AI-generated images are becoming a growing part of our online interactions. Evolving from photo modification trends such as the use of filters or FaceTune, the surge in the use of realistic, digitally created images naturally creates concerns around authenticity, especially when people dating are looking to meet someone new.
In fact, a recent Bumble survey found that 71% of Gen-Z and Millennial respondents felt there should be limits to using AI-generated profile pictures and bios on dating apps.
That’s why Bumble has now introduced a new option under the ‘Fake Profiles” reporting menu that enables people to report profiles they come across that may be using AI-generated photos and videos, helping them assess the authenticity of profiles and connections to support a safer experience for everyone.
This feature is the latest addition from Bumble to best help people find healthy and meaningful connections. Earlier this year, Bumble also rolled out Deception Detector, an AI tool that helps identify spam, scam, and fake profiles. Within the first two months, Bumble saw member reports of spam, scam, and fake profiles reduced by 45%.
“An essential part of creating a space to build meaningful connections is removing any element that is misleading or dangerous. We are committed to continually improving our technology to ensure that Bumble is a safe and trusted dating environment. By introducing this new reporting option, we can better understand how bad actors and fake profiles are using AI disingenuously so our community feels confident in making connections.”Risa Stein, VP of Product at Bumble
Having used the Google Pixel 8a some time now it is time to talk about how it has been for me over the last few months and as expected with Google devices they get better over time not that there was anything wrong to start with.
First up the design is nice and sits well in the hand and better than the 8 Pro I have come to prefer the smaller device however now for consuming media which is still fine on the 8a, the look and feel i better here and not hefty with soft edges not digging into your hands I like the smaller hump the key placement and the front of the device which has an equal bezels all the way around however on the large side.
This Google Pixel 8a has an aluminium chassis with a nice matte finish on the rear leaving no fingerprints on the back of the phone however we have had plenty of cases and skins to keep the phone in top shape.
Performance has been great over the last few months and being a power user has not let me down at all and I do put my phones to the test with the amount of apps and work tasks performed on a daily basis and it is not by any means light compared to a casual user of such a phone and with the Tensor G3 you will not see any lag in your daily tasks if like me it just flies along. Biometrics are on board again and work well.
When it comes to the camera it is dam good as expected and a joy to use and till one of the top contenders for a point and shoot phone and with all the AI features thrown in the Pixel 8a is not just a camera or a phone it is a tool for work in my opinion. There is photo unblur, portrait blur, Best take, circle to search magic eraser,magic audio eraser, live translate, pixel recorder app and at a glance and much more to take your pic from and of course Google lens and all of which I use daily. There is no thermometer here this time which I found handy at home..
The display is decent too being 6.1” OLED display FHD+ 2400×1080 and 20:9 aspect ratio with an Actua display making it fine to use in daylight and you can tune the display up to 120Hz which for most will not notice this and it automatically done but it is nice to have on the 8a this time round.
Overall the Pixel 8a does not disappoint and surely will not at this stage and as always I will still carry a Pixel device as a daily driver all year round as they just work for me and suit my work flow and so fluid to use for anything I throw at it. Plus I am invested in a house full of Google products that now are outdated so Google need to give us new cameras and Doorbells soon.
10 things to know about the Google Pixel 8a
1 – Pixel 8a Colourful. Powerful. AI- full.
The Pixel 8a, engineered by Google. Take amazing photos with the Pixel Camera. Do more, even faster with Google AI – like fix blurry images, screen calls and learn new things. Top-rated security features help protect your data.1 All at a great price. Pixel 8a is bright and bold, and feels great in your hand. And it’s built to last.
2 – The most durable A- Series phone yet.
Pixel 8a is Google’s most durable A-Series phone yet, with a metal frame and camera bar. With IP67 protection, it can handle water and dust.It has a new scratch-resistant Actua display, and it’s made with recycled aluminium, glass and plastic. And it’s designed with a smooth finish and a matte back cover.
3 – Save time and do more with Google AI.
