Tag: experts

AI is accelerating but is your infrastructure keeping pace?

AI is rapidly transforming businesses across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), unlocking innovation and potential in vital areas from retail personalisation to medical research. But Irish organisations in particular are feeling both the excitement and the strain. Many businesses find their AI ambitions stalling – as no one expected they’d need to support AI workloads when designing their infrastructure strategy. Colin Boyd, Data Centre Solutions Sales Director, Dell Technologies Ireland tells us more

The investment momentum is strong. Projections show the AI market in Europe alone is experiencing robust growth, projected to expand from approximately $105B in 2024 to over $640B by 2031, at a CAGR of 35% (Statista). But in Ireland the legacy systems remain one of the biggest barriers to progress with almost 28% of businesses saying their servers need upgrading to support AI workloads and 34% saying the same for their storage systems, according to Dell Technologies Innovation Catalyst Study. And as data volumes surge, 97% organisations that are planning to increase their storage capacity expect to face challenges of some sort when doing so, underscoring the scale of the infrastructure gap.

To truly unlock AI’s potential, leaders must first look inward and assess if their infrastructure is a launchpad for innovation or a barrier to progress. Here are five indicators that your infrastructure might be holding you back.

  1. Data Access is a Bottleneck, Not an Enabler

AI models are fueled by data. The more high-quality data they can process, the more accurate and insightful they become. However, many local businesses still struggle with fragmented or slow-moving data. If data scientists spend more time waiting for datasets to load than they do building models, that is a problem. Legacy storage systems often struggle to deliver the high-speed, parallel throughput required for training complex algorithms.

The challenge is further amplified by Ireland’s strict regulatory environment as seen 40% of the organisations say they face challenges when it comes to meeting regulatory data requirements when it comes increasing storage capacity and 37% cite data security and privacy concerns as barriers when planning to scale their storage infrastructure.

The need for strong data management in the EMEA region is further amplified by stringent regulatory requirements. Regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe set high standards for data privacy, consent, and localisation. Businesses need to ensure that data used for AI is not only accessible and timely but also managed and transferred in compliance with these legal mandates.

Consider a financial institution in London aiming to use AI for fraud detection. Real-time analysis is essential, but a fragmented or slow data landscape not only risks missed threats but can also lead to breaches of privacy mandates. Modern, compliant data platforms help unify, streamline, and accelerate access – enabling safe, rapid innovation, while meeting the complex requirements for privacy and governance.

  1. Scaling Server Infrastructure for the Next Wave of AI

Running AI in production is still a highly-compute intensive challenge for most businesses. While few enterprises are training large language models from scratch, many are deploying AI to support real-time decision making, analytics, computer vision, and increasingly autonomous workflows alongside existing business applications.

Almost 28% of Irish organisations say their servers need upgrading to support AI workloads, as it places sustained pressure on server infrastructure, particularly when general-purpose servers are already operating close to capacity. When AI inference, data processing and core applications compete for the same resources, performance suffers and the value of AI is harder to realise. Purpose built infrastructure, including accelerated compute, helps businesses support these mixed workloads efficiently while maintaining reliability and predictable performance.

  1. The Network Is a Traffic Jam

AI doesn’t just demand powerful computing and storage; it also requires a robust network to move massive datasets between storage, processing units, and end-users. But many businesses are discovering that their networks weren’t designed for this level of throughput. A slow or unreliable network can create significant bottlenecks, effectively starving your powerful AI processors of the data they need to function. Signs include long data transfer times, network congestion during peak processing hours, and dropped connections that can interrupt critical training jobs.

A slow network means a frustratingly delayed user experience, which can directly impact on customer satisfaction and retention. A growing number of Irish businesses recognise that improving data transfer speeds is essential to support AI tasks. A high-speed, low-latency network fabric is essential to ensure a smooth, continuous flow of data, enabling your AI applications to perform as intended.

  1. Deployment and Management Are Overly Complex

Getting an AI model from the lab to a live production environment should be a streamlined process. However, many businesses find themselves entangled in complexity. If your IT team struggles to provision resources, manage software dependencies, and scale applications, your infrastructure is creating unnecessary friction. A rigid, manually configured environment makes it difficult to experiment, iterate, and deploy AI models efficiently.

The challenge is compounded by skills gap and operational pressures. 34% of Irish organisations cite a lack of in-house expertise as a key barrier to managing growing data and infrastructure demands.

Lack of agility can be a significant disadvantage. Businesses across the EMEA region are looking to AI for a competitive edge, and speed to market is critical.

