Tag: #AI

Microsoft recognises NextGen of STEM and AI leaders at Microsoft Dream Space Showcase

The third annual Microsoft Dream Space Showcase brought together students from across Ireland to demonstrate how their STEM and AI skills developed during the programme can tackle real-world challenges. Held over three days at Microsoft’s Dublin campus, and supported by three additional regional showcase events, the initiative saw more than 800 students present over 110 innovative projects, providing inspiring solutions to many of today’s environmental, health, wellbeing, and accessibility challenges. From earthquake sensors and plant health monitors to food waste trackers and inclusive communication tools, the projects reflect a wide range of creative, impactful ideas developed by the next generation of STEM leaders.

Launched in 2018, Microsoft Dream Space was designed to provide young people with an opportunity to participate in immersive, research-based STEM experiences to enhance their STEM skills and shift their perceptions about the role technology can play in their future careers. Delivered through a mix of in-person, virtual, on-demand, and community-based programmes, today, Microsoft Dream Space is providing every primary and post-primary student*, as well as their teachers, across the island of Ireland with the opportunity to engage in STEM and AI learning experiences that will equip them with the skills that are required to fully participate in the era of AI.

The Microsoft Dream Space Showcase was launched three years ago with the objective of extending access to the programme’s learning content and supports to students and their teachers in rural communities in collaboration with the Department of Rural and Community Development and local county councils.

Since the first event in 2023, student participation in the Microsoft Dream Space Showcase has grown significantly, with a near 200% increase in project submissions highlighting the growing enthusiasm among this young cohort to apply their STEM and AI knowledge in creative and impactful ways. Students and teachers from communities in Longford, Cork, Mayo, Tipperary, Monaghan and Waterford have been the most engaged in the initiative, with the number of communities involved continuing to grow each year.

As part of the initiative, students embark on a year-long learning journey that combines in-class activities, digital resources, and in-person programme engagement. Using content from three Dream Space TV series – Full STEAM Ahead, Code Green, and brAIn_waves – students develop skills in coding, computational thinking, sustainability, and AI, laying the groundwork for their participation in the Showcase.

The learning journey culminates in the Microsoft Dream Space Showcase where students travel to One Microsoft Place to demonstrate the many ways in which their newly developed STEM skills can help solve real-world problems. From climate action to inclusive design, the projects presented at the Showcase address key challenges linked to the UN Global Goals, demonstrating how technology and creativity can come together to drive positive change.

This year, Microsoft is celebrating its 40th year of innovating and investing in Ireland. To mark this milestone, the company gave a special ‘NextGen 40’ award at the Microsoft Dream Space Showcase to 6th class students from St Marys National School in Edgeworthstown, County Longford for their inspiring project, ‘The Eco-town’. Building on the knowledge and skills that the students developed over the past year, the students created multiple micro:bit devices through coding to transform Edgeworthstown into an eco-town. They focused on key areas such as safety, recycling, and solar energy. As part of the project, the students built a prototype of their local town to demonstrate how their micro:bits would function, offering a clear vision of how technology can enhance sustainability in their community and empower them to achieve more.

James O’Connor, Microsoft Ireland Site Leader and Corporate Vice President Microsoft Global Operations Service Centre, said: “As Microsoft celebrates 40 years in Ireland, we are incredibly proud to have students from across the country visit our campus in Leopardstown to showcase the STEM and AI projects they have developed using the digital skills that they have gained throughout their year-long Dream Space journey. With AI transforming how we learn, live and work, it’s vital that every young student, irrespective of their background, can engage confidently in STEM and AI learning.

“The Dream Space Showcase is a powerful reflection of what’s possible when students are given the skills and confidence to explore STEM and AI. This year’s event brought together hundreds of young innovators who used these skills to tackle real-world challenges. Their projects show that the next generation is not just ready to participate in the digital world – they are ready to shape it.

“As we look to the future, Microsoft remains committed to skilling up the next generation. Through Microsoft Dream Space and our broader Skill Up Ireland initiatives, we’re working to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to build the skills they need for the era of AI and is empowered to achieve more.”