Pixel with Google AI makes it easy to get things done. Search for something just by circling it – an image or text, even in a video – right from the app that you’re in. Google AI finds it fast. Write messages quickly using your voice with Assistant voice
typing. Send messages in multiple languages with Live Translate And At a Glance shows useful info right when you need it, like travel updates, event tickets and more.
4 – Tensor G3: the same chip as Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro.
Google Tensor G3 is the next-gen processor custom-built for Pixel. It’s Google’s fastest, most efficient and secure chip yet – the same chip that’s in Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. It powers Google AI and advanced machine learning for amazing photo and video quality, improved audio on phone calls, speech recognition and security. It makes Pixel 8a fast, efficient and helpful.
5 – Incredible photos and videos with the Pixel Camera.
The Pixel Camera makes photos perfect, every time. It’s easy to take amazing pictures in low light with Night Sight. Thanks to Google AI, you can create perfect group shots with Best Take and fix blurry images with Photo Unblur.11 All skin tones
are represented beautifully and accurately with Real Tone photos and videos. And Pixel 8a includes Super Res Zoom for clear close-up portraits from far away.
6 – 7 years of security, OS and Feature Drop updates.
Pixel phones are built to last and get better over time. With your Pixel 8a, you’ll receive the latest OS and security updates for seven years, plus helpful new Feature Drops every few months.12
7 – The highest- rated security features.
With Google Tensor G3 and the certified Titan M2 security chip, all Pixel 8 phones are built with multiple layers of security to help keep your personal info safe.13 And they come with VPN by Google One built in to help protect your online activity no
matter what app or web browser you use. You can also use Face Unlock for more things, like app sign-ins and payments, thanks to Tensor’s advanced machine learning.
8 – Help making calls. And avoiding them.
Phone calls are easier with Pixel Call Assist, a set of features that help with everything from making calls to avoiding them.15 Your Pixel can now detect and filter out even more spam calls.16 If you’re too busy to pick up, Pixel can tell you who’s calling and why. Call Screen on Pixel can now suggest more contextual replies for you, so you can easily respond to unknown callers in a way that fits the situation, without having to take the call yourself.17 And with clear calling, Pixel reduces your caller’s background noise, so that you can hear them more clearly.
9 – Engineered by Google. For all that you do.
Pixel phones, tablets, watches and earbuds are powered by Google AI for personalised help throughout your day.19 So that you can save time, live healthier and get more done. Take stunning photos and videos, and easily edit them. Track your health and fitness with the power of Fitbit. And have peace of mind with Safety Check and Emergency SOS.20
10 – The best of Google, included with Pixel.
Pixel is easy to switch to, and it comes with the best of Google. Pixel 8a includes three months of YouTube Premium (then X per month), three months of Google One and six months of Fitbit Premium to help you get the most out of your new
Pixel. For new eligible users only. Recurring billing. Cancel anytime Google One keeps your photos and files safe with 100 GB of storage and automatic phone backup. And with YouTube Premium, you can enjoy YouTube videos and music without ads, in the background and offline. Give your motivation a healthy boost with six months of Fitbit Premium wellness content, including workouts, mindfulness sessions, healthy recipes and more.
HP Inc. today introduced two new innovations — the world’s highest performance AI PC and the first integration of a trust framework into an AI model development platform.2 Both announcements expand HP’s efforts to make AI real for companies and people with new and transformative AI experiences across the company’s PCs, software, and partner ecosystem.
HP is empowering everyone, from corporate knowledge workers to freelancers and students, to unlock the power of AI. Users can connect with anyone in the world with real time translation to 40 languages, become master presenters with their personal communication coach, and quickly create videos like a pro.
“AI is poised to be the most significant driver of change over the next decade, ushering in a new era of innovation driven not just by information, but actionable insights,” said Alex Cho, President, Personal Systems, HP Inc. “HP is making AI real for companies with solutions like Z by HP AI Studio, for places and spaces with our latest hybrid work solutions, and for people with our first HP OmniBook Ultra.”
