Tag: leaders

27% of IT leaders concerned about ability to detect deepfake attacks

Storm Technology, a Littlefish company, today announces survey findings which reveal that 27% of IT leaders are concerned about their ability to detect deepfake attacks over the next 12 months. This concern was felt by more respondents in larger enterprises (33%) than SMBs (23%).

The research – conducted by Censuswide and involving 200 IT decision-makers and leaders across Ireland and the UK (100 in each market) – found that the biggest concerns around AI and security over the next year are data breaches (34%), data protection (33%), and increased risk of adversarial or cyber-attacks (31%). Meanwhile, a quarter (25%) consider shadow AI (use of unsanctioned or unpermitted tools) among their biggest concerns.

This is not necessarily surprising given that half of respondents (50%) know that people in their organisation are using such tools and some 55% admitted to using unsanctioned or unpermitted tools themselves. Forty-two per cent of IT leaders also opined that company data is not safe for input into these platforms.

Perhaps exacerbating this issue, just 60% of companies have been specific about which AI tools are sanctioned or permitted.

More broadly, over a fifth (21%) of IT leaders do not have a high degree of trust in AI tools and almost a third (32%) of companies do not have a strategy in place to address any AI risks that arise.

The research showed that 79% of IT leaders in Ireland and the UK agree their organisation needs to focus more on the regulation of AI tools and 28% do not believe their governance around AI tools is adequate. This rose to more than a third (35%) among Irish respondents.

When it comes to AI and data, 24% of IT leaders do not think their business data is ready for AI, with a similar proportion (23%) of the opinion that that their data governance policies are not robust enough to support secure AI adoption. This could explain why 78% believe a data readiness project is required to ensure successful AI adoption in their company.

Sean Tickle, Cyber Services Director, Littlefish, said: “AI is rapidly reshaping the enterprise landscape, but the speed of adoption is outpacing the maturity of governance. When nearly a third of organisations lack a strategy to manage AI risk, and over half of IT leaders admit to using unsanctioned tools, it’s clear that shadow AI isn’t just a user issue—it’s a leadership one.

“Deepfake threats, data governance gaps, and a lack of trust in AI platforms are converging into a

How to Identify the Best Sustainability Courses for Business Leaders?

The need to be sustainable has never been as intense in the current fast moving business environment. Leaders understand that it is not only a moral but a strategic need to incorporate the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles. The drivers of this change are the growing stakeholder demands, the regulation requirements, and the effects of the climate change and social inequality. The rate of change in this paradigm is fast leading to the need of specialized knowledge and skills in sustainable business practices.

ESG courses come in at this stage and provide a systematic way in which professionals can enrich their knowledge and improve their ability to effect positive change. However, with an increase in the number of offerings, how does a business leader with a keen sense of discernment identify the most sound sustainability courses that genuinely align with their career aspirations and organizational needs? This guide will explore key considerations all of which can assist you to navigate through the education landscape and make an informed choice that can launch your leadership in the sustainable age.

Understanding Your Needs and Goals

Before you find a sustainability course, you need to assess what you already know, what you want to achieve in your career and what concerns you in an organization. Specify the need or not of a simple understanding or technical expertise in areas like finance of renewable energy, circular economy responses, or sustainable supply chain control. The reason this is necessary is in order to assist in customizing your educational experience in a way that it may have maximum impact on your professional life and your organizations endeavors to be sustainable.

Take into account your status, such as executive, manager or future professional to distinguish between introductory courses, specialized certifications, and executive education courses. Such self-evaluation will assist in narrowing down, making sure that the course fits your particular needs.

Key Criteria for Evaluating Sustainability Courses

When you have quite a clear picture of your needs, you may start to assess the possible sustainability courses according to a number of important parameters. These are the requirements that will assist you in determining the quality and appropriateness of a program and therefore will give the best returns in terms of investment in terms of time and resource usage.

1. Curriculum Relevance and Depth

Review course syllabus. Find a curriculum that is both theoretically and practically balanced with a range of case studies and practical projects. As a leader, a course that explores strategic sustainability, risk management, stakeholder engagement and impact measurement are of special value.

