AI, Data and BEVs Power a New Model for European Long-Haul Transport

Scania Ventures, LOTS Group and JUNA Technologies, together with carrier HAWA, operate one of Europe’s longest electric truck routes, demonstrating that high utilisation, long-haul battery-electric transport is commercially viable already today.

By combining LOTS Group’s AI-based platform Pathfinder with JUNAS’s electrified vehicle solutions and Hawa’s operational logistics expertise, the partners are creating a scalable model for electrified long-distance logistics in Europe. The 1,250-kilometre corridor is already operating in daily commercial service across central Europe. The partnership prioritises operational quality and cost efficiency, demonstrating how intelligent planning, effective asset utilisation, and robust daily operational management can help customers minimise their CO₂ emissions.

LOTS uses Pathfinder to analyse routes, charging requirements and shipment data to design and optimise electric long-haul operations under real-world conditions. This enables the partners to simulate various scenarios, minimise operational risk and adjust routes prior to broader deployment.

At the same time, the setup is designed to be scalable. By analysing operational data over time, the corridor can adapt to new transport flows and be expanded to include additional zero-emission capacity as infrastructure and customer needs evolve.

JUNA provides access to electric truck capacity via a pay-per-use model, thereby reducing barriers to entry for battery-electric long-haul transport. The partners have together created a fully integrated, end-to-end electric corridor that functions in day-to-day operations.

“With Pathfinder, we can design and run electric routes that meet customer requirements and real-world road conditions. The platform enables us to simulate different scenarios, reduce risk and optimise flows before moving into full-scale operations,” says Johan Palmqvist, Managing Director at LOTS Group Europe.

“For JUNA Technologies, this corridor proves that electric long-haul transport is not a pilot project but a viable, day-to-day solution,” says Johan Kjellner, Managing Director and COO at JUNA Technologies. “By integrating our electric truck capacity into a data-driven, AI-optimised network, we can deliver reliable, zero-emission transport at scale”

Electric long-haul road transport is often portrayed as a solution that will only become commercially viable around 2030. This corridor challenges that narrative by demonstrating that heavy battery-electric vehicles can reliably run demanding inter-city stretches with tight delivery deadlines, and ensure year-round utilisation.

 

Core42 Establishes European Headquarters in Dublin

Core42, a G42 company specializing in sovereign cloud and AI infrastructure, today announced the establishment of its European headquarters in Dublin, Ireland. The news was shared at Investopia, the UAE’s global investment platform, which is hosting its global dialogue series in Dublin this week. The new headquarters strengthens Core42’s ability to serve European enterprises and governments seeking secure, high-performance infrastructure to scale AI adoption.

Core42 was founded in 2023 by G42 to build globally relevant infrastructure for large-scale AI. The company focuses on sovereign cloud, advanced compute platforms, and hyperscale AI environments that support production-grade AI across sectors. Core42 partners with Microsoft, NVIDIA, AMD, Cerebras, and other global ecosystem leaders to ensure customers have access to the latest accelerators, models, and architectures.

Through its AI Cloud platform, Core42 provides fast, self-service access to high-performance compute for training, inference, and large-scale experimentation. Its services portfolio, managed delivery functions, and AI solutioning capabilities support customers through cloud modernization, data readiness, and the full AI adoption lifecycle.

Since 2024, Core42 has expanded its European presence through a series of large-scale sovereign compute initiatives. In France, Core42 partnered with Data One and Oreus to deliver a national-scale AI infrastructure deployment in Grenoble that supports high-performance enterprise and public sector workloads. In Italy, the company collaborated with Domyn to build Europe’s largest AI compute cluster, creating a strong foundation for an AI-first economy and accelerating the region’s ability to scale advanced AI solutions.

Establishing the European headquarters in Dublin marks the next phase of this expansion. The office will act as the regional hub for customer delivery, engineering leadership, regulatory engagement, and ecosystem partnerships. It positions Core42 to work more closely with European institutions and industry leaders as demand for scalable AI infrastructure accelerates across key sectors.

Commenting on the milestone, Talal M. Al Kaissi, Interim CEO of Core42, said: “Europe is a central part of Core42’s global expansion strategy. Establishing our headquarters in Dublin gives us the operational base to support growing demand for high-performance AI infrastructure and to work more closely with customers and partners as they scale production-grade AI across key sectors.”