Modern infrastructure simplifies this journey with integrated software stacks and automation tools. This approach empowers teams to deploy AI applications quickly, manage them with ease, and scale them on demand, fostering a culture of rapid innovation.

  1. No Clear Path to Scale

While an organisation’s first AI project may start small, the infrastructure should be ready for what comes next. A critical sign of an unprepared system is the absence of a clear, cost-effective strategy for scaling your AI capabilities. If expanding the AI environment requires a complete and costly overhaul, the initial success will be difficult to replicate and these challenges are already being felt across businesses, with 40 % reporting difficulties when ensuring infrastructure scalability, while 37% cite high cost of expanding data storage as one of the key obstacles.

Infrastructure built on a scalable, modular architecture allows businesses to grow AI resources incrementally. This “pay-as-you-grow” model provides the flexibility to meet evolving demands without overinvesting, ensuring your AI journey is sustainable in the long term.

Building the Foundation for Progress

The journey to AI is not just about algorithms and data; it’s about building a powerful and agile foundation. By addressing these five signs, businesses in Ireland can move beyond the limitations of legacy systems. Investing in modern, purpose-built infrastructure is an investment in your future. It empowers your teams, simplifies complexity, and creates the conditions for AI to deliver on its promise of driving meaningful progress and creating new opportunities.

As organisations look to advance their AI ambitions, understanding how to modernise infrastructure becomes essential. The same principles that drive transformation – strengthening core systems, managing data securely and scaling AI workloads with confidence will be at the heart of the conversation at Dell Technologies Innovate. Bringing together industry experts and technology leaders, the event will explore how organisations can build resilient, AI‑ready environments while maintaining security, compliance, and performance.

For organisations looking to take the next step in their AI journey, understanding how to modernise infrastructure will be key.

Join us at Irish Museum of Modern Art on 26th March to dive deeper into these strategies and chart a clear path forward. For more information and to register, click here.

Version 1 to invest in UK with 1,000 AI experts

Version 1, a leader in AI and digital transformation, today revealed it plans to invest £40m in the UK over the next few years through increased presence across its technology hubs. The addition of approximately 1,000 roles was welcomed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Taoiseach Michael Martin at a round table event with other industry leaders that formed part of the annual UK-Ireland summit, announced in September last year. The summit takes forward cooperation in four key areas to drive economic growth between the two countries, with the focus of today’s round table firmly on climate, energy, technology and innovation.

With discussions centred around the breadth and depth of shared values and interests between the UK and Ireland, Version 1 revealed that most of the new roles to be added over the coming years will be AI-related and located for proximity to its UK clients, situated across its London, Birmingham, Newcastle, Manchester, Edinburgh and Belfast locations. The company continues to deliver for many public sector organisations in the UK and Ireland on successful, large-scale transformation and AI projects that have significantly improved services for citizens and civil servants alike.

By further embedding rich technology expertise locally, leveraging partnerships and providing the upskilling and training required, (particularly around the fast-paced evolution of AI and responsible technology in regulated industries), Version 1 commits to support that will keep both economies at the forefront of innovation.

Paul Johnston, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Ireland commented; “it is a pleasure to see Version 1 among great business leaders at the UK-Ireland summit today. Their continued investment in our economy is a welcome and important commitment which makes a significant contribution to the Government’s growth mission.”

“We are privileged to be part of the exciting discussions today, as the largest indigenous Irish technology and AI services company with a major presence in the UK. It is very rewarding to hear how both leaders are working hard to strengthen connections and deliver on shared ambitions for greater opportunity, societal advancement and economic prosperity,” said Brad Mallard, Chief Technology Officer at Version 1. “We have a global presence but it’s our mission to deliver value for our customers from the best locations most suited to their needs, and this means investing locally and globally in the right skills and talent. As leaders in people-centric innovation powered by technology, we want the maximum benefit for our customers and the environments we work in.

With UK Government initiatives such as the AI Opportunities Action Plan and the new AI playbook, which are designed to boost economic value and drive productivity and efficiency across Government, we can align on shared objectives that ultimately deliver these benefits but keep the knowledge and skill sets in the right place too for sustainable growth.”

Deirdre McPartlin, Regional Director UK & Nordics at Enterprise Ireland, a long-term partner of Version 1 commented; “Version 1 is a valued client of Enterprise Ireland. Their journey of 28 years has helped establish Ireland as a strong contender for tech innovation and expertise.