2. Faculty Expertise and Industry Experience

Conduct an investigation on the faculty. Are they well-educated, experienced in the industry and with successful sustainability history? Their life experience may be invaluable.

3. Program Format and Flexibility

Bear in mind the format that most effectively fits your learning style and schedule: face-to-face, online, hybrid, self-paced, or cohort-based. Online courses are flexible, yet they offer enough possibilities in terms of communication.

4. Accreditation and Reputation

The reputation of the institution offering the same and accreditation by known organizations can lend a lot of weight. Search through testimonials, networks and industry reputation that can help determine the status of a program.

5. Networking Opportunities

The courses that provide strong networking with other business leaders, sustainability professionals and faculty can be incredibly useful. Such networks are capable of producing new knowledge, collaborations and employment.

6. Practical Application and Impact

Does the course focus on the practical tools, frameworks, and methods you can apply in your position immediately? Find programs where the participants are encouraged to come up with projects or strategies that can be implemented.

Types of Sustainability Courses for Business Leaders

To narrow your search further, it is useful to know the various types of sustainability courses they offer that are aligned to different learning outcomes and career levels:

1. Executive Education Programs

Targeted at top managers and executives, such programs usually provide a strategic perspective on sustainability, including bringing the factors of ESG into business strategy, risk management and corporate governance. They can be short, intensive and offered by the best business schools and they offer high-level information without a long-term academic commitment. Such programs are suitable to busy professionals who should get the strategic implications of sustainability fast.

2. Graduate Degrees and Certificates

To go a little further and gain a formal degree, one can choose MBA programs with a sustainability focus, a Master’s degree in Environmental Management, or a graduate certificate. They offer in-depth information in multiple areas of sustainability and are best suited to individuals in the field who intend to make a radical career shift towards full-time sustainability work or to enhance their professional competence to a new level. They tend to include intense academic research and study.

3. Online Courses and MOOCs

Online courses such as Coursera, edX and university-specific online courses are less rigid and can be less expensive. These may be basic courses that offer a basic knowledge to the highly specialized subjects which may enable you to study at your own speed. Some of them are self-paced, whereas others can have cohort-based learning, where the instructor interacts and learners collaborate with each other, as it offers a structured but flexible learning environment.

4. Professional Certifications

Professional accreditation in certain fields of sustainability, e.g., LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) of green building, or sustainable finance, are offered by multiple organizations. They are superb in showing specialized knowledge in a specific field and may make you have more credibility in certain areas of the industry. They frequently need to take an exam and may need further education.

5. Custom Corporate Training

Individual organizations have custom sustainability training programs available in many institutions and consulting firms. In case the company is interested in upskilling a group of people or solving certain sustainability issues that are specific to your industry, then a bespoke course can be developed to meet those specific requirements. The programs are offered locally or online and are very useful in creating a sense of collective comprehension and uniformity of approach to sustainability in an organization.

Emerging Trends in Sustainability Education

Sustainability is a dynamic discipline and education does capture the same. The important trends to consider during selection of course include:

1. ESG Integration and Reporting

The most important courses are those that concentrate on strong ESG integration in financial decision-making, performance measurement and transparent reporting. It is essential to learn such frameworks as SASB, GRI, TCFD.

2. Circular Economy Principles

Courses that provide practical strategies of introducing circularity in a business operation are very helpful.

3. Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience

Climate risk assessment, adaptation plans, and low-carbon transition plans education is on the rise.

4. Biodiversity and Nature-Based Solutions

Courses that delve into nature-based solutions, ecosystem services and how they can be incorporated in the business models are leading.

5. Digital Tools and Data Analytics

Find programs that include data analytics, AI, and blockchain use in sustainability management.

6. Social Equity and Just Transition

Holistic leadership requires courses that consider human rights, labor practices, community engagement, and a just transition to all the stakeholders.

Conclusion

Making a proper sustainability course choice is a landmark decision of every business leader who is interested in managing the intricacies of the contemporary economy and making a positive change. It is an investment in your personal development, as well as the future effectiveness and strength of your organization.