Also at Investopia, Core42 together with Emerging Markets Intelligence and Research (EMIR), released a report that explores the infrastructure, policy, and investment conditions required for Europe to accelerate its AI capabilities. The report draws on comparative insights from the rapid AI scale-up in the UAE and provides practical guidance for governments, investors, and enterprises developing sovereign-aligned AI ecosystems. To download the report, click here.

Core42 will begin formal operations in Dublin in early 2026, with plans to expand engineering, customer success, and partner ecosystem teams throughout the year.

European electronics under geopolitical pressure: why industrial sovereignty matters

The European electronics industry is facing mounting geopolitical pressures that threaten the continent’s technological and industrial sovereignty. Europe’s reliance on external sources for critical electronic components, especially in defense and advanced technologies, has created significant vulnerabilities in supply chains. Industrial sovereignty, the ability to produce essential technologies domestically, has become a vital strategic priority to safeguard European security, economic resilience, and technological leadership.

Europe’s Declining Electronics Manufacturing Base

Europe’s share of global electronics manufacturing has plummeted over recent decades. According to a 2025 IPC report, Europe’s share of global electronics production fell by over 35%, now constituting only 11.6% globally. This decline is particularly alarming in sectors linked to defense, where the electronic content of military equipment has risen from 10% in 2000 to 17% in 2023, expected to reach 25% by 2035-2040. Despite electronics becoming more critical to defense capabilities, Europe produces only a fraction of the advanced components it needs domestically. For example, Europe accounts for just 8% of global defense-related advanced packaging, 6% of printed circuit boards (PCBs), and 4% of integrated circuit (IC) substrates manufacturing.​

Strategic Vulnerabilities in Defense Readiness

The erosion of Europe’s electronics industrial base exposes it to supply chain disruptions, particularly for essential defense technologies like drones, radar systems, and secure communications. Without a resilient European electronics ecosystem, the continent’s defense readiness could be critically compromised amid geopolitical shifts.

Europe’s defense sector urgently needs policies focused on strengthening domestic electronics production to minimize dependency on foreign suppliers and improve industrial resilience. Events like the Evertiq Expo 2025 emphasize the growing recognition that Europe’s security is increasingly tethered to its ability to produce strategic electronics internally.​ Ecrin Systems, a key European player in embedded electronics and rugged industrial computers, exemplifies the importance of sustaining domestic manufacturing capacity to meet the most demanding industry and defense requirements.

Broader Geopolitical and Economic Pressures

Beyond defense, Europe’s entire electronics supply chain faces geopolitical risks heightened by U.S.-China tensions, trade disputes, and fractured global alliances. The semiconductor industry, a cornerstone of modern electronics, is globally concentrated, with around 80% of production located in Taiwan. Europe and the U.S. each hold about 10%, prompting the EU to launch initiatives like the Chips Act, aiming to quadruple domestic production of advanced chips by 2030 to reduce strategic dependencies and boost competitiveness.​

European components distribution data from 2025 reveal fragile recovery signs but also lingering vulnerabilities. The market showed modest growth (+4.09%) yet remained exposed to geopolitical tensions. Some regions such as Turkey and Benelux experienced growth while others, including Eastern Europe and the UK, saw declines. Semiconductor distribution increased by only 0.77%, highlighting ongoing challenges in supply stability and growth. Energy costs, fragmented markets, and industrial restructuring further complicate Europe’s electronics manufacturing landscape.​

Why Industrial Sovereignty Matters

Industrial sovereignty is more than an economic ambition, it is a strategic imperative. Europe’s ability to develop, manufacture, and control key electronic components directly impacts its technological sovereignty, defense capabilities, and economic stability. Dependence on external suppliers risks supply chain disruptions during geopolitical crises, undermining national security and critical infrastructure.

Achieving industrial sovereignty requires coordinated European policies, investment in innovation and manufacturing capacity, and support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across the electronics value chain. The European Union’s strategic frameworks seek to enhance resilience by financing new production facilities, improving scaling opportunities, and aligning defense and industrial policies.​

In a world where technology is a core geopolitical battleground, Europe’s path to industrial sovereignty is challenging but vital. Strengthening domestic electronics manufacturing capacity protects against external disruptions, underpins defense readiness, and ensures Europe retains leadership in the digital and green transitions vital to its future prosperity.