Empowering Companies to Build and Use AI
Today, only 33% of data scientists are satisfied with their current AI tools, and 81% lack confidence in their company’s ability to quickly deploy those tools— underscoring the urgent need for solutions that can rapidly transform business operations.
Announced earlier this year, HP is adding new capabilities to the Z by HP AI Studio for faster and safer deployment of AI-powered applications, building trust into LLM development and customisation. As the world’s most comprehensive workstation solution for AI development, Z by HP AI Studio is now empowering data scientists and AI creators to create models they trust with the integration of Galileo into Z by HP AI Studio.
Users will be able to detect and correct hallucinations, drift, and bias in their models, while proactively protecting against inaccurate or biased outputs—all within the AI Studio platform. With this added capability, HP is the only manufacturer to develop an AI platform for workstations with built-in generative AI trust for LLM development.
“Allowing businesses to leverage their proprietary data without compromising security is critical for AI development, and Galileo is proud to join forces with HP to deliver solutions that add visibility, control, and trust to enterprise generative AI projects,” said Yash Sheth, Co-Founder & COO, Galileo. “By integrating our software and Luna™ Evaluation Foundation Models with Z by HP’s AI Studio, we are delivering unparalleled value for organisations seeking to responsibly harness the transformative power of AI.”
Experiencing AI on HP PCs
An Unconstrained AI Playground: The HP OmniBook Ultra
As new possibilities are unlocked daily with AI, consumers on the bleeding edge of AI revolution have a new tool in the toolbox to run workloads faster, customise models, and maintain privacy – all locally on the device.
Meet the first HP OmniBook Ultra 14-inch Next Gen AI PC. This device:
Inspires without compromise: Unleash endless creativity with the device’s AMD Ryzen™ AI 300 series processor with integrated AMD Radeon™ 800M graphics. Its powerful NPU offers unparalleled performance and up to 21 hours of battery life.
Supercharges productivity: The OmniBook Ultra is co-engineered with AMDto enable up to 55 TOPS of NPU performance. HP AI Companion optimises the device for greater productivity and brings AI tools and solutions onto the device. It will soon offer expanded functionality for managing PC settings and troubleshooting HP products.
Enables immersive and seamless collaboration: Experience life uninterrupted with collaboration tools like an AI-enabled, high-resolution 9 MP camera using the Poly Camera Pro app and Windows Studio Effects.
Protects from threats: Industry-leading protection and capabilities of Wolf Security found on HP’s commercial devices are now available on the HP OmniBook Ultra. The unique security chip allows the PC’s core to self-heal from AI-assisted cyberattacks while keeping data private and users productive.
Future-proofed technology that’s sustainable: The OmniBook Ultra will have a free update to Copilot+ PC experiences when available from Microsoft. And the device is designed using up to 90% recycled metals and 5% ocean-bound plastics to help reduce environmental impact.
AI That Adapts: The OmniStudio X AIO
For consumers who need a performant all-in-one device for both creation and entertainment, the first HP OmniStudio X 27- and 31.5-inch All-In-One Desktop PCs deliver a sleek modern design with built-in AI features:
Productivity powerhouse: Experience the raw power of the device’s three engines (CPU, GPU, and NPU) to accelerate AI applications. Create and collaborate like never before with up to Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 processors and optional NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4050 GPU (6 GB GDDR6 dedicated) to best optimise intensive workflows like photo and video editing.
Adaptable design: Productivity and entertainment have never been more customisable on the world’s most adaptive AI All-in-One with its height-adjustable stand and new USB Type-C with DP-in/out. The USB-C connection supports video, audio, data, keyboard, and mouse control, and it can be used as a laptop docking station to take advantage of the large display. Its AI-powered wellness features like screen time and distance reminders help reduce fatigue. Presence sensing adds additional privacy and peace of mind whether working at home or in open spaces.
Entertain and collaborate: With its massive 4K screen, 5 MP camera, Poly Studio audio, and Adaptive audio, the HP OmniStudio X 31.5 is the world’s most immersive experience AI All-in-One and the first All-in-One to receive an IMAX Enhanced certification for the ultimate visual and sound experience.
