Arteche is a Spanish multinational company and a leader in the electrical sector. It develops equipment and solutions for the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. Founded in 1946, it operates in more than 175 countries and has around 2,800 employees. Its core business is the manufacturing and commercialisation of measuring transformers, among other products. The company has factories and research centres in Europe, the Americas, and Asia. Arteche's priorities focus on developing an efficient, reliable, and sustainable power transmission and distribution network, aligned with the challenges of the energy transition. Key focus areas include: The use of digital technologies. Asset and data management, including digital twins. The design and development of innovative equipment. The sustainability of its products. About ennomotive https://www.ennomotive.com ennomotive is the leading open innovation platform that connects companies with engineers and startups from all over the world to solve technology and engineering challenges. Companies post their challenges as a kind of contest on the platform and reward the best solutions with cash prizes, projects and recognition. The platform operates globally with customers from diverse industries such as automotive, energy, mining, construction, manufacturing and others. Since 2015 ennomotive has organized +100 global challenges related to mechanical engineering, electrical, energy and water, 3D printing, IoT, satellite, AI, new materials, etc. 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 f...

Dell Technologies has introduced Concept Astro, an innovation that uses AI, digital twins, and automation to optimise energy consumption and streamline data centre operations. As artificial intelligence drives a new wave of digital transformation, growing energy demands have placed immense pressure on global data infrastructure. Increasing AI adoption continues to drive energy demands in the data centre, making the need for smarter, more sustainable solutions more urgent than ever. To meet this need, Dell Technologies has introduced Concept Astro, an AI-driven workload management solution that utilises agentic AI, digital twins, and automation to optimise IT operations and energy consumption. Concept Astro enables enterprises to forecast processing times, predict energy requirements, and prioritise workloads based on business needs, energy availability, and cost without disrupting operations. During a pilot collaboration with Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego, Concept Astro helped researchers optimise AI-intensive workload scheduling, leading to a 20% cost reduction and a 32% decrease in emissions. The successful trial highlights how AI-powered scheduling can deliver tangible sustainability and efficiency improvements for data centres. Dell Technologies continues to invest in energy-efficient technologies that minimise operational costs while maximising business impact. By integrating AI-powered workload scheduling and improving infrastructure efficiency, enterprises can reduce energy consumption, enhance grid resilience, and drive sustainability across their operations. Speaking about Concept Astro, Alyson Freeman, Innovation, Sustainability, and ESG lead at Dell Technologies, said: "Rising AI workloads are expected to drive higher data centre energy use, costs, and emissions. Some experts even predict data centre energy consumption could double by 2030, placing added strain on already burdened power grids. As a result, reliable, resilient and affordable energy has become a top priority for data centre operations worldwide. One of our latest explorations, Concept Astro, uses agentic AI, digital twins, and automation to spur smarter decision making to improve IT operations and energy consumption. This capability is exciting but right now just a concept, with our engineers pushing the boundaries of what is possible to deliver at scale." As Dell Technologies continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in energy-efficient AI technologies, the company is committed to supporting businesses in Ireland and globally to enhance grid resilience, reduce operational costs, and drive sustainable progress. For further insights into Dell Technologies' advancements in AI-driven energy efficiency and data centre operations, read more 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.

