Tag: globally

Ireland Well Placed to Influence AI EU Innovation

European Movement Ireland and Konrad- Adenauer- Stiftung (KAS) UK and Ireland hosted ‘Artificial Intelligence – How will Europe Innovate?’ The event explored the challenges and opportunities ahead for AI innovation, political leadership and the future development of AI across Europe, as the European Union sets out its ambitious agenda to become a global leader in AI.

The EU AI act, which forms part of this vision, is the world’s first act to regulate the use of AI globally. In force since 2024, with some exemptions for high-risk AI until 2027, the EU AI Act will be fully applicable from 2026, coinciding with Ireland’s Presidency of the European Council. Given the presence of multinational tech companies, and leading research institutions in the country, Ireland is well positioned to influence how AI is advanced across the bloc into the future.

Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on EU Affairs, Barry Ward TD said: “As Europe takes bold steps toward responsible AI innovation, today’s discussion underscores the need for political leadership that is both visionary and grounded in our shared values. With Ireland preparing to take on the Presidency of the European Council in 2026, along with our thriving tech sector and academic excellence, we are uniquely placed to help lead this conversation and ensure AI development in Europe is ethical, innovative, and inclusive.”

Noelle O Connell, CEO European Movement Ireland said; “As the global race continues for leadership in AI, I am delighted to hear the statement from Minister Smyth, welcome Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on EU Affairs Barry Ward TD, and listen to the insights from the expert panel today on AI innovation, as it increasingly shapes all aspects of our daily lives and influences decision making. 

We are at a pivotal time when trust in institutions is falling, as revealed by EM Ireland’s EU Poll 2025, a majority stated (40%) they do not trust any institution and less than one in three (30%) expressed trust in the EU in Ireland. As the EU seeks to be bold in its vision for AI, it must ensure developments in AI work to serve the public good, and do not erode trust into the future.”

The Minister for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation Niamh Smyth TD appeared prior to the discussion with a short video statement. The expert panel was moderated by Noelle O Connell and included Barry Ward TD, Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs, Stephanie Anderson, Public Policy Manager, Meta, Dr. Eamonn Cahill, Principal Officer, AI and Digital Regulation Unit, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Kai Zenner of Office and Digital Policy Adviser for MEP Axel Voss.

Dr. Canan Atilgan, Konrad- Adenauer- Stiftung (KAS) UK and Ireland said; “The EU aims to become a global leader in AI and has unveiled an ambitious Action Plan — a bold strategy designed not merely to compete, but to lead ethically, with a clear, human-centred vision.”

Artificial Intelligence – How Will Europe Innovate? brought citizens, businesses, and policymakers together to explore the themes of the future of AI, and the regulation of AI in practice. The hashtag #EMIKAS and the handles @KAS_UKIRL and @emireland were used during the event.

Revolut reaches 50 million customer milestone

Revolut, the global financial technology company and licensed European bank, has today announced that it has hit 50 million customers globally.

The company has reached the 50 million milestone at high-speed, growing by over 10 million customers in 2024 so far and becoming the most downloaded financial app in Europe.  It follows a bumper year for Revolut, which in 2024 received a $45 billion valuation, was awarded a UK bank licence with restrictions from the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) whilst in the mobilisation stage, and announced its 2023 Group revenues had surpassed $2.2 billion with record profits before tax of $545 million.

Revolut has aggressive plans to continue to grow its customer base towards the 100 million milestone, while also rolling out new and innovative services to become the primary bank of choice for its customers. 

Nik Storonsky, CEO of Revolut, commented: “Revolut exists for one reason: to simplify money for everyone, everywhere. This year we’ve taken huge steps forwards — breaking records, accelerating the speed at which we’re launching products and continuing to disrupt financial services globally. We’re moving faster than ever because we know the opportunity to revolutionise global financial services for our customers is still massive.”

Later this week Storonsky will take to the stage at the company’s The Revolutionaries event in London to celebrate its 50 million milestone, speaking alongside co-founder and CTO Vlad Yatsenko and entrepreneur Steven Bartlett. 

