eir evo, has released the findings of a comprehensive research study providing an assessment of digitalisation within frontline service organisations, measuring digital maturity* and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) within each entity.

This study, supported by Microsoft Ireland, gathered insights from over 400 professionals across health, education, local and national government, retail, and hospitality, sheds light on the challenges and opportunities in fostering digital inclusivity and reveals the emergence of a digital gap in frontline services.

While organisations were ranked as 'highly digitalised' by 65% of respondents signalling a significant digital transformation across these organisations in recent years, individuals don't feel the full benefits in their role, with, 62% feeling "digitally poor."* This points towards a gap between organisational digital strategy and the digital experience at the frontline level.

Key findings from the study reveal:

· A substantial 65% of frontline workers rate their organisations as 'highly digitalised' on the digital maturity scale. 86% of frontline workers now have access to a mobile device for work and 51% are using cloud-based collaboration tools such as Microsoft 365. The majority of both leaders and workers feel they have access to the devices and systems they need to carry out their work.

· Yet, 62% of frontline service leaders and workers feel they personally are 'digitally poor' within their role. This finding indicates a significant gap between having access to digital devices and solutions and using them strategically to deliver value add and efficiencies within their role.

· This is evidenced by the fact that over a third of respondents identified limited connectivity and a lack of real-time digital collaboration tools as barriers to optimal job performance. And nearly 31% still rely on manual, time-consuming processes for tasks that could be automated, such as data entry and reporting. A clear challenge emerging is how frontline services can better leverage, integrate and connect their devices and solutions forfrontline workers to address these pain points.

· The study also underlines the emergence of a 'shadow generative AI culture' among frontline workers, with 27% actively using open-source AI tools like Chat GPT to navigate daily challenges. This underscores the urgent need for organisations to provide secure, reliable, and officially sanctioned AI tools to their teams.

· The majority of respondents cited that working with customers to be able use systems and processes was the greatest pain point for them in their role (40%). 39% are fearful of causing a security incident and 38% are most frustrated by learning to use a new process or system.

· In relation to cyber security and data protection, some conflicts have emerged in the findings that point to a strong theoretical culture of cyber vigilance but in practice, security breaches and data mismanagement appear commonplace. For example, 65% felt confident that they were compliant with the data security protocols within the organisation. Yet, 39% have experienced a data security incident or breach in the organisation.

Almost 70% are confident in the accuracy of the data they work with. Yet, 56% have encountered data inconsistencies or errors.

· Asked where their organisation could most improve their digital offer, digital literacy was cited as the areas leaders should focus on.

Martin Wells, Managing Director of eir evo, commented on the findings, "Our research highlights a disparity in digital adoption among frontline workers across Ireland. While they have better access to technologies and are confident about their digital capabilities, there is a gap between organisational digital goals and the actual digital experiences of frontline workers.

What is crucial now is to focus on enabling frontline workers to better connect with each other and their customers through real-time collaboration and to realise the...

GlobalLogic, a Hitachi group company, has announced a first-of-its-kind Platform-of-Platforms architecture designed to support deployment of enterprise-grade artificial intelligence (AI). GlobalLogic has designed the architecture to address the critical challenges every enterprise must overcome when operationalizing AI and generative AI (GenAI) at scale.

To realize the potential that AI promises, enterprises must address data privacy and security requirements, prevent intellectual property (IP) leakage and manage legal risks. They also need to identify an approach that allows for technical agility as new models, platforms and other innovations take shape. At the same time, leaders must manage organisational change and find effective strategies for controlling costs and driving return on AI/GenAI investments.

With over a decade of experience in delivering and deploying AI in software products and enterprise platforms, GlobalLogic offers a unique perspective on the design, data and engineering challenges of enterprise-grade, production-ready AI and GenAI. Created in partnership with leading hyperscalers and leveraging their foundational GenAI capabilities, GlobalLogic's architecture is the first of its kind for unifying and industrialising enterprise-grade AI and GenAI solutions.

