Tag: research

How to Choose the Right Fraud Prevention Tools for Your E-commerce Business

In the fast-paced world of online retail, fraud remains a persistent and growing concern for e-commerce businesses. From stolen credit cards to account takeovers and refund fraud, the threats are evolving rapidly. To protect their businesses and customers, online retailers must invest in robust fraud prevention tools. However, with so many options available, choosing the right ecommerce fraud prevention software can be a daunting task. This article provides a step-by-step guide to help you select the best tools tailored to your e-commerce business while ensuring comprehensive protection.

  1. Understand the Types of E-commerce Fraud

Before diving into the selection process, it’s crucial to understand the most common types of e-commerce fraud. This will help you identify the specific threats your business might face and choose tools that address those vulnerabilities. Common fraud types include:

  • Payment fraud: Stolen card details used for unauthorized purchases.
  • Account takeover: Hackers gain access to customer accounts to make fraudulent purchases.
  • Chargeback fraud: Customers make false claims to receive refunds for legitimate purchases.
  • Refund fraud: Fraudsters exploit refund policies to steal money.

By understanding these threats, you can narrow your search to tools that specialize in mitigating the risks associated with each type of fraud.

 

  1. Identify Your Business Needs

No two e-commerce businesses are exactly alike. A small online store will have different fraud prevention requirements compared to a global retailer. Start by assessing your business size, transaction volume, and the level of risk you face. Key questions to consider include:

  • What is your average order value (AOV)?
  • Do you operate in high-risk industries?
  • How many transactions do you process daily or monthly?
  • Do you sell internationally, and if so, how diverse is your customer base?

Understanding your business needs ensures that you invest in tools that align with your operations and budget.

 

  1. Look for Real-Time Fraud Detection

One of the most important features in any fraud prevention tool is the ability to detect and prevent fraudulent transactions in real-time. Tools that use artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are particularly effective, as they can analyze data patterns and behaviors to identify suspicious activity instantly. Real-time fraud detection helps you stop fraud before it happens, reducing financial losses and protecting your customers.

 

  1. Evaluate User Authentication Features

Strong user authentication is critical in preventing account takeovers and unauthorized transactions. Look for tools that offer multi-factor authentication (MFA), biometric authentication, and behavioral analysis. These features ensure that only legitimate users can access accounts and complete transactions, adding an extra layer of security.

 

  1. Ensure Scalability and Flexibility

As your e-commerce business grows, so will the complexity of fraud risks. Choose fraud prevention tools that are scalable and can adapt to your business’s evolving needs. For instance, tools that support cross-border transactions, multiple payment methods, and diverse fraud scenarios are ideal for businesses expanding into new markets.Flexibility is also important. Some fraud prevention tools allow customization, enabling you to set specific rules and thresholds based on your business model. This ensures that the tool is not only effective but also aligned with your unique requirements.

 

  1. Prioritize Ease of Integration

When selecting fraud prevention tools, consider how easily they can integrate with your existing e-commerce platform, payment gateways, and customer relationship management (CRM) systems. Seamless integration minimizes disruptions to your operations and ensures that the tools work harmoniously with your current technology stack. Many fraud prevention solutions offer pre-built integrations for popular platforms like Shopify, Magento, and WooCommerce.

 

  1. Analyze Reporting and Analytics Capabilities

Fraud prevention is not just about stopping fraud—it’s also about learning from it. Tools with robust reporting and analytics capabilities allow you to monitor fraud trends, assess the effectiveness of your strategies, and make data-driven decisions. Look for tools that provide detailed dashboards and reports, giving you a clear picture of your fraud landscape.

 

  1. Compare Costs and ROI

While fraud prevention tools are an investment, it’s essential to evaluate their costs in relation to the potential losses they can help you avoid. Many providers offer tiered pricing based on transaction volume or features, so you can find a solution that fits your budget. Remember, the right fraud prevention tool will not only save you money but also protect your reputation and customer trust.

