Galway is the location where pioneering developers, design leaders, and cutting-edge creatives in the world of Games will hold key conversations on the industry's future.

Organised by Ardán, the FÍS Games Summit 2025 takes place on Friday, 11th April 2025, in the Radisson RED Galway, bringing together all sectors of the Games industry to learn and connect alongside a carefully curated slate of international guests and experts. Going by registrations, this event is set to be the largest gathering of the games community in Ireland yet.

Key speakers this year will be Xalavier Nelson Jr. and Tom Hall. Xalavier Nelson Jr, the BAFTA-nominated and Forbes 30 under 30 Studio Head of game developer and publisher Strange Scaffold, will deliver the talk 'Don't Let the B*stards Win: Sustainable Game Development in 2025'.

Tom Hall is the Design Lead at Romero Games, the independent Irish video game development studio. His past work on such legendary titles as Wolfenstein 3D, DOOM, and Rise of the Triad has won numerous awards and has been enjoyed by millions of players. He will present the talk, 'Happy Player and The Philosophy of Dense Fun'.

Now in its fifth year, the FÍS Games Summit will address key subjects for the industry, including game production, accessibility, remote work, the nature of fun, and the challenges facing game developers worldwide in 2025 and beyond.

Other key speakers at the FÍS Games Summit will be:

• Séamus Ó Buadhacháin, Senior Programmer at Failbetter Games, which produces interactive narrative games set in an alternative, gothic, Victorian era.

• Drew McGee, Senior Narrative Designer at Grimlore Games, the company behind Titan Quest and the recently announced Titan Quest II.

• Noirin Carmody, Commercial Director and Executive Producer at Revolution Software, which has produced the Broken Sword Series.

• Jennifer Estaris, Game Director at ustwo games, the London company which has produced the award-winning Monument Valley series.

At Summit 2025, Ardán also looks forward to announcing some of the exciting new and upcoming projects it is working on alongside its partners at Imirt and other organisations in Ireland and across Europe.

The FÍS Games Summit 2025 will also be the place to see new and upcoming games via its exhibition space. The expanded event will also offer breakout rooms, roundtable discussions, and games pitching opportunities - truly the busiest and most varied FÍS Games Summit to date.

For more information on the summit see Ardan.ie.

HCLTech have been part of Ireland's IT ecosystem since 1991 and they work with many of the biggest global businesses in banking, insurance, capital markets, FinTech and financial compliance/risk. The company is one of the leading innovators in AI, with annual revenues of $13.8billion and a workforce of over 220,000 people.

The business in Ireland serves 100 million financial services customers & is based there to meet the needs of Europe's financial sector. It has developed strong partnerships with financial institutions helping them navigate complex digital shifts, regulatory changes & operational improvements.

To find out more about HCLTech I recently caught up with Sudip Lahiri, HCLTech's Executive Vice President & Head Europe & UKI, Financial Services. Sudip talks about his background, financial services, Brexit, cryptocurrencies and more.

More about Sudip Lahiri:

Sudip Lahiri heads the Financial Services group in Europe with a focus on the UK, Ireland, Benelux, Nordics, DACH, France, Iberia and South Europe for HCLTech. With over 28 years of experience in IT and over 25 years in the European market, Sudip has made significant contributions towards HCLTech's global Financial Services business and managing top Financial Services customers.

Sudip has been working for HCLTech for the last 25 years and has been instrumental in setting up and growing HCLTech's business in Continental Europe.

Sudip reflects HCLTech's vision of supercharging progress for our clients through passionate commitment and building enduring relationships. He has been the backbone of the Financial Services team, leading with charisma and compassion.

His conviction for running the business beyond transactions and far-sighted approach to creating solutions have been instrumental in growing the business in Europe. He has put great e?o and dynamic thinking into building cXstudio, Co-Innovation Labs and Nearshore Centres in Europe.

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Helpster Charity US Inc, a global nonprofit leveraging technology to improve healthcare access for vulnerable populations in Africa and Asia, has reached a significant milestone: Over 1,000 lives saved and transformed, with around 150 awaiting full reports.