GlobalLogic identifies responsibility, reliability and reusability as key to enterprise-grade AI

"As companies work to move from AI and GenAI prototypes to enterprise-scale deployments, it has become clear that using this technology requires far more than sending prompts to a large language model (LLM)," said Sumit Sood, COO and Head of Engineering, GlobalLogic. "We have been helping enterprises adopt GenAI since 2021 and 'traditional' AI for much longer, often in life-critical situations.

We understand what needs to be done to ensure responsibility, reliability and reusability in AI platforms."

Sood explains that the responsibility tenet focuses on the goal of offering responses that are accurate, lawful and in compliance with security and governance requirements. The reliability tenet requires mechanisms for correcting model drift, hallucinations and security threats over time.

Finally, the reusability tenet is crucial to implementing common data ingestion, preparation and model training and shared consumption mechanisms - which help contain costs and mitigate risk by preventing duplicative work.

GlobalLogic's AI Platform-of-Platforms architecture addresses critical needs related to observability, security, governance and consumption. It makes it possible to integrate best-of-breed models, algorithms and solutions whether deployed in the cloud or on premises. It also includes accelerators for rapidly deploying some of the most sought-after use cases, including customer support and operations, software development and legacy migration, and enterprise knowledge management.

"The GenAI landscape is highly dynamic," Sood said. "In an environment where the 'best' technology can change month to month or even week to week, GlobalLogic's Platform-of-Platforms approach lets our clients pick the winners to deliver the best enterprise-class GenAI to support their business outcomes."

To learn more about GlobalLogic's AI solutions and advisory capabilities, visit https://www.globallogic.com/uki/services/offerings/generative-ai/

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A new survey from Irish IT services provider Auxilion, and supported by Hewlett Packard Enterprise, reveals that 28% of IT decision-makers in Ireland changed job in 2023, with more than a third (34%) planning to do so within the next one to two years.

The research - carried out by Censuswide for Auxilion and involving more than 100 IT decision-makers in large enterprises across Ireland - found that those aged 25 to 34 were most likely to change jobs during this time, with 37% of this age group planning a move.

In terms of industry breakdown, some 69% of IT leaders working in the HR sector are planning to find a new role, followed by those in finance (39%), and manufacturing and utilities (36%).

In keeping with this, the survey revealed that a third (33%) of all respondents have interviewed for a new job over the last six months and some 41% have been approached by a recruiter about a job during that time.

Major Moves

As for what's driving this trend, 29% of IT leaders are planning to leave their current job as they are intending to emigrate. The 25 to 34 age group had the highest proportion of people intending to relocate (34%).

Overall, 43% of respondents are planning to leave their current job as there are not enough growth opportunities within their organisation. Meanwhile, 36% said they were doing so because they needed a new challenge.

Almost half (49%) went one step further, saying they would retrain in a new career or profession if there were no barriers (such as money, mortgage, family commitments). The 35 to 44 age group was most open to this (61%), followed by 25 to 34-year-olds (45%).

Alternative Approaches

When it comes to finding new roles, some 84% of IT leaders have used a recruitment agency in the past, with 62% planning to rely on same for securing their next role. The same proportion (62%) have previously done contractor work and 72% would be open to same.

IT decision-makers also see the benefits of outsourcing work to contractors, with the most cited benefits found to be more flexibility (47%), a short-term solution (46%), accessibility to more skills (41%) and more cost-effective (41%).

Similar to those individuals looking for new roles, it seems organisations are also open to alternative approaches when it comes to finding new talent, with 74% of organisations having a graduate programme and a similar number (70%) offering apprenticeships.

Niamh Cray, Chief People Officer, Auxilion, commented: "All of this movement creates huge demand and pressure on organisations. Such gaps also have a wider impact in terms of their ability to maintain operations, complete projects and deliver services.

"That's why businesses should adopt a blended approach when it comes to talent, incorporating contractors and resourcing partners. With better planning and more flexibility, organisations can easily plug any skills gaps that arise and avoid a resourcing crisis.