After critically analyzing your own needs, examining curriculum relevance, evaluating faculty competency, and program format and reputation, then you can be sure that you have chosen a program that gives you the knowledge and skills needed to become a leader in the sustainable age. Sustainability education is a multifaceted landscape with opportunities at all the levels of experience and aspiration. You are seeking to have a general knowledge base, become the specialist in a certain field, or bring the transformative change to the executive stage, you will find the course that will help you achieve your goals.

The knowledge you will acquire during such programs will enable you to incorporate the environment, social, and governance aspect in the main business strategies, which will promote innovation, reduce risks, and build long-term value to all the stakeholders. Finally, it is not only a matter of compliance or reputation when investing in high-quality Sustainability courses; it is a matter of creating a more sustainable, fair, and successful future of your business and the world.

IMI launches 2025 National Leadership Conference to help Irish leaders drive growth and lead change

The Irish Management Institute (IMI) today announced the launch of the 2025 National Leadership Conference (NLC), taking place on Thursday, October 2nd at IMI’s Sandyford campus, which will bring together Ireland’s top business leaders to discuss the challenges and opportunities of leading organisations in an era of heightened volatility and disruption.

This year’s NLC will focus on helping leaders move from insight to impact, develop key capabilities to navigate uncertainty, and position their organisations for long-term success. Former Editor-in-chief of the Economist, Bill Emmott, is to address the 2025 Irish Management Institute (IMI) National Leadership Conference on the critical role of leadership in driving transformation in an era of heightened volatility and disruption.

As the AI transformation accelerates, speakers will offer insights on how decision makers can successfully harness the power of the technology in their business; developing an organisational culture of innovation that embraces change; and cultivating and leading high-performance teams.

Keynote speakers at the event include Dómhnal Slattery, former CEO of Avolon, and Enda O’Coineen, Group CEO of the Business Post Group. Other speakers at the conference include Jennifer Melia, CEO of Enterprise Ireland, Alice Mansergh, CEO at Tourism Ireland, Joe Heneghan, CEO at Revolut Europe, and Emma Redmond, General Counsel & Head of OpenAI Ireland.

Commenting on the event launch, Shane O’Sullivan, CEO of the IMI, said: “Irish business leaders are navigating a highly complex environment, shaped by global volatility, a tightening domestic economy, and the accelerating pace of technological change. In this climate, it’s all too easy to become consumed by immediate pressures and lose sight of the bigger picture. But long-term success depends on leaders keeping their focus on future growth, building the capabilities to adapt, and seizing opportunities even in uncertain times.

“At IMI, we see that many leaders already have the insights— the real challenge lies in turning those insights into tangible impact. The National Leadership Conference is an important forum bringing together Ireland’s leadership community that can help to forge the capabilities for current and future success. IMI research shows that while most leaders are aware of the key challenges facing their organisation, many are finding it difficult to identify and put in place the capabilities and strategies to overcome these obstacles and drive growth.

“With an impressive line-up of national and international industry leaders, this year’s conference will give Ireland’s decision makers the tools to sharpen their capabilities, navigate uncertainty with confidence, and unlock future growth.”

For more information and to register for the National Leadership Conference, visit: https://www.imi.ie/events/national-leadership-conference-nlc-2/

68% of IT leaders believe AI reduces staff stress levels

Storm Technology, a Littlefish company, today announces new findings from its survey* which found that 68% of IT leaders believe the use of AI by staff reduces stress levels.

The research – involving 200 IT decision-makers and leaders across Ireland and the UK (100 respondents per market) – found that 60% think AI will help reduce burnout in their organisation, with almost three quarters (72%) of respondents of the opinion that AI would help employees to achieve a better work life balance.

Meanwhile, some 66% think AI would allow employees to reduce manual repetitive tasks and focus on more meaningful work, with 57% revealing employees are optimistic about the potential impact of AI on their day-to-day routine.

Showing the influence of AI and the current level of uptake across businesses in Ireland, some 69% of IT leaders in this market would prefer to work for a company that is more advanced in terms of AI adoption.

The research found that 70% of respondents in Ireland are in organisations which already permit the use of AI and 68% are using the technology to assist with their own work. In fact, over half (51%) use AI on a daily basis for work purposes and only 2% never use it at all.

