It requires a great deal of planning, effort, and cost to finally get the opportunity to talk to a prospective customer in person or online. In recent years, there's been a reluctance on behalf of people to meet up. Online conversations have helped facilitate such meetings, but obviously, It's never a replacement for face-to-face engagement.

First Step:

Like most companies, you have people whose job is to search the web, seeking out businesses who would be good customers for your organisation. They then make the initial introductions with the hope of getting a meeting with your ideal contact within the organisation.

Second Step:

This conversation is then generally passed on to a more experienced and possibly more technical person to initiate a deeper discussion and gain an understanding of how you can be a benefit to this organisation.

Therefore, this person needs to deliver a very sharp focused, structured presentation that is on the money (Which now appears to be the current phrase in vogue.)

Do you monitor your success rate for these higher-level conversational opportunities?

Or do your people just turn up online and say "it will be alright on the night", as they say in the theatre.

But you must remember that in the theatre, the actor has a script, a familiar stage and knows precisely where to be in the script, and located on the stage at every moment as they have rehearsed repeatedly.

Third Step:

I provide my clients with a template structure that lets them know where they are in the conversation at any given time and yet be flexible enough to accommodate the other parties' needs and requirements.

"Using travel as an analogy, are you just getting into your car and heading off, hoping you arrive at your destination, or are you using satellite navigation? Sat Nav allows you to start by identifying where you are. Select where you want to end up while being aware of the key points on the journey, getting you there most efficiently and effectively".

I help companies increase sales and win investment by telling stories that engage their audience, allowing them to see the value of what you offer in a clearer, more succinct way.

By Executive Coach Andrew Keogh of Aristo.ie

Guest post by Ger Corbett, CEO of Sandyford Business District, discusses optimising sustainable initiatives in the area, through local and European decarbonisation projects

When I assumed the role of CEO of Sandyford Business District (SBD) in 2022, I recognised the immense opportunity to implement impactful sustainability and decarbonisation initiatives within Ireland's largest business improvement district. With over 1,000 businesses and 26,000 workers within the district, it became clear that our actions here could serve as a positive model for change for businesses and communities nationwide.

Core to my ambitions is that as a key influencer in the area, SBD would not only address climate challenges, and enhance mobility but that we also ensure that SBD thrived as both a workplace and a residential area, during my tenure and beyond.

Why we need more sustainability and decarbonisation

Putting flesh on the bones of this commitment, the team at Sandyford launched a Project Green initiative and Green Charter for businesses several years ago. Since then, we have doubled down on our work and cultivated partnerships with local authorities and we have worked hard to secure support from various EU funding streams to enact positive change across the many facets that make up our district.

We are also actively seeking businesses within the District to sign up the Green Charter and commit to some positive changes.

Transitioning to a circular economy

Last year, SBD was chosen to participate in the procurement buyers group for the EU-funded CircularPSP project. This project aims to support businesses in implementing innovative circular economy solutions across Europe. With a total investment of €5.64 million in research and development, our involvement in this initiative marks a significant achievement for us.

We are currently receiving submissions from suppliers, who offer solutions to the complex challenges of transitioning to a circular economy. The candidate business will utilise AI, taxonomies, missions, workflows, and upskilling technologies to help to effect change.

This project epitomises our commitment to bringing sustainable change to Sandyford, as we aim to establish the district as a resource-efficient hub for economic activity and residential living. SBD Project Manager, Fernanda Pinto Godoy, and I are proud to collaborate with experienced public procurers from five EU member states, the UK, and Turkey, who share our vision for a green circular transition in their respective cities and local areas.

Delivering a climate resilient business park for the area

Through the EU-led IB-Green project, SBD is collaborating with eleven partners from six countries in Northwest Europe, where we are focusing on facilitating climate adaptation measures specifically within industrial and business parks. With a total budget of €8.9 million, the project aims to reduce heat stress in these areas through the development of green and blue infrastructure.

Our work on this project is best understood through the manifestation of the Sandyford Green Infrastructure Project, a collaboration between the district and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. This project aims to transfer 0.8 hectares of land into a new Civic Park, which will be strategically located at the junction of Corrig Road and Carmanhall Road.

Once completed, the Park will provide a place for residents, employees and visitors to linger and dwell in a biodiverse area which will serve as a beacon of sustainability, promoting healthier living and working conditions in the area.

Fostering shared modes of transportation

While life as a resident or employee in the district is being continuously enhanced, we are also keen to facilitate ease of mobility around the area. SBD recently announced a partnership with Trinity College Dublin which will trial a new smart mobility hub project over the next 18 months.