We are delighted to see how they continue to grow globally and underscored their commitment to the UK even further with today’s news, joining also the important discussions that have taken place today between the UK and Ireland leaders. We will continue to fully support their ambitious plans which strengthen the business and contributes to the success of both our economies.”

Web3 Consultancy: What to Expect When You Hire Blockchain Experts

In the fast-evolving world of blockchain technology, hiring a web3 consulting agency can be a game-changer for your business. Whether you’re a startup or an established company looking to embrace decentralized solutions, understanding what web3 consultants bring to the table is crucial for success in the blockchain ecosystem. In this article, we will explore the key aspects of web3 consultancy and how it can help you navigate the complexities of blockchain technology.

Introduction

The rise of Web3, or the decentralized web, has transformed industries across the globe. Powered by blockchain technology, Web3 offers increased transparency, security, and efficiency in various sectors, from finance and supply chains to gaming and content creation. However, as promising as Web3 may seem, it is a complex and often misunderstood field that requires expert knowledge to navigate.

This is where web3 consultants come into play. These blockchain experts specialize in guiding businesses through the adoption of decentralized technologies, ensuring they leverage the full potential of Web3 while avoiding common pitfalls. If you’re considering hiring a web3 consulting agency, knowing what to expect can make all the difference in your journey toward decentralized innovation.

What to Expect from a Web3 Consulting Agency

Tailored Strategy Development

One of the first things you can expect from a web3 consulting agency is the development of a customized strategy for your business. Every business has unique needs, and web3 consultants understand that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work in the blockchain space. They will assess your business goals, industry, and the potential for decentralized solutions, crafting a roadmap that aligns with your vision.

This strategy could range from the implementation of smart contracts to the creation of decentralized applications (dApps), or even exploring tokenization models to add new revenue streams. The key is that the plan is tailored specifically to your business, ensuring maximum impact.

Expertise in Blockchain Technology and Smart Contracts

Web3 consultants bring specialized knowledge of blockchain technology, smart contracts, and decentralized applications (dApps). They help businesses understand how these technologies can be integrated into existing systems to streamline operations, reduce costs, and enhance security. Whether you’re looking to implement a public blockchain like Ethereum or a private blockchain solution for internal use, web3 consultants have the technical know-how to make it happen.

Smart contracts are a key component of Web3, offering self-executing agreements that eliminate the need for intermediaries. Your web3 consulting agency will not only develop and deploy these contracts but also ensure they are secure, efficient, and tailored to your specific use case.

Project Management and Implementation

Another critical service offered by a web3 consulting agency is project management. The implementation of blockchain solutions can be a complex, multi-stage process, often involving various stakeholders and requiring cross-departmental collaboration. Web3 consultants help manage the entire process, from the initial design and development phases to the final implementation and testing.

They also ensure that the project stays on track, within budget, and aligned with your company’s goals. Their project management expertise helps mitigate risks, streamline communication, and ensure that the blockchain solution delivers the expected results.

Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management

One of the most challenging aspects of adopting Web3 technologies is navigating the regulatory landscape. With blockchain being a relatively new field, the laws and regulations surrounding its use can be unclear and vary by region. Web3 consultants stay up-to-date with the latest legal developments and help businesses ensure their blockchain initiatives comply with local and international regulations.

Whether it’s understanding the implications of data privacy laws like GDPR on decentralized systems or ensuring compliance with financial regulations when creating a token, web3 consultants provide invaluable guidance. They help minimize legal risks and ensure that your Web3 project operates within a safe and compliant framework.

Tokenomics and Decentralized Finance (DeFi)

For businesses looking to dive into the world of decentralized finance (DeFi), web3 consultants are indispensable. They offer expertise in tokenomics, helping you understand the best ways to structure and launch your tokens. This includes everything from defining the token’s utility to designing its distribution model and ensuring it complies with regulatory requirements.

DeFi has opened up new avenues for businesses, from decentralized lending and borrowing platforms to yield farming and staking opportunities. Web3 consultants guide you through these innovative financial models, helping you unlock new revenue streams and position your business at the forefront of financial innovation.

Training and Education for Your Team

Blockchain technology and Web3 concepts can be difficult to grasp, especially for teams unfamiliar with these topics. Many web3 consulting agencies offer training sessions to ensure your team understands the basics of blockchain, how decentralized systems work, and how to manage your new Web3 initiatives.

Whether it’s a series of workshops or ongoing education, web3 consultants help demystify the technology and empower your team to manage the Web3 transformation confidently. This is particularly important for businesses planning to integrate blockchain into their operations long-term.

