CleverCards, the digital payments platform that enables Businesses and Public Sector organisations to configure digital Mastercard's themselves and send them to anyone, anywhere, anytime to download instantly, released its inaugural CleverCard spending report, detailing how users of CleverCards are using their funds.

The report analyses the spending data of 75,000 CleverCards digital Mastercard's users from January 1st 2023 until 13th November 2023 who had received 1,000 Tax Free on a prepaid CleverCard from their employer. The sample set included employees across small, medium and enterprise business customers of CleverCards across 40 different business sectors throughout the country.

There were some noticeable shifts in spending trends this year compared to previous years;

With the pandemic's onset in 2020, sudden lockdowns meant employees could not spend on experiences and therefore spent more on goods while uncertainty was the theme of Christmas 2020 and even 2021.

After an overspending on goods during Covid, employees were eager to spend on experiences and did so in 2022 although inflation and increasing prices were still a key factor as evidenced by employees using their 1,000 CleverCards to pay motor tax, fuel, electricity and similar non-discretionary costs in early 2023.

The resilient economy throughout 2023 has seen 29% of all spend in the sample set spent on food and dining, 14% on clothing and 6% on health and wellbeing.

The company anonymously analysed employees who received 1,000 tax-free bonuses from their employers in 2023. Of the 75,000 cards that were selected for analysis, they drew the below results:

Food & Dining: 29% of card spend

Retail: 16% of card spend

Clothing: 14% of card spend

Health & Wellbeing: 6% of card spend

General Supplies: 5% of card spend

Fuel: 4% of card spend

Accommodation: 4% of card spend

Travel & Transport: 3% of card spend

Airline: 3% of card spend

Electronics: 3% of card spend

Professional Services: 3% of card spend

Miscellaneous: 3% of card spend

Technology & Software: 3% of card spend

Financial Services: 2% of card spend

Other: 2% of card spend

CleverCards has experienced dramatic growth over the last 12 months, with over 5,000 businesses in Ireland alone already using the platform. The business employs over 60 people and has significant plans for continued growth into 2024. The company recently made two marquee appointments; Paul Carroll, joined as Chief Operations Officer, and Mark McCoy, former Head of Revolut Business Enterprise Account Management joined as VP of Sales.

Speaking on the results, Kealan Lennon, CEO and Founder of CleverCards stated, "We are privileged to have a unique insight into the spending patterns of employees in Ireland. This report demonstrates the changing nature of employee spend - our consensus last year was that employees were spending a higher proportion of their tax-free bonus on essentials; motor tax, electricity, food. This year, those proportions have dropped, with people spending a higher percentage on food and dining and retail.

Lennon added; "As we move into the 2023 year-end Christmas period the combination of increased interest rates, a surge in crude prices and a weak euro relative to the dollar driving up the price of motor fuels and the cost of home-heating oil, we expect employees will again use their CleverCards tax free bonuses to pay for fuel, electricity and similar necessities.

"On the employer front we expect businesses to delay decision making on bonus pay-outs until the last minute this year, which will drive a further increase in digital cards and a sharp reduction in plastic card distribution due to the risk of not arriving on time, while also supporting a more inclusive and sustainable digital economy."

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Advancements in 3D organ printing signal a major shift in medical and pharmaceutical research, offering a humane alternative to animal testing. As highlighted by Vital 3D's CEO, Vidmantas Šakalys, this innovative technology not only upholds ethical standards but also enhances scientific accuracy, paving the way for more personalized and effective treatments.

Could 3D printed organs reduce animal testing?

November 21, 2023. In the realm of scientific research, particularly in the medical and pharmaceutical sectors, animal testing has been a prevalent method. This practice, however, is under increasing scrutiny due to ethical concerns and questions about its scientific validity. It is estimated that more than 115 million animals worldwide are used in experiments each year.

Amid these challenges, 3D organ printing has emerged as a promising solution. It not only upholds scientific integrity but also addresses the ethical dilemmas posed by animal testing, potentially reducing the reliance on animals in research significantly.