The TRACT (TRAnsport Behaviour Change Trials) Project will include a TRACT Mobility...

Guest post by Ian Scarffe is a serial entrepreneur, investor, key opinion leader and Blockchain consultant with business experience from around the world.

The Power of Web3 for Social Impact: How Blockchain is Transforming Philanthropy and Humanitarian Aid

Introduction

In today's world, people have become increasingly concerned about the welfare of humanity and social impact. Conveniently, the introduction of Web3 has significantly transformed technology, and philanthropy and humanitarian aid are not excluded.

Web3, the next iteration of the internet, has emerged as a distributed and decentralized network of interconnected devices. It has paved the way for new possibilities in social impact through blockchain technology, which enables transparency, accountability, and immutability in charitable giving.

In this article, we will explore how Web3 transforms philanthropy and humanitarian aid, the benefits of blockchain technology for charitable giving, and the challenges and ethical considerations associated with using Web3 for social impact.

Blockchain's impact on Philanthropy

How Web3 is Changing Philanthropy and Humanitarian Aid

Web3 has revolutionized the way people engage with philanthropy and humanitarian aid. It enables donors to bypass traditional intermediaries, such as governments and non-profits, and directly impacts the lives of people in need. Web3 has also opened up new possibilities for charitable giving by creating a decentralized and transparent platform that facilitates peer-to-peer donations.

According to a report by the United Nations Development Programme, blockchain technology can "increase transparency and accountability, and thus reduce corruption, while enabling quick and efficient disbursement of funds" in humanitarian aid. This is a gamechanger, although it has not been utilized to half its potential, web3 can completely eradicate corruption in philanthropy.

Another survey, conducted by Fidelity Charitable found that 75% of millennial and Gen Z donors expressed interest in donating cryptocurrency to charity. These are some of the few possibilities that could come from using the blockchain for humanitarian aid.

The Benefits of Web3 for Charitable Giving

There are many benefits that could come with the use of web3 for humanitarian aid. Some of these are mentioned below:

Increased transparency in charitable giving

Elimination of intermediaries and middlemen, resulting in faster and more efficient donations

Reduced risk of fraud and corruption in aid systems

Smart contracts that ensure donations are used for their intended purpose

Ability for donors to track their contributions and ensure they reach their intended recipients

Creation of a decentralized and transparent platform that facilitates peer-to-peer donations

Immutable ledger that provides complete transparency and accountability in donations

Increased trust between donors and aid organizations

Ability for donors to have a more direct impact on the lives of people in need

The most significant benefit of using Web3 for charitable giving is transparency. Blockchain technology enables the creation of immutable ledgers that provide donors with complete transparency and accountability in their donations.

This means that donors can track their contributions and ensure that they reach their intended recipients. Furthermore, blockchain technology eliminates the need for intermediaries, ensuring that donations reach their intended recipients quickly and efficiently.

Creating Transparency and Accountability with Blockchain

Blockchain technology provides transparency and accountability in philanthropy and humanitarian aid. The technology gives donors the ability to track their donations and ensure that they reach their intended recipients.

The immutable ledger created by blockchain technology ensures that all transactions record permanently and cannot alter or delete. This means that donors can have complete confidence in their contributions and the impact th...

Regardless of the legislation, there is no denying that the Irish have a reputation for loving their horseracing and along with the horseracing inevitably comes gambling. Almost half the population over the age of fifteen say they have gambled in the previous twelve months. Playing the lottery is the most popular form of gambling, while one in ten people visit a bookmaker's shop or place a bet trackside at horse or dog racing.

Online gambling is on the rise, and the online casino market is projected to be worth €0.64 billion this year, with almost 11% of the population gambling online. This number is expected to grow to around 658,000 (nearly 13%) by 2028.

Gambling in Ireland the key legislation

However, it is not all plain sailing, and it is estimated that one in thirty of the adult Irish population experiences gambling-related problems. That, combined with increased participation, meant the Irish government could not rely on outdated laws and regulations.

Despite fears that the horseracing industry could be adversely affected by the introduction of new legislation, a bill was brought forward last year to establish a gambling regulatory authority intended to protect children and people who could be vulnerable to problem gambling.

The Irish Government says the Bill will ensure all gambling is conducted openly and fairly. It also included safeguards to limit advertising, address problem gambling, and prevent gambling from supporting or being a source of crime.