The organisation, which relies on the generosity and support of its donors, volunteers and partners, is celebrating this achievement as a testament to the power of collective action in addressing some of the world's most pressing healthcare challenges.

"We are incredibly proud of what we've been able to achieve, and it wouldn't have been possible without the support of our global community. Over 1,000 lives saved is a huge step forward, but it's only the beginning," said Kate Lysykh, CEO of Helpster Charity.

"This milestone represents not just numbers, but real people - children, parents, and families - whose lives have been given a second chance thanks to the donations and efforts of individuals from around the world."

Since its inception, Helpster has been dedicated to providing life-saving healthcare to communities in need, focusing on regions where healthcare access is often limited or unaffordable. In many parts of Africa and Asia, healthcare access remains a significant challenge.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), nearly 50% of people in sub-Saharan Africa lack access to essential health services, and millions in South and Southeast Asia are similarly underserved.

Helpster's innovative approach uses technology to bridge this gap through direct healthcare funding and medical outreach initiatives for these vulnerable populations in remote areas.

"While we are celebrating this milestone, the reality is that many communities continue to face overwhelming barriers to healthcare. Our work is far from over," Lysykh added.

"We are actively working on several other cases right now, and with the continued support of our donors, we can ensure that even more lives are transformed in the months to come."

One of the core pillars of Helpster's mission is ensuring that no child or pregnant woman suffers or dies due to lack of financial means to access essential medicare. By facilitating financial support for vital healthcare, the charity has become a lifeline for individuals who would otherwise go without such medical care.

"We are deeply grateful to our supporters, who make it possible for us to carry out this impactful work. But the need continues to grow. Every dollar counts in our mission to save lives and improve healthcare access for those who need it most," said Lysykh.

Helpster is calling on the public to help spread the word about its mission. By sharing its cause through social media and encouraging others to contribute, supporters can play a key role in amplifying the charity's impact.

"In times of crisis, sharing the stories of those in need can make a real difference," Lysykh said. "We encourage everyone to join us in spreading the word about Helpster, because together, we can create a healthier, more equitable world for all."

By leveraging technology, strategic partnerships, and the power of community support, Helpster aims to save more lives and ensure that everyone, regardless of location or income, has access to the healthcare they need.

To learn more or make a donation, visit www.helpstercharity.org and become part of the life-saving movement today.

A podcast with Nikita Kuzmin, the founder of Helpster Charity US Inc will be up soon on Irish Tech News.

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eir has announced that all eir TV customers are now upgraded to full Amazon Prime membership at no extra cost. Currently, eir is the only telecom provider in Ireland to offer this benefit. This follows the recent launch of Amazon's dedicated Irish platform, Amazon.ie.

This enhancement builds on eir's commitment to delivering best-in-class home entertainment and follows the recent rollout of Ireland's first and only WiFi 7 system, delivering lightning-fast 2 Gb speeds over eir's 100% fibre-to-the-home network.

Previously, eir TV customers had access to Prime Video, but they are now upgraded to full Amazon Prime membership at no extra cost, unlocking a host of premium benefits beyond streaming. Customers can now enjoy fast and free delivery on millions of items, unlimited access to Prime Video, and exclusive perks with Prime Gaming, including free games and a Twitch channel subscription.

Members also receive unlimited digital photo storage with Amazon Photos, early access to deals, and Prime-exclusive discounts on shopping. Additionally, customers can take advantage of Deliveroo Plus Silver free for a year, offering savings on food delivery and discounted Odeon Cinema tickets. Existing Prime UK customers can save €130 per year by moving to Amazon Prime with eir.

eir TV customers can now stream Amazon Prime Video on up to three devices simultaneously, with access to blockbuster movies, hit TV series, live sport, and Amazon Originals. With its new Android-powered eir TV Box, eir provides a seamless, future-proofed entertainment experience, combining live channels, on-demand apps, and major streaming platforms, including Netflix, Disney+, and Prime Video.