Last Saturday, teenage girls from across Ireland gathered at Portershed, a modern co-working hub in Galway's city centre, for the launch of Teen-Turn's 2025 Innovators programme, which is backed in part by BNY. The event marked the beginning of a year-long initiative designed to help participants turn promising afterschool projects into viable tech start-ups. Each year, several Teen-Turn teams develop ideas with real commercial potential - projects that could be brought to market or at least developed into minimum viable products (MVPs). The Innovators programme supports these teams through incubator and accelerator phases. By offering expert mentorship and hands-on support, with guidance from industry and academic professionals, participants are taken through the early stages of the start-up process - from concept to MVP, and, in some cases, company formation. "I'm really looking forward to this year's Incubator and the opportunity to work with such a talented and driven group of young women," said Iseult Mangan, Regional Manager for Teen-Turn. "It's a privilege to be part of a programme that helps transform those ideas into real-world solutions with impact - empowering these girls to become founders, build sustainable companies, and contribute meaningfully to society." The projects in this year's cohort are solving problems that are both personal and surprisingly universal - the kinds of ideas that don't always come from the tech industry, but should. Examples include, from Shannon, Caoimhe, Chloe and Biella are building Focus Future, a platform to help families manage the day-to-day challenges of dementia care. From Claremorris, Ema and Simona are developing Evolve Era, an AI-powered health journal that helps track, analyse and potentially flag skin conditions before they escalate. Michaela (Galway), Orlaith (Mayo), and Flourish (Limerick) are behind Own It, an app designed to help girls and young women navigate menstrual health alongside their sporting and academic lives. And Laila (Longford) and Sofiia (Wicklow) are working on Sweet Health, a diabetes and sugar intake management app. At the launch, the 2025 cohort had the chance to meet alumnae from previous years of Innovators - and get a glimpse of where their own projects might be headed next. Companies from the 2024 year group, who have graduated from the Incubator to the Accelerator phase, are now introducing to the market their tested MVPs. Donna Mae (Clare) and Dana (Mayo) created Gestura, a sign language learning and translation app. And Nora and Elizabeth, both from Galway, developed UNDump, an app encouraging the reuse and recycling of clothing and household items. From the 2023 Innovators cohort, Mary Lillibeth, Katie and Aoibheann, all from Mayo, will now embark on the final programme phase of the Teen-Turn initiative, known as Vector. Vector groups benefit from PayPal supports. Their app, HerdSync, is a farm management tool designed to digitise how Irish farms are run. What started a couple of years ago as a Technovation project after school is now being adopted by target users. At Saturday's launch, the girls had the chance to work with mentors Joe Smyth, SVP of R&D, AI, Digital and Journey Management at Genesys and Co-founder of Altocloud, and Alice Shaughnessy, Clinical R&D Engineer at Luminate Medical and Co-founder of Mirr. Both entrepreneurs shared their own journeys to startup exits and offered guidance throughout the day. Providing young founders with the opportunity to meet people who have actually built something - those who have taken an idea and turned it into a real product, a real company - is a key part of the Innovators programme. "It wasn't a huge event - just a small, focused group of teen girls and mentors in a hub - but it felt like the right space to start something meaningful," said Laila Faissal, one of this year's participants. For those girls entering into the incubator phase, in particular, the day marked their first step into the...

AIB and Microsoft Ireland have announced the rollout of a broad and integrated suite of AI capabilities in AIB to support colleagues and drive greater innovation for AIB customers, transforming how the organisation works, builds, and innovates. This reinforces AIB's commitment to responsible, enterprise-scale AI adoption. At the core of this transformation is the widespread deployment of Microsoft 365 Copilot to the vast majority of AIB employees. Seamlessly embedding AI into everyday tools like Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, and PowerPoint, Copilot will empower colleagues to transform how they work. Copilot optimises forecasting, supports planning, and enhances collaboration by aligning project updates across teams. By reducing time spent on repetitive tasks, these tools will free up time for higher-value work and allow employees to focus on what matters most: delivering exceptional outcomes for customers. To extend these capabilities further, AIB's AI Centre of Excellence is also using Copilot Studio to develop tailored AI solutions - for example, enabling teams to rapidly synthesise customer insights from complex data sources to support faster, more informed decision-making. These solutions will underpin a scalable, governed AI platform that drives measurable outcomes across the organisation. In addition, AIB is planning to introduce a secure, enterprise-grade AI coding tool to accelerate software development with GitHub Copilot, enabling engineers to develop intelligent, secure solutions with greater speed and precision. By streamlining development workflows and collaboration, it will accelerate the delivery of innovative solutions that meet the bank's evolving needs and drive meaningful customer impact. Together, these technologies form a unified ecosystem to enhance how AIB builds, collaborates, and delivers value. This positions AIB at the forefront of innovation in financial services in Ireland. AIB is committed to fostering a collaborative culture as it embeds AI across the organisation. A comprehensive training and support programme will help colleagues build the skills and confidence to get the most from Copilot. The bank will also promote peer learning by encouraging the sharing of insights and experiences. AIB remains committed to engagement with the Financial Services Union on the continued implementation of AI capabilities. Research from Microsoft and Trinity College Dublin shows that AI is expected to add €250bn to Ireland's economy by 2035 and highlights how AI adoption in Ireland has surged to 91%, nearly doubling from 49% in 2024, a significant leap that now puts Ireland ahead of many of its EU counterparts. AIB is already leading the way when it comes to digital innovation, having mobilised its AI Centre of Excellence to ensure it's being used in a safe and responsible way across the organisation, driving the best results for customers and employees. AIB's Chief Technology Officer Graham Fagan, said: "At AIB, we see responsible AI as having a transformative effect on the experience of our customers and the empowerment of our colleagues. We've been exploring its potential with our employees through collaboration and testing, and now we're scaling it across the organisation to deliver smarter, faster, and more meaningful outcomes for our customers and our people. Our AI Centre of Excellence has laid the groundwork for this shift, ensuring that every deployment of AI and generative AI is secure, purposeful, and people-centric. "Through our deepening relationship with Microsoft, we're equipping every AIB colleague with Microsoft Copilot tools - embedding AI into the flow of work to simplify tasks, building fluency, and elevating customer experiences. And we're going further. With GitHub Copilot, our developers are accelerating innovation - building secure, intelligent solutions with greater speed and precision. This is more than a technology rollout. We are unlocking innovation from within and creating space f...