However, the research found that barriers remain when it comes to AI adoption, the most cited one being a lack of understanding within the wider organisation about potential applications or benefits – selected by 31% of all respondents.

Backing this up, almost three quarters (73%) of IT leaders agree that user adoption is a concern when it comes to AI implementation. Furthermore, almost a third (30%) do not believe senior management in their organisation understand the potential of AI.

The other top barriers to AI adoption were the management of data, privacy and security (28%), lack of trust in AI (27%), employee resistance (27%), and a lack of AI skills in the organisation (27%).

On the topic of AI skills, 40% of IT leaders do not believe their team currently has the technical skills or knowledge to implement or adopt AI. Perhaps unsurprisingly then, 70% think employees expect to receive AI training and enablement.

John Tallon, M365 Productivity & Adoption, Azure Application Innovation and Azure Data & AI Practice Director, Storm Technology, said: “AI is creating a predicament for people and businesses. On the one hand, it is seen as a means of reducing workload stresses, supporting creativity, and productivity. However, on the other hand, there is reluctance to adopt AI, stemming from a gap in understanding and the necessary skills required. Businesses will need to bridge this knowledge gap to capitalise on the benefits of AI. Empowering people will drive the biggest impact across the whole business.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

Majority of Irish business leaders believe artificial intelligence could pose a risk to their business

Nine in ten Irish businesses (90%) are concerned about the risks artificial intelligence (AI) poses to their business. This compares to six in ten (63%) UK businesses, suggesting that Irish businesses are more worried about AI than their UK counterparts.

Research from insurance broker and risk management company Gallagher in Ireland has revealed that almost nine in ten (89%) Irish businesses are concerned about the increased threat of privacy violations and data breaches which AI could bring, with a similar number (88%) worried about the potential for AI to produce misleading or incorrect information.

Gallagher commissioned a survey of 300 business decision makers across the UK & Ireland, 100 of which are based in Ireland. The survey examined the level of concern about AI amongst Irish businesses and what those concerns related to.

Top six AI risks identified by Irish businesses:

  1. Increased threat of privacy violations and data breaches (89% of Irish businesses said they are concerned about this)
  2. Errors and the potential for AI to produce misleading or incorrect information (88%)
  3. Algorithm bias and discrimination (84%)
  4. Liability or legal accountability in the misuse of AI (83%)
  5. Greater vulnerability to cyberattacks and fraud (82%)
  6. The lack of skills within their organisation to leverage AI (82%).

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

“AI is a rapidly evolving technology that has advanced at a quick pace. While there are many benefits to using the technology, including its ability to streamline processes and offer an enhanced customer experience, our research shows that its fast-growing capabilities and increasingly widespread use have raised concerns amongst businesses.

“Many entrepreneurs and managers have spent years, even decades, building up their firms into successful businesses, therefore it is essential that they proactively address any potential risks.”

 Gender, age and geographic divides

 Other highlights to emerge from the Gallagher research include:

  • 100% of business decision makers in legal, manufacturing, marketing and public relations, utility, business services and professional services firms said they were concerned about the risks AI posed to their business.
  • Concern about AI risks was also high amongst healthcare businesses (96% of business decision makers in this sector said they were concerned about the risks AI posed to their business), financial services firms (94%), construction (89%), hospitality and leisure (88%) and retail (87%).
  • The firms displaying lower levels of concern about AI risks were IT and computing businesses, where only half (50%) of respondents expressed concerns about the technology.
  • Businesses in Dublin (94%), Ulster (94%) and Connacht (89%) are most inclined to be concerned about the risks which AI could pose to their firm while Munster (80%) and Leinster (81%) firms were least concerned.

Ms Vickers added: “It is interesting that our survey found that IT businesses were amongst the least concerned about AI. Perhaps this suggests that those working in IT are more familiar with and better able to understand and manage AI. If Irish businesses learned more about this technology, it may help them to overcome their fear around it – and it may also empower them to make the most of the new technology, while also avoiding the risks and dangers it might bring.”

Turning Ireland’s cloud and AI ambitions into action

By Ivan Jennings, Senior Solution Architect, Red Hat

Ireland’s cloud and AI ambitions are gaining momentum. Across industries, businesses recognise the potential of these interconnected technologies to support innovation, drive scale and deliver tangible value. Yet, while the opportunities are clear, the path forward isn’t always as simple.