This latest upgrade underscores eir's ongoing commitment to digital entertainment and connectivity. Following the launch of Ireland's first WiFi 7 system and the introduction of the Android-powered eir TV, eir is delivering a next-generation home entertainment and broadband experience. Customers can enjoy ultra-fast, reliable connectivity throughout their homes with WiFi 7, lightning-fast 2 Gb broadband speeds (with 5 Gb coming in June), and now, full access to Amazon Prime at no extra cost.

Speaking about the announcement, Susan Brady, Managing Director of Consumer and Small Business at eir, said: "eir is committed to innovation and delivering the best digital experiences for our customers. By upgrading eir TV customers to full Amazon Prime on us, we're setting a new standard for home entertainment and connectivity. With eir Wide-Fi, lightning-fast 2Gb speeds, and our next-generation eir TV experience, we're bringing world-class connectivity to every home - supporting every device, in every room."

Over the decades, personal computers have evolved from simple work tools into indispensable companions that shape how we live and work.

But now we're on the cusp of a game-changing revolution with Artificial Intelligence (AI) transforming the PC and other devices we use on a daily basis. We are entering a new era in workplace technology, with AI redefining productivity, efficiency, and sustainability for Irish businesses.

Rise of AI-powered PCs

As organisations in Ireland navigate an increasingly data-driven world, the demand for faster and more secure workflows is growing. AI PCs step up to this challenge by integrating powerful on-device AI capabilities that reduce reliance on the cloud.

At its core, AI PCs are accelerated desktops, laptops, and workstations capable of running AI-optimised apps locally on device.

By processing data locally with embedded accelerators like Neural Processing Unites (NPUs), these devices offer a more responsive user experiences and a seamless approach to manage workloads all while ensuring improved security and energy efficiency. This not only enhances operational efficiency but also opens new opportunities for AI development, deployment, and fine-tuning directly at the user's fingertips.

These next-generation devices are more than just an upgrade. They represent a fundamental shift in workplace technology, designed to meet the evolving needs of modern enterprises.

Leveraging decades of innovation in purpose-built accelerators, such as NPUs and GPUs, our latest AI PCs at Dell Technologies help to unlock the power of AI for the end user. With devices like the Dell Pro Max PC can handle up to 30 billion-parameter AI models, equipping Irish enterprises to tackle complex challenges effortlessly.

AI PCs are designed to empower users with unparalleled productivity capabilities. By leveraging on-device AI, these PCs streamline workflows and enable employees to handle complex tasks with ease. Features like intelligent automation and predictive analytics reduce time spent on repetitive processes allowing user to focus on higher-value work.

Sustainability and Innovation

Beyond performance, efficiency, and sustainability, what remains a key priority for businesses across Ireland is to align themselves and support Ireland's environmental commitments while allowing their business to integrate eco-friendly practices without compromising on technological advancement. AI PCs contribute to these goals by optimising energy usage and reducing overall carbon footprints.

At CES 2025, Dell Technologies unveiled its latest AI PC portfolio, showcasing a range of devices built to support diverse business requirements. Devices in the Dell Pro portfolio, features low emissions aluminium and a modular USB-C Port to minimise carbon footprint.

Dell is all-in on the AI PC experience and we're aligning this innovation with the broader vision to lead the industry and offer the most comprehensive AI portfolio spanning from desktop to data centre to cloud, all under one roof.

At a recent event, we brought our AI-enabled PCs and tools directly to Irish customers, developers, and IT administrators, providing hands-on experience of our products designed to build and deploy AI applications seamlessly. By streamlining AI capabilities into everyday workflows, these devices empower users to work smarter and drive real business value.

Our collaboration with industry leaders such as NVIDIA has resulted in innovations like the Dell AI Factory, an end-to-end solution combining cutting-edge hardware and software to deliver unmatched AI performance. Meanwhile, the Dell Data Lakehouse simplifies data management and accelerates insights by up to 90%, allowing businesses to make smarter decisions faster.

