A new study by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a global leader in IT services, consulting, and business solutions operating a service delivery centre in Ireland, reveals that while AI ranks among the top enablers for retailers, executives have made limited progress in deploying AI at scale.

The study reveals only 24% of retailers currently use AI for autonomous decision-making, while 85% have not yet begun implementing – or are even planning for- multi-agent AI systems. What's more, to address the most strategic objectives—such as driving profitable growth and improving customer experience and loyalty—retail executives consider AI initiatives their most or second-most preferred tactic. And the more financially successful a retailer is, the more AI initiatives they have in the pipeline.

Based on responses from more than 800 senior retail executives across 18 countries, including Ireland and five major subsectors, the study highlights the operational pressures currently shaping retail transformation. Executives identify the ability to sense market shifts in real time and utilising adaptive AI-powered decision-making among their top priorities for the next one to two years, a signal that retailers increasingly see digital intelligence and agility as inseparable.

Despite AI's strategic importance, deployment remains concentrated around customer-facing applications. 51% of retailers are only just now making basic AI technologies, such as chatbots and virtual assistants, their top AI initiative, suggesting that adoption of advanced intelligence capabilities in retail remains at a superficial level. However, the study suggests these more basic tools will not transform retail economics without deeper integration across merchandising, supply chain, and pricing.

Krishnan Ramanujan, President of TCS's Consumer Business Group, said, "Retailers today are united in their belief that AI will define the next era of competitiveness, yet most have only scratched the surface of its potential. Our Global Retail Outlook reveals that the true opportunity lies in shifting from isolated experiments to pervasive intelligence embedded across the value chain. The retailers that master this transition will become more perceptive enterprises, capable of learning, adapting, and responding in real time. TCS is prepared to address the gaps in the value chain and is building AI-led solutions to unlock the next phase of growth for retailers."

The study also reveals that following cost optimisation, AI-powered technologies are ranked among the top essential capabilities for 2026, with the ability to sense market changes and competitor moves in real time and adaptive AI-powered decision-making capabilities ranked #2 and #3 (out of 10) for retailers. In terms of retailers biggest hurdles leading into 2026, the workforce skills gap was near the top of challenges, second only to financial pressures.

Cheenttan Voraa, global head of retail consulting said, "The retail sector is at a defining crossroads. Leaders recognize AI as an essential technology to stay ahead in the next era of competitiveness, yet most organisations remain early in their journey toward true enterprise intelligence. Advancing from siloed use cases to connected, perceptive systems will require bold investments, not only in technology but in AI-savvy talent, along with improved processes and operating models. TCS is committed to partnering with retailers and empowering them to lead in the AI era."

The study indicates that retailers see AI-powered decision-making, faster time-to-market for products and services, and automated workflows among the capabilities that will most significantly impact performance in the near term, surpassing conventional business analytics and intelligence tools. Executives also express strong urgency around cybersecurity and privacy and in the data still locked inside loyalty programs, where fewer than half say they're able to use such information to demonstrate marke...

Ekco, one of Europe's leading security-first managed service providers, has announced that it is opening a new office in Trinidad and Tobago, in the Caribbean, representing an investment of €10 million over the next two years. The company's expansion in the Caribbean will lead to the creation of 18 jobs by the end of 2027. It will enable Ekco to more than double its revenues in the region from €2 million to €5 million over the same period.

This expansion builds on Ekco's strong presence across the Caribbean over the past 12 years. The Irish-founded and headquartered company, with a global workforce of more than 1,000 people across the UK, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the U.S., will use its new base to deepen relationships with long-standing clients and strengthen its regional presence in countries including Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, and Jamaica.

Ekco works with Caribbean-based organisations in highly regulated industries such as financial services, legal, and government.Driving demand for Ekco's services among these industries is the growing volume of increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks, ever-evolving regulatory requirements, and a shortage of technical skills and internal resources to keep pace with rising threats.

In addition, the company will continue to build on its strong relationships with leading industry partners including the Caribbean Telecoms Union and Digicel to further enhance its capabilities and drive business growth in the market.

The new jobs will be created globally, all with a sole focus on the Caribbean market. They will cover sales and technical roles to support Ekco's continued growth in the Caribbean.

Mark Donnellan, Head of Business Development – Caribbean, Ekco, said: "Ekco is currently on a path of accelerated global expansion which is being driven by organic business growth and a number of strategic acquisitions. As we continue to scale up our operations in the Caribbean region, we are excited to boost our offering for businesses, grow our customer base, and forge deeper relationships with valued partners in the market.