 

  1. Check for Customer Support and Reliability

Fraud prevention is a 24/7 concern, so you need tools that come with reliable customer support. In the event of an issue or suspected fraud attack, quick assistance can make all the difference. Look for providers that offer round-the-clock support through multiple channels, such as live chat, email, and phone.

 

  1. Research Reviews and Case Studies

Before finalizing your decision, research customer reviews and case studies to understand how the fraud prevention tool has performed for other businesses. Pay attention to feedback from businesses similar to yours, as this can provide valuable insights into the tool’s effectiveness and ease of use.

 

Conclusion

Choosing the right fraud prevention tools for your e-commerce business is a critical step in safeguarding your operations, customers, and reputation. By understanding the types of fraud, identifying your business needs, and prioritizing features like real-time detection, scalability, and user authentication, you can find a solution that offers comprehensive protection.Investing in the right tools is not just about reducing losses—it’s about fostering trust and ensuring a secure shopping experience for your customers. When evaluating options, consider providers that specialize in ecommerce fraud solutions, as they are tailored to meet the unique challenges of online retail. With the right tools in place, you can focus on growing your business while staying one step ahead of fraudsters.

How to Use the Internet to Your Advantage

The internet has certainly changed life as we know it. Although it has very much been around for decades, life is very different today than it has ever been. Many of us love the internet. It has opened up so many doors and given us more opportunities than ever. But at the same time, it’s hard not to see just how it can also bring a lot more negativity into our lives. It’s said that we’re the anxious generation – no doubt somewhat down to our ability to be connected to the internet at all times. And yet, this doesn’t mean that the internet needs to be a hugely negative thing. Love it or hate it, there are always going to be ways that you can use the internet to your advantage.

 

In this blog post, we’re going to take a look at some of the most exciting and empowering ways you can use the internet to your advantage. Regardless of where you stand on the matter, you may just find that there’s a lot of positive that can come out of your relationship with the online space. Let’s take a look.

The Negative Side of the Internet

Firstly, it’s important to acknowledge just why the internet can be considered bad. While not everyone will see it that way, it’s hard to ignore the negative effects it can have on our lives. Spending hours upon hours on smartphones, sitting for eight-plus hours a day in front of a computer, mindlessly scrolling through social media, and more can be the reality for many of us. Without vetting and validating what we’re consuming or actively giving ourselves a break, it can be overwhelming, overstimulating, and harming our health.

Why We Need to be More Positive

With that in mind, we do still need to look to be a lot more positive when it comes to the internet. Not everything is bad. Just like anything in life, there are always two sides to things. With the internet, we can actually look to use it for good. Having so much access and connection can really add a lot of positivity and influence on our lives. But we have to harness it for the good!

9 Ways to Use the Internet for Good

So now we’re going to take a look at exactly what you need to do when you’re looking to turn your relationship with the internet around. Here are nine ideas to get you started.

1. Creating More, Consuming Less

Before we get into some of the ways you can actually improve your life when using the internet, you have to begin by focusing on how you approach it. If you’re only ever consuming content online, it’s going to drain you mentally. Looking to distance yourself from excessive consumption is key. To compensate, you may find looking to create more can really help you to feel more grounded and at peace.

2. Meeting New People

We then also have the idea of meeting new people. They say that the current young generation is lonelier than ever due to the way they’re growing up online. But there is also the option to meet new people and make friends too. As we go through life, our interests tend to change. This can mean that different people come into our lives at different times. But this can be such a beautiful part of life, and the internet can facilitate that.

3. Finding Love

Another way of finding real, authentic human connection here is finding love. The online dating space can get a bit of a bad wrap, but there are still many authentic relationships that have been built online. Finding the love of your life can happen online. Again, it’s all about letting yourself be positive and optimistic about what might get to happen for you.

4. Discovering Entertainment

You can also find entertainment online too. Now, this isn’t referring to any of the short-term creator-based content. Instead, we’re thinking about the various types of entertainment you can turn to. From incredible arthouse films and grassroots music to classic minesweeper games to poetry readings, there’s a lot of niche entertainment to be found online. It’s all about connecting to what interests you the most and going beyond anything social media-based.