"A more collaborative and agile approach also enables companies to scale their competencies as and when needed. In turn, this can create more opportunities and support business growth in the long-term."

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While collaboration isn't exactly some new cutting-edge concept, it is arguably more important than ever before. You don't have to scan the news for long to see that there are significant challenges facing society - challenges that we have been poorly tackling. And you don't have to reflect for long to see that there are impacts for organisations - including threats to viability - if they do not commence successfully managing these challenges soon.

How to create a Collaborative Culture

Economic uncertainty. Extreme weather events. Supply chain issues. The impact of digital disruption. Geopolitical conflict. Whatever the issue, few organisations have been successful at dealing with the complexity and uncertainty faced.

That is where collaboration comes in. It not only improves our ability to be better informed about the context faced and therefore, make better decisions, but it also helps grow the resources that we have at our disposal to deal with our challenges.

The opportunities available - innovative solutions, improved reputation, and trust, enhanced staff engagement - are significant. Too often, however, our collaborative efforts are too superficial, going nowhere.

So, how can collaboration be embedded within the "way we do things around here?"

Pull the Levers

To increase the potential for collaboration to become successfully embedded within your organisation, it is worthwhile appreciating that there are numerous levers that you have, internally, at your disposal. Rather than taking a narrow cast view, you have a far better chance of success if you take a holistic approach, particularly as all levers reinforce one another:

There are many ways that you can call on each of these levers but let's now look at some of the common means to build a collaborative culture.

Strategy: But Why?

Don't jump into collaboration just because you saw an article spruiking it in the Irish Tech News. As a team, you need to be very clear why you would want to implement a collaborative culture in the first place.

Is collaboration necessary for innovation? Do you wish to enter a new market through collaborative means? Or improve relationships with outraged customers or other stakeholders?

Whatever the answer, clarity around how collaboration will support your corporate strategy or vision is the key; without it, collaboration just becomes another fad function like sustainability that never gets the resources, training, or executive support necessary to be anything more than something superficial for marketing purposes.

And make no mistake, your stakeholders see right through that every day of the week.

Structure: Who Really Is Calling the Shots?

The main point to make about structure is that it sends signals to staff about who has control and the ability to make decision. In hierarchical structures, for example, decision making is centralised, establishing boundaries as to what is acceptable. Consequently, even if your new strategy raves about the benefits of collaboration, that doesn't mean that staff will suddenly change established norms.

Critical to good collaboration is strong relationships and trust in each other and trust in the ability to collaborate. So, how can structure enhance collaboration? Do you have good spaces at work to stimulate collaboration? What are you implementing to stimulate cross-team or cross-divisional collaboration? If collaborators are based in separate cities or countries, what needs to be implemented to ensure not only that a safe space exists, but also that strong relationships are enabled.

People: Fulfilling Their Potential

People will often respond very well to the opportunity to solve problems and make decisions, individually or collectively, if they feel supported. That then opens up a number of questions that you need to consider; namely:

What training is necessary? Certainly, there may be courses on collaboration that are appealing to your organisation. However, it is critical to facilitate a culture of o...

In partnership with The Mary Robinson Centre, TikTok has today launched the TikTok Youth Climate Leaders Alliance, a programme aimed at 18-30-year-olds looking to make significant changes in the face of the climate crisis.

The programme will equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and tools they will need to make a real difference in tackling climate change, and includes a climate literacy and leadership programme for secondary schools, along with digital learning resources, and an invitation to participate in a climate festival to take place in September 2024.

Up to 50 participants will participate in the programme, which will run from May 1 until the end of the year. Highlights of the programme will include:

An 8-month climate leadership workshop series, held at the Mary Robinson Centre, with guest speakers and practical climate actions to empower participants to become climate leaders in their own communities

Participation in the Mary Robinson Climate Conference, hosted by Mary Robinson on June 5-7, 2024 in Ballina

Site visits to local Ballina Green Town climate action projects

The awarding of a bursary opportunity to five participants at the end of the programme to continue their climate action initiatives.