It is clear that the Irish Government felt that intervention was necessary, so what does this new Bill replace or update?

The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland is part and parcel of the 2022 Gambling Regulation Bill and will see the Regulator taking responsibility for advertising, website and app content. The country's gambling laws had not been updated since the 1956 Lotteries Act and the 1931 Betting Act. The gambling landscape has shifted so far in the intervening years that new legislation was desperately needed.

However, the drafting of the new law was a slow process. It was first mooted fifteen years ago, and the aim was to create a regulatory system that brought mobile, online and in-person laws under one umbrella.

While the UK was an early adopter of iGaming, its Gambling Act of 2005 has struggled to keep pace with the fast-paced changes in the sector, including live dealer gaming, blockchain technologies, cryptocurrencies, the meteoric rise of mobile apps and the volume of gambling advertising and sponsorship deals.

The Irish regulatory system has banned gambling ads on TV between 5 pm and 9.30 pm, introduced a blanket ban on social media advertising, and has restrictions on sports club sponsorships for gambling companies.

The new law prohibits gambling stakes from being paid for using credit cards, and VIP schemes and bonuses are carefully monitored. Online casino promotions need to be judged as being fair. Players can find those that best suit their playing requirements with research from Casino.org and be confident that they are playing on trustworthy sites that are deemed to be safe, secure and licensed.

Operators are not permitted to offer promotions that are considered too enticing. The new Regulator will be responsible for issuing online operator licenses, and only those of good standing will be able to conduct business in the country. There will be a Social Impact Fund to research and implement programs to help people who experience problem gambling.

All of this is a far cry from what preceded it. In-person casino gambling was operated by exploiting a loophole in the 1956 Gaming and Lotteries Act, which banned commercial casinos. By creating private members clubs, enterprising casino operators set up gambling clubs offering slots and table games including poker, blackjack and roulette.

Despite being officially 'illegal,' there are fourteen land-based casinos in Ireland that operate as member-only gambling clubs and legally allow people to play f...

A new image from the Event Horizon Telescope collaboration, which includes researchers and telescopes of the University of Arizona, has uncovered strong and organized magnetic fields spiraling from the edge of the supermassive black hole Sagittarius A*, or Sgr A*.

Seen in polarized light for the first time, this new view of the monster lurking at the center of our Milky Way galaxy has revealed a magnetic field structure strikingly similar to that of a much more massive black hole, known as M87*, at the center of the M87 galaxy, suggesting that strong magnetic fields may be common to all black holes. This similarity also hints toward a hidden jet in Sgr A*. The results were published on March 27 in the journal The Astrophysical Journal Letters.

Learning more about black holes and their magnetic fields

Scientists unveiled the first image of Sgr A* - which is approximately 27,000 light-years from Earth - in 2022, revealing that while the Milky Way's supermassive black hole is more than a thousand times smaller and less massive than M87's, it looks remarkably similar. This made scientists wonder whether the two shared common traits outside of their looks. To find out, the team decided to study Sgr A* in polarized light.

Previous studies of light around M87* revealed that the magnetic fields around the black hole giant allowed it to launch powerful jets of material back into the surrounding environment. Building on this work, the new images have revealed that the same may be true for Sgr A*.

Boris Georgiev, an EHT postdoctoral researcher at UArizona's Steward Observatory and co-author on the study, said: "The consistency of magnetic field structures around Sgr A* and M87* suggests that the processes by which black holes feed and eject jets into their surroundings may be universal, despite their vast differences in size and mass."

"What we're seeing now is that there are strong, twisted and organized magnetic fields near the black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy," said Sara Issaoun, NASA Hubble Fellowship Program Einstein Fellow at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian and co-lead of the project.

"Along with Sgr A* having a strikingly similar polarization structure to that seen in the much larger and more powerful M87* black hole, we've learned that strong and ordered magnetic fields are critical to how black holes interact with the gas and matter around them."

Light is a moving oscillation of electric and magnetic fields that allows us to see objects. Sometimes, light oscillates in a preferred orientation, also known as polarized. Although polarized light surrounds us, to human eyes it is indistinguishable from "normal," or non-polarized, light. In the plasma around these black holes, particles whirling around magnetic field lines impart a polarization pattern perpendicular to the field.

This allows astronomers to see in increasingly vivid detail what is happening in black hole regions and map their magnetic field lines.