5. Researching for Plans

This one seems very simple, but it’s a huge positive in many of our lives. Using the internet for research purposes can be a lot of fun. It’s something that we all do every single day without really realizing it. It helps us to learn things and fill gaps in our knowledge, but it can also be very useful for making plans. Whether booking a restaurant reservation or choosing where to travel to, the internet can help us to make, facilitate, and decide upon the plans we want to make in life.

6. Advancing Your Education

Another thing you can look to do with the internet is learn. Rather than getting caught up in consuming things that are frying your brain, looking to actually learn and develop could be just what you need. Continuously learning will always be a benefit to your life. Not only can it be enjoyable and help you professionally, but it can also allow you to grow and develop as a person.

7. Furthering Your Career

As a step beyond that, there’s also the idea of furthering your career. Because the internet gives us access to new connections and gives us the chance to build a personal brand, it can also help us to get ahead. If you know you want to progress and develop your career, then looking to build up a presence online can really make a difference for you.

8. Starting a Business

Or it could be that you’d really like to start a business. This is something that many of us want to do outside of our careers. Without the internet, it may not even be an option for you. But because of the internet, we have more access than ever to launching something of our own. You can even do it for free! This could really allow you to pursue your dreams too.

9. Make a Difference in the World

Finally, you could also look to use your access to make more of a difference in the world. This could be in the form of giving back to the community, creating something that the world will benefit from, or even launching a nonprofit. Everything you do doesn’t have to involve consumerism. Sometimes, it can just be for the sake of doing good!

What Life is Like on the Good Side of the Internet

Ultimately, there is always going to be a good and a bad side to everything. But having the ability to turn something that could be a negative into a positive will always be there. Of course, you could let yourself go down the rabbit hole of the internet as a drain on your life. But at the same time, you always get to choose it as a positive influence.

From the way you meet people to how you find things to do in life to how you advance as a person to the career you build for yourself, there’s a lot to be gained from having a positive relationship with the internet. But in order for that to happen, you need to make sure that you’re driving it all in the right direction. So it’s time for you to take the wheel and see where it gets you!

Dublin aviation analytics solutions company Aerlytix secures grant of €455,000

Dublin based aviation analytics solutions company Aerlytix has announced that it has secured a grant of €455,000 through Enterprise Ireland’s Research, Development & Innovation (RD&I) fund. This will directly support the development of new products and services to optimise the airline industry’s analytical capabilities around fleet planning and financing.

The company, which was founded in 2020, has also announced that it plans to create 23 new jobs by 2027 focusing mainly on technical and software development roles.  Eight of these new roles have already been filled in recent months.

This R&D project aims to create analytics software, designed with airlines, that drives fleet optimisation and enables better financial risk management. This will support the sector to resolve technical challenges, increase employment in Irish aviation companies and drive international business growth.

Speaking at the announcement at Aerlytix’s Dublin HQ, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke T.D said, “I wish to commend the team at Aerlytix on its recent success. Aviation is a key driver of our economy, supporting both direct and indirect employment, and provides crucial connectivity for tourism and business. Ireland is a world leader in aviation leasing whereby more than 65% of the world’s aircraft are leased here.

Aerlytix continues to make significant inroads into critical segments of the aircraft leasing industry. By providing tangible solutions through innovative analytics technologies, the company is helping to reduce inefficiencies for the sector and accelerate digital transformation across individual organisations. Aerlytix has significant growth plans to further enhance its offering and scale its talented team here in Dublin and I wish the company the very best.”

Commenting on the announcement, Aerlytix Finance Director, Órla Kearney said: ‘The grant funding from Enterprise Ireland’s RD&I Programme accelerates development and delivery of our next generation technology project for customers.  This investment program is propelling Irish-based technology companies forward. We are excited to extend and scale our aviation technology solutions to a broader set of international clients.”