3D-printed organs outperform animal models in accuracy

Vidmantas Šakalys, CEO of Vital 3D, emphasizes that "3D-printed organoids are set to revolutionize the ways we approach drug and medical discoveries. This technology enables high-throughput production and allows for extensive testing under varied conditions. Moreover, it utilizes patient-specific cells, paving the way for personalized and more effective treatments."

In terms of scientific merit, customizable 3D-printed organs offer a more accurate replication of human anatomy and physiology compared to traditional animal models. This leads to data that is more directly applicable to human health concerns. Additionally, this technology opens new avenues for exploring and understanding rare, genetically based diseases, which are often inadequately represented in animal models.

Challenges in balancing innovation and ethical hurdles

Despite its promise, the path to making 3D organ printing a mainstream alternative to animal testing is not without challenges. Vidmantas Šakalys sheds light on the complexities involved including the advancements in 3D printing methods, bioink formulations, and tissue engineering which are vital for improving the functionality of 3D-printed organs and tissues.

Šakalys specifically states, "Developing standardized protocols and confirming the technology's efficacy in mirroring human reactions are key for its wider application. Achieving consistent and replicable results is crucial for gaining regulatory approval and widespread acceptance."

He further notes the significant role of regulatory entities like the U.S. FDA in this process. While 3D organ printing reduces some ethical dilemmas associated with animal testing, it raises new concerns regarding the use of human cells and tissues. Addressing these ethical issues and obtaining public approval is pivotal in determining how soon this technology becomes widely adopted.

Finally, Šakalys emphasizes that integrating 3D organ printing into regular research practices hinges on researchers' familiarity with the technology, its accessibility, and the creation of user-friendly platforms.

Broader implications and future directions

The implications of 3D organ printing extend far beyond the realm of animal testing. It is set to redefine the entire spectrum of medical and pharmaceutical research, ushering in an era of more reliable, cost-effective, and humane scientific inquiry.

In regenerative medicine and tissue engineering, it holds promise for printing functional organs for transplantation, potentially easing donor organ shortages and reducing reliance on immunosuppressive drugs.

Additionally, 3D-printed organoids could be instrumental in cancer research and could be vital for health solutions in long-duration space missions.

About Vital3D

Vital3D is a pioneering biotechnology company headquartered in Lithuania, dedicated to innovating advanced solutions in medical research, drug dis...

To meet the growing demand for spatial analytics, Esri is extending its long-standing strategic collaboration with Microsoft through a unified analytics platform powered by spatial capabilities. Microsoft Fabric, now in General Availability as announced at Microsoft Ignite, will accelerate time to insights and reveal unexplored patterns, trends, and connections through the integration of spatial analytics from Esri's ArcGIS software.

Data scientists, data engineers, business analysts, and their executive stakeholders demanding spatial analytics and visualisation within Fabric will benefit greatly from the joint offering. Esri's ArcGIS integration will allow data to flow across an organisation, whether working from Microsoft OneLake, Microsoft Power BI, or their ArcGIS environment. Fabric users will be empowered with direct access to sophisticated spatial analytics tools and functions, and an extensive library of authoritative and curated spatial data, to produce interactive and intuitive visualisations and maps.

"We are excited by this announcement," said Eamonn Doyle, CTO, Esri Ireland. "It paves the way for data scientists across the Irish public and private sectors to gain spatial insights that can unlock powerful social, economic and environmental benefits."

"Integration with Esri allows our Microsoft Fabric customers to gain valuable geospatial insights through access to their powerful spatial analysis technology," said Arun Ulagaratchagan, Corporate Vice President of Azure Data, Microsoft.

The integration of ArcGIS with Fabric will be available in Q2 2024.

"Esri and Microsoft are key strategic partners to the Met Office," said Dr. Niall Robinson, Head of Product Futures. "With the development of our next generation supercomputer from Microsoft our data volumes will grow exponentially. Continuing to help people make better decisions to stay safe and thrive will require an even greater use of ML/AI both within our organisation and by our downstream consumers.