"By imaging polarized light from hot glowing gas near black holes, we are directly inferring the structure and strength of the magnetic fields that thread the flow of gas and matter that the black hole feeds on and ejects," said Angelo Ricarte, Harvard Black Hole Initiative Fellow and project co-lead. "Polarized light teaches us a lot more about the astrophysics, the properties of the gas and mechanisms that take place as a black hole feeds."

But imaging black holes in polarized light isn't as easy as putting on a pair of polarized sunglasses, and this is particularly true of Sgr A*, which is changing so fast that it doesn't sit still for pictures. Imaging the supermassive black hole requires sophisticated tools above and beyond those previously used for capturing M87*, a much steadier target.

Dan Marrone, EHT co-principal investigator and a co-author of the paper who is a professor of astronomy at Steward Observatory, and his team developed instruments that detected the polarized radio ...

ServiceNow (NYSE: NOW), the leading digital workflow company making the world work better for everyone, today officially opened the doors to its new offices with four floors in the sought-after 60 Dawson Street in Dublin city centre. The relocation of the company's Irish headquarters will further support its growing business and employee base in the region.

Mark Cockerill Senior Vice President, Legal for Corporate, M&A and International Development, @ServiceNow mentions organic growth is part of the ServiceNow story at the launch of their new Dublin office on Dawson St. @Irish_TechNews @agile_comms pic.twitter.com/c7kfi0s9rV

The Tec Dr (@tecdr) April 9, 2024

The expansion of ServiceNow's Irish real estate footprint comes after the company announced its intention to create a further 400 new roles in June last year, effectively doubling its workforce in Ireland in the coming years. With half of those jobs already filled, the business is ahead of schedule in achieving that target.

"We welcome ServiceNow's expanding presence in Ireland," said Neale Richmond TD, Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. "The move represents not only a boost to our robust tech sector but also a growing confidence in our local economy and the outstanding talent available. We look forward to a renewed promise of innovation, collaboration and shared prosperity."

The new space will house more than 37 different global and regional teams across a range of core functions, including engineering, sales, global talent, digital technology, finance and legal.

"Our move to a larger property is a result of our continued growth as the platform company of choice for digital business," said Mark Cockerill, Senior Vice President, Legal at ServiceNow. "Many of the roles that support our regional and global growth are increasingly being based in Ireland. These improved facilities will enhance the employee experience for our growing and diverse team and reflective of our continued investment in our people."

Executive Director of IDA Ireland Mary Buckley said "As ServiceNow opens its new LEED Gold office in Dublin, it highlights Ireland's position as a premier destination for innovative companies seeking to expand their presence in Europe. This reinforces Ireland's standing as a dynamic, forward-thinking economy and is testament to the availability of talent."

The state-of-the-art offices occupy almost 8,360 square metres across the top four floors of the prestigious premises. In addition to employee workspace, the offices feature dedicated training, collaboration and team-building spaces, as well as yoga and mothering rooms, meeting the needs of a modern and inclusive workspace. With a focus on quality, sustainability, and wellbeing, the smart infrastructure and open-air terraces are designed to enable workers to thrive.

"ServiceNow has been present in Ireland since 2018 and it has been a key part of our rapid growth both globally and in EMEA, as corporations and governments across the world turn to the power of our platform to fulfil their digital needs and improve their speed and efficiency," added Cockerill.

In the last five years, ServiceNow has grown from a handful of employees in Ireland to more than 600. The bolstered Irish office space is also testament to ServiceNow's strong employer brand, as recognised by Great Place to Work, firmly cementing its values of teamwork, belonging and customer-centricity in its company culture.

Commenting on the opening, AmCham CEO Paul Sweetman said: "This investment by ServiceNow is a positive signal of the organisation's commitment to Ireland and speaks more broadly to the continued strength of US FDI and their investment in the country. To bolster this trajectory of growth, we must continue to provide at pace a future-proofed level of infrastructure, skills and competitiveness."

See more stories here.

More about Irish Tech News

Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and of...

Cork Chamber has published its latest Economic Trends, proudly supported by PTSB. Cork Chamber members shared their experiences through the most recent business quarter, Q1 2024, and their outlook for Q2 2024. This quarter, Cork Chamber members also expressed their views on the provision of childcare services in Cork, and the impact childcare provision has on their employees.

The Q1 2024 survey found:

77% expressed confidence in the Irish economy

63% of respondents either agree or strongly agree that childcare disproportionately affects women in the workforce

72% stated that policymakers need to take further measures to address the challenges associated with childcare provision

Skills availability remains the top threat to business growth

Almost one-quarter of respondents (23%) cited that the availability and affordability of childcare provision are impacting staff, with another 23% of respondents acknowledging they are unaware if it is an issue. When asked about the workplace factors that childcare provision is impacting on, the top cited were an increase in remote working requests and an increase in requests to move to part-time work.