"Against a rising tide of cyber threats and a backdrop of increasing regulations, our team can help to fill widening technology skills gaps and enable businesses to remain competitive. We believe that the region will provide rapid business growth opportunities for Ekco and support the continued expansion of our skilled team. We are looking forward to strengthening our footprint in the Caribbean and, in doing so, supporting its growing economy."

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AI adoption is accelerating, but confidence is lagging

Regulatory uncertainty is now the biggest brake on AI adoption across Europe. According to AWS policy lead Sasha Rubel, 68 percent of organisations don't understand their obligations under the EU AI Act, and many are spending up to 40 percent of IT budgets on compliance.

Billy Linehan interviewed Sasha Rubel at AWS re:Invent in Las Vegas.

Europe's AI problem

AI capability remains central at re:Invent, but governance, skills and trust are increasingly part of the conversation. This message frames a policy-focused conversation with Sasha Rubel of AWS.

Regulation has become the brake

The EU AI Act is now moving from policy into practice. According to Rubel, regulatory uncertainty is now one of the biggest obstacles to AI adoption across Europe.

"One of the biggest blockers to AI adoption is regulatory uncertainty. Right now, around 68 percent of organisations don't understand their obligations under the EU AI Act, and many are spending up to 40 percent of their IT budgets on compliance-related costs."

The result is hesitation at precisely the moment when AI is moving from pilots into production. For smaller economies like Ireland, the issue is not just compliance, but speed.

Who is Sasha Rubel?

Sasha Rubel leads AI and generative AI policy for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Amazon Web Services, working with governments and regulators on how AI is governed and deployed at scale. Before joining AWS in 2021, she spent more than a decade at UNESCO, where she led global work on artificial intelligence, digital transformation and technology policy. Rubel has personal ties to Ireland, sits on Ireland's AI Advisory Council, and has addressed the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Adoption is accelerating, unevenly

AI uptake across Europe is rising, but Rubel points to a widening gap in how it is being adopted.

"What we're seeing is a two-tier economy. Startups are moving quickly on AI, while larger organisations and the public sector are moving more slowly."

The divide is not just between company sizes, but between sectors. Tech-native industries are pulling ahead, while others struggle to translate AI into practical use. For Ireland, where SMEs employ nearly 70% of the workforce, that gap isn't academic but structural.

Why the public sector matters

Rubel repeatedly returns to trust, and the role of government in building trust.

"I actually salute the Irish government, because Ireland has been very proactive in thinking through how we can accelerate AI adoption in the public sector. When the public sector leads on AI adoption, it inspires trust in citizens, and that trust really matters."

Visible, responsible public sector use of AI, according to Rubel, gives private companies confidence to move faster, particularly in highly regulated environments.

Skills, not technology, are the constraint

Many businesses say they lack in-house capability, while staff who want to upskill struggle to find the time or afford formal training. The result is slower adoption.

"There are some really key barriers to AI adoption, and the first is digital skills. Ireland has been at the forefront of thinking about how the private sector and the public sector can come together to address that challenge."

Rubel highlights EdTIPS, an AWS programme bringing AI literacy into Irish primary schools. AWS also offers free, self-paced AI training for adults, covering not just how AI works, but how to use it responsibly, including bias, fairness, privacy and security.

Rubel stresses that progress depends on collaboration.

"Ireland has been at the forefront of national upskilling initiatives that bring together government, policymakers, industry and academia, both nationally and at a local level. That kind of collaboration really matters when technology is moving this fast."

Democratising access to AI

For Rubel, skills are not just an economic issue, but a participation issue.

"We ...

By David Stephen who looks at the latest trends from CES 2026

The Consumer Technology Association held the Consumer Electronics Show 2026 in Las Vegas, from January 6 – 9, with AI as the dominant theme. But if AI is accelerating, what becomes of human intelligence?

Who, on earth, has custody of human intelligence? Simply, there are several artificial intelligence research labs, startups, companies, projects, conferences which can be described as custody of AI, but who exactly is working directly on how to improve human intelligence, anywhere in the world?

Latest trends from CES 2026

What has become of humanity is evident with what is happening with the race towards artificial general intelligence [AGI]. How can, say a company raise $20 billion for more AI, including data centers and there is no consensus at least on the definition of human intelligence or what it is in the brain?

