The eleven start-ups selected to participate in University College Dublin's (UCD) new AI Ecosystem Accelerator programme have been announced. The focus of this new accelerator programme is to support entrepreneurs who are developing disruptive AI (artificial intelligence) solutions for a global market.

The participating start-ups are; ALPACA, Customs Window, Durotimi AI, Frontier AI, GoMappED, KnowCarbon, La Casa Care, SonnyLabs.ai, Tashka Technology Solutions, VoxMed.AI and wrksense.

The 6-month AI Ecosystem Accelerator programme, beginning today, will be delivered by NovaUCD, the hub of innovation and start-up activities at UCD, in partnership with CeADAR, Ireland's National Centre for Applied AI.

The programme is funded through the European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH) framework, a Europe-wide initiative with funding of €700 million from both the European Commission and the Governments of member states. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, through Enterprise Ireland, is leading on the EDIH programme for Ireland and CeADAR has been designated as the European Digital Innovation Hub for AI in Ireland.

Speaking at NovaUCD, Dara Calleary TD, Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, said, "I am delighted to be at University College Dublin for the launch of the inaugural AI Ecosystem Accelerator Programme.

Meeting with the entrepreneurs taking part in this exciting programme I am pleased to see that in keeping with 'AI- Here For Good', the Government's national AI strategy, the participating start-ups are focused on using AI to benefit citizens and the way we live and work.

The dedicated supports and mentoring which will now be provided by NovaUCD and CeADAR during the coming months will help the start-ups to accelerate their growth and development in Ireland, and also on the international stage, and I wish them every success.

I am delighted that the funding for this important accelerator programme has been received via European Digital Innovation Hubs as the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, through Enterprise Ireland, is leading on the EDIH programme for Ireland."

Targeted supports for the 11 participating start-ups over the next 6-months include a dedicated commercial mentor and workshops on value proposition, route to market, sales strategies, and securing investment. Participants will have access to co-working space at NovaUCD and access to the NovaUCD community of founders, investors, business partners and student interns.

They will also have access to CeADAR's EDIH for AI services which include AI technologies, and research expertise with technical mentorship.

Professor Kate Robson Brown, UCD Vice-President for Research, Innovation and Impact said, "The Government's ambition is that Ireland becomes a leading country in using AI for the benefit of people.

Through this new AI Ecosystem Accelerator programme starting today UCD is supporting a dynamic cohort of Irish start-ups and entrepreneurs who are focused on using AI technologies to deliver a range of disruptive products and services, for the benefit of society, not only here in Ireland, but on a global stage."

She added, "There was a great demand from start-ups across Ireland to take part in the programme which will be delivered by NovaUCD and CeADAR, and I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the 11 selected start-ups. I am looking forward to attending the showcase event at the end of the programme to learn more about how the participants have accelerated their start-ups to the next level and to find out more about their global ambitions."

Emma Callinan, Director of Commercialisation, Enterprise Ireland, said, "The AI Ecosystem Accelerator programme will provide entrepreneurs across sectors including Healthcare, Cybersecurity, Education, and Sustainability with the opportunity to advance their AI start-ups through a range of targeted technical and commercial supports.

Enterprise Ireland is del...

By Tara Gale, Client Solutions Lead, Dell Technologies Ireland

The world of work has evolved significantly in our digital age. New technologies have enabled greater connectivity and collaboration between employees whether coming together in-person or working remotely.

The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) may have the most profound impact yet on the workplace as we know it. AI is a once-in-a-generation technology that provides significant potential to create more agile, flexible, and efficient workplaces in the future.

From enhancing productivity to fostering collaboration and enhancing the security of digital infrastructure, developing a modern workplace with new AI experiences will enhance the user experience today and set organisations up for success in the future.

An AI-enabled workforce

Most businesses in Ireland already recognise the importance of embracing AI in preparing their organisation for the future. Research by IBEC reveals that nearly two in three Irish businesses believe that AI has the potential to enhance productivity and work conditions.

