Tag: service

Over 6,500 Irish SMEs directly helped by National Enterprise Hub in its first 12 months

Over 6,500 SMEs have been directly supported by the all-of-Government National Enterprise Hub (NEH) in the first 12 months since its launch.

The top grants availed of by businesses ranged in value from €3,000 to €7,000 and  focused on supporting businesses with cashflow, expansion and productivity to help them deal with concerns around rising costs, and competitiveness.

The National Enterprise Hub has attracted over 220,000 active online users to its website over the last 12 months and also offers a full-time dedicated phone line, connecting business owners with specialist advisors who can discuss potential grant options over the phone.

The National Enterprise Hub, an initiative of the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and Enterprise Ireland, brings together information and resources on over 250 Government supports from 30 different Departments and State Agencies. Looking ahead, there will be a continued and renewed focus on simplifying business grant applications for SMEs engaging with the National Enterprise Hub.

The businesses are from a range of industries however the majority fall within Tourism & Hospitality, retail & consumer products, food, health & beauty, professional services and the construction sector. This free service makes it easier and more efficient for businesses to access and avail of supports such as grants, funding, loans and expert advice across a range of sectors.

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, said “With over 6,500 companies engaging in its first 12 months, the National Enterprise Hub has proven effective in streamlining and simplifying access for SMEs to government supports, equipping them with vital digital and sustainability resources to navigate rising costs and stay competitive.

Research from my Department shows that four in five businesses believe sustainability is important. An awareness campaign is currently underway showcasing how the NEH can support businesses in cutting costs through grants such as the LEO’s Energy Efficiency Grant and SEAI’s Business Energy Upgrade Scheme.

My focus now with the NEH is on reducing administrative burdens and red tape for businesses by consolidating multiple grant applications into a single, simplified process. We must redouble our efforts to simplify processes for businesses and make sure that we think about small businesses first. I look forward to its continued growth and positive impact on Irish SMEs.”

Conor O’Donovan, Head of Start-Ups and the National Enterprise Hub, said: “SME engagement with the National Enterprise Hub has met and exceeded our targets to date, supporting 6,500 businesses within our first year of operation. One of the main aims of the Hub was to engage with businesses who haven’t availed of government supports to date and to make the process of availing of government supports faster and easier.”

“We know that Irish SMEs are operating in a complex environment and being able to access grants and supports is more important than ever. Small businesses who are engaging with the National Enterprise Hub are concerned about rising cost of business and competitiveness – that is why a single source of government supports for businesses is important to ensure that accessing the right information is made easier.

The National Enterprise Hub has a team of dedicated advisors who are directing SMEs to the right support that will help them. It’s for every business in the country and we’d encourage every business to go online to neh.gov.ie or pick up the phone and start the conversation around your business needs today.”

Audrey Hughes, CEO ofPrinciple HR said: “Like so many Irish SMEs, we are focused on providing the highest quality of service delivery to our customers, while remaining competitive. Accessing government supports to assist can feel daunting but the National Enterprise Hub made the process so much easier by putting us in contact with the right agency whose support and expertise fitted our needs. Through our initial engagement with the National Enterprise Hub, Principle HR is now an Enterprise Ireland client and in a short period of time our business has been helped through the strategic marketing review support and engagement with their overseas market advisors. With the business environment constantly changing, I’d encourage all SMEs no matter what stage they are on their growth journey to contact the NEH today to learn about what supports could be available to them.”

 

Top Supports Availed of by SMEs through National Enterprise Hub:

•    Dept of Social Protection: Wage Subsidy Scheme

•    Dept of Social Protection: Jobs Plus Subsidy

•    Enterprise Ireland: Pre-Seed Start Fund

•    Enterprise Ireland: New Frontiers Programme

•    Enterprise Ireland/LEO: Innovation Vouchers

•    LEO: Energy Efficiency Grant

•    LEO: Mentoring

•    LEO: Start Your Own Business Programme

•    LEO: Grow Digital Voucher

•    MicroFinance Ireland: Start-up Loan

•    Revenue: Start-Up Relief for Entrepreneurs SURE

•    SBCI: Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme

•    SBCI: Leasing and Hire Purchase

•    SEAI: Exceed Grant Scheme

•    Skillnet Ireland: Skillnet Business Networks

•    Skillnet: Mentoring

•    Solas: SOLAS Micro-Qualifications

 

The Hub team can be contacted through the website (www.neh.gov.ie), email enquiry@neh.gov.ie  or by phone (01 727 2100), where users can engage directly with an advisor.

Vodafone Ireland reports 76% year on year growth in device trade-ins

Vodafone Ireland, the leading communications partner to Irish consumers and businesses, today reported a sharp 76% increase in its device trade ins in June, compared to June 2024.