Applicants are invited to apply via: www.maryrobinsoncentre.ie/programme-call. The application process will close on Earth Day, Monday, April 22, 2024.

The TikTok Youth Climate Leaders Alliance, in partnership with the Mary Robinson Centre, is part of TikTok's wider climate commitments, which includes the overarching goal to become operationally carbon neutral by 2030, as well as advancing climate literacy and educational content within TikTok's platform.

Mary Robinson, Chair of the Elders and former President of Ireland commented: "The Mary Robinson Centre's partnership with TikTok to deliver the TikTok Youth Climate Leaders Alliance is an exciting development. It has the potential to deliver real impact, empowering a new generation and building a movement of young people equipped to address some of the global challenges ahead, and to drive significant change. I look forward to seeing their achievements in time."

Elaine Fox, TikTok Ireland added: "It is truly an honour to join forces with the Chair of The Elders; distinguished former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson in the fight against climate change, and to launch the 'TikTok Youth Climate Leaders Alliance' in partnership with the Mary Robinson Centre. Through this partnership, we are proud to offer the climate leaders of tomorrow the resources and support to empower them to make a significant impact.

This ambitious programme is just one part of TikTok's work against climate change and aligns with our wider 2030 net zero commitments."

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Irish pilot study sparks new hope for people with Parkinson's disease, prolonging their ability to communicate by slowing down the progression of the disease on vocal function.

A HIHI pilot study of the Telea platform and app recorded a 10% increase in the voice of patients with Parkinsons

As World Parkinson's Day approaches, Telea, a Cork based start-up in University College Cork (UCC) and supported by Health Innovation Hub Ireland (HIHI) offers new hope to Parkinson's patients with their innovative digital speech therapy technology. This will come as welcome news as in Ireland, there are almost 12,000 people living with Parkinsons.

World Parkinson's Day

Telea's innovative at home therapy platform and app provides a vital connection between Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) and patients with Parkinson's disease allowing the SLT to monitor patient progress and treat them remotely. This platform is a gamechanger for people with Parkinson's disease as it assists people to maintain their voice and slow down progression of the disease.

The platform empowers people with Parkinson's Disease to proactively drive intervention by increasing the quality, quantity and consistency of treatment with high dose, timely, prescribed intervention which they can do at home.

The benefits to the health system and to patients in Ireland are immeasurable. Clinically, it frees up appointments, enhances efficiency and provides remote performance analysis and biofeedback.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects movement. The disease gradually progresses over time and is characterised by a variety of motor and non-motor symptoms, such as tremors, changes in walking patterns, stiffness, as well as difficulties with balance and speech. At present, there is no known cure for Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease is the fastest-growing neurodegenerative disease worldwide with one in every 100 people over the age of 60 diagnosed. The journey of patients with Parkinson's has been well documented by Michael J. Fox actor, author and Parkinson's advocate who disclosed his diagnosis at the age of 29.

Current treatments focus primarily on managing symptoms rather than addressing the underlying cause of the disease. Speech and communication difficulties are common symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Approximately, 90% of people with PD experience communication changes. Patients may develop weakened voice quality, can demonstrate impaired pitch variation and less clarity when pronouncing speech sounds.

When Parkinson's disease affects a person's ability to speak, the impact on their lives can be significant. Difficulties in communication can lead to social withdrawal and isolation. Speech therapy plays a crucial role in managing symptoms and improving communication abilities in people with Parkinson's Disease and enhancing vocal strength.

Therefore, the marked communication improvement emerging from the results of this newly launched HIHI pilot study of the Telea platform and app now provides fresh hope for patients with the disease.

The pilot of the Telea platform was conducted with the HSE Community Health Organisation (CHO) 8 in the Midlands of Ireland working with 7 Speech and Language Therapists and 37 of their patients with Parkinson's Disease. HIHI analysed pilot results (end-user feedback, client assessments and usage data) and prepared a final project report to disseminate outcomes with stakeholders in the Midlands and other Community Health Organisations.