Continuous Support and Scaling

Finally, web3 consultancy doesn’t end once the initial project is complete. A reputable web3 consulting agency will offer ongoing support, helping your business scale its blockchain initiatives as needed. This includes system upgrades, troubleshooting, and exploring new opportunities as your business evolves.

Whether you’re launching new dApps, expanding into DeFi, or exploring cross-chain solutions, web3 consultants remain by your side, ensuring your decentralized initiatives continue to thrive in the long run.

Conclusion

Hiring a web3 consulting agency is an investment in the future of your business. With the guidance of blockchain experts, you can navigate the complexities of Web3 technology, implement solutions that drive innovation, and position your business for success in the decentralized world. Whether you’re just starting to explore Web3 or looking to scale your existing blockchain projects, web3 consultants provide the strategy, expertise, and support needed to achieve your goals.

By understanding what to expect when you hire a web3 consulting agency, you can make informed decisions that align with your business objectives and set you on the path to success in the decentralized future.

Cybersecurity experts show biggest scam threats for 2025

Smarter, faster, and more sophisticated scams are coming. Thanks to AI, scammers are more efficient than ever, stealing money at record rates. Every day AI tools such as ChatGPT and OpenAI are used as scam arsenal, leading to around 13 million people in the UK to lose around £1.4bn each year.

Global scam protection leader F-Secure stays one way step ahead of cyber criminals, defending people from scams before they happen. F-Secure’s team of cybersecurity experts share the new threats the country will face in 2025:

New regulations for banks, telcos and social media companies who fail to prevent scams

Calvin Gan, Senior Manager, Scam Protection Strategy, says: “Right now lawmakers around the world are targeting telecom providers, banks, and social media companies, saying they should be held responsible when their customers fall victim to fraud. Australian lawmakers are pushing through a bill that will fine companies up to $50 million for failing to protect their customers from scams, and here, in a world first, UK bank refunds for fraud became mandatory after the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) reduced the maximum compensation from a previous proposal of £415,000 to £85,000, covering more than 99% of claims.

“Passing new laws that empower businesses to beef up protection against scams is a welcomed move. Scam fighting is not a top-down only effort but involves everyone from governments to organisations and even individuals. Just like we’ve seen with GDPR in Europe forcing companies to take data privacy more seriously, new legislation like this would create an extra protection mechanism for consumers.

“Still, there’s no 100% guaranteed way to prevent scams from happening in the first place. People need to take precautions daily, especially on scam-prone channels like social media and messaging apps.

Cheap, easy AI tools will be deployed in sophisticated cyber attacks

Laura Kankaala, Head of Threat Intelligence: “Using AI tools for malicious purposes (like generating malicious and manipulative content) has already been evident throughout this past year. As we head into 2025, we are bound to see more sophisticated attacks that leverage everyday AI tools – like ChatGPT, ElevenLabs, or basically any AI tool that is cheap and easy to access online. The reality is that cyber criminals are abusing this readily available technology to fine-tune their scams and consumers must be better informed, whether that’s from their bank, mobile phone or another service provider, or by the cybersecurity industry to help educate consumers. We all play a part.“

“While AI companies do put restrictions on malicious usage, most of them are not very successful at it. They need to be doing more to stop the use of their platforms for nefarious purposes – it cannot only be left up to legislation to enforce boundaries for what kind of content can be generated. Bottom line, the companies developing these tools should also be held up to a higher moral standard.”

Multi-stage scams will become more prevalent 

Joel Latto, Threat Advisor, says: “Cybercriminals have long relied on social engineering, and multi-stage scams represent some of their most deceptive tactics. These schemes often involve direct interaction with victims, enhancing their believability. For instance, a scammer might call a victim claiming they’ve applied for a loan. When the victim denies it, they are “transferred” to a supposed bank representative—another scammer, probably sat next to them—who proceeds to seek sensitive banking details. Malware further elevates these schemes, rerouting legitimate customer service calls to fraudsters or tricking victims into contacting fake numbers embedded in phishing emails.

“Such scams are effective because victims believe they are speaking with genuine, helpful representatives, which makes them more susceptible under pressure. This is something we’ve seen dramatised through TV series’ such as Cold Call, which has recently rocketed up the charts on Netflix following its release five years ago. Perhaps more popular now because scams are much more commonplace, and viewers are much more likely to relate.