To learn more about the new spatial analytics workload for Microsoft Fabric, visit go.esri.com/spatial-analytics-in-microsoft-fabric.

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Guest post by Mark Minevich, who is the author of the newly released award-winning AI book published by Wiley, "Our Planet Powered by AI."

Introduction: AI's Evolution from Fiction to Reality

Artificial Intelligence has transitioned from a sci-fi fantasy to an everyday reality, shaping our world in unprecedented ways. From academic research to global technological advancement, AI automates jobs, optimises operations, assists in medical diagnosis, and facilitates scientific discovery. AI systems now automate jobs, optimise business operations, assist in medical diagnosis, facilitate scientific discovery, and much more.

Yet, as AI redefines our society, we face crucial questions: How can we ensure these powerful technologies develop safely, ethically, and in service of human needs, not just efficiency? Society 5.0 seeks to address these challenges, steering us towards a future where technology harmonizes with human-centric values.

How AI can help humanity

Understanding Society 5.0: A New Era of Technological Symbiosis

Society 5.0, a concept introduced by Japan, envisions a "super-smart" society where AI and emerging technologies are harnessed not merely for automation and efficiency but to enhance the quality of life, promote sustainability, and uphold human values. This societal model aspires to leverage AI, IoT, robotics, and big data to address pressing issues like climate change, healthcare, infrastructure, and inequality, prioritizing human well-being over resource optimization.

Human-Centric AI: Principles and Practices

For Society 5.0 to truly prioritize human needs, AI development must adhere to certain principles:

Transparency: AI's actions and decisions must be understandable to humans, fostering trust and accountability.

Fairness: AI systems should operate without biases that could adversely affect specific groups, advocating for diversity and inclusivity.

Ethics: The development and application of AI must be guided by moral considerations, defining what is right and wrong in technological advancements.

Human Control: AI should remain a tool under human direction, enhancing rather than replacing human capabilities.

Accountability: There must be mechanisms to address and rectify AI-based errors or harms, ensuring responsibility and remediation.

AI in Action: Case Studies of Society 5.0

In practice, these principles are manifesting in various ways:

Smart Cities: Designed to improve healthcare access, environmental sustainability, public transportation, and infrastructure monitoring, these cities use AI to create living spaces that adapt to human needs.

AI-Assisted Living: AI virtual assistants are helping older adults maintain independence, dignity, and quality of life.

Automated Workplaces: AI takes over repetitive tasks, freeing humans for creativity, leisure, and family time.

Precision Medicine: AI-driven treatments are personalized based on individual genes, lifestyles, and preferences, revolutionizing healthcare.

Adaptive Education: AI in education customizes learning experiences to individual student needs, fostering optimal educational growth.

Challenges and Opportunities: The Road to Society 5.0

Despite these advancements, the road to Society 5.0 is not without challenges. Ethical dilemmas, data privacy concerns, and the potential for job displacement pose significant hurdles. Furthermore, there's a critical need for global collaboration in AI governance to ensure equitable benefits. However, these challenges also present opportunities for innovation, policy development, and a deeper understanding of the symbiotic relationship between humans and technology.

A Collaborative Path Forward

Society 5.0 offers a compelling vision for an AI-enabled future centered around human welfare and sustainable development. Achieving this vision requires a concerted effort from governments, corporations, researchers, and citizens. We can harness AI's immense potential for societal good by upholding ethical values and prioritiz...

The digital euro has entered a two-year preparation phase which will lay the foundations for potentially issuing the digital euro across Europe. According to a new survey conducted by management and technology consultancy BearingPoint in seven countries across Europe, 40% of respondents in Ireland have not heard of the digital euro, a planned digital version of physical euro bank notes and coins. So, whilst knowledge of the digital euro is relatively widespread across Europe, in Ireland, further communication and education is required to ensure acceptance of the digital euro as a supplement to cash.