Cloud has long been a driver of transformation, and the rise of AI has only accelerated this shift. AI increasingly stands out as the ultimate hybrid cloud workload, taking advantage of the scalability and flexibility of hybrid cloud infrastructure to enable advanced analytics and real-time decision-making.

Generative AI, in particular, is reshaping how businesses in Ireland approach their digital strategies. Its rapid adoption is pushing organisations to rethink not only their technology stacks but also the skills and processes needed to support them. Success isn’t just about investing in the latest technology; it’s about making the right strategic long-term decisions.

Red Hat recently ran a survey to explore the cloud and AI strategies of businesses in Ireland in 2025. The findings reveal ambitious intentions: 93% of IT managers surveyed plan to increase cloud technology investment, while 95% plan to up AI investment. Progress, however, is tempered by longstanding challenges, like fragmented processes and siloed teams. 

This piece will explore how, against the backdrop of Ireland’s growing role as a global technology hub, businesses can break through these barriers and unlock the potential of cloud and AI.

Breaking down silos, driving alignment
Nearly every IT manager we surveyed (96%) reported that siloed teams pose challenges when adopting cloud technologies, with more than half (51%) experiencing silos frequently. These challenges often stem from legacy organisational structures, where departments operate in isolation with little visibility of broader goals. A cautious stance from the C-suite on long-term investment often adds to the strain, as leaders face the tension between immediate pressures and the need to invest in future capabilities, including team integration and collaboration.

As cloud and AI technologies become more embedded in operations, this fragmentation is becoming unsustainable. Among the IT managers surveyed experiencing silos, the most common impacts on cloud strategy are increased costs (32%), limited control and visibility over cloud resources (32%), and operational inefficiencies such as duplicated efforts across teams (30%). Overcoming these challenges means bridging the gaps, so every team member understands the bigger picture and how their work drives the organisation forward.

Adopting an “automation-first” mindset is key to finding efficiencies and maintaining consistency, particularly when working across diverse tools, vendors and clouds. An enterprise-wide automation strategy that prioritises collaboration across teams – rather than isolated silos of automation – can help IT leaders establish centralised standards and guidelines for the use of cloud and AI. This approach fosters alignment, enabling organisations to maximise the value of their technology investments.

Breaking down silos, however, must extend beyond the technical level to the human level. A mix of top-down direction from leadership and bottom-up feedback from frontline employees helps build trust and alignment around shared goals. To support this cultural shift, organisations can implement modern corporate design principles, rethinking structures to promote open collaboration and dismantle traditional hierarchies that hinder innovation. For example, cross-functional teams with clear accountability can be established to ensure ongoing alignment between departments. Regular feedback loops, such as retrospectives or team-wide reviews, can help surface issues early and create a sense of shared purpose.

Modernising processes, increasing open collaboration
Many organisations in Ireland are working with processes and controls that were built for a different time, when stability and predictability were the primary focus. While these remain vital, in a rapidly changing environment shaped by cloud-native workflows and AI-driven decision-making, they are no longer enough on their own. 

The challenge for leaders is twofold: they must modernise how their organisations operate through new technology and process adoption, while ensuring their people have the skills and confidence to drive this change. Interestingly, the most cited skills gap among IT managers in Ireland was not in technical proficiency, but in strategic thinking and the ability to tackle business-level issues, mentioned by 44% of respondents. This highlights the need for upskilling and retraining workforces not only to navigate a cloud-based and AI-centric environment but also to approach these shifts with a strategic, business-first mindset. 

Part of the solution lies in making advanced technologies more accessible. Traditionally, implementing cloud and AI required the specialised expertise of highly trained data scientists – an expensive and scarce resource for many organisations. There are platforms and tools emerging that address this challenge, like the open source project InstructLab, which enables individuals with business expertise (i.e. not just data scientists) to contribute to model training and application development. Leaders can also take advantage of open source communities to enhance skills through shared resources, best practices and collaborative learning.