Part of the winning team of the NextGen 40 award at this year’s Microsoft Dream Space Showcase, 6th class student Róisin from St. Marys National School in Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford said “We have really enjoyed the Microsoft Dream Space Showcase experience. We loved learning more about STEM and how technology can be used to tackle problems. With my classmates I worked on a project called ’The Eco-town’. For it we used micro:bits to create solutions focused on safety, recycling, and solar energy to make our community more sustainable. It was amazing to see how technology can have a positive impact in the area we live in. We were delighted to win the award.”

 

Reflecting on the impact of Microsoft Dream Space in her classroom, Shannon Boyle a teacher from St. Marys National School Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford said “Microsoft Dream Space has become a vital part of how we teach STEM in our school. The resources are easy to integrate into our day-to-day curriculum and allow us to connect learning to real-world challenges, helping students see how technology can shape their futures. This year, our students won the ‘NextGen 40’ award at Microsoft Dream Space Showcase for The Eco-town—a project tackling sustainability, safety, recycling, and renewable energy in our community. It’s been inspiring to watch them apply coding and digital tools to create practical solutions for Edgeworthstown. Our school moto is ‘Education for Life’. We live this moto out every day and we’re excited to apply this commitment towards bringing STEM to life for the students in our school.”

 

To learn more about Microsoft Dream Space or to access the latest learning resources, visit: https://dreamspace.microsoft.com/en-us/dreamspace/ireland

Irish Femtech innovator Joii Launches AI-powered Menstrual Monitoring Solution

Joii, a trailblazing Irish femtech startup which has raised €2.4m in funding to date, has today launched its groundbreaking app and innovative range of sustainable period care products, aiming to transform the way menstrual health is understood, monitored, and discussed in Ireland and beyond.

A world-first, Joii’s menstrual pad and mobile app measure period blood volume and clot sizes, offering users unprecedented insights into menstrual health through AI-powered image analysis. Backed by clinical research and real-world validation, Joii offers a data-driven way to monitor menstrual health, finally giving people with periods the tools to see what’s really going on.

While wearables track steps, sleep, and heart rate, Joii is pioneering a long-overdue frontier in female health, providing data-driven insights into the menstrual cycle and female health. By combining specially designed evaluation pads with a mobile app, users can scan used pads to receive a quantified evaluation of their period flow and clotting patterns. These data points are clinically relevant but often overlooked.

“For too long, women have been told to just ‘track their period’ without any real tools to measure what’s actually happening. With Joii, we’re changing that,” said Joii Founder, Justyna Strzeszynska. “We’re helping people see their periods clearly, for the first time.”

Joii is focused on setting a new standard for menstrual health and, by extension, women’s health issues in general. Heavy menstrual bleeding affects 1 in 3 women, yet diagnosis and treatment are frequently delayed due to vague language like “heavy” or “normal”, without any tangible or qualifying details. Joii introduces objective data to the conversation, empowering users with measurable, visual, and shareable insights that can accelerate diagnosis and care.

Joii’s technology is Class I Medical Device–Certified in the UK and protected under multiple patents. The company is now partnering with leading institutions to develop predictive models for menstrual conditions, such as endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), transforming menstrual blood into a powerful diagnostic tool.

Supported by clinical research and validated through real-world studies funded by the NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research), Joii products show remarkable results. 62% of users reported improved communication with their healthcare professionals, symptom screening efficacy increased by 288%, and menstrual health literacy rose by 134%, demonstrating the app’s positive impact on menstrual health awareness and management.*

This technology is particularly beneficial for individuals experiencing heavy bleeding, those on long diagnostic journeys, such as endometriosis, which currently can take up to 10 years, as well as those seeking a better understanding and control over their menstrual health. Joii empowers users to advocate for themselves and also provides healthcare professionals with objective data that can improve diagnosis and treatment.

What the Experts Say:

Dr Fatema Mustansir Dawoodbhoy (NHS), Clinical Advisor to Joii, said, “This app will definitely offer me better insights into how the patient is feeling as I will be able to understand their symptoms variation throughout the month.” Meanwhile, Dr Kushal Chummun, Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in the Rotunda and Connolly Hospital, agrees – “I think the app is really, really good”, underpinning the clinical confidence in Joii’s innovation.