Speaking on the RD&I fund, Kevin Sherry, Interim CEO, Enterprise Ireland said: Driving substantially increased investment in Research, Development and Innovation (RD&I) by Irish businesses is a key priority in Enterprise Ireland’s new five-year strategy, ‘Delivering for Ireland, Leading Globally’. That increased investment in innovation is a key driver in the success of Enterprise Ireland’s client base both in Ireland and in international markets.

Research shows that businesses that invest in innovation have 2.5 times higher turnover and 4.7 times greater exports than companies not investing in RD&I. Aerlytix has made great progress in a short space of time to develop innovative proprietary analytics solutions for the aviation sector, an area where Ireland leads the way globally in aircraft leasing. We are delighted to support Aerlytix growth plans with significant RD&I funding targeted at supporting the company to deliver accelerated growth across global markets, develop key R&D projects, and create highly skilled new jobs in Ireland.”

Eight in Ten 18-34 year olds in Ireland have seen or experienced online bullying

According to latest research conducted by LADbible, 8 in 10 (81%) of Irish 18-34 year olds have seen or experienced bullying online. Currently, Irish citizens haven’t got anything legally sufficient to protect them from it. Leprechauns, however, were given a special protected status in 2009 under EU Law.
Dublin-based creative agency Folk VML have teamed up with digital youth platform LADbible for a bold new campaign highlighting the lack of online protections for Irish citizens by drawing comparison to the country’s most famous mythical creatures, leprechauns. ‘The Leprechaun Law’ calls on the people of Ireland to change their identities and identify as leprechauns to benefit from greater legal protections.
Although the stunt may sound as fantastical as the mischievous “little people” themselves, it is rooted in legal reality. Under the EU Habitats Directive, leprechauns are designated as a “protected” species alongside other flora and fauna in Ireland’s Sliabh Foy Loop area, giving them the right to live ‘undisturbed’ in their habitat.
LADbible’s research also found that 1 in 10 18-34 year olds in Ireland have personally experienced online bullying at least once a month (11%), and 63% of 18-34 year olds in Ireland believe online bullying has worsened over the past five years. The most common reasons stated for this is the growth in social media followed by anonymity online leading to worse behaviours.
Ireland currently does not have any specific laws concerning hate speech, making the country an outlier in the European Union.  Ireland hasn’t updated its hate speech laws since 1989, although there has been an ongoing effort to update them since the Dublin riots in 2023 – but so far this has not been successful.
Sylvia Julius, solicitor, said: “Ireland’s hate speech laws, which pre-date the internet, are not fit for the digital age, and lag well behind those of other EU member states in protecting citizens from online hate – in stark contrast to the rights and protections afforded to leprechauns under EU legislation that grants them heritage status. The government must step up to ensure that people online (as well as leprechauns!) are appropriately protected under the law.”
LADbible Ireland, one of the most engaged and influential social publishers, with 5 million followers across all social platforms, is uniquely placed to call for action – and keenly aware of the prevalence of online hate affecting its own followers. In a recent Instagram post, the channel revealed that 91% of its audience had witnessed hateful comments online.
Tom Butcher, General Manager LADbible Ireland said: “As a digital publisher, we’ve witnessed firsthand the appalling abuse, bigotry and hateful comments that our readers are increasingly subjected to online – with scant protection offered by hate speech laws which pre-date the internet. We wanted to highlight the urgent need for change in a witty yet thought-provoking way – by offering citizens the chance to become as well protected, legally speaking, as our national mascots.”
Karl Waters, Chief Creative Officer at Folk VML, said “Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction, Leprechauns have protected status in Ireland, whereas us mere humans do not online in Ireland. Our ambition is to create a community of leprechauns to help change that. We are delighted to be working with LADBible on this crucially important campaign to change Ireland’s hate speech legislation.”
The call to action is led by an animated film that skewers the Emerald Isle’s friendly reputation and stunning scenery by contrasting it with the ugly online reality, the film depicts a postcard-perfect Irish landscape, before revealing that Ireland is “the land of a hundred thousand ways to spread hate online.”
Alongside the film, The Leprechaun Law will feature a pop-up law firm booth, on 26th March in the city centre, where passersby can apply to change their identity in person and sign a petition urging the Irish government to update its hate speech laws.
Anyone can sign up to change their identity to a Leprechaun here and call on the Irish Government to urgently review and reform Ireland’s hate speech legislation.
See summary of 1989 law and efforts to update it: https://hatecrime.osce.org/hate-crime-legislation-ireland