Benefits of Adopting AI PCs

In 2025, Irish businesses will embrace AI-powered PCs as essential tools for boosting productivity and redefining the future of work. These advanced devices, equipped with embedded AI, will streamline daily tasks s...

A seminar on Ireland's energy future will discuss how regulation and infrastructural challenges in energy are negatively impacting economic growth in Ireland.

Taking place on Wednesday 2 April and hosted by Engineers Ireland's Energy, Environment, and Climate Action Division, The Merging Energy Landscape - A Pivotal Shift in Industry to Address the Carbon Budget Challenge Seminar, will also highlight the challenges businesses face to reduce emissions, the pressure on industry to meet targets, and the impact on the environment and economy if we fall short.

Speakers at the seminar will include Ciara Ahern, senior lecturer of Building Engineering, TU Dublin and Peter Lantry, Managing Director, Ireland, Equinix a global data centre provider.

According to Ciara Ahern: "The future of smart buildings lies in their ability to act as flexible demand assets within our evolving energy systems. Yet, there is still a significant gap between where we are and where we need to be.

"This seminar will explore how emerging guidelines, scalable solutions, and digital infrastructure can enable buildings to participate in energy markets - reducing carbon emissions and enhancing grid resilience while facilitating greater penetration of renewable energy."

Equinix owns 268 data centres globally, including four retail colocation facilities and 2 xScale facilities in Dublin. Peter Lantry will discuss the need for Ireland to address existing barriers to further digital investment if the country is to avoid missing crucial economic opportunities. "Ireland, especially Dublin, has successfully attracted digital services companies, including data centres, over the past 40 years. The challenge now is how to keep pace with other tech nations amid energy distribution and supply issues that have deterred data centre development, which impacts Ireland's economy."

Additional speakers at the seminar will include Conor Minogue, Senior Executive at IBEC discussing the business case for meeting climate action targets, and Heidi Duffy, Operations Environmental and Sustainability Manager at Iarnród Éireann, sharing insights on the challenges and solutions to the transition to sustainable public transport.

This event will take place in Engineers Ireland, 22 Clyde Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. Tickets are available at www.engineersireland.ie or by following this link.

See more stories here.

EdTech technology start-ups are being urged to apply to the second year of the successful EdTech Accelerator Programme run by The Learnovate Centre and Amazon Web Services (AWS).

Ten places are available on the 8-week programme, which will provide start-ups with mentoring by leading experts in business and product development as well as significant AWS cloud computing credits.

Those who are accepted onto the programme also have a chance to win $100,000 USD worth of AWS products and services at the end of the 8 weeks.

The EdTech Accelerator Programme is a collaboration between Learnovate, a leading global future of work and learning research hub in Trinity College Dublin, and AWS.

AWS is a Patron Member of Learnovate joining a global community of leaders in learning and technology driving innovation in learning and education.

This is the second year of the EdTech Accelerator Programme, which is open to early-stage start-ups that are developing digital solutions to problems related to education and wish to accelerate growth and scale operations. The deadline for applications is Friday, 4 April, 2025.

Each participant in the programme may be eligible for significant credits for AWS cloud computing services across a range of areas, including compute power, database storage, content delivery and other functionality.

Over the course of the 8 weeks, they will also receive 7 full-day workshops led by experts in learning, business and technology at AWS offices at Charlemont Square and Burlington Road in Dublin. Successful applicants will also receive free access to certified AWS training.

All participants will present their solutions at the final 'Demo Day' showcase where a winner - chosen by Learnovate, AWS and industry judges - will receive $100,000 USD of AWS credits. Last year, ALPACA - which developed a game-based tool that identifies potential reading issues in children earlier - was announced as the winner.

This year's Accelerator Programme begins on 29 April 2025 and finishes on 17 June 2025. The deadline for applications is 4 April 2025. Applications can be made via the website, learnovatecentre.org/startups.

The programme aims to provide business mentoring, technical guidance on building and scaling in the cloud, as well as regulatory, data privacy and cybersecurity considerations. Specialist expertise will also be available on topics such as pilot studies, trials, pathways to market, public procurement and investor readiness.

