What happens when the barriers to building suddenly collapse?

At Belfast’s first Claude Code meetup, people didn’t simply sit and listen to presentations about AI.

They opened their laptops.

They experimented.

They built.

And many weren’t traditional developers.

In our latest Conversations with Agents of Change, AI solution architect Esteban Rocha Rodriguez describes the moment with a brilliant analogy:

It was like Prometheus handing fire to humanity.

Give people access to capability and they begin imagining what they can do with it.

But this conversation goes beyond the excitement of AI.

Esteban and I explore:

• Why organisations need to understand the problem before applying AI
• How AI could dramatically widen participation in innovation
• Why AI literacy matters for the next generation
• The real economic and environmental costs hidden behind AI
• Why governance and ethics cannot be separated from innovation
• What happens when communities become builders rather than consumers of technology

And perhaps most importantly: who gets to shape what comes next?

Being an Agent of Change isn't simply about understanding emerging technology.

It is about using knowledge, skills and influence to help others participate in meaningful change.

#AgentsOfChange #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #Innovation #Leadership #DigitalTransformation #AILiteracy #Technology #CommunityInnovation #ResponsibleAI

What does a successful birth really mean?

In this deeply personal episode of Conversations with Agents of Change, Izy Boyd speaks with Nicola Morgan, a birth and postnatal doula, childbirth educator and birth trauma support practitioner.

Nicola supported Izy during the birth of her second child—an experience that transformed birth from something frightening and isolating into one where Izy felt informed, protected and heard.

Together, they explore why the health of the baby should not be the only measure of a positive birth experience. They discuss informed consent, emotional safety, continuity of care, birth trauma, advocacy and the importance of helping women remain active participants in decisions about their own bodies.

Nicola also explains:

• What a doula does—and does not do
• Why feeling heard can shape a woman’s transition into motherhood
• How partners can become confident members of the birth team
• Why birth trauma can continue long after leaving hospital
• What meaningful postnatal support looks like
• Why women need practical care, not simply advice
• How compassion and collaboration can begin to change maternity care

Nicola’s message is simple but powerful: women are in charge of their births, positive experiences are possible, and the right support can help a mother remember her strength long after her baby is born.

“Love underpins it all. If we can start with birth, what a better place to start.”

Learn more about Nicola’s doula, birth preparation and birth trauma support services:

The Doula of Belfast . Instagram

Conversations with Agents of Change celebrates people who challenge established systems, create new possibilities and help build a better way forward.

What does it really take to make change happen?

In this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change, Izy Boyd speaks with Judith Rance, Head of Communications and Events at RenewableNI and founder of Women in Renewables.

Judith explains why communication is not simply about promoting ideas—it is about listening, building trust and helping people understand why change matters to them. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience, she shares how communicators connect government, industry, experts and communities, often doing their most important work quietly behind the scenes.

The conversation explores:

• Why listening is at the heart of effective communication
• How trust and evidence protect an organisation’s reputation
• What strong crisis communication looks like
• Why renewable energy offers economic, health and community benefits—not only environmental ones
• How Women in Renewables grew from one event into a supportive network, mentoring programme and platform for new voices
• The impact of imposter syndrome and how women can build confidence through action
• Judith’s recovery after being hit by a car and what it taught her about resilience, progress and optimism
• Why one person really can create meaningful change

Judith reminds us that change rarely arrives through one dramatic action. It develops through conversations, relationships, encouragement and small decisions that create ripples far beyond the person who began them.

“Don’t think about your limitations. Just think: what is the one thing I can do?”

Listen now and discover how better communication can help create a fairer, more trusted and more sustainable future.

Read the full article

#AgentsOfChange #RenewableEnergy #WomenInRenewables #Leadership #Communication #Sustainability #NorthernIreland #ClimateAction

What does meaningful change look like when it begins quietly—through listening, trust, consistency and a room where people feel welcome?

In this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change, Izy Boyd speaks with Louise Spence, Manager of North Down Community Network, about the often-unseen work that helps communities organise, connect and flourish.

Louise shares more than 25 years of experience in community development, reflecting on leadership, volunteer support, youth work, funding inequality and the importance of helping people recognise their own potential.

The conversation explores why community organisations need more than short-term programmes, how sustained relationships can transform young lives, and why people expressing pain through anger deserve the same compassion as those suffering quietly.

Louise also discusses the Dice Futures Project, the challenges facing volunteer-led groups and the importance of creating spaces where people feel seen, valued and genuinely missed.

A thoughtful conversation about community, dignity, resilience and the people working behind the scenes to make change possible.

Conversations with Agents of Change is an initiative from The Change Impact, created to elevate changemakers and ignite conversations about the issues affecting us all.