This spirit of collaboration is equally vital for modernising workflows. To move beyond rigid controls, organisations need systems built for transparency, interoperability and shared accountability – across teams, departments and entire ecosystems. Open source has these principles at its core.Modernising processes, empowering people and embracing collaboration form the framework for change. This is increasingly being recognised and acted upon, with two-thirds of IT managers surveyed (66%) prioritising adapting people, processes and controls in their cloud strategy over the next 18 months. 

Smaller AI, bigger impact
When it comes to generative AI, the focus is shifting. Businesses in Ireland are looking beyond generalised large language models (LLMs) to smaller, specialised LLMs designed to solve real-world problems with precision: 84% of IT leaders surveyed are moving toward domain-specific models over one-size-fits-all approaches.

This shift is both practical and strategic. Smaller models are easier to customise, require less computing power and can be trained with specific data and fine-tuned for specific purposes. In manufacturing, targeted AI models can predict machinery failures before they happen, while in finance, dedicated models can catch fraud in real-time without slowing legitimate transactions.

At the same time, transparency is coming to the forefront. 85% of IT leaders surveyed prioritise transparent, modifiable AI models with explainable sources. Open source plays a critical role in meeting these needs by enabling greater collaboration and visibility across platforms and models and supporting contributions from more people. This approach increases accessibility to evolving technologies and can improve consistency of compliance and security across the AI application lifecycle – key considerations for highly regulated industries.

For businesses in Ireland, this shift shows AI doesn’t need to be ‘big’ to make an impact. Smaller, purpose-built models can be more specialised, adaptable and practical – focusing on solving real, day-to-day challenges rather than tackling broad, theoretical tasks like writing Greek poetry or explaining weather patterns in Southeast Asia in the 1400s. These models bring AI into the tangible realities of business operations, where they deliver meaningful results.

Simplifying complexity, driving future progress
Ireland has the vision and infrastructure to drive cloud and AI innovation. But progress will come down to execution – breaking down silos, modernising processes and fostering collaboration both internally and with partners, ecosystems and communities. Leadership must identify what AI can do for their business specifically, make the most of hybrid cloud flexibility and scalability, and look at purpose-built AI solutions to address challenges in ways they can measure, trust and influence. What will set organisations apart will be their ability to turn complexity into simplicity, and ideas into action.

 

Winners Announced for the 2024 Tech Industry Alliance Leaders Awards

The Great Southern Hotel was abuzz with excitement and celebration tonight as the winners of the prestigious 2024 Tech Industry Alliance Leaders Awards were announced. The awards recognised outstanding achievements across the tech sector in the South West of Ireland, shining a spotlight on the innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders driving growth and innovation in the region.

This year’s winners represented the leadership and dynamism of the tech community, ranging from pioneering start-ups to established enterprises. The awards ceremony brought together business leaders, policymakers, and academic luminaries to celebrate the achievements of this vibrant sector.

Speaking at the event, Gerry Murphy, Chairperson of Tech Industry Alliance, said:
“Tonight, we celebrate the visionaries and changemakers shaping the future of the tech industry in the South West of Ireland. These awards are not just about recognising success; they’re about inspiring the entire community to push boundaries, innovate, and make a lasting impact. Congratulations to all our winners and finalists—you are the driving force behind our region’s tech excellence.”

Sean Ryan, Board Member of Tech Industry Alliance, added:
“The calibre of entries this year was nothing short of exceptional, highlighting the remarkable talent and innovation that exists within our region. Each of our winners embodies the spirit of collaboration and ambition that defines the South West tech ecosystem. We’re incredibly proud to support their journey and look forward to seeing their continued success.”

The 2024 Tech Industry Alliance Leaders Awards Winners:

  • Tech Person of the Year Award: The McCarthy Family, Fexco
  • Tech Start Up of the Year Award: Stingray Labs
  • Scale Up of the Year Award: Green Rebel
  • Environmental Sustainability Award: Astellas Pharma Ireland
  • Multinational of the Year Award: ENERCON
  • Tech Industry Alliance Skillnet Best Learning Workplace Winner: Aspen Grove
  • Smart Technology Innovation Award: BioAtlantis
  • Diversity, Inclusion and Social Impact Award: NetApp
  • Chairperson’s Award: Tír na nÓg Children’s Foundation 
  • Excellence in Education Award: Coláiste Gleann Lí

 

The Tech Industry Alliance extends its gratitude to all sponsors, partners, and attendees who made this event a resounding success. Special thanks to the judging panels and to all those who joined in celebrating the achievements of the tech community.