Sustainability in any size: Little things make a big difference with the OmniStudio X AIO, which uses 25% recycled metals and 35% post-consumer recycled plastics. It also has EPEAT® Gold with Climate+ and ENERGY STAR® certifications.
Explore the Possibilities of AI with the Latest Software Ecosystem
HP is also working closely with the rapidly growing ecosystem of software developers building powerful AI solutions for consumers and businesses. As part of this effort, Beautiful.ai and Polymer will supercharge productivity, and Luminar Neo will accelerate creative editing – all part of future updates to HP AI Companion. HP is also collaborating with Omnibridge, Loccus.ai, and Virtual Sapiens to deliver easier, seamless, and accessible experiences with AI on HP AI PCs.
Pricing and Availability
The HP OmniBook Ultra 14-inch Next Gen AI PC is expected to be available beginning in October on HP.com for a starting price of €1,899.99.
The HP OmniStudio X 27- and 31.5-inch All-In-One Desktop PCs are expected to be available beginning in October on HP.com for a starting price of €1,749.99.
CitySwift, leader in performance optimisation for the public transport sector across the globe, has partnered with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), local government body responsible for transport in the Manchester region. This partnership looks to power the future of Manchester’s public transport network through the use of AI and data.
This move makes TfGM the first franchised transport authority in the UK to utilise AI to deliver more reliable, frequent and quicker bus journeys, building on the Greater Manchester Bus Strategy announced last year. The plans laid out in this report highlight Greater Manchester’s vision for the future bus network, aiming to make buses the first choice for more journeys within the Bee Network.
The strategy sets an initial target of a 30% increase in bus patronage by 2030 from 2022/23 levels, equating to nearly 50 million additional bus journeys annually. This growth will be driven by improvements such as a more integrated, user-friendly, and frequent network, and better infrastructure for reliable bus journeys, with CitySwift playing a key role in this transition.
Founded in 2016 by Brian O’Rourke and Alan Farrelly, CitySwift’s performance optimisation platform gives operators and transport authorities insights, recommendations, and predictions, supporting them in the delivery of efficient, reliable and in-demand services.
CitySwift empowers public transport authorities and operators to achieve unparalleled efficiency by leveraging advanced analytics, simulations, and optimisations. With its easy-to-use industry-leading technology, CitySwift envisions a future where public transport is the travel mode of choice for all people.
Speaking on today’s announcement, Brian O’Rourke, CEO and Co-founder of CitySwift said “The goals and vision set out in the Great Manchester Bus Strategy speak clearly to our mission at CitySwift – grow patronage with frequent and more reliable buses.. I am thrilled that we’re partnering with TfGM, supporting them in achieving this goal through our transport data-solutions, as we continue to build the smart cities of the future.”
Through this partnership, TfGM will have access to CitySwift’s performance data across the entire Bee Network, helping to identify trends and pain points such as traveller destinations and service performance, allowing them to recognise where improvements should be made to benefit passengers. Additionally TfGM will leverage CitySwift’s latest product offering, Spotlight, a globally leading intelligent recommendation engine for bus network enhancements.
Designed for stakeholders, the product enhances decision-making by providing AI-powered insights into performance and resource parameters like timeliness, cost, and vehicle numbers through scanning the whole network, executing optimisation variations, and proposing ROI improvements.
Catherine Towey, Senior Lead for Bus Franchising at TfGM said: “Customers are at the heart of the Bee Network and by working with CitySwift we will be able to see more clearly than ever how services are performing. We can then use this information prioritise improvements and deliver a better service for passengers.”
Powered by AI data processing, CitySwift optimises over 1 billion passenger journeys annually, working with public sector transport authorities and private bus operators to break down the barriers to accessing and interpreting transport data, replacing manual analysis with reliable, actionable insights. This solution enhances efficiency, benefiting drivers, passengers, partners, and cities, whilst remaining human-centric throughout.