Stage the Change at Stendhal Festival 2026 | AI, Accountability & the Hidden Costs of Innovation

Recorded live at the iconic Stendhal Festival in Northern Ireland, this special episode of Conversations with Agents of Change brings together a diverse panel of experts to explore one of the most important conversations of our time: Artificial Intelligence.

From bias and inclusion to sustainability, innovation, governance and responsibility, we unpack the opportunities and challenges shaping our AI-powered future.

Joining the conversation are:

🔹 Virginia Mendez – exploring how AI can amplify existing social and gender biases, and why fairness must be designed into the systems we create.

🔹 Esteban Rocha – sharing how AI is transforming innovation, enabling rapid problem-solving and supporting communities in times of crisis, while highlighting the need for education and responsible use.

🔹 Alistair Wilkinson – revealing the physical infrastructure behind AI, from data centres and energy consumption to concrete, steel, water and sustainability challenges often hidden from view.

🔹 Izy Boyd – examining the environmental impact of AI through the lens of the “digital visibility gap” and asking whether greater transparency around energy, water and carbon use is the next step for responsible technology.

The episode concludes with a live audience Q&A and panel discussion covering accountability, regulation, education, governance, privacy and the future of AI.

One message emerged throughout the day:

The next frontier of AI is no longer intelligence—it’s accountability.

Whether you're excited, concerned or simply curious about AI, this thought-provoking live conversation will leave you questioning not just what AI can do, but how we choose to use it.

#ArtificialIntelligence #AI #ResponsibleAI #StendhalFestival #StageTheChange #Sustainability #Innovation #Leadership #Technology #ConversationsWithAgentsOfChange #DigitalTransformation #Accountability

What if the future of sustainability isn’t about replacing materials — but reimagining how we use them?

In this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change, I sit down with Adrian Curry, Chair of Glass Futures and a long-time leader in the glass industry. What starts as a conversation about glass quickly becomes something much bigger — a deep dive into industrial transformation, innovation at scale, and the systems shaping our future.We explore:

• How traditional industries can reinvent themselves
• Why perception and behaviour often matter more than technology
• The challenges of decarbonising energy-intensive sectors
• What it really takes to drive change across complex systems
• And why collaboration — not competition — might be the key to the future

Adrian shares his journey from hands-on beginnings in Northern Ireland to leading global innovation efforts, including the work being done at Glass Futures to rethink how materials are made, used, and reused.

This episode is not just about glass. It’s about how we create change that actually lasts.

Learn more about Glass Futures

Read the full article on the Agents of Change website.

If you’re working on sustainability, innovation, or transformation in your organisation — this conversation is for you.

What if selling didn’t feel pushy, awkward, or transactional—but instead felt natural, human, and rooted in connection?

In this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change, Izy Boyd speaks with Tina O’Hagan—sales trainer, business mentor, and entrepreneur with over 35 years of global experience.

Together, they unpack a powerful reframe: selling is simply having a conversation with a purpose.

Tina shares her journey from hospitality to international sales success, and how she rebuilt her life and business from scratch in Australia—proving that confidence, resilience, and authenticity are the real drivers of sustainable growth.

This episode explores:

• Why people fear selling—and how to overcome it
• Building confidence and overcoming imposter syndrome
• The power of authentic, relationship-led sales
• Women in business and finding your voice
• Sustainability, responsibility, and creating meaningful impact
• How to “just do it” even when you’re not ready

If you’ve ever doubted your worth, struggled to talk about your value, or felt uncomfortable selling—this conversation will change the way you show up in business.

Because at its core, selling isn’t about pressure—it’s about people, purpose, and connection.

Read the article.

In this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change, Izy Boyd speaks with Sara McCracken, PR and communications specialist, founder of The PR Club and creator of the PRESS framework.

Together, they explore how PR is not just about promotion, but about trust, reputation, confidence and change. Sara shares how storytelling can help people and organisations become more visible, communicate with integrity, and use their voice to influence the world around them.

From climate campaigns and public affairs to small business visibility and personal confidence, this conversation is a reminder that your story matters — and that being seen and heard can become a powerful force for good.

Find out about Agents of Change https://agentsofchange.io/

In a tech-driven world, are we overlooking the skills that truly build the future?

This episode features master craftsperson Paddy Finnegan, who’s proving that traditional hand skills aren’t outdated—they’re essential. From empowering young people to creating real-world solutions through the Wheels of Change programme, this conversation is all about dignity, resilience, and opportunity.

Because the future isn’t just digital—it’s still in our hands.

Read the article here

In this episode, Izy Boyd speaks with Tim Magowan, Director of the 174 Trust in Belfast, about social impact, community development, and nonprofit leadership.

From tackling structural inequality to empowering local communities, Tim shares powerful insights on creating sustainable change, coaching-led leadership, and building resilience in underserved communities.

Find out more

https://www.theduncairn.com/