Minister Lawless announces €23.6 million Research Ireland Frontiers for the Future funding

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD has today announced €23.6 million to support 23 research projects focused on tackling challenges in AI, healthcare, agriculture, energy, and transport.

The Research Ireland Frontiers for the Future Programme funds high-risk, high-reward research programmes and innovative, collaborative research with the potential to deliver economic and societal impact.

Announcing the awards, Minister Lawless said: “The Research Ireland Frontiers for the Future programme supports the development of world-class research across a range of disciplines. The awardees – spanning 9 research institutions nationwide – have brought forward novel and innovative ideas with strong potential to deliver impactful solutions for major challenges facing society today. The programme itself promotes gender balance and provides opportunities for emerging investigators returning to research. I look forward to seeing the awardees’ progress over the coming years.”

Welcoming the announcement, Celine Fitzgerald, Interim Chief Executive of Research Ireland, commented: “Our Frontiers for the Future Programme is driven by feedback from the research community and represents a strong commitment to developing future talent in key areas. These 23 awards will fund a total of 86 research positions, comprising Postdocs, PhDs, Research Assistants and support staff. I’m very pleased with the opportunities that this targeted investment is creating, and greatly encouraged that crucial research on pressing issues will be facilitated as a result.”
Examples of the initiatives being funded include:

 

  • AI for diagnostic imaging, with a focus on cardiac MRI (Dublin City University);
  • Investigating long-term effects of COVID-19 on children’s gut bacteria, social skills, and language development (RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences);
  • Mining micro-organisms living in seaweed to identify novel compounds with strong potential for crop improvement (Technological University of the Shannon);
  • Machine Learning to tackle complex issues using varied and sensitive data whilst ensuring data privacy and clear communication (University of Limerick).

The Frontiers for the Future awardees are from the following research bodies: RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin City University, Trinity College Dublin, Teagasc, Technological University of the Shannon, University College Dublin, University College Cork, University of Galway, and University of Limerick.

SciFest competition kicks-off ahead of its 20th anniversary

SciFest, Ireland’s largest and most inclusive STEM fair programme for second-level students has announced its return ahead of its 20th anniversary with a call for entrants to the SciFest regional fairs, taking place across the country. The SciFest programme is funded by grants from the Department of Education and Research Ireland and by private sector sponsorship, primarily by Intel, Boston Scientific, EirGrid and new partner Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals.

SciFest organisers kicked off the launch of the 2025 competition in Explorium with students from Firhouse Educate Together Secondary School in Co. Dublin, and announced the theme for 2025 as ’STEM is for All.’

Project entries are accepted across a range of scientific disciplines including physical and life sciences and technology. Students wishing to participate should log on to the SciFest website (www.scifest.ie) and enter online. Completed entry forms must be submitted by 12 March 2025.

The regional fairs take place across the months of April and May, with selected winners going on to compete at the SciFest National Final in November 2025. Here, they will have the opportunity to take home the overall prize and represent Ireland at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair in the United States next year.

Speaking ahead of the competition’s 20th year, Sheila Porter, SciFest Founder and CEO said:

‘SciFest is back for 2025, and we couldn’t be more excited. I would urge all students to get involved and enter, no matter your background or circumstance, to explore the wonderful world of STEM and all it has to offer. Previous winners of the competition are thriving and have gone on to achieve incredible things, from launching their own start-ups to studying at prestigious institutions like Oxford University. SciFest opens the door to an array of opportunities.