How It Works:

  1. Wear Joii Pads – Designed for optimal visibility and comfort.

  2. Scan with the Joii App – Use the Joii App to analyse the pad.

  3. Get Insights – Instantly receive volume in millilitres, clot detection, and cycle trends.

 

Joii’s AI-enabled app is free to download on iOS and Android devices, and Joii Evaluation Pads RRP €6.95 are available now from selected health stores and pharmacies nationwide as well as online from www.joiicare.com.

“Wholefoods is proud to support Joii Care and their groundbreaking approach to menstrual health,” said Ronan O’Flynn, Sales Manager at Wholefoods Wholesale Ireland. “By combining smart technology with a clinically tested menstrual pad, Joii empowers users to measure their period volume and better understand their symptoms – a world-first solution that supports more informed self-care and stronger communication between patients and clinicians.”

Tech sector emissions, energy use grow with rise of AI

Tech sector carbon emissions continued their rise in recent years, fueled by rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and data infrastructure, according to Greening Digital Companies 2025.

The report, produced by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the World Benchmarking Alliance (WBA), tracks the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, energy use, and climate commitments of 200 leading digital companies as of 2023, the most recent year for which full data is available.

While the annual report calls on digital companies to address their growing environmental footprint, it also indicates encouraging progress. Worldwide, more companies had set emissions targets, sourced renewable energy and aligned with science-based frameworks.

“Advances in digital innovation — especially AI — are driving up energy consumption and global emissions,” said ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin. “While more must be done to shrink the tech sector’s footprint, the latest Greening Digital Companies report shows that industry understands the challenge — and that continued progress depends on sustaining momentum together.”

Global AI expansion fuels energy demand

According to the latest edition of the report, electricity consumption by data centers — which power AI development and deployment, among other uses — increased by 12 per cent each year from 2017 to 2023, four times faster than global electricity growth.

Four leading AI-focused companies alone saw their operational emissions increase in the reporting period by 150 per cent on average since 2020. This rise in energy that is either produced or purchased – known as Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions – underscores the urgent need to manage AI’s environmental impact.

In total, the amount of greenhouse gas emissions reported by the 166 digital companies covered by the report contributed 0.8 per cent of all global energy-related emissions in 2023.

The 164 digital companies that reported electricity consumption accounted for 2.1 per cent of global electricity use, at 581 terawatt-hours (TWh), with 10 companies responsible for half of this total.

“Digital companies have the tools and influence to lead the global climate transition, but progress must be measured not only by ambition, but by credible action,” said Lourdes O. Montenegro, Director of Research and Digitisation at WBA. “This report provides a clear signal to the international community: more companies are stepping up, but emissions and electricity use continues to rise.”

Progress amid rising challenges

Although emissions continued their rise, Greening Digital Companies 2025 highlights steps taken by many tech firms that suggest a strengthening of transparency and accountability.

Eight companies scored above 90 per cent in the report’s climate commitment assessment on data disclosure, targets and performance. This is up from just three in last year’s report.

For the first time, the report includes data on companies’ progress toward meeting climate targets and realizing stated net-zero ambitions. Almost half of the companies assessed had committed to achieving net-zero emissions, with 41 firms targeting 2050 and 51 aiming for earlier deadlines.

Other trends among the 200 digital companies featured in the report include:

  • Renewable energy adoption: 23 companies operated on 100 per cent renewable energy in 2023, up from 16 in 2022.
  • Dedicated climate reporting: 49 companies released standalone climate reports, signaling greater transparency.
  • Scope 3 consideration: The number of companies publishing targets on indirect emissions from supply chains and product use rose from 73 to 110, showing increasing awareness of industry impacts.

A call for bold, collaborative and immediate action

Highlighting how the tech sector can ensure long-term digital sustainability, the joint ITU-WBA report recommends that companies:

  • Strengthen data verification, target ambition and climate reporting, including by publishing climate transition action plans.
  • Disclose the full environmental footprint of their AI operations.
  • Foster cross-sector collaboration among tech firms, energy producers and environmental advocates, alongside industry initiatives to drive accelerated digital decarbonization.
  • Keep accelerating renewable energy adoption.

“The Greening Digital Companies report has become a vital tool in tracking the climate footprint of the tech sector,” said Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau. “Despite the progress made, greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, confirming that that the need for digital companies to adopt science-aligned, transparent, and accountable climate strategies has never been greater. ITU’s work in monitoring the environmental impact of the sector is a crucial step towards achieving a sustainable digital transformation.”

ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau is working with regulators, statisticians, academics, and industry experts to define indicators that support national GHG monitoring and data-driven action through the Expert Group on Telecommunication/ICT Indicators.

As the COP30 UN climate conference approaches, ITU’s Green Digital Action aims to ensure that updated climate pledges and adaptation plans will fully reflect the complete impacts of digital technologies.

How to Get +70% Website Conversions with BDR Voice AI Agents

Most websites are basically digital ghost towns. Visitors arrive, look around, and leave without a trace. While the average site converts just 2.35% of traffic, some businesses are flipping this script entirely with Voice AI technology that actually talks to prospects.

These aren’t your typical chatbots. We’re talking about sophisticated AI representatives that hold real conversations, qualify leads on the spot, and hand off hot prospects to your sales team with context intact.

Why Your Website Stays Silent While Competitors Cash In

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: traditional contact forms capture less than 1% of your visitors. Think about that for a second. Ninety-nine percent of people who could become customers simply vanish because they hit a wall of friction.

Live chat sounds like a solution, but human agents can’t work 24/7 or handle traffic spikes. Most businesses admit they’re not happy with their conversion rates, yet they keep using the same broken playbook.

What if instead of hoping visitors fill out forms, your website could start conversations? What if it knew exactly what to say based on where someone landed and what they were looking for?

The Voice AI Breakthrough That’s Changing Everything

Voice AI has moved way beyond robotic responses. Today’s BDR (Business Development Representative) Voice AI agents sound natural, think strategically, and adapt their approach based on real-time visitor behavior.

They don’t just answer questions—they guide conversations toward conversion goals. Picture your best salesperson available every hour of every day, never taking a break, never having an off day.

Real Numbers from Real Businesses

Companies using Voice AI BDR systems aren’t seeing modest improvements. They’re reporting conversion jumps that sound almost too good to be true.

Visitors become 5x more likely to complete interactions when they can actually speak with someone (even if that someone happens to be AI). The psychological shift is massive—instead of filling out another form, prospects feel like they’re getting personalized consulting.

One client saw their website conversions increase by 70% within three months. Another reported even higher gains when they combined Voice AI with smart personalization. These aren’t outliers—they’re becoming the new normal for businesses that embrace conversational technology.

The difference comes down to engagement. Most people abandon websites within seconds if they can’t quickly find what they need. Voice AI eliminates that friction entirely.

Why Voice Conversations Convert Better Than Text

Something interesting happens when prospects hear a voice instead of reading text. Even though they might know it’s AI, their brain still processes it as a social interaction. Trust builds faster. Objections surface naturally. The entire dynamic changes.

Traditional forms hide problems. Someone might abandon your checkout because they have a simple question about pricing or shipping. Voice AI jumps in with instant answers, keeping the momentum going instead of losing the prospect to frustration.

There’s something else happening here that’s harder to measure but incredibly valuable. When people talk, you hear things you’d never catch in writing. Maybe they sound rushed (timeline pressure), maybe they’re excited about a specific feature, or maybe there’s hesitation around budget. The AI picks up on these vocal cues and responds accordingly.

Getting Started: The Smart Implementation Path

Rolling out Voice AI doesn’t require massive overhauls. The smartest companies start with their highest-traffic pages and most common questions.

First, identify where visitors typically drop off. Maybe it’s your pricing page or product comparisons. Install Voice AI there and watch what happens to engagement rates.

Next, train the system on your actual sales conversations. What questions do prospects always ask? What objections come up repeatedly? Feed this knowledge into the AI so it can handle these scenarios automatically.

Finally, connect everything to your existing CRM and scheduling systems. When the AI qualifies a hot lead, it should seamlessly book a meeting with your sales team and pass along the full conversation context.

Advanced Features That Separate Winners from Wannabes

Basic voice AI answers questions. Advanced systems do much more.

Smart AI knows which page triggered the conversation and tailors its approach accordingly. Someone reading case studies gets different treatment than someone checking out pricing. This contextual awareness can boost results significantly.

Memory matters too. When someone returns to your site, the AI remembers previous conversations and picks up where you left off. It feels personal because it is personal.