Why is there no project on how to improve human intelligence for problem-solving? How is it not possible to at least be able to describe the difference between what is labeled as memory and what is called intelligence?

If humanity is doing so much for AI, with the assumption that humanity will benefit, what is humanity doing for human intelligence, with the assumption that humanity will benefit?

If everything that has improved humanity came by human intelligence, does it not show that prospects abound for human intelligence? Where, if more is done to extricate details [even conceptual] about it, in the brain, it would be decisive.

While AI is immensely helpful and AGI would be even more helpful, does it not mean that the time for the quest into solving what human intelligence is, is ripe to ensure that humanity stays competitive if AGI becomes reality?

How is human intelligence not the concern of any team, any university, any company, any organization or any nation? How is it not clear that because the world is still run by the law of ownership, artificial intelligence will mostly belong to artificial intelligence? If humanity decides to give up on certain [intelligence-based] complex attempts at scale, with outsourcing to artificial intelligence, would that not mean the horizon of a fall?

CES 2026

There is a recent article on TechCrunch, The most bizarre tech announced so far at CES 2026, stating that, "While CES 2026 is full of tech giants unveiling their latest innovations, the real excitement comes from discovering unexpected, quirky gadgets that make you ask, "Who thought of this?""

"We're here to spotlight the wildest products we've found so far at CES 2026, from an AI-powered panda that responds to your touch, to Razer's holographic anime assistant, and plenty more weirdness that makes you do a double-take: An AI anime companion that watches you from your desk. A cuddly AI baby panda robot for older adults. A $500 ice cube maker that uses AI to reduce noise. An ultrasonic chef's knife that vibrates when slicing and dicing. A musical lollipop that plays Ice Spice in your head."

Human Intelligence Research Lab

The biggest problem with the human mind is that it applies to certain changes almost immediately, and with continuity, it may not revert to the old state.

As AI use percolates productivity, relationships, companionships, academics and much more, there are relays that the human mind would miss that may affect some untapped capabilities for problem-solving at a later time. This is a risk for human intelligence.

Intelligence can be defined as the use of memory for expected, desired or advantageous outcomes. This means that intelligence is mostly relays, while memory is mostly stations.

So, the quality of relays across stations can mean intelligence. Now, if this quality continues to wane, because some other assistant is available, it may not be good in some cases, where advantage would have been possible, say over AI or some obstacles.

Humanity is not yet at the stage of a smart pill, nootropics, intelligence pill, smart drugs or cognitive ...

Global adoption of AI continued to rise in the second half of 2025, increasing by 1.2 percentage points compared to the first half of the year, with roughly one in six people worldwide now using generative AI tools, remarkable progress for a technology that only recently entered mainstream use. To track this trend, we measure AI diffusion as the share of people worldwide who have used a generative AI product during the reported period. This measure is derived from aggregated and anonymised Microsoft telemetry and then adjusted to reflect differences in OS and device-market share, internet penetration, and country population.

Additional details on the methodology are available in Microsoft's AI Diffusion technical paper. No single metric is perfect, and this one is no exception. Through the Microsoft AI Economy Institute, we continue to refine how we measure AI diffusion globally, including how adoption varies across countries in ways that best advance priorities such as scientific discovery and productivity gains.

Despite progress in AI adoption, the data shows a widening divide: adoption in the Global North grew nearly twice as fast as in the Global South. As a result, 24.7 percent of the working age population in the Global North is now using these tools, compared to only 14.1 percent in the Global South.

Countries that have invested early in digital infrastructure, AI skilling, and government adoption, such as the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Norway, Ireland, France, and Spain, continue to lead. The UAE extended its lead as the #1 ranked country, with 64.0 percent of the working age population using AI at the end of 2025, compared to 59.4 percent earlier in the year. The UAE has opened a lead of more than three percentage points over Singapore, which continues in second place with 60.9 percent adoption.

The second half of the year in the United States shows that leadership in innovation and infrastructure, while critical, does not by themselves lead to broad AI adoption. The U.S. leads in both AI infrastructure and frontier model development, but it fell from 23rd to 24th place in AI usage among the working age population, with a 28.3 percent usage rate. It lags far behind smaller, more highly digitised and AI-focused economies.