Eligibility criteria for the EdTech Accelerator Programme include:

Companies must have identified a learning problem or need

Applicants must have a working prototype for their solution or require help developing one

The proposed digital solution must be one that improves learner outcomes, enhances workflow, or reduces costs related to learning

Companies must be registered and based in the Republic of Ireland.

Learnovate Director Nessa McEniff said:

"We are thrilled to continue our partnership with AWS in fostering innovation among startups. The accelerator programme has been instrumental in providing emerging companies with the resources and mentorship needed to scale their solutions effectively. We look forward to supporting a new cohort of startups in 2025 as they navigate the challenges and opportunities in the EdTech landscape."

Learnovate Commercialisation Manager Tom Pollock said:

"The global EdTech market continues to rapidly expand, and Irish start-ups are key players worldwide, providing learning solutions that are used in companies, schools, universities and at home. Last year's Accelerator Programme was a huge success with those accepted onto it enjoying the benefits of expert business and technology mentoring. We are delighted to continue to provide this start-up programme in partnership with AWS to increase the support Learnovate already provides to Irish companies building products that fuse learning and technology."

Stephen Bonney of AWS said:

"We are delighted to be launching the seco...

The crypto world has had an interesting 2025 so far. It all started in late January 2025 after President Trump, a big crypto fan took office. President Trump proclaimed his love for all things crypto before launching his meme coin earlier this year.

Elon Musk, his BFF and head of Trump's new DOGE department has been promoting various cryptocurrencies. All of this has resulted in a big uptake in people buying cryptocurrencies.

Two days before President Trump was sworn in, Bitcoin hit a high of $104,536.90. This was due to the new American President being a big crypto fan, and the fact he is looking to launch an official American digital currency. All of this has helped to legitimise cryptocurrencies and prompt various countries to investigate launching their own digital currencies.

Irish Tech News can exclusively reveal that the Irish Government has kept a close eye on what President Trump has been doing in the Crypto World. Within days of the current Government forming, the cabinet took time out from the speaking row debacle to launch a feasibility study on Ireland having their own digital currency.

The Minister of Finance, Pascal Donohoe, got the boffins in the Department of Finance's new digital hub, Crypto Revolutionary Universal Digital (CRUD). The head of CRUD, Professor Rashers O'Toole, quickly got the buckos under him working on this.

Professor O'Toole told Irish Tech News "With tariffs on the way, we had to act fast to protect the Irish economy. The only logical way of doing this was to invest in our own digital currency. "

Once the feasibility study showed beyond doubt that an Irish digital currency had great potential, the next step was to think up a name for the new Irish digital asset.

Professor O'Toole explained what happened next. "The team in CRUD brainstormed over various names before coming up with a shortlist. The following names were on the shortlist, The Lucky Charms Coin, The Leprechaun Coin, and The Shamrock Coin.

"The shortlist was soon whittled down to the Shamrock Coin after various focus groups were held. One major point that was brought up in the focus groups, was that The Shamrock Coin name was too cliched and the name was shortened to the Sham Coin."

When the Taoiseach met President Trump last month, he privately disclosed the idea of creating an Irish digital coin. President Trump was said to be enthusiastic and over the moon at what Ireland is planning to do. "This could be the second greatest thing after the Trump meme coin." Is what President is said to have told our Taoiseach Micheal Martin before he left the White House.

The possibilities, for crypto is endless, and the Irish Government are convinced that they are on to a winner. After various setbacks involving, housing, health, bike sheds and phone pouch's, the Government need to get the general public back on side.

Various opinion polls over the past couple of months have not been kind too the Government and something like this will help get them back in the general public's good books. Ministers Martin, Harris and Donohoe, are not yet in the last chance saloon hoping this gamble pays off.

Crypto Coin future plans

Plans are now in full swing to launch the Sham Coin before the summer, but before that can happen a sale price has to be agreed. The consensus at this moment in time is to make the Sham Coin price affordable, so that as many as possible can buy it. In the next couple of months Minister Donohoe, and Professor O'Toole will hold a press conference to launch the Sham Coin, so keep an eye out for that.