Hibernia College becomes first European university to join global alliance for digital innovation in teacher education

Hibernia College, Ireland’s largest provider of teachers, today announced it has joined the Alliance for Innovation in Teacher Education, becoming the first European institution to join the international partnership. As an Alliance member, Hibernia College will equip its 2,500 student teachers with the practical technology skills required for modern classrooms. The Alliance brings together the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) and Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), as well as other leading higher education organisations with the shared goal of transforming how universities prepare educators for digitally enhanced learning environments.

Hibernia College will integrate the ISTE Standards across its Professional Master’s of Education programme and develop professional credentials that allow teacher candidates to demonstrate proficiency in the effective use of technology for learning. The College’s 600 adjunct faculty – all practising teachers – will also benefit from access to new professional development opportunities through the Alliance.

ISTE+ASCD is run by Richard Culatta, a former advisor to President Barack Obama who served as Executive Director of the Office of Educational Technology for the US Department of Education. Mr Culatta also served as the Chief Innovation Officer for his home state of Rhode Island.

ISTE merged with ASCD in 2023 to form a nonprofit that creates standards for using technology in education. ISTE+ASCD is the leading provider of teacher training and thought leadership around the use of AI in education in the United States.

Dr. Mary Kelly, Academic Dean of Hibernia College, said: “Joining the ISTE+ASCD Alliance for Innovation in Teacher Education reflects Hibernia College’s ongoing commitment to excellence in teacher education. By embedding the ISTE Standards throughout our programmes, we will ensure future teachers are prepared to create meaningful and engaging learning experiences for all students.”

Richard Culatta, CEO of ISTE+ASCD, said: “Knowing how to use technology to support student learning is an essential skill for any teacher to excel. We are thrilled that Hibernia College is committed to embedding tech skills into their programme so that all of their teacher candidates will be prepared to hit the ground running.”

By joining the Alliance, Hibernia College joins over 140 institutions worldwide committed to preparing teachers to thrive in digital learning environments, using technology to support ongoing professional development by implementing the ISTE Standards. This partnership will empower the College’s faculty to further develop their expertise in educational technology and foster collaboration with school leaders to define and advance shared digital teaching competencies.

Creative Pebble Nova Named Best Speaker at the European Hardware Awards 2025

Awarded for its exceptional audio performance, striking modern design, and innovative features, the Pebble Nova sets a new standard for desktop speakers
London UK, June 26th 2025: Creative Technology is thrilled to announce that the Pebble Nova has been awarded Best Speaker at the European Hardware Awards 2025, a prestigious accolade that recognises excellence in consumer technology across the continent.
Celebrated for its exceptional audio performance, striking modern design, and innovative features, the Pebble Nova stood out in a highly competitive field, securing its position as a top-tier desktop audio solution in Europe and beyond.
Over 100 of Europe’s most experienced editors reviewed the speakers they’ve tested, and voted the Creative Pebble Nova as the best product in its class.
The European Hardware Awards is organised by the European Hardware Association, comprising editors from the region’s most respected technology publications. Winners are carefully selected by an expert panel, ensuring that only the most outstanding products receive recognition.
Launched in late 2024, the Pebble Nova is the latest evolution of Creative’s acclaimed Pebble series. Equipped with powerful coaxial drivers, customisable RGB lighting, and versatile wireless connectivity, it has quickly earned a loyal following among gamers, content creators, and audiophiles seeking immersive sound in a compact footprint.
The award reflects Creative’s ongoing commitment to redefining everyday audio experiences through bold innovation and thoughtful design. The recognition of the Pebble Nova by such a respected panel underscores Creative’s dedication to delivering accessible, high-quality sound to users around the world.
For more information on the Pebble Nova and Creative’s full portfolio of audio solutions, please visit www.creative.com.

CeADAR and Google Sign Strategic Partnership Agreement to Help Irish Businesses Unlock AI’s Potential

CeADAR and Google Ireland have announced a new strategic partnership to help Irish businesses capitalise on the economic potential of AI. CeADAR, Ireland’s European Digital Hub for AI, and Google signed the agreement at a meeting with the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD at Government Buildings today.