South Korea stands out as the clearest end-of-year success story. It surged seven spots in the global rankings, climbing from 25th to 18th, driven by government policies, improved frontier model capabilities in the Korean language, and consumer-facing features that resonated with the population. Generative AI is now used in schools, workplaces, and public services, and South Korea has become one of ChatGPT's fastest-growing markets, leading OpenAI to open an office in Seoul.

A parallel development reshaping the global landscape in 2025 was the rapid rise of DeepSeek, an open-source AI platform that has gained significant traction in markets long underserved by traditional providers. By releasing its model under an open-source MIT license and offering a completely free chatbot, DeepSeek removed both financial and technical barriers that limit access to advanced AI. Its strongest adoption, not surprisingly has emerged across China, Russia, Iran, Cuba, and Belarus. But perhaps even more notable is DeepSeek's surging popularity across Africa, where it is aided by strategic promotion and partnerships with firms such as Huawei.

This rapid evolution underscores an increasingly important dimension of AI competition between the United States and China, involving a race to promote adoption of their respective national models. DeepSeek's success reflects growing Chinese momentum across Africa, a trend that may continue to accelerate in 2026. DeepSeek's ascent also underscores a broader truth: the global diffusion of AI is influenced by accessibility factors, and the next wave of users may come from communities that have historically had limited access to technological progress. The challenge ahead is en...

CeADAR, Ireland's centre for AI, has confirmed it is to receive €5.675m in funding for Phase 2 of the European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) Programme.

The €5.675 million funding will go towards CeADAR's European Digital Innovation Hub Programme, a Europe-wide initiative. It is co-funded by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, via Enterprise Ireland, and the Digital Europe Programme.

CeADAR is one of Ireland's four European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) which are at the forefront of supporting the digital transformation in Ireland.

Phase Two of the EDIH programme, which runs from 2026 to 2029, was announced by the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke TD at the end of last month.

It will allow the significant scale up of digitalisation efforts among SMEs and public sector organisations. Through EDIH, CeADAR helps SMEs and Public Service Organisations (PSOs) become more digitally intense by providing access to technical expertise in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics, as well as test-before-invest solutions, skills development and support to find investment.

The EDIH funding will further support start-ups through CeADAR's AI Accelerator programme, delivered in partnership with NovaUCD. In the next phase, CeADAR will collaborate with Irish Centre for High-End Computing (ICHEC) to provide access to advanced compute capabilities and specialist expertise where this adds value to enterprise and public sector engagements.

CeADAR, which is based at UCD, allows organisations to access funded specialist training and upskilling as well as development and testing of prototypes, and scope proof of concept solutions, helping these organisations to understand how they can benefit from analytics and AI, minimising the barriers to the adoption of technology.

CeADAR is also announcing it has been awarded the prestigious Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) Seal award by the European Commission. This recognition marks CeADAR's continued excellence in driving innovation and supporting businesses in Ireland.

The STEP Seal (or Sovereignty Seal) award is a quality label awarded to excellent European projects and aims to recognise top-rated innovation projects, facilitate access to European Funding and attract additional or alternative private or public investment.

CeADAR CEO John Lonsdale said:

"CeADAR is delighted to have had funding confirmed for the second phase of the EDIH programme, enabling us to continue to assist SMEs and Public Service Organisations across Ireland by supporting them in accelerating their digital journey with AI and data science."

CeADAR Director of Innovation & Development Ricardo Simon Carbajo said:

"It is a great honour for CeADAR to be awarded the prestigious STEP Seal Award from the European Commission. The award is a testament to the continued hard work of everyone at CeADAR and we look forward to continuing to drive innovation through our European Digital Innovation Hub programme."

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More homeowners and businesses are taking control of their energy costs than ever, with 2025 the highest year on record for government grants through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Thousands of homeowners, motorists, communities, and businesses are now benefiting from warmer, more comfortable homes and workplaces and lower energy bills after a record €645 million investment last year.

William Walsh, CEO of SEAI, said: "Energy costs are on the minds of many, especially at this time of year, and at SEAI we are here to help, with a range of grants and an expert team available to help homeowners and businesses to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels, no matter what stage they're at.

Last year was a record year for investment – there is real momentum now behind our programmes. Many people know a friend, neighbour or colleague who has made the decision to upgrade their home or business and is feeling the benefit of the work, both in their pocket with reduced energy costs, and in their health and overall comfort levels.

We plan to help even more people this year, and I really encourage anyone considering a change to have a look at our website www.seai.ie and see how we can help you."

2025 highlights:

Over 58,000 home energy upgrades completed (8% more than last year).