The race to prepare for an AI-enabled future is already well underway across many industries, with substantial investment in AI-related infrastructure. According to the IDC, total global investment in AI is expected to increase to $301.43 billion by 2026.

The potential impact of the technology is significant and wide-ranging across many industries and applications. AI is key to unlocking value within data and thus is becoming one of the most important tools for businesses of all sizes.

Among the workforce, AI has the capacity to automate many routine tasks, freeing up employees to focus on more strategic and value-added productivity. When you automate intelligently, team members can spend less time on repetitive, routine tasks and more on innovation, creative thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration.

For example, the use of generative AI (GenAI) tools to create written content or images from prompts can speed up the completion of time-intensive tasks like writing reports creating presentations and proposals, or emails. In the advertising industry, these tools are already being used to quickly develop high-quality assets that may only need minor editing from human designers before being rolled out in campaigns.

AI tools can also be used to enhance collaboration and communication across the workforce. For instance, AI-powered notetaking tools that transcribe and analyse meeting content can be used to ensure better understanding and information sharing across teams saving time on mundane tasks.

The Role of AI powered workstations

As organisations look to advance their AI capabilities, AI-powered workstations are set to be a crucial pillar in ensuring their workforce can harness the power of the technology at scale. The development and deployment of AI technologies on workstations offers significant strategic and operational benefits for businesses from greater flexibility to scaling and simplified implementation.

As the use of AI tools in the workplace rapidly grows and AI models increase in size and complexity, AI workstations can provide a highly scalable infrastructure solution that meets the evolving needs of organisations. Recently launched, Dell's new range of AI-powered Precision desktop and laptop workstations provide enhanced support for the high level of data processing required to manage AI workloads in the modern workplace.

Each workstation is equipped with a neural processing unit, a specialised processor optimised for handling complex mathematical computations integral to artificial neural networks. This high performance is complemented by large storage and memory to enable the efficient handling of vast amounts of data and speed up the development cycle of AI models.

AI-powered workstations also provide increased flexibility for organisations in the development of AI models. High-end processors and powerful GPUs built into the workstations enable d...

Aston University civil engineering experts are teaming up with construction and surfacing company Miles Macadam to help make road surfaces more sustainable.

The University has entered a knowledge transfer partnership (KTP) with the Cheshire-based firm, which manufactures and installs 'grouted macadam', an asphalt and cement-based material for road and industrial surfacing.

Working to create more sustainable road surfaces

A KTP is a three-way collaboration between a business, an academic partner and a highly qualified researcher, known as a KTP associate. The UK-wide programme helps businesses to improve their competitiveness and productivity through the better use of knowledge, technology and skills.

Aston University is a sector-leading knowledge transfer partnership provider, with 80% of its completed projects being graded as very good or outstanding by Innovate UK, the national body.

The grouts that Miles Macadam use in their surfacing products contain fly ash, a waste product from coal-fired power stations, which now has to be imported. As a result, the quality of this fly ash is variable and the supply can be erratic. Miles Macadam is collaborating with the University to find a more sustainable alternative.

Andrew Scorer, co-director at Miles Macadam Ltd, said: "This is the first KTP we've been involved in and we're very excited about it, as are many of our clients who are really keen for us to develop more sustainable products. Aston University clearly has the expertise we need to assess the different ingredients for our grouts and we're looking forward to working with the team on it."

The project will explore the use of biochar, a carbon-rich material that is produced from processing organic matter such as wood or agricultural waste at very high temperatures. Using waste materials would also conserve virgin resources and reduce the costs and dependence on imported materials.

The team will produce and test hardened grouts for water absorbency and strength, including if the materials can withstand heavy weights. They will use Aston University's specialist environmental testing facility to see how the materials respond to extended cycles of freezing and thawing, mimicking the weather conditions that they may be subject to when used. Once the best candidate materials have been identified, they will be tested in real-world conditions at a Miles Macadam site.