As we plan for our 20-year celebrations, we look forward to an exciting year ahead in which the competition will grow to even greater heights. I want to take a moment to thank our sponsors for their continued support, without which none of this would be possible. We can’t wait to see the fantastic and innovative projects that lie ahead, so don’t miss out! Sign up today and be part of this exciting journey.’

The competition has grown rapidly since its inception in 2006 and drew over 15,000 student participants last year. SciFest aims to support students in research development, critical thinking, and problem-solving, all the while fostering an interest in STEM. It is free to enter and is open to students of all backgrounds and circumstances.

International Cybersecurity Expert to Explore the Disruptive Danger of Disinformation in the Age of AI at Public Lecture

Trinity College Dublin and the ADAPT Research Ireland Centre today announced an upcoming visit of internationally renowned expert in cybersecurity, Professor David J. Hickton of the University of Pennsylvania, in March. Professor Hickton will deliver a public lecture titled: “The Disruptive Danger of Disinformation in the Age of AI” on Wednesday 5th March at 5pm in the Swift Theatre in Trinity College Dublin’s Arts Building.  The event is free and open to the public.  Registration here: https://forms.gle/rSNvsQaJXaccQpd66

Professor Hickton, a former U.S. Attorney and Founding Director of the University of Pittsburgh Institute for Cyber Law, Policy, and Security, will deliver this lecture as part of his March visit to Trinity College Dublin. During his time in Dublin, he will also engage with faculty, researchers, and students along with policymakers and other stakeholders through workshops, guest lectures, and roundtable discussions. During his visit, Professor Hickton will also assume the role of Adjunct Professor in the School of Computer Science and Statistics at Trinity College Dublin.

This timely public lecture will examine the pervasive influence of disinformation in an era defined by rapid technological advances and the rise of generative AI. Professor Hickton will explore the historical roots of disinformation, its role in undermining trust in institutions and science, and the urgent need for global cooperation to address these challenges. The lecture will also discuss potential pathways to address this growing crisis, balancing free speech with the urgent need for regulation.

Professor Hickton’s visit builds on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed last year between Trinity and the University of Pittsburgh, establishing a partnership to drive innovation in AI safety and governance. “This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to addressing the complex challenges of the digital age,” said Professor John Kelleher, Director of ADAPT. “We are honoured to welcome Professor Hickton to Dublin and look forward to the rich insights and contributions he will bring.”

To learn more about Professor David Hickton and his work, please visit: https://www.cyber.pitt.edu/people/david-j-hickton-jd

Future of Work: Top 3 Employee Concerns in a Tech-Driven Workplace

As many workers return to the office this week after the Christmas break, new research has found that the top three employee concerns for the future are the unethical use of AI (such as discrimination or privacy breaches), AI replacing human jobs, and increased workplace surveillance and monitoring.

This is according to the seventh triennial Ethics at Work: 2024 International Survey of Employees, which was carried out by the Institute of IBE in conjunction with the Compliance Institute in Ireland and polled 12,000 employees in 16 countries over four continents. A total of 750 of those surveyed were in Ireland.

The Compliance Institute Ethics at Work survey found that almost half (47pc) of workers are concerned about the potential misuse of AI for unethical behaviour, with a similar number (45pc) concerned that AI could replace humans in the workplace (see Table 1 below).

Commenting on the survey findings, Michael Kavanagh, CEO of the Compliance Institute said:

“The rise of AI brings opportunities and challenges, and it’s clear that employees are acutely aware of its potential for misuse. With half of employees expressing concerns about AI being used unethically – such as privacy breaches or discrimination—there is a clear need for organisations to establish and implement robust ethical guidelines and governance around AI technologies. This is essential not only for protecting employee rights but also for making sure that technological advancements reflect the values and expectations of the workforce.

Another top concern among employees is the fear of AI replacing their jobs. This anxiety is understandable, as it is likely that AI will automate certain tasks and change job roles in many sectors—leading to uncertainty about job security for some workers. Employers can tackle these concerns by investing in upskilling and retraining programs that help staff adapt to new technologies and feel confident in their roles.”