Notably, 63% believe that women in the workforce are disproportionately affected by childcare provision.

The survey findings underscore the importance of government and policymakers continuing to explore the requirements of childcare provision. A more enhanced, accessible and affordable childcare sector is important to supporting economic growth, and to ensuring that employees are provided with robust choice when considering their participation in the workplace.

Ronan Murray, Cork Chamber President, commented, "The business community has shown great resilience over the past number of years, responding to unforeseen events and adapting to changing work patterns. The economy is at near full employment and the findings from our recent survey further validate the need for continued flexibility in a modern and future-proofed workplace, with more reporting an increase in requests for remote working and a move to part-time work due to childcare provision.

Ensuring employees have a choice in their work patterns will be essential to bridging some of the skills shortages businesses are experiencing today."

Auriol Kelly, Business Banking Manager at PTSB, commented on the findings, "The Q1 survey reveals a decline from 38% to 27% of respondents reporting an increase in net profits. However, it is encouraging to see that 42% of businesses anticipate a growth in net profits for Q2.

These findings suggest a cautious optimism among businesses and highlight the need for proactive financial strategies to navigate the evolving economic landscape and PTSB is ready to support the business community in achieving their strategic goals."

In closing, Mr. Murray said, "Confidence in the economy remains high at 77%. It is positive to see 93% of respondents exhibiting confidence in their own business from a financial perspective. In 2024, retaining a focus on enhancing skills availability, mitigating energy costs, and addressing housing affordability holds potential for fostering further business growth."

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.

You can also find and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

Ten of the country's most aspiring tech entrepreneurs are now participating in Ireland's latest Pre-Seed Accelerator Programme. Just launched by Furthr, Ireland's leading business innovation centre, the programme's key partners include Growing Capital, Microsoft's Founder Platform and the Guinness Enterprise Centre.

The new Furthr Foundry Accelerator programme is a 12-week intensive programme, established with the intention of delivering 10 investor ready high potential start-ups who will take on pre-seed investment following their successful completion of the programme.

The programme has been devised to complement national and European policy around supporting and nurturing Ireland's entrepreneurial and start-up community, and creating an environment where entrepreneurs can raise funding, reduce the risks, develop skills and access capacity-building services.

Furthr's team of experienced consultants who deliver the programme, bring a wealth of experience in helping start-ups with business planning to support their accelerating, funding and connecting needs.

Participants in the Accelerator programme will undertake seven core modules to get them investor ready, covering topics from getting product market fit, resources management and technology planning, right through to Masterclasses on sales, marketing, financials, legals and pitch preparation as the final step. Throughout the programme, participants will be supported by business and investor mentorship teams.

Participants will attend 10 in-person, full day Masterclasses hosted in the Guinness Enterprise Centre (GEC), the largest incubator centre on the island of Ireland and for which Furthr is a founding partner and the managing partner. Foundry participants can also avail of a dedicated shared office space in the GEC throughout the duration of the programme.

The Furthr Foundry Accelerator programme culminates with an 'Investor Pitch Event', scheduled to take place on 26 June, where participating companies will have the opportunity to present their business proposition and plans to potential investors.

Companies participating in the inaugural Furthr Foundry Accelerator programme cover a wide range of diverse tech empowered businesses and industry sectors, leveraging some of the fast emerging technologies to enable digital transformation for many businesses, including artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, cloud platform delivery and biotech.

According to Martin Murray, CEO at Furthr: "Today's announcement is another significant step for Furthr in the rollout of additional services that are very much aligned to national and European policy to support the growth of entrepreneurship and the scaling of micro and small enterprises. Our success will be measured by supporting our clients to become 'investor ready' to take on their first institutional investment."

He added: "Since our inception in 1988, operating under our previous name, Dublin Business Innovation Centre, we have worked with more than 6000 start-up and scale-up founders and have helped raise more than €500m in seed capital which has created thousands of high-quality jobs. With the launch of our new Foundry Accelerator, Furthr is confident we can now engage and extend our reach to more start-ups to help them at this critical moment in their business growth journey".

The Furthr Foundry Pre-Seed Accelerator is being supported by Furthr's three key partners in this venture; Growing Capital, the leading provider of pre-seed private investment in Ireland, Microsoft's Founder Platform, providing technology credits and global expert/mentor access and the Guinness Enterprise Centre, providing a dedicated shared office space for foundry participants with the option to have access to co-working space post programme for a combined period of six months.