The company chose to team up with Aston University because it has the research expertise to characterise alternatives to fly ash and assess how they affect performance, both in the handling of the product and its final properties.

Dr Moura Mehravar is the lead supervisor and the principal investigator of the project. She said: "This project ambitiously aims to replace traditional cementitious materials with biochar, significantly reducing CO2 emissions in the process. My role involves steering the project towards sustainable and practical outcomes, mentoring the associates involved, and ensuring a productive exchange of knowledge between academia and industry.

"This endeavour highlights our dedication to sustainable construction practices and places us at the forefront of efforts to reduce environmental impact within the construction industry. Through this project, we aim to discover innovative solutions that contribute to a greener future while advancing our understanding and use of alternative construction materials."

Lead academic is Professor Mujib Rahman, a chartered engineer with more than 20 years' experience in the field, five of which were spent in industry. He leads Aston University's Department of Civil Engineering and has extensive research expertise in the fundamental characterisation of asphalt and concrete materials.

He said: "This project brings together different expertise from across the University's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences to help Miles Macadam future proof their products and reduce their and their clients' CO2 emissions. It's goin...

Jamango!, a browser-based game creation platform, has announced it has raised $2.5 million to accelerate development ahead of launching globally later this year. Founded by serial entrepreneurs Adam Dalton (co-founder Robotify acq. by Imagine Learning in 2021), Richard Whelan, and Jeremy Klarenbeek, Jamango! empowers users to instantly create and play user-generated games online.

Built by an experienced team that have worked on award-winning games such as FIFA, The Sims, Star Wars Battlefront, and Horizon, the platform's creator tools emphasize creativity, allowing players to combine simple block-based building with a no-code editor to give users a more accessible and immersive game creation experience.

The pre-seed funding round was co-led by Elkstone and Delta Partners with additional funding from notable angel investors including Brian Caulfield (Chair of Scale Ireland), Brendan O'Driscoll (VP of Product at Figma), and Conor Sheahan (Founder of CKS Finance) who joins as Chairman.

As Jamango! gears up for its global launch in 2024, the company is working with a dedicated community of creators in closed alpha.

"Our mission at Jamango! is to empower the next generation of game creators. We see a major opportunity to bring user-generated content to the browser at a time when the market is signaling a surge in demand for the browser game category. We've developed a proprietary engine that turns the creative process of building worlds and making games into a simple, fun, and social experience that's instantly accessible to anybody who has access to a web browser," said Adam Dalton, Co-Founder of Jamango!

The gaming industry is on the brink of transformation as demand for user-generated content and the resurgence of browser-based instant gaming continues to fuel a market expected to grow by $63 billion through 2027. Jamango! aims to lead this revolution with its accessible tools. By being browser-first and with no downloads, Jamango! has the unique distribution innovation of being instantly accessible, inherently social and seamless to update.

"Delta is excited to be supporting the Jamango team on their mission to bring a new UGC Instant gaming platform to life. Inspired by platforms such as Roblox and games like Minecraft, we believe Jamango has a new unique proposition that their players and creators alike will love." said Rich Barnwell, investor at Delta Partners and founder of DIGIT, acquired by Scopely.

Branwell also led DIGIT in developing Star Trek Fleet Command, and was previously at Jagex, creators of the renowned MMORPG Runescape.

Speaking on the announcement Niall McEvoy, Partner at Elkstone said;

"'Elkstone is delighted to once again support a founder that led a previous Elkstone investment from startup to successful exit. The founders at Jamango have built a stellar team of industry experts to support their vision for the future of UGC browser led gaming engagement. We look forward to supporting the team as they grow and scale this exciting business'"

The company has also attracted industry leading expertise to its advisory board with members including Kevin Bergin (former VP of Technology at Scopely), Brendan McCaffrey (experienced AAA games key art director) and Eric Kabish (VP of Design at VRChat, former VP of Design at Roblox).