According to official communications of the European Central Bank, the digital euro is not intended to replace cash but to complement it, which is also reflected in the survey results. On average, around 26% of respondents expect the digital euro to be used as a supplement to existing payment methods. Information on the digital euro is most pronounced in Austria, with only 27% of respondents having not heard of it. High awareness in Austria could be due to the intensive political discussion on the digital euro there.

On the other hand, 43% of respondents in France had not heard of the digital euro. In the countries with the highest cash use, Austria and Germany, the expectation is that the digital euro will be used less frequently than cash. In Finland, the country with the lowest cash use, the digital euro is expected to be used more frequently than cash. Of the respondents aware of the digital euro, across all age groups, Irish respondents are the most likely to believe that it will replace cash.

Expectations of the critical characteristics of the digital euro are consistent across countries, these being: fast, secure, and accepted everywhere, closely followed by availability at all times. Anonymity as a characteristic was by far the least important.

Respondents said their preferred use of the digital euro would be for online shopping, with one in two in Ireland saying they would use it there. In all countries surveyed, the digital euro would also be used frequently in daily shopping, such as at the supermarket. The criteria of free to use and accepted everywhere 24/7 (online and offline) would encourage respondents to use the digital euro the most. Trust in data security is seen as a more important criterion for usage than a great user experience.

Results of the survey show that the personal bank receives the highest trust for digital euro transaction data. With an average of 4% across all countries, very few respondents would want to entrust their transaction data to technology companies such as Apple, Google, or Amazon.

Christian Bruck, Partner and Payments Expert at BearingPoint: "Cash is by far the most popular payment method in Europe. It is so high partly due to the fact that in uncertain times, cash is perceived as particularly familiar and secure. Cash remains highly valued, reflected in the strong majority favouring cash in the next five to ten years.

It is interesting to note that, despite the differences in today's use of cash, an average of one in five people would use the digital euro several times a week. This underlines the potential of the digital euro.

Gillian O'Sullivan, Partner and Ireland Country Lead at BearingPoint: "Although knowledge of the digital euro is now relatively widespread across Europe, Ireland is lagging with 40% of respondents in Ireland never having heard of it. The findings of our survey highlight that further communication and education is required in Ireland to ensure acceptance of the digital euro as a supplement to cash.

In Germany (71%) and Austria (79%), cash use is significantly higher than in other European countries. Respondents from Switzerland (63%), Ireland (61%), the Netherlands (57%), and France (55%) also show a relatively high level of cash use but are well behind Germany and Austria. Finland has a significantly lower cash usage pattern at 43%.

The popularity of cash is al...

A University of Galway academic whose research work focuses on developing computational models of human biology has been awarded a 2 million research grant from the European Research Council.

Leading the transformative AVATAR project is Professor Ines Thiele, who leads the Molecular Systems Physiology Group at the University and is a Principal Investigator with APC Microbiome Ireland, the Science Foundation Ireland microbiome research centre hosted by University College Cork.

AVATAR is a ground-breaking project to construct an advanced computer model that delves into the connections between genes, metabolism, microbiome and diet, and to unravel their impact on health. The model aims to predict personalised health interventions based on individual health data, offering tailored advice - similar to a virtual health coach. It will be a stepping-stone for computer-assisted diagnosis and treatment.

AVATAR's powerful computer model of human metabolism will propel advancements in personalised medicine by predicting the optimal health interventions for individuals, based on their own health data. It will initially focus on inherited metabolic diseases and metabolic changes in individuals with cognitive issues.

For example, the computer model may predict if a person is at risk of health issues based on their genes, microbiome, life-style parameters, and metabolism, and provide recommendations on how to intervene effectively, such as by giving specific diet recommendations.

Professor Ines Thiele has been awarded 2 million European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grant to spearhead the project.

Professor Thiele explained: "AVATAR represents a monumental leap towards personalised medicine. Our society is very diverse, including our bodies, biologies and lifestyles, yet healthcare still largely relies on a 'one-size-fits-all' approach, assuming most people will respond the same way to the same treatment. In reality, and beyond genetics, our health is influenced by internal factors like metabolism, which are small molecules circulating in our bodies; external elements such as microbiome and lifestyle choices such as diet.