Highest year on record for Warmer Homes Scheme with over 8,000 homes at risk of fuel poverty receiving a free energy upgrade, lowering their energy bills and improving their health outcomes.

Record year for solar PV – more than 102,000 homes have now been grant-aided for solar panels since the scheme launched in 2018, and a third of those happened in 2025.

Over 18,000 motorists received grants to buy an electric vehicle and a home charger

Over 4,500 businesses supported to reduce their energy costs, in every county in the country.

SEAI continues to be Ireland's national energy authority and the leading research body on how and where Ireland uses energy. In 2025 we awarded €22 million in research and innovation funding.

Improving customer service continues to be a priority for the organisation – in 2025 SEAI managed over 320,000 customer contacts through our dedicated customer service teams.

William Walsh continued: "The long-term solution to high energy costs is to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. Energy is central to everything we want to achieve as a country, and we must put our energy system on a more sustainable, secure footing and remove ourselves from the volatility of the international markets. Everything we do must consider and protect those most vulnerable in the transition. SEAI is here to help, no matter what stage a person or business is at.

Our 2025 Energy in Ireland report, published in December, shows that while we are making some progress in reducing our energy-related emissions, we haven't broken the link between economic success and fossil fuels, and we need to do a lot more to meet our goals. The good news is we know what works. Increased renewable energy infrastructure and grid reinforcement, more home energy upgrades, district heating and investment in public transport are among the many solutions that would make a big difference.

In moving away from fossil fuels, we are moving towards a more secure, healthier, more competitive economy and society for all."

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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 [email protected] now to discuss.

Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at [email protected] now to find out more about how we can help you reach our audience.

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Guest post by Ronnie Hamilton, pre-sales director, Climb Channel Solutions Ireland

If compliance feels overwhelming right now, it's not just your imagination. New regulations covering cybersecurity, data protection and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are emerging and evolving – including the EU AI Act. In turn, this means heightened pressure on organisations as they try to navigate the new landscape, anticipate industry shifts, and support partners and customers.

This is also happening within the context of a marketplace defined by complex customer environments, emerging technologies, resource constraints and skills shortages. Organisations must overcome these obstacles to meet their objectives and drive success.

It's a balancing act – between daily operations and legislative requirements, agility and security, compliance and innovation. It's also more important than ever for companies, including technology vendors, to stay ahead. How then do they turn compliance with legislation into a competitive advantage?

Open (AI) conversations

AI adoption plays a critical role in maintaining a competitive edge. By embracing AI, organisations can deliver exceptional services with fewer resources, keeping costs low and service quality high. However, caution must be exercised with open and honest conversations about application and implementation.

After all, the EU AI Act introduces new obligations for organisations deploying AI solutions – emphasising transparency, accountability, and risk management throughout the AI lifecycle. That means greater scrutiny not only from external bodies but also within companies.

For instance, some may consider introducing AI governance roles or availing of offerings such as "AI Managers as a Service." These specialists help companies navigate regulations without requiring full-time in-house expertise and turn the additional cost of AI governance into a business opportunity that strengthens customer service and market position.

Risky business

It goes without say that AI is high-risk and this risk is multi-dimensional in that it encompasses technical risk, as well as agility, integrity and transparency. Therefore, businesses need to take a comprehensive approach to risk management and adhere to robust cybersecurity processes, from multi-factor authentication and regular training to incident response planning, and supply chain security.

This may also require a change in mindset to shift to a more proactive approach covering detection, protection and recovery. A lengthy recovery period following a breach can be just as harmful as failing to detect the threat in the first place. Whilst AI poses a risk and has transformed the threat landscape, it is also assisting in terms of cybersecurity strategy.

Take the integration of automation into threat detection and response processes for example. This is becoming more widespread and more important for meeting compliance requirements. It also enables companies to better manage and protect their data, one of the most valuable (and targeted) assets in the world of business nowadays.

Innovation opportunity

From tackling compliance complexity to streamlining time-consuming processes, these technologies help organisations to minimise human error, enhance efficiency and improve service delivery. That's not to mention the advantage they deliver when it comes to threat detection and resolution.

On one hand, regulatory compliance is daunting. On the other, it presents a significant market opportunity. Forward-thinking firms and vendors can use this to differentiate themselves and demonstrate expertise. In other words, it can be a driver of innovation if approached in the right way.