This news follows a series of other partnerships for the data transportation company across the UK, including National Express, Transport North East, Transdev Blazefield, and trentbarton. Since its inception, CitySwift has grown to have a presence across the UK, US and its home territory of Ireland, covering transport networks in all major UK cities.
Gamgee, a leader in digital technology and home automation, proudly unveils the Wi-Fi Home Alarm System. This state-of-the-art system leverages the widespread presence of Wi-Fi to deliver a unique and comprehensive home security solution. In a market primed for innovation, the system addresses the low adoption rates of traditional alarm systems in Europe and the U.S., where only 7% and 30-32% of homes, respectively, have alarms.
By utilizing the Wi-Fi network created by routers and mesh extenders, The Wi-Fi Home Alarm System detects disturbances caused by movement, providing a much-needed advancement in home security.
Utilizing the Wi-Fi signals emitted by routers and mesh extenders, the Wi-Fi Home Alarm System captures disturbances caused by movement within the home. Unlike conventional security systems, Gamgee’s technology goes beyond basic motion detection by analyzing disruptions in Wi-Fi signals to create a ‘body print’ of individuals.
This advanced feature allows the system to distinguish between humans, pets, and inanimate objects, and even recognizes individual humans based on their unique movement patterns.
“Our Wi-Fi Home Alarm System doesn’t just detect movement; it understands it,” said Paul Hendriks, CEO and Co-Founder of Gamgee. “By converting every router into a potential security device, we are significantly enhancing the safety and peace of mind for families everywhere.”
The system is activated and controlled via a user-friendly mobile app, allowing homeowners to arm their security system remotely. If an unrecognized person is detected, the system sends an immediate alert to the homeowner’s phone, ensuring prompt awareness of any potential security threats.
Key features of the Wi-Fi Home Alarm System include:
Intelligent Differentiation: Ability to identify different types of movements and persons.
Customizable Detection Zones: Users can map their homes in the app, setting up distinct detection zones within different rooms.
Enhanced Privacy: Data is processed and stored locally on routers, avoiding the need for cloud storage and ensuring user data remains private and secure.
Continuous Learning: Over time, the system’s AI learns and adapts, reducing false alarms and improving recognition accuracy.
In addition to these groundbreaking features, Gamgee has ensured that the system is compatible with a range of Wi-Fi setups, particularly emphasizing the use of mesh technology to ensure robust signal coverage throughout the home.
“We are also in the final stages of forming partnerships with top-tier router manufacturers to ensure that our system integrates seamlessly with the most reliable hardware on the market,” added Paul Hendriks.
The introduction of the Wi-Fi Home Alarm System represents a significant milestone for Gamgee, known for its commitment to enhancing user experience through technological innovation. This system is not just a new product but a new approach to home security, one that leverages existing technology in a novel and highly effective way.
At the second annual Microsoft Dream Space Showcase held in Dublin to mark the end of school year, Microsoft announced that it has engaged 300,000 young people and teachers in its immersive Microsoft Dream Space STEM experience which has been designed to help young people pursue their interest in STEM and shift their perceptions about the role technology can play in their future career choices.
This important milestone comes just 18 months after the company pledged to provide almost 1,000,000 students and their teachers across the island of Ireland with the opportunity to develop their digital and AI skills.
Over the past year, the company has introduced a suite of new programmes, which has helped to broaden the reach of Microsoft Dream Space. The company joined forces with RTÉ Learn to present Microsoft Dream Space TV: brAIn_waves – a series exploring the evolution of AI which enabled primary and post-primary students to develop their AI literacy.
The Microsoft Dream Space hub in Leopardstown also hosted the largest ‘Capture the Flag’ cybersecurity event for post-primary school students in Ireland, which sought to inspire the next generation of cyber security leaders.
To address inequalities in accessing STEM careers among post-primary students in socially disadvantaged communities, Microsoft Ireland, together with Maynooth University, Science Foundation Ireland and the Department of Education expanded the STEM Passport for Inclusion initiative nationwide with the ambition to engage a further 5,000 students.