The best systems also handle multiple languages, expanding your reach without hiring multilingual staff. And when prospects are ready to buy, the handoff to human sales reps includes complete conversation history—no starting over, no lost context.

Measuring What Matters

Track engagement rates first. How many visitors start voice conversations compared to traditional contact attempts? Most companies see dramatic increases here.

Completion rates tell you if conversations feel natural or forced. Industry leaders achieve completion rates above 85% because their AI systems know how to maintain engaging dialogue.

Qualification accuracy matters most for sales teams. What percentage of AI-qualified leads turn into real opportunities? Top performers hit 90%+ accuracy because they’ve fine-tuned their qualification criteria.

Revenue attribution closes the loop. Which voice conversations turn into actual deals? This metric proves ROI and justifies continued investment.

Choosing Your Voice AI Partner

Not every Voice AI platform delivers the same results. Generic solutions often disappoint because they can’t adapt to specific industries or sales processes.

Companies like NextLevel.AI specialize in creating Voice AI Agents tailored for individual business needs. Instead of one-size-fits-all chatbots, they develop conversation experiences that actually fit how your business works and how your customers buy.

You want a partner who can customize everything, connects with your existing tools without headaches, and gives you real insights about what’s working. Most importantly, when prospects interact with it, they shouldn’t feel like they’re talking to a machine.

The Window is Closing Fast

Smart companies are moving quickly on this. While most businesses are still debating whether to try voice AI, the early movers are already capturing more leads and closing more deals.

Those 70% conversion jumps we’re seeing now? They’re happening because most competitors haven’t caught on yet. But that won’t last forever. Once everyone realizes what’s possible, the advantage shrinks.

The real question isn’t whether Voice AI will become standard—it’s whether you’ll be ahead of the curve or scrambling to catch up while competitors dominate your market with superior conversion rates.

1 in 3 Irish businesses use AI to help detect fraud

More than 9 in 10 (94%) of Irish businesses are using Artificial Intelligence, a survey has revealed.

This is according to research from insurance broker and risk management company Gallagher in Ireland, which found that only 3% of Irish businesses are not using AI. By comparison, the same survey in the UK found that 15% of businesses are not using AI.

Commenting on the survey findings, Laura Vickers, Managing Director of Commercial Lines in Gallagher said:

“AI is transforming the way we live and work, with our survey showing that most Irish businesses are already using AI, and for a myriad different reasons.

Recent years have seen AI advance in leap and bounds. AI arguably has much greater potential to transform the workplace than previous breakthrough technologies, such as the internet and smartphones, have. AI can be used to drive innovation in a business and to make work processes more efficient, freeing up the time of employees. It can also help detect fraud and to reduce customer service costs.”

Gallagher commissioned a survey of 300 business decision makers across the UK & Ireland, 100 of whom are based in Ireland.

The survey identified the top 8 reasons employees in Irish businesses use AI:

  1. To improve customer service and support         (43%)
  2. To be able to gather better data and insights that will benefit their business and customers (41%)
  3. To improve customer experience and engagement (39%)
  4. Supply chain management (37%)
  5. To provide an extra layer of IT security to the business (35%)
  6. To help detect fraudulent activity (34%)
  7. To automate business processes and free up the time of colleagues (30%)
  8. Accounting (18%)

Ms Vickers added:

“Whilst AI has the potential to deliver many benefits to businesses, there are valid concerns around the power of this technology, including privacy, misinformation and its potential to lead to job displacement. It’s important that business leaders ensure their employees are supported and trained in the use of the technology and that they have adequate cyber cover in place to help protect their businesses.”

Geographic differences on AI

The survey revealed some interesting geographic differences when it comes to the use of AI in the workplace including:

  • Businesses in Dublin (43%) and Munster (40%) are the most inclined to use AI to help detect fraud (see Table 2 in Appendix). Businesses in Connacht are the least likely to use the technology to help detect fraud, with only one in ten (11%) doing so, followed by businesses in Ulster (25%) and Leinster (29%).
  • Munster businesses are the most inclined to use AI to provide an extra layer of IT security for their business. The survey found that six in ten (60%) businesses in Munster use the technology for this reason compared one in four (24%) in Leinster and one in three (33%) in Dublin.
  • Businesses in Munster are the most likely to use AI to improve customer service and support with 60% doing so compared to one in three (33%) firms in both Leinster and Connacht.
  • When it comes to using AI to free up the time of colleagues, Dublin businesses are the most inclined to do so (39%).