“Until now, the scalability of these scams was limited by the human capacity of fraudsters, who could only handle a limited number of interactions in specific languages and time zones. AI is changing this equation. With the rise of sophisticated conversational AI chatbots, scammers can now mimic real human interactions at scale, conducting conversations 24/7 across multiple languages. Coupled with realistic deepfake audio, these new call-based scams blur the line between human and machine interaction, making them far more dangerous than traditional robocalls.

“To counter these evolving threats, defenses must adapt, and mobile phone service providers must act. Blocking call-forwarding malware, detecting suspicious numbers, and developing sophisticated audio analysis tools to spot deepfakes are essential. Equally critical is educating users about the signs of scams and potential red flags. Defensive strategies must evolve as fast as attackers’ capabilities, leveraging AI-driven solutions and strong collaboration between cybersecurity experts, telecom providers, and regulatory bodies.”

High-yield, high-risk: the rise of Bitcoin investment scams on a new playing field

Sarogini Muniyandi, Senior Manager, Scam Protection Engineering, says: “Decentralised Finance (DeFi) is a new blockchain-based financial service that’s been gaining traction and acceptance over the last year. DeFi refers to financial services provided by an algorithm on a blockchain, without a financial services company. It is an alternative approach that largely operates outside the traditional centralized financial infrastructure.

“As DeFi becomes mainstream, scammers will take advantage of anyone interested in Bitcoin investment and other digital assets, especially those that are unfamiliar with the risks of blockchain-based finance. By 2025, DeFi is expected to attract even more users seeking alternatives to traditional finance. The DeFi market provides loans, interest-bearing accounts, and high-yield investments that promise substantial returns, which can entice investors of all experience levels. With the rising popularity of DeFi, the total value locked (TVL) in these projects is projected to grow, making it a prime target for fraudsters who can steal funds on a larger scale.

“DeFi platforms operate on decentralised blockchain networks, allowing users to participate without traditional identification or regulatory oversight. This open environment enables scammers to steal victims’ funds and vanish into thin air, all while remaining anonymous. By manipulating the smart contract and tools used to automate DeFi functions, the risks of stealing investor funds are at stake. Some DeFi platforms offer investors with unsustainable, extremely high-yield rates for farming Bitcoin derivatives, only for investors to later discover they can’t withdraw their Bitcoin or that the platform has disappeared with their funds.

‘While DeFi offers financial freedom and potential profits, its open, unregulated, and anonymous nature also creates a ripe environment for scams – something every Bitcoin investor needs to be aware of in 2025.”

What’s Wrong With My iPhone?

The iPhone is one of the most widely used pieces of kit today. This smartphone changed the industry when it was first released, and it continues to lead the way in terms of mobile phones and what they can do.

Having an iPhone can make a lot of things easier to do. From making calls to checking social media, everything you need to do to stay in touch with people can be done using the iPhone.

With the latest updates, even more is possible, so it should come as no surprise that many people feel lost without their phones these days.

However, despite everything they do for us, the iPhone is not without its issues. Many things can go wrong with this device, and you may be tired of having to search the internet for answers.

The Most Common Smartphone Issues In 2022

Despite all of the amazing technological advances we have seen over recent years, smartphones are still not perfect. There are many things that can go wrong with these devices, which is why thousands of people turn to the internet with their queries every day.

Some of the most commonly searched questions on the internet are related to iPhones and smartphones. Whether your device is breaking down, will not accept calls, or has not turned back on, there are various issues that smartphone users have to deal with. 

Because we now rely so much on these devices, any issue can feel like a catastrophe. 

This is why it is a good idea for all iPhone and general smartphone users to have one place they can go for all issues. 

Expert Solutions At Your Fingertips

There is so much still to learn about these amazing devices that we rely on so much. Whether you are an iPhone user or have a smartphone from another brand, there are most likely things you still do not understand about this device, and there are issues that you cannot resolve yourself.

This is where the mobile phone experts at mobiletechaddicts.com come in. These are smartphone experts that provide a great deal of advice and support through their online articles.

From helping you with the most common iPhone issues of the moment to recommending the best accessories for your smartphone, there is a wealth of information to be had on this website that can make things easier for you.

It can be difficult to keep up with everything that is going on in the smartphone market, which is why this is such a great website to take note of. Here you can learn all there is to know about your current device, as well as the issues you may face when using it.

With expert advice available at the touch of a button, you no longer have to waste time scouring the internet for solutions. Repairs can be done from the comfort of your own home or while working in the office by using this advice and getting on with your day.