Jamango! will use the additional capital to accelerate further platform development and recruit top talent across various disciplines to bolster their growth. They're currently hiring for growth and engineering roles. Interested candidates can explore opportunities at jobs.jamango.io.

See more stories here.

We review the new book by AI expert Nell Watson. Taming the Machine: Ethically harness the power of AI is published by Kogan Page.

Taming the Machine: Ethically harness the power of AI reviewed

We are big fans of Nell Watson since we first met her and came across her insights in 2015. This book is a logical one to write at this point in time. The book systematically covers the various areas of AI and its impacts on humanity. This book definitively describes all of this, and it is a comprehensive list of areas where it could have an impact. What we felt was lacking in terms of a detailed discussion and road map, was how it might be possible to actually ethically harness the power of AI.

Maybe we missed it, but it seemed like this book was strong on description and less on discussion of how, on earth, the ethical side of AI is tackled. This is of course a hard topic to get your teeth into, but for a book with the word ethics in the title, we did not come away with any strong takeaways to be shared. Perhaps these could be more explicitly discussed in a second edition of the book?

More about the book

AI promises to transform our world, supercharging productivity and driving new innovations. Taming the Machine uncovers how you can responsibly harness the power of AI with confidence.

AI has the potential to become a personal assistant, a creative partner, an editor and a research tool all at once. But it also represents a threat to your livelihood, data and privacy. Taming the Machine offers the practical insights and knowledge you need to work with AI with an ethical and responsible approach.

In this book, celebrated AI expert and ethicist Nell Watson offers practical insights on how you can ethically innovate with AI. It delves into the ethical issues of unbridled AI, highlighting the challenges that it will bring to society and business unless we fortify cybersecurity, safeguard our data, and understand the dangerous potential of artificial intelligence.

Step into the future and supercharge your performance safely by Taming the Machine.

Nell Watson is a researcher, writer, speaker and applied tech ethicist. She is President of the European Responsible AI Office, an AI Expert at Singularity University, and pioneers global standards as an AI Ethics Certification Maestro at IEEE. She advises leading organizations on their machine learning strategies, specializing in AI research and ethical advocacy.

See more reviews here.

Tech leaders in Ireland are reporting strong interest in the transformative potential of AI, but this is not yet turning to action for the majority of organisations, with more than 6 in 10 (62%) saying they are not yet investing in AI technologies and do not have an AI-related strategy in place. That's a key finding of EY Ireland's Tech Leaders Outlook Survey 2024, which surveyed 150 senior technology leaders from organisations based in Ireland.

When it comes to Generative AI (GenAI), 13% of respondents say they are developing or have already developed their own Large Language Models and/or GenAI tools, while 6% say that their organisation has a formal policy on acceptable usage of unlicensed GenAI tools. Almost one in five (18%) say that GenAI tools are prohibited outright while almost six in ten (59%) tech leaders say that unlicensed GenAI is most likely being used by their employees, but no formal usage policy is in place.

This 'Shadow AI' usage has the potential to expose organisations to issues across a range of areas including on data privacy and transparency.

Cybersecurity risks have emerged as the top issue for tech leaders in 2024, with almost four in ten (38%) rating this as their most significant challenge, an increase of 4% when compared to last year (34%). Turning to the specific elements of cybersecurity, elevated cyber risks and management of data protection and flows were identified by 61% of respondents as a critical challenge, up from 53% in 2023.

A quarter of respondents pointed to their organisation's vulnerability to cyberattacks as an area of concern.

Difficulty in attracting and retaining talent was highlighted as the second biggest issues for tech leaders (37%), although this was a decrease when compared with last year (45%). Thirty-eight percent of respondents expect to increase the capacity of their IT function over the next two years, slightly up from 2023. But 27% say a shortage of skilled employees to implement new technology is a significant barrier to executing their technology related agenda, up from 18% in 2023.