Other highlights to emerge from the research include:

  • Almost one in every two employees (46pc) in Ireland continues to hold a positive view of improved workplace ethics since the COVID-19 pandemic, matching levels from 2021 and above the global average of 45pc. Among these, men (49pc) and young people (53pc) are more likely to report favourable ethical experiences within their organisations.

  • In exploring current and future factors shaping employees’ perceptions of workplace ethics, it found that women are more likely to perceive a decline in ethical behaviour within their organisations since the pandemic, with one in ten (9pc) expressing this concern.

Mr Kavanagh added:

“Almost one in every two employees in Ireland believe ethical behaviour in their organisation has improved in the post-Covid period.

Less than one in ten workers (8pc) feel that ethical behaviour has worsened – and, while in an ideal world this figure would be nil, such a small percentage must still be regarded as positive overall.

The findings do pose some questions as to why some groups are more likely than others to have experienced a decline in ethical behaviour – namely 9pc of female employees and 11pc of workers in the younger age 18 – 34 category”.

Respondents to the survey were asked to rate their level of concern on the following workplace issues:

Table 2

Highlight findings from this research reveal that:

  • The least concerning issue for employees is the reduction of interpersonal interactions due to the rise of hybrid working (36pc).
  • Between 30pc and 40pc of employees are not worried about any of these potential issues.
  • More men (47pc) than women (38pc) express concerns about heightened surveillance and monitoring of staff.
  • Among those worried about the misuse of AI for unethical purposes, one-quarter (24pc) report being ‘extremely concerned’ about its potential for malevolent behaviour, such as discrimination and privacy violations.

Mr Kavanagh said:

“The findings show that open communication is crucial. Organisations should engage employees in discussions about the future of work and actively listen to their concerns. When employees feel heard, it builds trust and transparency in the workplace. Additionally, companies might consider setting up ethics committees or advisory boards that include employee representatives. This approach brings diverse perspectives into the decision-making process and shows a commitment to ethical practices. Ultimately, it’s about creating a future where technology enhances the employee experience instead of undermining it”.

New Research Alliance Award set to drive future Irish-Welsh collaborations

Aiming to support collaborative programmes of research between Irish and Welsh universities, the Research Alliance Award was launched today by the Wales Innovation Network (WIN) and Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland.

This new initiative is designed to strengthen collaboration between institutions in Ireland and Wales, enhancing their ability to secure Horizon Europe funding. The award provides financial support to academic partners, enabling them to collaborate on innovative projects addressing global challenges and advancing scientific progress.

The programme offers grants of up to €60,000 to eligible research teams, with 50% funding provided by Research Ireland and 50% by WIN from a Welsh Government innovation grant. Joint applications must be led by researchers from both Ireland and Wales. By encouraging Wales-Ireland collaboration, the fund aims to leverage the strengths of both Irish and Welsh universities, creating a foundation for impactful research and development.

Dr Lewis Dean, head of the Wales Innovation Network, said:

“The UK’s re-association to Horizon Europe in 2024 is a great opportunity for Welsh researchers to be part of the world’s largest research collaboration programme. This joint programme between the Wales Innovation Network and Research Ireland provides support for Welsh researchers to build new ties and strengthen existing partnerships with their Irish counterparts. I am delighted WIN can facilitate this initiative to showcase the excellence of Welsh research on an international stage and build collaborations to address global challenges.”

Celine Fitzgerald, Interim CEO at Research Ireland, said:

“Ireland and Wales have a strong history of collaborating on research and innovation projects, and this has been supported through political commitment between our two governments. Today, Research Ireland has active partnerships with a range of higher education institutions including Cardiff University, Swansea University, Aberystwyth University and Bangor University. I welcome the launch of the Research Alliance Award, which will further solidify our research bonds and, in particular, strengthen our joint grant applications to Horizon Europe.”

Applications must be sent as a single PDF to raa@researchireland.ie by 31 January 2025.

Download the call document and expenditure form.