For more information about the winners or to learn more about Tech Industry Alliance initiatives, see below or visit www.techindustryalliance.ie

 

Winner Smart Technology Innovation Award: BioAtlantis

BioAtlantis is a world leader in stress mitigation technologies. Extensive research and collaboration with leading research institutes worldwide has enabled the company to develop the AgriPrime Range. AgriPrime products nourish crops form soil to harvest, helping them cope with various stress and growth limiting factors, allowing them to reach their genetic potential.

Winner of the Tech Start Up of the Year Award: Stingray Labs

Stingray Labs is a technology startup developing products to streamline and digitise legal and financial services, meeting the needs and expectations of tech savvy customers. Stingray Labs route to market is through partnerships, working with existing legal and finance organisations to offer streamlined products to the market. 

Winner of the Excellence in Education Award: Colaiste Gleann Lí   

Coláiste Gleann Lí is a multicultural, multi-denominational, coeducational post primary school based in Tralee which operates under the patronage of Kerry ETB. Coláiste Gleann Lí is a school for all. Coláiste Gleann Lí believe in harnessing and nurturing technology in their approach to provide students with a rounded education.

Winner – Chairperson’s Community Award: Tír na nÓg Children’s Foundation (Louise Quill)

Louise Quill began working in Tanzania in 2006. Whilst there she could see a great need for a facility that would provide a family unit for the orphaned and abandoned children of Tanzania. The Tír na nÓg Children’s Foundation was created to alleviate the suffering of Tanzanian children and to provide a home where they would be nurtured in a loving, safe environment. The aim of Tír na nÓg is to educate these children according to their abilities.

The foundation believes in developing not only schools to create the leaders of tomorrow, but also long-term sustainable projects to provide employment for local people. The foundation has been established and operated from Tralee & Tanzania. Louise who lives and teaches in Kerry divides her time between both locations, striving to provide the conditions, training and resources needed to help children grow mentally, physically and spiritually in those values that assure a fruitful and happy future. 

Winner of the Tech Scale Up Award: Green Rebel

Green Rebel is a dynamic Irish company specialising in data delivery, analytics, and consultancy to support offshore renewable energy developments. Green Rebel was founded by environmental advocate and entrepreneur, Pearse Flynn, to provide an Irish based, complete offshore survey service, support offshore wind energy projects, and help Ireland achieve its climate objectives.

Winner of the Diversity, Inclusion & Social Impact Award:  NetApp

NetApp is the intelligent data infrastructure company, combining unified data storage, integrated data services, and CloudOps solutions. NetApp creates silo-free infrastructure, harnessing observability and AI to enable the industry’s best data management. 

Winner of the Best Learning Work Place Award:  Aspen Grove

Aspen Grove Everything-as-a-Service (XaaS) optimises workflow enabling automation, tracking, and managing of any process to enhance responsiveness and productivity while controlling costs and minimising risk. 

Winner of the Environmental Sustainability Award:  Astellas Ireland

Astellas Ireland (Kerry Plant) is a finished goods pharmaceutical facility based in Killorglin, Co. Kerry, and headquartered in Japan. The Kerry plant manufactures and packages lifesaving products for the global market including lifesaving immunosuppressants and biologic treatment for cancer patients.

Winner of the Multinational of the Year Award:  ENERCON

ENERCON is a pioneer of wind energy technology and a partner of the energy transition, that specialises in turbine and technology development, production, sales and servicing of onshore wind turbines. Pursuing its mission of ‘Energy for the world’, ENERCON has driven sustainable energy generation from onshore wind for over 40 years. 

Winner Tech Person of the Year Award : The McCarthy Family, Fexco

The McCarthy Family have contributed significantly to the development of the South West region not only in terms of economic development, employment creation but also in leading the way as a global Technology leader in their space. Their focus on technology – enabled innovation is underpinned by their collaboration with the Science Foundation of Ireland and UCC where they aim to discover and develop the next generation of Financial Services Technology. 