Key findings were:

the average improvement of voice was 10% across a mix of clinician-rated and patient-reported outcome measures.

there was an 80% reduction in waiting times for SLT assessment and intervention for clients with PD. Over 80% said Telea had a positive impact on their voice.

over 80% reported that their adherence with speech therapy exercises improved, with clients completing an average of 62 exercises per week.

100% of SLTs would recommend Tele...

Guest post by Ivor Buckley, Field CTO at Dell Technologies Ireland and Northern Ireland

Generative AI has taken centre stage this year as leaders move GenAI projects from theory into practice. Consumer-grade AI, like ChatGPT, has captured everyone's imagination with its ability to generate content. Yet, GenAI's impact on businesses and organisations promises to be more profound, from heightened productivity and transforming how we work to developing more personalised experiences and advancing medical diagnosis.

The emerging use of GenAI presents significant opportunities as well as challenges in the field of cybersecurity. While its deep learning techniques can be used by malicious actors to create new attack vectors, GenAI can be a powerful tool to protect data and IT systems.

But what should organisations here in Ireland do to unlock the value of GenAI in a responsible manner?

Addressing the risks of GenAI

Firstly, leaders need to confront the new risks linked to the development of GenAI. The boost in speed and easy automation that GenAI allows hackers to discover vulnerabilities faster, develop malware in real-time, and develop more credible phishing emails and digital spoofing methods.

That is why it is crucial that GenAI must be taken into account in the security measures of every organisation in Ireland from now on. Steps that prevent GenAI systems from becoming the target of attacks, and reduce the chances of falling victim to fraud or new attack surfaces due to the emergence of deepfakes.

As businesses embrace the transformative power of GenAI, a critical consideration emerges in balancing the security of sensitive data amid the ever-changing global regulatory frameworks. Businesses around Ireland must navigate the complex web of data privacy laws, all while ensuring their GenAI projects don't inadvertently leak confidential information.

Responsible deployment of GenAI requires business and IT leaders to take a proactive approach including the development of robust governance practices, continuous monitoring of GenAI systems, and also addressing the talent gap. The Dell Digital Pulse Survey published last year revealed a lack of in-house cybersecurity skills as the second most common barrier to enhancing cybersecurity.

To secure GenAI effectively, organisations must roll out cutting-edge infrastructure built on trust, starting from the hardware level and extending all the way to the data and the user. The goal is to have robust access control measures that prevent malicious access and potential misuse of IT systems.

Above all, IT leaders need to consider GenAI data risks in the four stages of the GenAI data lifecycle: data sourcing, data preparation, model customisation and operations and scaling. For each stage, the focus needs to be on mappng potentail attack vectors and migiation actions that can be taken should that risk emerge.

However, the threat landscape is not one-sided. Gen AI systems themselves are susceptible to adversarial attacks, making them potential targets for exploitation. Securing these systems starts with the development of trusted devices and infrastructure, reinforced by rigorous access control to prevent unauthorised use. Given GenAI reliance on extensive datasets for learning and decision-making, safeguarding the privacy and integrity of data is paramount.

Therefore the next step is to ensure that data classification, encryption, and secure storage and transmission of data are made possible. Looking ahead, companies should also consider having a contingency plan. Developing a strong cyber recovery strategy ensures there's a plan B in place should something unforeseen arise.

At Dell, we recommend that businesses use advanced security approaches including adopting a zero-trust framework to protect and contain AI systems, with these principles incorporated into the design and development of AI systems.

By laying this groundwork for trust and security, businesses can harness the potential of Gen...

'Reach for the Stars', the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS) astrophotography competition, has returned for the fourth year running and is calling on Ireland's budding astrophotographers to submit their images.

This year, the competition has added a new category, the 'Night Sky in Your Hand', a mobile phone category to encourage more people to get involved.