Recent research from Google and Implement Consulting Group shows that widespread adoption of AI has the potential to boost Ireland’s GDP by €40-45 billion. The new partnership between CeADAR and Google aims to support Irish businesses to adopt AI to boost competitiveness and productivity.

CeADAR and Google will focus on building an AI-ready workforce and driving the adoption of AI-powered solutions  through a three-pillar approach:

 

  • Addressing the AI skills gap – this includes tailored learning paths that provide on-demand training for varying proficiency levels, enhancing technical skills in cloud and product mastery while transforming leaders into AI-driven strategists.

 

  • Scaling AI capabilities –  empower Irish businesses to rapidly and responsibly test and implement AI solutions by leveraging Google’s expertise and resources. CeADAR will provide access to Google Cloud resources, including €3M in Google Cloud credits  and advanced AI tools like Vertex AI and Gemini 2.0.

 

  • Investing in the future – preparing Ireland for the next phase of AI through training and mentorship initiatives, for CeADAR staff and interns, building key cloud related skills.

 

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD:

“This partnership between CeADAR and Google is the type of public and private sector collaboration that is needed to ensure we are equipping Irish businesses to benefit from the economic opportunities AI presents. AI has the potential to have a transformative, positive impact on Ireland’s competitiveness and the government is committed to creating an ecosystem where businesses can fully utilise the power of AI to innovate, expand, and compete on a global scale.”

Lorraine Twohill, Chief Marketing Officer at Google said:

“AI presents a tremendous opportunity for Ireland, with the potential to significantly boost the economy. Ireland has built a strong foundation for a safe and reliable AI environment, supported by the Government’s clear ambition to capitalise on this transformative technology. This partnership with CeADAR is designed to help businesses navigate the challenges and opportunities AI brings—transforming how jobs are performed, creating new AI-focused roles, and enabling businesses to thrive in an AI-powered economy. By combining Google’s expertise with CeADAR’s capabilities, we are confident that we can unlock AI’s full economic potential and drive sustainable growth across Irish businesses.”

Dr. John Lonsdale, CEO, CeADAR:

“Unlocking AI’s economic potential won’t happen automatically and requires a proactive approach to workforce adaptation. We have been working with Irish businesses in recent years to help them leverage AI and machine learning but with the dynamic evolution of the technology more can be done to upskill Irish businesses, grow and nurture AI talent and facilitate faster adoption of AI. Ireland has a unique opportunity to harness the wider expertise that exists in our bustling tech sector – bringing our expertise together with Google is one key that can begin to unlock the economic opportunity AI will bring.”

Professor Kate Robson Brown, UCD Vice-President for Research, Innovation and Impact said,

“Our researchers and innovators at University College Dublin (UCD) draw on the breadth and depth of their expertise to deliver knowledge and solutions that matter. They are leading the way in fields, such as AI, that are transforming the world around us. Advancing research and innovation is one of UCD’s central pillars guiding the University to break boundaries and to deliver lasting and meaningful impact.

To do so we draw on our strengths and our partnerships, such as this new partnership with Google, to create knowledge and cultivate talent in the areas where that impact can be greatest.  The new partnership announced today will bring together the diverse expertise, strengths and resources of CeADAR and Google to build an AI-ready workforce and drive the adoption of AI-powered solutions boosting the competitiveness and productivity of Irish businesses.”

14 year old Claremorris Teen-Turn Participant Wins European Regional Winner Award

Dana Carney, a visionary young innovator from Claremorris, has been honoured with the prestigious European Junior Regional Winner award at the Technovation Global Celebrations for her groundbreaking project, ‘Secure Hands.’ The Technovation Global Celebrations recognise young innovators from around the world who use technology to solve real-world problems. With nearly 11,000 girls from 69 countries creating 3,200 tech-based solutions to community problems, this year was especially competitive. Dana’s achievement shines a spotlight on her innovative approach to bridging the communication gap for Ireland’s deaf community during emergencies.

Ireland’s emergency services are renowned for their exceptional ability to handle a myriad of languages, ensuring effective communication across diverse linguistic needs. However, the deaf community, which relies exclusively on Irish Sign Language (ISL), faces a significant disadvantage. In moments of crisis, the absence of ISL knowledge among most emergency service providers leaves ISL users vulnerable and underserved.