For further information, please visit: https://www.ajg.ie/

Dell Technologies unveils Concept Astro to optimise data centre efficiency

Dell Technologies has introduced Concept Astro, an innovation that uses AI, digital twins, and automation to optimise energy consumption and streamline data centre operations.

As artificial intelligence drives a new wave of digital transformation, growing energy demands have placed immense pressure on global data infrastructure. Increasing AI adoption continues to drive energy demands in the data centre, making the need for smarter, more sustainable solutions more urgent than ever.

To meet this need, Dell Technologies has introduced Concept Astro, an AI-driven workload management solution that utilises agentic AI, digital twins, and automation to optimise IT operations and energy consumption. Concept Astro enables enterprises to forecast processing times, predict energy requirements, and prioritise workloads based on business needs, energy availability, and cost without disrupting operations.

During a pilot collaboration with Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego, Concept Astro helped researchers optimise AI-intensive workload scheduling, leading to a 20% cost reduction and a 32% decrease in emissions. The successful trial highlights how AI-powered scheduling can deliver tangible sustainability and efficiency improvements for data centres.

Dell Technologies continues to invest in energy-efficient technologies that minimise operational costs while maximising business impact. By integrating AI-powered workload scheduling and improving infrastructure efficiency, enterprises can reduce energy consumption, enhance grid resilience, and drive sustainability across their operations.

Speaking about Concept Astro, Alyson Freeman, Innovation, Sustainability and ESG lead at Dell Technologies said: “Rising AI workloads are expected to drive higher data centre energy use, costs, and emissions. Some experts even predict data centre energy consumption could double by 2030, placing added strain on already burdened power grids. As a result, reliable, resilient and affordable energy has become a top priority for data centre operations worldwide. One of our latest explorations, Concept Astro, uses agentic AI, digital twins, and automation to spur smarter decision making to improve IT operations and energy consumption. This capability is exciting but right now just a concept, with our engineers pushing the boundaries of what is possible to deliver at scale.”

As Dell Technologies continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in energy-efficient AI technologies, the company is committed to supporting businesses in Ireland and globally to enhance grid resilience, reduce operational costs, and drive sustainable progress.

For further insights into Dell Technologies’ advancements in AI-driven energy efficiency and data center operations, read more here.

Kinore Named Xero Ireland Partner of the Year 2025 For the Fifth Year Running

Kinore, formerly known as Accountant Online, a leading cloud accounting and advisory firm, has been awarded Xero Ireland Partner of the Year 2025, marking the fifth year in a row the firm has received this accolade.

The award, presented by Xero, a global leader in cloud-based accounting software, recognises outstanding performance, innovation, and commitment to excellence in delivering cloud accounting services. Kinore’s consistent recognition is a testament to its expertise, personalised client support, and full-service finance and business support that leverages technology to provide innovative, client-focused solutions.

Members of the Kinore team pictured at the XERO Awards, where the business was awarded Xero Ireland Partner of the Year 2025 for the fifth year in a row.

Accepting the award, Kinore’s founder and CEO, Larissa Feeney said:

“We’re delighted to receive this award for the fifth consecutive year. It’s a strong reflection of the consistent effort and high standards our team brings to their work, and the steady growth we’ve achieved as a business. Recognition like this reinforces our commitment to delivering excellent service and continuing to move forward, year after year. A sincere thank you to our team for their professionalism and dedication, and to our clients for their continued trust.”

Members of the Kinore team pictured  at a recent awards’ ceremony

Since launching in 2017, Kinore has seen impressive growth, with an average annual revenue increase of 30% serving over 2,500 clients across Ireland and the UK. CEO, Larissa Feeney’s visionary approach is highlighted by the development of MyKinore, the company’s onboarding platform, which has streamlined operations, enhanced client experiences and positioned Kinore as a leader in digital transformation. 

In 2024, the company rebranded to Kinore to better reflect its evolution and the expanding range of services it provides. The rebrand underscores Kinore’s future ambitions, with projections indicating the firm is on track to achieve €15 million in revenue by 2028 (currently €4.1million). The company is expanding its service offerings, providing clients with outsourced financial management, bookkeeping, payroll services, and more, ensuring businesses have the tools to thrive in a competitive business landscape.