The competition, which opened for entries from 10th April 2024, is seeking the best astro-photographs taken in Ireland over the period of 28th April 2023 to 10th May 2024. It is calling for submissions under five distinct categories:

Night Sky in Your Hand: Images taken with only a smartphone and without telescopes of an astronomical scene.

Out of this World - Planetary: Images of the planets, sun and moon.

Out of this World - Deep Sky: Images of celestial objects that exist outside our solar system, such as nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies.

Back on Earth - Landscape: Images that depict a feature of astronomical interest as a prominent feature and elements such as nature, land or water.

Back on Earth - Landmark: Images that depict a feature of astronomical interest as a prominent feature and elements such as cityscapes, buildings, houses, historical structures or monuments.

Launching the competition today, Dr Eucharia Meehan, CEO and Registrar of DIAS, said: "DIAS is delighted to launch the 'Reach for the Stars' competition for 2024. We are always trying to improve and grow the competition and have made a number of updates this year that we hope will bring the competition to a new level. We now have an additional category inviting entries taken on smartphones.

Cameras on phones can now take such high-quality photos that we felt it would be a great opportunity to encourage more people to get involved.

"We're also delighted that the Astronomical Observatories of Ireland (AOI) has come on board this year and is sponsoring a prize for our competition winners. The AOI is a strategic partnership between us at DIAS, Armagh Observatory & Planetarium and Birr Castle Heritage Foundation to protect the astronomical heritage and promote astronomical research and knowledge across the island of Ireland, so it is fitting for the Observatories to support the competition.

"Reach for the Stars is open to everyone - whether you are a seasoned professional or amateur with a love for astronomy. All we ask is that you follow the competition guidelines carefully when making the submission to ensure your images are eligible."

Also commenting, Professor Peter Gallagher, Head of Astronomy and Astrophysics at DIAS and member of the judging panel, said: "With the addition of the new mobile phone category this year, I'm excited to see the range of entries we'll get. This new element really opens the door for lots of amateur and budding astrophotographers who might not necessarily have the equipment but have an eye for a good shot to showcase their work.

"There are lots of astronomical events coming up in April alone - we've just had a solar eclipse, Lyrid's meteor shower will take place later this month, and there will be a full moon before the competition's closing date - so there are plenty of opportunities for people to get out there and capture some shots.

"The night sky can be enjoyed by everyone - we've had everything from glittering galaxies to incredible skyscapes entered over the past three years, and we're looking forward to seeing what this year's submissions have in store!"

Competition Details

Entrants may submit up to two images per category to the competition. The deadline for entries is 5 pm on Friday, 10th May 2024.

All entries to the competition will be screened by a shortlisting panel to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria. The shortlisted images in each category will then go forward for consideration by the judging panel and for an online public vote.

Entries to the 'Reach for the Stars' competition will be judged by Brenda Fitzsimons, Picture Editor, The Iris...

Renewable Capacity Statistics 2024 released by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) today shows that 2023 set a new record in renewables deployment in the power sector by reaching a total capacity of 3 870 Gigawatts (GW) globally. Renewables accounted for 86% of capacity additions; however, this growth is unevenly distributed across the world, indicating a trend far from the tripling renewable power target by 2030.

Renewables increase

The 473 GW of renewables expansion was led once again by Asia with a 69% share (326 GW). This growth was driven by China, whose capacity increased by 63%, reaching 297.6 GW. This reflects a glaring gap with other regions, leaving a vast majority of developing countries behind, despite massive economic and development needs. Even though Africa has seen some growth, it paled in comparison with an increase of 4.6%, reaching a total capacity of 62 GW.

IRENA Director-General, Francesco La Camera said, "This extraordinary surge in renewable generation capacity shows that renewables are the only technology available to rapidly scale up the energy transition aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement. Nevertheless, the data also serves as a telltale sign that progress is not moving fast enough to add the required 7.2 TW of renewable power within the next seven years, in accordance with IRENA's World Energy Transitions Outlook 1.5°C Scenario."