Their organisation, Fexco, from its beginnings in 1981, when it was the first to get a foreign exchange license as a non-bank in Ireland, when it established itself as the Foreign Exchange Company of Ireland it has grown from strength to strength winning many prestigious awards. It is a global leader in the payments and FX technology sector, providing its solutions and services globally with operations in over 50 countries and employing over 2,900 employees worldwide, yet it still remains a very strong family affair over its 4 decades of existence. 

Tech Industry Alliance Leaders Awards 2024

Tech Industry Alliance (TIA) is delighted to announce the 2024 Leaders’ Awards, taking place at the prestigious Great Southern Hotel, Killarney, on 29th November.

This year’s ceremony marks a pivotal moment as the awards debut in County Kerry, a region that is swiftly becoming a powerhouse of technological innovation. The decision to host the event in Kerry highlights TIA’s commitment to recognising the achievements of the entire South-West’s tech and STEM communities and the vital role that collaboration plays in driving this regional success.

The Tech Industry Alliance Leaders’ Awards, now in their 17th year, have become the benchmark for celebrating those who are shaping the future of technology in the South-West. From emerging startups to established multinational companies, these awards honour the leaders whose contributions are making a significant impact on the region’s growth. Former winners of Tech Person of the Year include Frank Madden, Founder & CEO, Crest Solutions, and Andrew O’Shaughnessy, Founder of Poppulo.

Building on a Legacy of Leadership and Collaboration

The Leaders’ Awards represent nearly two decades of unwavering dedication to fostering innovation, collaboration, and excellence within the tech sector. Since their inception, the awards have shone a spotlight on the extraordinary achievements of a wide range of organisations, from pioneering startups to leading educational institutions across the entire STEM spectrum.

Sean Ryan, TIA Board Member and Chairperson of Aspen Grove, shared his excitement about this year’s event: “Bringing our flagship event to Kerry isn’t just a milestone; it’s a statement. It underscores our commitment to driving tech innovation and collaboration across every corner of the South-West. County Kerry and Cork’s tech scene is thriving, and it’s only right that we celebrate these achievements in a region that plays such a crucial role in Ireland’s economy”.

The Power of Partnership

This year marks the third Leaders’ Awards under the Tech Industry Alliance, a collaboration formed in 2022 through the merger of it@cork and KerrySciTech. This partnership has been instrumental in expanding the reach and impact of the South-West tech sector. Partnerships like these are the bedrock of our success, fuelling innovation and fostering growth across the region.

Ogie Sheehy, TIA Board Member and CEO of ViClarity, urged the community to get involved: “There’s a real buzz around this year’s awards. I encourage everyone in the tech community of the South-West to join us — nominate those who are making waves and helping to build the vibrant ecosystem that collaboration has brought to life in our region.”

Recognising Leaders and Innovators

The 2024 Leaders’ Awards categories include Tech Start Up of the Year, Tech Scale Up of the Year, and Tech Person of the Year, among others. These awards not only recognise innovative use of technology but also highlight the resilience, creativity, and social impact of businesses and individuals who are driving progress in the region.

Gerry Murphy, TIA Chairperson, emphasised the significance of collaboration: “These awards are about more than just celebrating success—they’re about showcasing the innovation and determination that push our region forward. Thanks to the partnerships that underpin our work, we’re able to shine a light on the cutting-edge technologies and resilient businesses that make the South-West a leader in tech. We owe a great deal to our sponsors and partners, including Kerry County Council, Cork County Council, and Cork City Council, whose support is essential to our ongoing success.”

Mayor of Kerry, Breandán Fitzgerald, commented that he is “very pleased to welcome the TIA awards to Kerry for the first time, and Kerry County Council is delighted to be associated with the event, as well as collaborating with our counterparts in Cork”.

Join Us in Celebrating Excellence

Nominations for the Tech Industry Alliance Leaders Awards 2024 are now open, with submissions accepted until 11th October 2024. The awards night promises to be an inspiring celebration of the best and brightest in South-West tech. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this event—reserve your tickets by contacting info@techindustryalliance.ie. For more information, visit www.techindustryalliance.ie.