Kinore’s founder and CEO, Larissa Feeney

In addition to winning the Xero Award, Kinore was also shortlisted in five categories for the Irish Accountancy Awards. Additionally, Kinore has been recognised in the Digital Transformation & AI Awards, with nominations for Best Customer Experience Impact, Best Operational Impact, and Best Digital Transformation in Financial & Professional Services for the My Kinore Platform.

As Kinore looks ahead, the team remains committed to delivering forward-thinking, people-first solutions for businesses across Ireland and beyond.

For more information about Kinore, visit www.kinore.com

 

Tech Solutions That Boost Business Search Rankings

Visibility in search results can often be the difference between business growth and stagnation. Companies across industries invest heavily in strategies to appear higher in search rankings, knowing that their discoverability depends on it. With search technologies advancing rapidly and customer behaviors shifting toward voice commands, image queries, and conversational AI, traditional SEO tactics are no longer sufficient on their own. Businesses looking to improve their position must adopt a range of modern digital tools. These tech-driven solutions aren’t just trends—they shape the way search engines interpret, rank, and present content. From structured data to machine learning-driven analytics, new tools are pushing businesses into a new age of search relevance.

Climbing the Ranks with Smarter Optimization Tools

Securing a prominent place in search results demands more than just keywords. Smart SEO platforms now integrate AI to analyze competitor strategies, monitor ranking shifts, and make predictive recommendations. These tools identify gaps in content and detect technical errors that might be weighing down a site. To gain visibility in AI Search Results, businesses need their pages to speak the language of intelligent crawlers and virtual assistants. These systems rely heavily on structured content, conversational phrasing, and relevance scoring models. Voice search optimization, schema markup, and FAQ-style content are now integral parts of staying ahead in both traditional and AI-enhanced search environments.

Structured Data: Speaking Directly to Search Engines

Search engines work best when they can quickly understand a page’s content. That’s where structured data comes in. By using markup formats like JSON-LD or Microdata, businesses help search engines parse the purpose of each section. A product listing with structured data might show availability, price, and reviews directly in search results. These rich snippets make listings more engaging and trustworthy. They reduce ambiguity and improve the chances of being featured in a knowledge panel, map pack, or carousel. Retailers, local businesses, and content publishers alike benefit from improved accuracy in how their information is interpreted and ranked.

Optimizing for Mobile and Page Experience

Mobile responsiveness isn’t just a design choice—it’s a search requirement. With most queries now coming from mobile devices, search engines have adopted mobile-first indexing. This means they look at the mobile version of a website before anything else. If a page loads slowly, doesn’t fit on small screens, or buries important information behind poor navigation, its chances of ranking drop. Tools like Google’s PageSpeed Insights and Core Web Vitals reports show which elements hurt usability. Simple tweaks like compressing images, eliminating render-blocking scripts, or improving server response time can lead to noticeable gains in performance metrics and, in turn, rankings.

AI Content Generation and Its Impact on Visibility

Content still drives SEO, but producing it manually at scale is resource-heavy. AI writing tools now support content teams by drafting outlines, suggesting headlines, or creating full articles. These systems use natural language generation models trained on billions of text samples to mimic human tone and structure. When paired with editorial oversight, AI-generated content can target long-tail keywords and answer niche questions, improving relevance and coverage. Businesses using these tools efficiently expand their content footprint without overwhelming their teams. Over time, this leads to higher engagement rates and better indexing across more topics.

Local SEO Technologies for Regional Growth

Local businesses rely on appearing in location-based searches to attract foot traffic or phone inquiries. Tools like Google Business Profile, Moz Local, and Yext make it easier to manage and sync business details across directories. These platforms check for consistency in name, address, phone number, and hours, which is a major trust factor for search engines. Review management is another critical piece. Systems that request, monitor, and respond to reviews not only improve credibility but also signal activity to search engines. Heatmaps and location-based insights offer another level of intelligence, helping identify search trends and customer movement across cities or neighborhoods.