The second annual Microsoft Dream Space Showcase held at One Microsoft Place this week brought together over 400 students from rural areas to demonstrate the many ways in which their digital skills can help to solve some of today’s sustainability challenges.
Other Microsoft Dream Space innovations introduced within the past 12 months include the expansion of the Dream Space Ambassador and Dream Space LIVE programmes, the launch of the Dream Space Minecraft Teacher Academy, the relaunch of the Dream Space Digital Academy and the roll out of bespoke Dream Space events for people with disabilities.
The continued expansion of Microsoft Dream Space builds on Microsoft’s recent commitment to help ‘Skill Up Ireland’ by providing people of all ages, experiences and ambitions with the opportunity to develop their AI fluency and skills.
James O’Connor, Microsoft Ireland Site Leader and Vice-President Microsoft Global Operations Service Centre, said: “As part of our commitment to Skill Up Ireland for the era of AI, we’re incredibly proud to have engaged 300,000 young people from across this island in our Microsoft Dream Space experience.
“With digital technology transforming our lives, work, and education, it’s crucial that every student, regardless of socio-demographics, can engage in STEM learning as early as possible and prepare for our AI future. That’s why 18 months ago, we committed an additional €3 million investment in our innovation and education hub, Microsoft Dream Space, over four years.
“As a result, we’ve been able to significantly expand our Dream Space programming and introduce new innovations to broaden its reach and impact. The significant increases in STEM interest and confidence that we’re seeing as a result, particularly among girls and students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, highlight the power of the programme.
“Through the continued growth of Microsoft Dream Space, I’m confident that we can provide every student on the island of Ireland with the chance to engage in STEM and AI learning and empower the next generation of digital leaders.”
Speaking about her experience of the Dream Space Student Ambassador programme Isobel Fay, student from Our Lady of Mercy Convent School in Booterstown, said: “Since taking part in the Dream Space Ambassador programme, I’ve learned so much about new technologies like AI and how they can be used to solve different problems in society. All the training has been really helpful in boosting my confidence to speak to students and teachers at my school in Booterstown about all the interesting possibilities that we can use technology for. I’m looking forward to more Dream Space sessions in the future and continuing to learn about the latest developments in technology.”
Reflecting on the engagement of her students in the Microsoft Dream Space TV: brAIn_waves series Nathalia McCarthy a teacher from Grange Community College, Donaghmede in Dublin said: “I loved how the series was linked to the curriculum, so we were able to add it so easily to what we were already doing in the classroom. I have never seen enthusiasm like it in 1st years, 2nd years and our TY students.”
Research undertaken by Maynooth University has indicated the positive impact of Microsoft Dream Space on those who have taken part. Findings show a 42% increase in girls likely to pursue STEM careers and a 40% increase in boys with similar aspirations. Notably, socio-economically disadvantaged girls demonstrated a 30% increase in career aspirations in STEM fields and an 80% boost in confidence regarding their STEM capabilities.
Educators eager to bring this transformative STEM education experience to your students, subscribe to the monthly Dream Space newsletter to stay updated on the latest offerings and opportunities. Join us at aka.ms/dreamspacenews.
Microsoft has revealed that Ruth McGuinness, Head of Data and AI at Kainos, headquartered in Belfast has won the Microsoft Power Women Award 2024 in Ireland.
The Microsoft Power Women Awards are part of Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to inspire, promote and invest in a new generation of women tech talent. The awards shine a spotlight on some of the amazing women spearheading greater diversity and inclusion throughout the Microsoft Partner network.
In the second year of the awards, the programme expanded its reach covering Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, with nearly 400 applications from exceptional women who have made significant contributions to technology, and diversity and inclusion.
McGuinness is a prominent leader in the field of AI, overseeing one of Ireland’s largest AI teams with 150 members generating millions of pounds annually through delivery of AI technology programmes in both public and private sector organisations across Ireland, the UK, Europe, and North America. Her focus includes developing AI tooling that is robust, explainable, and trustworthy and advocating for ethical AI adoption.