Sustainability management and reporting tools have been identified as the top technology that Irish tech leaders believe will deliver the most value to their organisations over the next two years, up significantly this year to 43% from 26% in 2023.

There is widespread recognition that upcoming regulations at a European and global level, including the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive are setting new sustainability standards and requirements for organisations and technology will play a key role in supporting their compliance.

General AI / Machine Learning (33%) and Generative AI (GenAI) and Employee Assisted Technologies (27%) rank second and third among emerging technologies that are expected to deliver most value to organisation over the coming two years.

Ronan Walsh, Head of Technology Consulting at EY Ireland, said: "Today's technology leaders are focused on ensuring that the technology upon which their core business functions operates seamlessly, that their systems are protected from ever more complex cyber threats, and that the correct digital infrastructure is in place so that the business can quickly seize new growth opportunities.

"Our Tech Leaders Outlook takes the temperature of 150 experts based in Ireland on an annual basis, to understand what is front of mind for them right now and what the challenges and opportunities are as they look to the future. While the growing interest in AI is clear, our research shows that a large majority of organisations have yet to turn turned this interest into concrete action or develop an AI strategy.

Instead, they are focusing on more immediate issues such as cloud migration, cybersecurity and utilising technology to help them with regulatory requirements.

"While this somewhat cautious approach to AI is typical of the technology adoption lifecycle, the game changing opp...

Across Europe, Business Angels (BA), affluent and experienced investors, are vital in nurturing the private sector by injecting their capital into emerging businesses. Typically working in syndicates led by a seasoned 'archangel', these investors deliver not just financial support but also invaluable management and strategic insights, and expansive professional networks.

The importance of a European Angel Investment Market

Their investment goes beyond simple capital; it's a mix of resources that nurtures smart, patient capital essential for innovative entrepreneurs. As pivotal players in the financial ecosystem, BA significantly propel economic growth and technological advancement. They are recognised as the second-largest source of external financing for new enterprises, following only personal networks of family and friends.

This underscores their critical role in not just funding but also fostering new ventures that drive sectoral innovation.

BA Women in Europe

There is a vital opportunity to create an Angel community that is diverse, with gender parity at its core that needs to empower and nurture many more women. This initiative will boost the level of investment in women founders and become part of Europe's new generation of Business Angels.

Jenny Tooth OBE, VP Diversity at Business Angel Europe observed: "There is a severe lack of Women in the angel investment community and particularly in the less developed angel economies, where we are targeting our work in ESIL. Whilst our research at BAE shows that women angels make a significant level of their investments in women led businesses.

This is why ESIL initiative has drawn together a new Women Angel Leaders Taskforce of more than 25 experienced Women Angel Investors from across Europe, proactively leading the development of women angels in their communities. These Women Angel Leaders will be bringing their experience, and insights to support our activities to create

a more diverse gender-focused investment and innovation ecosystem across Europe".

Focus on Strengthening Angel Ecosystems

The Early Stage Investing Launchpad (ESIL) initiative focuses on reinforcing angel investment ecosystems, particularly in six selected European countries where such investment is nascent: Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, and Romania. These nations present significant potential to bolster their capacity to back technological pioneers, thereby enhancing their local innovation ecosystems and fostering cross-border investment partnerships.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EISMEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

Key actions in these countries include: Need-centric ecosystem mapping, facilitating

workshops and deep dive online sessions, syndication guidance, co-investment exploration, and encouraging cross-border collaboration. Further efforts are also focused on: standardisation, partnership development, and providing educational online resources.

Those actions are designed to amplify the impact and sustainability of the Next Generation of BA, exploiting the potential of more diverse players from new geographies and communities. The Next Generation will bring fresh knowledge and investment capacity to back our future technology champions, ensuring a flourishing connected and diverse investment and innovation ecosystem across Europe.

About ESIL, The Next Gen of Angels

ESIL is dedicated to boosting Europe's innovative ecosystems through the creation of a

thriving, connected and diverse angel investment community across all the countries of

Europe, whilst strengthening those markets where angel investment may still be lagging

behind.