Analytics Platforms That Turn Data into Action

Knowing how users interact with your website, where they come from, and which paths lead to conversion informs every search ranking strategy. Platforms like Google Analytics, SEMrush, and Ahrefs offer real-time data on traffic sources, bounce rates, backlinks, and more. With attribution models and goal tracking, businesses can tie search visibility directly to revenue or lead generation. Heatmaps and session recordings expose points of friction in the user journey, revealing where improvements are needed. Over time, this feedback loop helps refine both content and structure, supporting higher rankings through continuous iteration.

Technology is no longer optional for those aiming to rise in search rankings. Each tool—from AI-driven content generators to mobile performance optimizers—plays a distinct role in building search presence. The integration of structured data, regional tools, responsive design, and precise analytics transforms digital strategy from guesswork into a calculated, ongoing effort. Those who invest in the right solutions position themselves for better visibility, increased trust, and greater engagement in the ever-shifting realm of search.

 

The Use of AI Advancements in Grading: Key Takeaways

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing various sectors, and education is no exception. One of the most significant transformations is happening in how educators assess student work. Traditionally, grading has been a time-consuming, subjective process vulnerable to bias and inconsistencies. With the emergence of AI, there’s a shift towards more efficient, objective, and scalable grading solutions. From automating multiple-choice tests to evaluating essays and providing instant feedback, AI is increasingly being adopted to support and even enhance the grading process. As educational institutions explore these technologies, it’s crucial to understand the key takeaways of AI’s role in grading and how it impacts teachers, students, and the integrity of academic evaluation.

Improved Efficiency and Time Management

One of the most immediate benefits of AI in grading is its ability to streamline the assessment process. For educators who often juggle lesson planning, classroom management, and administrative tasks, an Ai-Grader provides a much-needed relief by handling repetitive grading tasks. Machine learning algorithms can quickly evaluate multiple-choice, true/false, and even short-answer questions with remarkable speed and accuracy. This allows teachers to focus more on instruction and student engagement rather than paperwork. Real-time grading means students receive immediate feedback, fostering quicker learning and understanding. The time saved from grading manually also allows educators to analyze student performance trends and adjust instruction accordingly, thereby improving educational outcomes.

Enhanced Consistency and Objectivity

Human grading, while valuable, is often subject to personal bias or inconsistency, especially when evaluating essays or subjective responses. AI-powered grading tools bring a level of uniformity that minimizes these issues. Algorithms are designed to follow specific rubrics and standards without being influenced by emotions, fatigue, or preconceived notions. An AI system assessing essays can consistently evaluate grammar, syntax, coherence, and adherence to the prompt across all submissions. This ensures all students are graded on the same criteria, promoting fairness and transparency in academic assessments. It can help reduce disputes between students and educators over grading discrepancies, fostering a more trusting learning environment.

Support for Personalized Learning

AI-driven grading systems don’t just mark answers right or wrong; they can also provide personalized feedback tailored to each student’s learning needs. Advanced systems analyze patterns in student responses to identify strengths and areas for improvement. This enables educators to customize instruction and provide targeted support, creating a more individualized learning experience. For example, if a student consistently struggles with a particular math concept, AI can highlight this issue and recommend resources or exercises for improvement. By integrating grading with learning analytics, AI helps educators implement data-driven teaching strategies that cater to the diverse needs of their students.

Challenges and Ethical Considerations

Despite its many advantages, the integration of AI in grading also raises several challenges and ethical concerns. One major issue is the potential for algorithmic bias. If the data used to train AI models is flawed or biased, the system’s assessments can reflect those same inaccuracies. There’s a concern about over-reliance on technology, where educators may become too dependent on AI and lose touch with the nuanced understanding of student performance that only human judgment can provide. Privacy is another concern, as AI grading systems often require access to large volumes of student data. Ensuring data security and maintaining student confidentiality are important when deploying such technologies. Educational institutions must strike a balance between technological advancement and ethical responsibility to preserve the integrity and human-centric nature of education.

 

 

The integration of AI advancements in grading is transforming the educational world, offering remarkable benefits in terms of efficiency, consistency, and personalized learning. These innovations must be approached thoughtfully, with a clear understanding of the associated risks and ethical implications. When implemented responsibly, AI can be a powerful ally in enhancing the grading process and enriching the educational experience for both teachers and students. As the technology continues to evolve, ongoing evaluation and thoughtful adaptation will be key to maximizing its potential while maintaining the core values of education.