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Rent the Runway, the world's leading shared closet in the cloud, is proud to announce Iarlaith O'Sullivan, a Software Engineer II took home the New Talent Award at the prestigious itag Excellence Awards. The awards were officially presented at a ceremony on March 28, at the Salthill Hotel in Galway.

Rent the Runway was also shortlisted in 5 other categories including, Digital Project MNC Award, Digital Women in Tech Award, Enterprise of the Year Award, IT in the Community Award and the Technology Innovation Award, highlighting Rent the Runway's commitment to driving technological advancement, fostering diversity in the workplace, and delivering innovative consumer-focused strategies.

Launched five years ago, Rent the Runway's European Software and Technology Hub in Galway continues to grow, and is now expanding its team with several positions open. Available roles include Engineer III, Quality Engineering, iOS Engineer, Consumer Engineering, Senior Machine Learning Engineer, Site Reliability Engineer III, Software Engineer III, Full Stack/Front End Developer, and Technical Programme Manager.

"Rent the Runway strives for excellence and innovation and I am delighted to see the team's efforts recognised by the wider tech community across so many categories" said Ronan Conlon, VP, Engineering & Galway Site Lead at Rent the Runway. "Winning the New Talent Award and being shortlisted across multiple categories underscores our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and creating meaningful impact. We are especially proud to be recognised for our efforts in fostering new talent."

Founded in 2000, itag's mission as a non-profit tech association is to develop technology innovation along the AtlanTec Gateway. The itag awards celebrate excellence in digital innovation, recognising organisations and individuals who push the boundaries of technology to drive progress in industries across the west of Ireland.

Further information on the open roles in Rent the Runway can be found here.

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Esri Ireland, the market leader in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), has announced that its digital mapping system enabled Aurum Exploration Services to accelerate the survey of soil samples across almost 23,000km2 in Ireland.

The extensive survey was carried out as part of the Tellus Programme. Led by Geological Survey Ireland and funded by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, the Tellus Programme aims to improve the future management of the environment by building a deeper knowledge of Ireland's soil, rocks, and water.

Esri's ArcGIS technology streamlined workflows for Aurum Exploration, enabling it to deliver the ambitious project in just over one year. The technology replaced the traditional paper-based survey process with innovative digital data capture. The paper-based process was time-consuming with a complex data collection method, taking the Tellus Programme team nine years to reach the halfway milestone on the project.

Using the technology, Aurum Exploration's sampling teams were able to collect, record, and share real-time data on soil samples -ranging from location to land usage and soil characteristics - wherever they were working in the field. Apps could be used even when offline, which was vital for those working in remote locations. Team leaders were able to speedily assign tasks, manage daily workloads, and monitor the project's progress, while programme managers could oversee the data collection process and share project metrics.

Health and safety were boosted for employees as each team's location was visible in near real-time. The platform also facilitated rigorous quality control checks, greatly enhancing the accuracy and integrity of soil sample data. Moreover, reports could be generated on-demand, saving time for teams internally.

In turn, these efficiencies contributed to an estimated saving of 120 days per year, and a reduction in overall operational costs of around €40,000 annually for the project.

Judith Mather, Project Manager, Tellus Programme, Aurum Exploration said: "Having a robust and efficient digital system greatly assisted us to cover more ground in a shorter time, and oversight of the national programme really improved. ArcGIS Dashboards gave our directors and client an accurate and visual real-time overview of what was going on, on a national scale, which is what they needed. In addition, the improvement in data quality was a real testament to the success of ArcGIS applications."

Schalk van Lill, Customer Success Manager, Esri Ireland said: "Our ArcGIS platform has been transformative for the Tellus Programme, and we were delighted to work closely with Aurum Exploration as the team delivered on this vital nationwide project. Reliable data was captured electronically out in the field, reducing the risk of human error and other data collection inconsistencies, even while working remotely. This also boosted productivity, streamlined operations, and improved collaboration among teams for Aurum Exploration. This important project is benefitting our environment now and into the future."

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