Today's guest is Liam Cronin, Director of Innovation at University College Dublin and former CEO at the RDI Hub. In this episode, Liam reflects on six impactful years at RDI Hub, highlighting job creation, European funding and AI program successes. Now in his new role Nova UCD, he aims to support startups, drive AI innovation and build strategic partnerships.

Topics include:

0:00 His six-year journey building an impactful, community-driven, applied AI hub

5:07 Having an inclusive, customer-driven approach shaped by community feedback

6:59 With a huge AI demand, the challenge now is national scale

10:06 Why the biggest barrier is time, not willingness and advice to start small

12:31 How success in AI needs a people, productivity, and profit focus

15:57 The 2025 AI summer school with a focus on finance

18:07 Moving to UCD to lead innovation and startups