An exclusive event featuring revolutionary names across music, business, fashion, sport, gaming, travel and entertainment, The Revolutionaries will close with a headline performance from the iconic Charli XCX ahead of her sold-out UK tour.

For those outside of the UK, the event will be broadcast across YouTube and other streaming platforms.

Revolut Bank UAB (Irish Branch) was recognised by financial comparison site Bonkers.ie as ‘Ireland’s Best Consumer Business’ and ‘provider of the Best Current Account’ in 2024, while the company ranked 9th as part of the Ireland RepTrak® 2024 study earlier this year.

 

 

 

 

EA SPORTS FC FUTURES – A Plan To Invest $10M Globally To Grow Community Football

Today, Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) announced FC FUTURES; a plan to meaningfully invest in community-level football on a global scale with the purpose of growing the game for all.

The plan will see investments over the next three years across multiple grassroots football projects. This announcement follows EA SPORTS’s new brand identity, logo and vision reveal for the interactive future of football: EA SPORTS FC.

“EA SPORTS FC is a symbol for a positive future of football, and that future will be built on providing young people with the access and tools necessary to follow their dreams,” said David Jackson, VP of Brand Marketing at EA SPORTS. “We are looking forward to partnering with football organisations and icons across the globe to inspire the next generation of young football fans and grow their love of the game.”

Today was the first of many FC FUTURES activations as EA SPORTS and the Football Foundation, the charity of The Premier League, The FA and UK Government unveiled the ‘Rocky and Wrighty Arena’ at Turnham Academy in South London. Opened by England legend Ian Wright, the pitch will provide additional football access for youth in the area and help inspire the next generation of players.

FC FUTURES will build a publicly-available library of training practices, produced in five languages, that will be available later this year for young players and community coaches to view online and use for their training plans.

Additionally, FC FUTURES will provide community access to football by supporting the creation and refurbishment of pitches, facilitated and distributed through foundations, federations and leagues.

Lastly, FC FUTURES will invest in grassroots training accessories which will deliver football equipment in the form of balls, bibs, cones and wider essential equipment.

EA SPORTS has agreed to a multi-year partnership with the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) to further support community level football through consultancy from UEFA Grassroots Football Coaches and investment in UEFA Grassroots football initiatives.

“We are excited to partner with EA SPORTS and their EA SPORTS FC FUTURES programme”, said Frank K. Ludolph, Head of Technical Development at UEFA. “Through our team of UEFA technical education experts, we will work hand-in-hand with our long-term partner, EA SPORTS, to enhance our support for the grassroots game. This partnership is an exciting opportunity for UEFA’s Grassroots Programme to provide an innovative access to modern and customised training materials for the benefit of the next generation of grassroots players and fans.”

Ian Wright alongside world-renowned Chelsea Women’s Manager, Emma Hayes are the first FC FUTURES ambassadors who will work with EA SPORTS to provide further support for grassroots football.

“I’m delighted to be an ambassador for EA SPORTS FC FUTURES ” said Ian Wright. “This is where football starts, right here in our communities and investing in the game is a crucial step toward advancing global football. That starts with providing kids access to much-needed facilities in order for them to be able to play as much as possible in safe, local spaces. I’m grateful my old school can play a part in the future of football, and it’s an honour to be involved.”

“Growing up in London, I was always looking for a way to get onto the pitch,” said Emma Hayes. “I’m ecstatic that women and underrepresented talent are getting the resources many of us didn’t. FC FUTURES is a fantastic way to provide opportunities for the next generation of fans to explore and further their passion for football, and it makes me proud to be an FC FUTURES ambassador. I believe that investments like this have the power to change lives.”

EA SPORTS has defined interactive football for 30 years and built a global football community of more than 150 million across multiple platforms – a community that EA SPORTS FC will now continue to grow alongside partners who share a common goal of a fan-first future of football. Built on a foundation of inclusivity and innovation, fans will experience unrivalled authenticity with access to more than 19,000 fully licensed players, 700 teams and 30 leagues, with the support of over 300 global football partners that will allow further expansion into new areas around both women’s and grassroots football.

Fans can sign up at easports.com/fc to Join the Club and be one of the first to learn more, ahead of detailed product updates coming this July.