"AVATAR addresses the differences between individuals by unravelling the intricate relationships between genes, metabolism, microbiome, and diet. While advancements in DNA technology hold promise for personalised medicine, the multitude of genetic variations presents a daunting challenging in determining their specific relevance to health.

"The intricate interplay of these factors forms a complex web that requires a sophisticated, computer-based approach in order to untangle."

This is the second ERC award for Professor Thiele, who was awarded a European Research Council Starting Grant in 2017, which enabled her pioneering work on computational modelling of the role of the microbiome on human health.

The pioneering Avatar project involves collaboration and multidisciplinary efforts in a team spanning Ireland, Germany, Spain, The Netherlands and the USA.

Professor Paul Ross, Director of APC Microbiome Ireland commented: "Personalised nutrition and medicine will be a huge gamechanger once we achieve the research goals to make it possible. Pioneering projects such as AVATAR will bring individualized approaches to food and medicine closer to reality when it comes to people's healthcare.

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The 'Win Your Dream Christmas' competition links to research showing strong support for local businesses and cost of living concerns.

Miconex has launched its 'Win Your Dream Christmas' competition in Ireland as it continues to drive a shop local ethos across the country.

Town & City Gift Card programmes from Miconex are active across Ireland in towns including Ballinrobe, Carndonagh, Drogheda, Sligo and Waterford. The multi-store, multi-sector gift cards work through the Mastercard system, and can be redeemed with retail, hospitality, leisure, health/beauty, accommodation and services businesses, keeping spend locked into local communities.

The 'Win Your Dream Christmas competition' links to recent research undertaken by the fintech, including concerns around the cost of living, preference for gift cards and strong support for local businesses. Entrants are asked 'what is your dream Christmas' for a chance to win a 1,000 Town & City Gift Card for their chosen Irish programme.

96% of people say they are keen to support local businesses this Christmas. 87% say they support local businesses to help keep them open, and 89% plan to buy at least one gift card this Christmas. But there's also worry about how to pay for Christmas too with 72% of people saying the cost of living is a concern for them.

Colin Munro is the managing director of Miconex and said support for local businesses is strong in Ireland.

"Our research showed a strong understanding of the need to shop local and the impact that it has, namely keeping businesses open and communities vibrant. Not only that, the majority of respondents said that shopping local offers a better experience. People want to buy and receive gift cards and local gift cards offer both choice and support for local.

"With the cost of living still a concern, our Win Your Dream Christmas competition is a chance for people to have a worry free Christmas. The winner in Ireland can pick a Town & City Gift Card for their nearest town and enjoy Christmas as they wish with those they love."

The Win Your Dream Christmas opens on the 6th November and closes on the 8th December at www.winyourxmas.ie

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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

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In a groundbreaking study poised to challenge the foundations of our understanding of the universe, Dr Eoin Ó Colgáin, a physicist and data scientist at Atlantic Technological University (ATU), has spearheaded an international collaboration that could usher in a paradigm shift in our comprehension of the cosmos by questioning its shape.

For over a century, Einstein's general relativity has served as the cornerstone for explaining gravity across various scales, from our solar system to the vast expanse of the evolving universe. The assumption of an isotropic universe, where the underlying spacetime remains uniform in all directions, has been a fundamental aspect of this paradigm.

The theory has often been likened to raisins in a loaf of bread, which spread evenly further out as the bread bakes in an oven. This 100-year-old assumption, supported by NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) satellites, greatly simplifies mathematical modelling and astronomical observations.

According to Dr Ó Colgáin, this new research suggests the expansion of the universe is not a perfect bubble-type shape but has a less uniform look, bulging in different directions. "The isotropic Universe assumption has noticeable benefits. On one hand, it makes gravity equations easier to solve. On the other hand, astronomers can point telescopes in a single direction on the sky and assume findings are representative."