Last month, Furthr was included on the inaugural Financial Times /Statista list of 'Europe's Leading Start-Up Hubs', which showcases the top 125 start-up hubs located i...

Following a sellout inaugural event in 2023, TechFoundHer Boot Camp returns on April 16th in a new venue, Dublin City Hall, with a limited number of tickets now on sale.

TechFoundHer is on a mission to empower women to start and lead tech companies. The one-day highly interactive event brings together women tech leaders, founders and supporters as speakers, panellists and champions to share insights and practical guidance on how to create successful technology products and services. Ronan spoke to Vicky Twomey-Lee, the TechFoundHer Boot Camp Co-Founder.

Vicky talks about her background, bias in tech, women trailblazers in tech and more.

More about the TechFoundHer Boot Camp:

The TechFoundHer Boot Camp, backed by Dublin City Council, is seeking to champion more founders from non-tech backgrounds who are involved in creating a tech product or platform.

The high-energy event will facilitate an inclusive, interactive, social space with a mix of participative workshops, Q&A panels and speakers to support female founders to become more tech-savvy and equip them with industry know-how to move forward with their tech product or service idea.

Following the growth of the TechFoundHer Community to over 500, Boot Camp organisers are urging those who are interested in attending to purchase their place without hesitation.

General tickets are available for €90 and can be purchased here.

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.

You can also find and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

The IMI (Irish Management Institute) today published a new whitepaper recommending measures for leaders to equip themselves and their employees with the skills and capabilities necessary for growth in an AI-enabled future.

Developed through engagement with the IMI's membership base of senior decision-makers and CEOs of businesses across Ireland, the whitepaper highlights the key role of senior leaders in preparing their organisations to harness the power of AI.

Key Leadership Skills

As the development and adoption of AI technologies accelerate, the whitepaper highlights the key leadership skills necessary to thrive in this new environment. Advanced communications, negotiation and people skills are set to become ever more important in an AI-enabled future as leaders manage more productive and high-performance teams supported by automation.

Many leaders are already recognising the need to enhance their proficiency in these areas, with the IMI experiencing a significant increase in demand for its Advanced Negotiation Skills programme since the onset of the AI transformation in early 2023.

Advancing Capabilities

Despite the whitepaper demonstrating the role of leaders in driving change, only 1 in 4 business leaders in Ireland currently feel they have the right skills and capabilities to harness the potential of AI within their organisation, according to IMI research.

A greater focus on developing leadership AI capabilities and deepening understanding of the technology can support decision makers to better identify strategic opportunities where AI can be leveraged to improve business efficiencies and support their workforce.

To fully harness the potential of AI in their organisation, leaders should consider whether their current organisational culture adequately supports workers and innovation. With digital transformation and an evolving world of work creating gaps between leaders and talent, leaders need to ensure that the culture of their business evolves to meet the changing needs of their workforce. It is only by implementing these shifts that companies will be capable of fully realising the potential of AI.

The whitepaper highlights that a strong leadership approach is important to creating a culture of innovation throughout an organisation that encourages talent to use and experiment with AI tools. When coupled with dedicated reskilling and upskilling AI programmes, this cultural shift can ensure that talent has the necessary support and skills to benefit from the productivity gains of the technology.

To ensure that everyone has opportunity to develop the skills and capabilities necessary to fully participate in an AI-enabled economy, the whitepaper calls for a collaborative approach across Government, education, and industry in working together in closing the skills gap. Ensuring a joined-up stakeholder approach to skilling can mitigate the potential risks of worker displacement and ensure the workforce will be prepared to fully harness the opportunity offered by AI.

Responsible AI Use

While AI offers powerful potential increases in efficiency, its algorithms also have the potential to perpetuate biases and other unintended consequences if not carefully managed. The whitepaper calls for business leaders to champion ethical and responsible practices regarding the use of AI within their organisation. Engagement with a range of stakeholders in the development of AI strategies can ensure that transparency and fairness is embedded in the use of AI solutions.

Open and honest communication with employees and customers regarding their use can also better secure trust in the technology.

Shane O'Sullivan, interim CEO of the IMI, said: "AI is a once in a generation technology. With the AI transformation firmly underway, the technology offers powerful possibilities to increase productivity and revolutionise the way we do business.

"Business leaders will play a critical role in unlocking the power of AI within their organisation. Howe...