Passionate about bridging the gap between academic research and industry, McGuinness is also the primary industry partner of the AI Research Centre (AIRC) at Ulster University, supporting 100+ AI researchers in trusted AI applications. She also supports the development of more diverse AI talent as a curator of AI CON, Ireland’s largest annual AI conference, while being a strong advocate for the robust regulation of AI across other public forums, both local and international.
Accepting the award, Ruth McGuinness said, “I’m very grateful to Microsoft Ireland for honouring me with this prestigious award. It is humbling to be included among such an incredible and inspiring cohort of powerhouse women in the Microsoft ecosystem across Western Europe.
“I also welcome the opportunity of accepting an award for my career during a period of extended maternity leave with my second child – it’s great to see how much progress has been made in terms of gender equity despite how much more we need to achieve!
“Women face a multitude of barriers when trying to have children and a career. While we know that only 26% of technology roles are held by women, further data shows that women often then depart those technology careers at this important stage in their lives, due to inadequate parental leave benefits, expensive childcare systems and a lack of access to good quality flexible working.
“The IT industry needs to continue to do more, to not only attract, but also to retain young women, through ensuring job roles come with an inclusive culture, flexible working hours, flexible roles, equity and fairness.
“I feel passionately about the mantra that “you can’t be what you can’t see” and believe that elevating diverse role models for women – such as through Microsoft’s Power Women Award – plays an incredibly important role in empowering others coming into the industry” – said Ruth McGuinness, Head of Data and AI at Kainos.
McGuinness will join the other 18 winners at the Microsoft Women’s Leadership Program 2nd Edition, a customised programme developed by Professor Jennifer Petriglieri at the INSEAD Business School in Fontainebleau, France.
With the rise of Generative AI organisations across both the public and private sector in Ireland today are considering its impact on their domain. Across a range of sectors, there are expectations that AI, and especially GenAI, can increase productivity, enhance customer and citizen experience, and accelerate innovation. Neil Bowden, AI Business Development Executive at Dell Technologies in Ireland tells us more
Across industry Generative AI is enhancing existing AI solutions or creating entirely new operating models. In the financial industry, for example, AI has long been used in areas such as market forecasting and fraud detection, Generative AI is now enhancing these use cases by opening up new data sources and allowing non-technical users access. While in healthcare, AI is enhancing patient experiences acting as an assistant to caregivers and helping scientists develop new treatments.
When surveyed 7 in 10 business and IT decision-makers believe they are well-positioned competitively and have a solid strategy in place to harness the power of AI. However, 56% admit uncertainty about what the next three to five years will bring to their industry, and 49% are struggling to keep pace with the disruption.
This is leading to the appointment of a senior executive to have oversight of AI initiatives; in many cases a Chief AI officer (CAIO) is appointed to manage the transition to an AI led organisation.
The United States Office of Management and Budget (OMB) recently issued a government-wide policy asking all federal agencies to name a Chief AI Officer, and according to FedScoop, as many as two-thirds of U.S. federal agencies have done so.
According to the recent findings from Dell research, almost 20% of organizations surveyed globally identified a central team or individual to set AI strategy, and a separate report found that the number of ‘head’ of AI jobs has tripled over the last five years.
AI can drive innovation in business and enhance access for citizens to government services, but whether in private or public institutions organisational objectives must align with AI strategies for successful outcomes, and this is where the role of the CAIO is paramount.
For AI leaders looking to embrace the technology, there are some key considerations.
Understand your organisations overall AI strategy.
Without exactly knowing the outcome, it is hard to align the people, process and technology to achieve it. Understanding the overall AI strategy and not just some discrete use cases will lead to smarter investments.
Having the big picture of the overarching strategy for AI organisations can align with the right governance and security frameworks,
There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to adopting AI
While some there are some standard patterns to follow when implementing AI within an organization there is no on size fits all. What works for one organization may not work for other, and not every use case will require the same level of investment.