However, recent studies over the past decade, pioneered and pushed by members of the international collaboration, have uncovered a critical loophole in this long-standing assumption. While the cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation, relic radiation from the Big Bang, has been confirmed as isotropic to good approximation, matter distributions - comprising atoms, electrons, and other building blocks of the universe - display unexpected anisotropic patterns.

Dr Eoin Ó Colgáin and his international colleagues have meticulously documented these surprising findings in a peer-reviewed publication in the esteemed journal Classical and Quantum Gravity. The paper builds the emerging science case supporting an anisotropic Universe. The findings have garnered significant attention, prompting the Royal Society London to schedule a debate on the topic in 2024.

Dr Ó Colgáin remarked, "The philosopher of science, Thomas Kuhn, separates science into normal science, marked by incremental advancements within a paradigm and breakthroughs or paradigm shifts. Our emerging results raise the exciting prospect that a paradigm shift is on the horizon."

These findings challenge established norms and invite the scientific community and the public to question the assumptions that have underpinned our understanding of the Universe for approximately 100 years.

Ergo, Ireland's largest IT solutions provider with a growing global footprint, has announced a deal with real estate company BidX1, which has seen the company transform its network and IT security strategy. Partnering with Cato Networks, the deal will significantly enhance BidX1's security and connectivity to drive innovation, support business growth and facilitate ongoing international expansion.

Established in Ireland in 2011, BidX1 is a leading property company with a digital platform that enables buyers and sellers to complete transactions seamlessly online. Now active across five markets -Ireland, UK, Spain, Cyprus and South Africa - this innovative approach has seen BidX1 sell more than 15,000 properties with a Gross Transaction Value of over 3 billion.

As part of its managed services division, this project saw Ergo roll out a Cato Networks Secure Access Service Edge framework and SD-WAN solution, along with Zero Trust Network Access for BidX1's remote users.

It involved a shift to a 100% cloud-based environment for BidX1, which had been using physical premise-based firewalls and networks for its users and websites. As well as enhancing security and improving connectivity, this new IT foundation can be scaled to enable further business growth and support new regions in line with BidX1's expansion plans.

This new approach also provides greater security and protection for more than 100 BidX1 staff located across five locations, together with the company's customer base, by delivering a managed firewall service, implementing authentication processes and providing disaster recovery capabilities. Furthermore, the in-house IT team can better manage, monitor and control access to internal networks.

The new portal centralises visibility of company systems and constantly assesses performance across the entire IT environment. Furthermore, it delivers a full audit log of the network, including detailed data insights.

The Cato Networks framework allocates a static IP for each geo location of BidX1. This enables staff to connect to and access resources based on the country they are in at that time, streamlining administrative tasks and making the systems overall easier to use.

The cloud-only foundation established by Ergo is also a more cost-effective approach and is easier-to-use, compared to BidX1's previous IT infrastructure. It can be managed by the in-house team, which can choose which features to activate, and was installed seamlessly, in a matter of weeks, with configuration completed by Ergo off-site in advance.

Commenting on the rollout, Alba de la Fuente, IT Operations Manager, BidX1, said: "Cloud-based technology and data-driven insights are key enablers for our platform, an online real estate marketplace which attracts thousands of bidders each year. This latest phase on our digital journey will enhance our service delivery and enable further business growth.

John Clancy, Managing Director, Managed Services at Ergo Group, added: "We really enjoyed partnering with BidX1 on this project, a company that is driving true innovation in the property sector, as Cato Networks are doing similarly in the SASE space. Our aim was to leverage the technologies of Cato Networks to create a secure, smart way of working which would equip BidX1 with the means to continue on their digital transformation journey and support their growing global footprint and operations."

Mark Draper, Area Vice President, EMEA Channel Sales, Cato Networks, commented: "We are very pleased to be working with Ergo. Their experience and credibility have accelerated the enterprise opportunity in Ireland, and the BidX1 opportunity is a great reflection of this. It's been a fantastic journey to date and one that will increase significantly as more enterprises adopt a cloud-native approach to security and networking throughout 2024."

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More about Irish Tech News

Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too.

You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news

If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at [email protected] now to discuss.

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

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