ESIL is supported by funding from the European Union through the European Innovation

Council and SME Executive Agency EISMEA. ESIL will be delivered by a consortium of hig...

Ergo, Ireland's largest indigenous IT services provider, and Johnson Hana, the fastest growing alternative legal service globally, has announced a strategic partnership to support organisations in the financial sectors for compliance with the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA).

DORA is an EU Regulation that aims to increase the resilience of the European financial market and reduce the risk of serious breaches that could adversely impact the stability of the EU's financial institutions, as well as the customers they serve. Businesses operating in the financial sector must be DORA compliant by January 2025, or risk hefty fines.

To ensure businesses are DORA ready, Ergo and Johnson Hana have developed an innovative software-based tool called the DORA Readiness Assessment Methodology, that will assess the compliance readiness of an organisation as well as its important third-party service providers. This methodology allows businesses to determine which areas need focus, improvement or strengthening to meet DORA compliance.

Following a discovery and analysis process, the tool presents findings to the organisation, through an accessible, user-friendly dashboard. It also serves as an ongoing governance monitor of potential shortfalls within the organisation as well as with third-party suppliers.

The assessment methodology brings together the technical prowess of Ergo with the legal expertise of Johnson Hana to ensure businesses operating in the financial sector have the best possible guidance.

Ergo and Johnson Hana have designed the DORA Readiness Assessment Methodology to ensure it is scalable to the size and scope of every financial institution and that it provides bespoke recommendations tailored to every business' unique composition.

Speaking on the launch of the DORA Readiness Assessment Methodology, Steve Blanche, Chief Technical Officer for Ergo said:

"We are delighted to collaborate with Johnson Hana on this DORA assessment tool. Successful DORA implementation requires a deep understanding of both the technology landscape and the financial services sector. Not every financial service company will have the same burden - it is necessary for organisations to understand their own distinctive needs and requirements under DORA.

"For 30 years, Ergo has been bridging the disciplines by providing IT services to leading players in banking, insurance, aircraft leasing, asset management and investment funds, ensuring that CIOs can rise to the challenge of client, regulatory and legislative demands in this sector. We look forward to getting businesses DORA ready."

Lee Morrissey, Chief Delivery Officer for Johnson Hana said:

"At Johnson Hana our mission is to make the lives of lawyers and legal leaders better and happier! It is essential that relevant organisations are DORA ready and we have the legal expertise to support with this regulatory update. We were delighted, therefore, to partner with Ergo on this important project as we launch the official Johnson Hana partner programme, this is a super first step!"

See more stories here.

A new survey from Irish IT services provider Auxilion, and supported by Hewlett Packard Enterprise, has revealed that enterprises in Ireland are spending, on average, just over €1.3M annually on green technology (technology which is intended to mitigate or reverse the effects of human activity on the environment). This equates to an overall spend of nearly €1B1 across Iarger companies and enterprises in Ireland.

The study - carried out by Censuswide and involving more than 100 IT decision-makers in enterprises (250+ employees) across Ireland - found that nearly three-quarters (74%) of enterprises are already using green tech, with Ireland 11% ahead of their counterparts in the UK in terms of adoption of green technology2.

It further revealed that 91%3 have already or will invest in AI-driven sustainability solutions within the next two years. Some 82% of respondents said that AI has a significant role to play in helping to meet sustainability targets.

Cloud computing was also highlighted as a key sustainability asset, with 78% of IT leaders saying the technology is important for achieving ESG goals. Compared to similar Auxilion research carried out in 20234, this year also saw a 12% increase in companies implementing cloud for its environmental benefits (71% versus 83%).

Overall, the increasing importance of sustainability is not lost on today's IT decision makers, with 86% agreeing that they consider it key to business growth, while 77% said it is a key differentiator when choosing a vendor. The research also showed that sustainability is currently a priority for more organisations than it was a year ago with a similar sample - rising from 75%4 to 83%.