Only those who evaluate emerging solutions and proactively adopt new technologies, alongside proper governance and compliance strategies, will be well-positioned for success. That means investment. It also means collaboration. But it is worth the effort as finding that balance will not only allow org...

EHS International, a leading provider of environmental, health, and safety (EHS) services with offices in Cork, Dublin, Belfast and London, has launched new certified training courses in construction safety. Fully accredited by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), the courses cover both Project Supervisor Design Process (PSDP) and Project Supervisor Construction Stage (PSCS).

Designed for professionals overseeing safety during the design and build phases, the training supports compliance with the?Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013. Courses are led by experienced EHS International trainers and are available both in person and via live, instructor-led webinars.

Speaking on the new training courses, Derry Cronin, Group Business Operations Director at EHS International, said: "Project supervisors play a central role in keeping people safe and projects on track. These courses provide the practical knowledge and real-world context professionals need to meet their legal responsibilities with confidence."

The two-day PSDP course prepares participants to coordinate health and safety during the design phase, while the PSCS course equips professionals to manage safety on active construction sites. Both are fully accredited by IOSH, the world's largest chartered body for health and safety professionals.

Courses are offered by EHS International's expert trainers in-person in Cork and Dublin or via live instructor-led webinars, providing flexible options to suit all learners. Participants receive practical, up-to-date training and certification aligned with national regulations and industry best practices.

To register or learn more, visit: https://www.ehsinternational.com/iosh-training-courses/

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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 [email protected] now to discuss.

Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at [email protected] now to find out more about how we can help you reach our audience.

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Esri Ireland, the market leader in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), has announced that Dublin Fire Brigade has deployed a new digital mapping system designed to improve emergency response, strengthen firefighter and public safety, and enhance how critical resources are allocated across Dublin city and county.

Ireland's largest fire and rescue service, Dublin Fire Brigade was founded over 160 years ago. It provides fire, rescue, and emergency ambulance services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to Dublin's 1.5 million citizens. It recently established a new Organisational Intelligence Unit with a key goal to optimise the use of location-based information to effectively manage fire risks and help keep communities safe.

Built using Esri's ArcGIS technology, the new digital mapping system brings together operational data, such as the locations of fire stations and historic fire incidents, with third-party data – including census and population health information – for the first time.

Enhanced insights support increased safety for both the public and firefighters by raising awareness of buildings in Dublin with fire safety issues – such as inadequate means of escape, building defects, or over-occupancy. Using the technology, Dublin Fire Brigade can now map this information and put effective response plans in place that take known issues into account.

What's more, the technology is enabling Dublin Fire Brigade to carry out more targeted community fire prevention activities by focusing citizen safety campaigns on specific vulnerable groups, especially in locations that are experiencing clusters of dwelling fires. It can easily see where fire safety efforts are still needed to reach at-risk communities, as well as contextual data such as concentrations of smokers or elderly people.

In addition, Dublin Fire Brigade is using Esri's ArcGIS technology to identify optimal locations for new fire stations as Dublin continues to expand, as well as to ensure that aerial fire appliances are strategically located to reach the tallest and highest-risk buildings.

Dublin Fire Brigade plans to make the system widely available across varying departments within the organisation to enable more strategic planning and informed decision-making.

Rob Howell, Station Officer, Organisational Intelligence Unit, Dublin Fire Brigade, said: "It has been a really successful collaboration. The consultants at Esri Ireland have a high level of expertise, both in terms of their GIS knowledge and their project management skills. This technology gives us the ability to target our fire prevention strategies – we can deliver campaigns in the right locations to reach the most vulnerable people and have the biggest impact in terms of community fire prevention.

"Equally, we have to consider firefighters' health and safety as well as that of the general public and, by being better informed, we can improve our responses to incidents and keep our responders safe in fires and other emergency situations. The potential for location intelligence in the fire service is absolutely huge and has a big role to play in our future."

Gareth McBride, Customer Success Manager, Esri Ireland, said: "Dublin Fire Brigade is continuously evolving the fire service to meet the needs of Dublin's residents, businesses, institutions, and visitors. To support this, it is embedding geospatial data intelligence at the heart of operational and strategic decision-making. Location intelligence is helping the fire brigade in managing and reducing fire risks, addressing some of the biggest dangers in a changing cityscape. We are delighted to be working with Dublin Fire Brigade on such an important and necessary project, and excited to see its expanded capabilities as the technology is rolled out more widely."

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