Dana’s project, ‘Secure Hands,’ addresses this critical issue through the power of technology. By leveraging advanced machine learning, Secure Hands equips emergency responders with the tools to learn and interpret ISL swiftly and accurately. This transformative solution not only enhances the capabilities of emergency personnel but also ensures that ISL users receive the same level of urgent care and support as the broader population.

Dana worked on her project coding her app and creating her business plans at Teen-Turn’s after school sessions in Mount Saint Michael Secondary School in Claremorris with teacher and Teen-Turn lead mentor Stephanie Hogan, facilitated by Iseult Mangan, Teen-Turn’s regional manager in the area. Dana also received support while coding her app from industry and academic volunteers through Teen-Turn’s online support and at this year’s in-person Super Sessions at Genesys in Galway and the Ideas Lab in the University of Galway.  Dana says “Working on my project with Teen-Turn was an incredible experience. Their sessions guided me from the initial idea stage to coding a functional app. I loved visiting Genesys in Galway, where I collaborated with volunteers and coding experts. Additionally, visiting the Ideas Lab at the University of Galway provided invaluable support for the business aspects of my project”.

“I am deeply honoured to receive the European Junior Regional Winner award at the Technovation Global Celebrations,” Dana expressed. “Secure Hands is more than just a project; it is a mission to ensure that no one in our community is left without help in their most critical moments. This recognition motivates me to continue working towards a future where emergency services are inclusive and accessible to all.”

Secure Hands is set to revolutionise the way emergency services and front line workers interact with the deaf community, ensuring that language barriers do not impede life-saving interventions. As Dana continues to develop and refine her app, her work promises to pave the way for a more inclusive and responsive emergency response system in Ireland and beyond.

Joanne Dolan, Technovation’s Ambassador in Ireland added, “with the largest number of submissions from Ireland ever, and 9 of those entries reaching the global semi-finals, we already had a banner year, but seeing Dana’s project go on to be awarded the Junior Category prize for all of Europe, well that’s the icing on the cake.”

To learn more, visit technovation.org.

More information on their activities and the support they provide to girls is available at www.teen-turn.com

New app launched to inform Irish citizens about European Parliament Elections

A new app aiming to help European citizens engage with the upcoming European Parliament elections has gone live on May 9th to coincide with Europe Day. 

The EU&I app aims to help EU citizens navigate the upcoming European Parliament elections, taking place in June. The app provides a comprehensive platform to help voters explore and understand the positions of both Irish political parties and independent candidates competing in the European elections.

When they visit the EU&I web app, users are prompted to indicate their political preferences through a questionnaire, which generates personalised insights about which political parties and candidates align best with the voter’s values and beliefs.

Available in 20 languages with 36 policy statements, the EU&I Voter app offers users an extensive guide on a range of topics central to European politics, including economic policies, environmental initiatives, and social justice issues. It also allows users to explore party/candidate views on Ireland’s position in Europe and beyond. 

The creators of the app are hoping that this new development will encourage Irish citizens to vote in the upcoming elections taking place on the 7th of June. 

Commenting on the launch of the app, Team Ireland lead, and Associate Professor at UCD, Dr James Cross said: “We are delighted to officially launch our new app EU&I ahead of the European elections. This app provides an excellent educational platform to empower Irish voters, which will, in turn, allow them to make informed decisions about the future of Europe. A group of our master’s students from different disciplines here at UCD have been working tirelessly to compile information about the election and its candidates. They have made this information accessible to our app users, contributing to a Europe-wide effort to inform voters. By harnessing the power of technology, we aim to empower voters to make informed decisions when entering the ballot box this June.”

UCD Master’s Student Aaron Kelly added: “By making this political information readily available for app users, we aim to inform the general public on one simple, accessible platform. This helpful tool eliminates political jargon while providing a wealth of information for citizens as well as for politicians themselves. It is a free resource that provides a personalised and exhaustive political guide for users, and we hope that it will encourage more people to get out and use their vote in June.

The official launch of EU&I Voter took place on the 14th of May at the Royal Irish Academy in Dublin. A panel discussion featuring Dr. Laura Sudulich from the University of Exeter, Dr. Kevin Cunningham Director of Ireland Thinks and Patrick O’Riordan from Dublin Office of the European Parliament on pressing issues faced by the EU was held, as well as a live demonstration of the app.