He added, "Policy interventions and a global course-correction are urgently needed to effectively overcome structural barriers and create local value in emerging market and developing economies, many of which are still left behind in this progress. The patterns of concentration in both geography and technology threaten to intensify the decarbonisation divide and pose a significant risk to achieving the tripling target."

For China, solar and wind's increasing competitiveness against coal and gas power generation became the key driver of renewable power development. Meanwhile in the EU, enhanced policy focus and heightened energy security concerns have become the main catalysts for the rapid growth, apart from the increasing cost-competitiveness of renewables against fossil fuel alternatives.

Other regions that saw significant expansion were the Middle East at 16.6% increase and Oceania at 9.4% increase. The G7 countries as a group increased by 7.6%, adding 69.4 GW last year. The G20 nations on the other hand increased their capacity by 15.0%, reaching 3084 GW by 2023. However, for the world to reach over 11 TW for the tripling target requires the G20 members alone to reach 9.4 TW of renewable power capacity by 2030.

With solar energy continuing to dominate renewable generation capacity expansion, the report underscores that the growth disparity did not only affect geographical distribution but also the deployment of technologies. Solar accounted for 73% of the renewable growth last year, reaching 1 419 GW, followed by wind power with 24% share of renewable expansion.

IRENA's 1.5°C Scenario recommends a massive scaling up of financing and strong international collaboration to speed up the energy transition, putting developing countries as key priority. Investments are needed in power grids, generation, flexibility and storage. The pathway towards tripled renewable power capacity by 2030 requires a strengthening of institutions, policies and skills.

Technology highlights:

Solar energy: solar photovoltaics increased by 345.5 GW last year, while concentrated solar power increased by 0.3 GW. China alone added 216.9 GW to the total expansion.

Renewable hydropower (excluding pumped hydro): capacity reached 1 270 GW, with expansion lower than in recent years. Australia, China, Colombia and Nigeria added more than 0.5 GW each.

Wind energy: wind grew at an increased rate of 13%, following behind solar energy. By the end of 2023, total wind capacity reached 1017 GW. Expansion was dominated by China and the United States.

Bioenergy: expansion continued to slow...

Sidero, an Ireland-based engineering services and cloud-native software development company with deep technology specialisation in the Communications vertical, has announced the merger completion and will operate as GlobalLogic (a Hitachi Group Company) in Ireland following its acquisition by the digital engineering leader in July 2023.

As a result of the merger, the combined strengths of the newly integrated companies bolster GlobalLogic's capabilities across dynamic communications technologies such as Radio Access Networks (RAN), Self-Optimising Networks (SON), Cloud, and Agile development practices, a clear complement to GlobalLogic's deep engineering portfolio.

Some 15 of GlobalLogic's top 50 customers have an Irish presence. In particular, the company plans to drive growth in the technology, life sciences, and MedTech sectors in Ireland. As the use of AI in technology continues to accelerate, GlobalLogic will build on its expertise in the AI space to deliver innovative solutions and services to its customers.

Carmel Owens, CEO of Sidero, said: "We are delighted to spearhead GlobalLogic's growth strategy in Ireland and the expansion of its European presence. The integration experience has been positive for us and we are optimistic in the growth and opportunities that lie ahead. We look forward to continuing to help our customers succeed with our enhanced expertise and footprint."

The merger expands GlobalLogic's European footprint and positions the company as a leader in the Irish tech market, bringing differentiated capabilities and increased value to customers in Ireland and across the globe. It facilitates the creation of innovative technology solutions with 170 employees across the company's bases in Athlone and Newry.

Mark Farrington, Group Vice President and General Manager UK &I, GlobalLogic, said: "We warmly welcome the talented Sidero team into the GlobalLogic family. Our deep roots in communications technology are a perfect complement to Sidero's expertise and competencies. With our combined strengths, we will bring tremendous value to our mutual clients and further enhance our leadership in this and other highly dynamic verticals."

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