Furthermore, operating sustainably is becoming a huge difference-maker when it comes to talent. Two in five (40%) IT leaders said they would leave their current role to work for a company that is known for leading on sustainability, while 81% agreed that it is crucial for recruitment and retention.

Commenting on the results, Auxilion CTO Donal Sullivan said: "As shown by this research and our recently released report, it is really positive to see organisations putting their money where their mouth is by investing in green technology to help the environment and reduce their carbon footprints.

With sustainability only set to grow in importance across the value chain, businesses also need to leverage technologies - from AI to cloud - and service providers which enable them to support their sustainability goals and meet targets.

"Going green also makes business sense in terms of attracting customers and talent, thus driving growth and futureproofing operations. As we move steadily towards a more environmentally conscious era of doing business and where a failure to be eco-friendly could cause businesses to lose out, we expect the investment in green technology to rise even further.

However, organisations need to be smart when it comes to this investment to ensure they get the real value of and can make a real impact with these technologies."

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 [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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Expleo, the global engineering, technology, and consulting service provider, has announced the launch of its global AI Centre of Excellence (CoE), including a €1M investment from its Irish business. The hub will draw on Expleo's local market knowledge and global expertise to accelerate innovation and drive business value by helping enterprises adopt artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies.

The Centre's launch coincides with Expleo's first AI & Hyperautomation Summit, in association with Microsoft.

As AI becomes more accessible and more widespread, the Centre of Excellence - which will have its central hubs in Expleo's Dublin and Belfast HQs - will serve businesses worldwide, helping them to adopt, and benefit from, solutions that will be of significant competitive advantage. These will include generative AI, fraud detection, predictive analytics and quality assurance, as well as promoting ethical AI practices both internally and externally.

The centre will focus on developing and deploying AI solutions that deliver concrete business value, while also empowering people within organisations to leverage the technology themselves. It will see over 380 experts with wide-ranging capabilities collaborating, with their collective efforts ensuring that the business's AI solutions meet the multifaceted needs of modern enterprises.

Led by Rebecca Keenan, Expleo's Global Head of Intelligent Automation; and Rob McConnell, Board Member and Director of Solutions, Expleo Ireland; the Centre of Excellence will also serve as a knowledge-sharing hub. Leveraging strategic partnerships and collaborations with academia, industry partners, and members of the business community, it will facilitate awareness, innovation, and the advancement of AI technologies both in Ireland and globally.

As part of this, the hub will incorporate a talent incubator for nurturing AI knowledge and skills within Expleo. It will offer comprehensive training programmes, mentorship opportunities and initiatives aimed at developing the next generation of AI leaders.

Rebecca Keenan, Global Head of Intelligent Automation, Expleo, said: "The time to embrace AI is here, but there is currently a blank space in the AI landscape because businesses simply don't know where to start. The launch of our AI Centre of Excellence hopes to fill in this gap and give organisations a jumping-off point for their AI journeys.

"At Expleo, we recognise that artificial intelligence is a force that will revolutionise how we conduct business. We are harnessing the power of AI to drive innovation, enhance operational efficiency, and ultimately deliver greater value to businesses."

Rob McConnell, Board Member and Director of Solutions, Expleo Ireland , said: "This represents a commitment from our global team to innovation, collaboration, and value creation. We want to demystify AI and help businesses around the globe make the most of this technology. By channelling the power of artificial intelligence, we are empowering businesses to thrive in an increasingly digital landscape and changing their perception of what is possible."

The announcement comes on the same day of Expleo's first AI & Hyperautomation Summit with Microsoft, From Hype to Reality: Navigating the AI & Hyperautomation Era. The event, which is free to join online, will focus on AI, Hyperautomation, and Data, providing insights on how to build a strategy around disruptive technology to elevate business performance.

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 [email protected] now to discuss.

Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop u...