As per Dell’s latest study majority of the respondents said investing in modern, scalable data infrastructure was the number one area of improvement for business with 66% saying they prefer an on-prem – right where the data is or hybrid model to address the challenges, they foresee with implementing GenAI. There is also a wide spectrum of models emerging from industry-specific large language models (LLMs) to purpose-built smaller models that can run efficiently at the edge.
Approach AI with a holistic focus, beyond just the technology itself
AI is not just technical. Leaders across organisations from business, from IT and beyond need to come together to realise the transformative potential of AI.
Organisations should consider uses for AI across all their business units, from HR, Finance, legal, communications, and beyond.
The IT teams should, of course, be involved from the inception to develop a deep understanding of the problem being addressed and the AI technology.
Dell’s recent study showed that GenAI holds transformative and significant potential to deliver value in improving a company’s IT security posture (48%), enhance customer experience (47%) and unlock productivity gains for organisations (42%).
Leaders across Ireland should communicate the why behind their AI strategy to employees, customers, and partners and build a consensus with all stakeholders about how this will enable everyone to work in better and different ways.
Approach AI Openly
Open standards have driven the growth internet and with AI the situation is the same. Building AI solutions requires multiple parts, committing to open standards will drive innovation and enable greater flexibility and security in an organisations AI ecosystem.
Open models, technologies and scientific papers have driven all of the AI innovations today and many of the AI first adopters, Dell included. Access to open models ensures a robust ecosystem and fuels a global “innovation engine” in to the future.
To understand the strategy and bring all of the elements together, Irish businesses should consider appointing a senior AI executive, a Chief AI officer. By embracing a new face to the C-Suite, organisations can actively adopt and leverage AI to unlock new growth opportunities and drive Ireland’s digital economy forward and position it as an AI leader.
Globally, CEOs expect their digital product revenues to almost double over the next five years. This projection underlines the urgency for organisations to optimise their modern app delivery processes and capabilities to compete. Delivering quality at scale, however, sees slow implementation due to slow software delivery, developers still spending two-thirds of their time on manual and mundane tasks. With 45% of organisations shifting to a value-led approach by 2025 to remain competitive, the solution is an automation-centric strategic approach.
The organisational design of application delivery and the placement of quality within that value chain are essential to ensuring the alignment of metrics and business objectives at individual, team, and organisational levels.
“AI is no longer a futuristic concept but a present-day reality transforming software development. Organisations can now supercharge the way they deliver software and applications to their customers, by embracing solutions built on AI, automation or low-code.
This is supported by data found in the recent IDC InfoBrief, we commissioned, which highlights how AI and automation are driving productivity and quality. These valuable insights highlight the key role of quality at all stages of the software delivery process”, said Eduardo Amaral, Quality Management, DevOps & Automation Global Director at Noesis.
According to the IDC InfoBrief, Quality at Scale, 2024 Edition, sponsored by Noesis the use of Generative AI in the development process will lead to increased speed and higher productivity, giving companies the ability to quickly scale up. It also states that modern app delivery is a 2024 priority for 80% of organisations, with business outcomes such as increased agility to meet business requests, faster product development and increased business resilience being the key driving factors.
“If an organisation wants to remain competitive, a value-led approach, leveraging automation and AI, will ensure quality practices become central to software and application delivery” added Amaral.
Noesis, which has recently expanded into Ireland, recognises the potential for Irish businesses to improve their efficiency in delivering software and applications to the market and highly-efficient customer-centric solutions by using technology in the process, from ideation to development, quality testing and delivery.
“Ireland is a very exciting growth market for us, where we see tremendous potential. We know, and we can see this in the research, that there is still a lot of work to be done especially in driving value at scale. To deliver productivity excellence and quality at speed and scale, organisations need a DevOps-centric approach, that considers both culture and practices. Automation is key in this process, but it requires strategic planning, team orchestration, and a well-defined automation strategy. This is where, with our expertise and global footprint and know-how, we can help Irish businesses leap ahead to a very exciting future, that’s full of potential”, concluded Ricardo Batista, Managing Director UK and Ireland at Noesis.