Publishing the data today, Vodafone Ireland reported a ‘record month’ with more customers than ever trading in their old devices and its ‘best week ever’ – one in three customers buying a new handset traded in their old device during the last week of June, demonstrating a growing shift toward responsible tech ownership and more sustainable choices.

Devices are traded in to be recycled, refurbished and reused, while the average trade-in value currently received by customers is €150* per transaction. As a responsible communications partner, the Trade In service is part of Vodafone Ireland’s commitment to sustainability and supporting consumers to make sustainable choices.

Driving Affordability 

The Trade-In service allows customers to release the residual value of their devices, which they can then use to reduce the price of a new device, gain store credit to purchase accessories, or opt for the price to come straight off their bill.

This service, pioneered by Vodafone Ireland – another Vodafone first – and launched in 2022, is available to consumers across Vodafone’s 80 retail stores nationwide, with all reporting strong uptake of the initiative. To date, Irish consumers have saved over €8 million through this e-waste service.

This initiative was established to address the increasing challenge of e-waste in Ireland. A recent study estimated that there are 7.3 million unused smartphones** in Irish households, demonstrating the opportunity for trade-in options to see these devices responsibly reused, recycled or repurposed rather than going to waste.

Trade-In  

Consumers can trade in their phones, tablets, iPads and smart watches while Vodafone Ireland also accepts devices for responsible recycling, including laptops.

The service offers an effective and tangible solution to Ireland’s e-waste challenge, with every device traded in first securely wiped of data, and then either refurbished for reuse or responsibly recycled — with 0% sent to landfill.

This circular approach prevents valuable materials from going to waste and reduces the carbon footprint associated with manufacturing new devices. By making trade-ins simple and rewarding for Irish consumers, Vodafone Ireland is driving greater consumer participation in the shift towards sustainable and responsible tech ownership.

Earlier this month, Vodafone Ireland was named Best Mobile Operator for the 10th consecutive year by independent benchmarking organisation umlaut, achieving a record-breaking score. The recognition highlights Vodafone’s €500 million five-year investment in network and its role as the connectivity partner to 60% of Irish businesses.

Commenting today, Sabrina Casalta, CEO, Vodafone Ireland said:  

“Trade in plays a critical role in driving Vodafone Ireland’s commitment to protecting the planet, as well as offering affordability for our customers. With one in every three customers across our retail stores trading in a handset, we’re delivering on our ambition to tackle e-waste and supporting the circular economy in Ireland. These results are commendable and testament to the efforts of our team, our retail colleagues and also to our customers throughout the country who are taking action.  

‘We’ve invested heavily in this campaign since 2022 because we saw an opportunity to make a difference. We encourage Irish consumers to maintain this momentum and continue to support us in tackling e-waste through trading in their device for repair, recycle or repurposing. This is a tangible method to deliver change and make a difference for generations to come.” 

Over 2,000 people work with Vodafone in Ireland across its Dublin HQ and 80 retail units across the country while the company has more than 2.3 million customers and growing.

SIRO and Ivertec have announced rollout 10 Gigabit broadband service in Killarney

Fibre broadband network operator, SIRO, and Kerry and Munster broadband retailer, Ivertec, have announced the rollout of a 10 Gigabit broadband service in Killarney. SIRO’s first 10 Gigabit connection in the region.

The service is designed to enhance Ivertec’s existing fibre broadband offering to its significant business customer base.  The 10 Gigabit service allows Ivertec to offer Dedicated Internet Access (DIA) services and improved capacity to local businesses, particularly those in the hospitality and retail sectors, where the need for fast and reliable connectivity is essential.

Critically, the circuit also serves as a resilient backup route for Ivertec’s national network.  This means that if an issue occurs on the network, there is a back-up connection in place to ensure that end user businesses do not experience disruption.

The foundation underpinning Ivertec expanded offering to Kerry and Munster businesses is SIRO’s 100% fibre network, delivering symmetrical speeds. The latter means that businesses can enjoy the same level of upload and downloads speeds, which can be essential for business-critical operations such as video conferencing or uploading data to the Cloud.

10 Gigabit fibre broadband will not only allow Ivertec to meet the needs of its customers today but will also ensure that they can seamlessly continue to provide greater bandwidth and speeds to local businesses, as the latter’s data demands grow into the future.

 Aoife O’Reilly, SIRO’s Head of Enterprise, commented:
“SIRO’s is pleased to partner with Ivertec on 10 Gigabit fibre broadband for its Kerry and Munster customers. The partnership supports growing demand from businesses for dependable, high-speed and future proofed connectivity. It reflects our shared focus on strengthening digital infrastructure in regional areas.”

Gerard O’Sullivan, Ivertec CEO, said:

“We’re delighted to enhance fibre connectivity in Killarney with the launch of a new 10Gb circuit from SIRO. This circuit provides a fully diverse fibre path into our network in the region, complementing our existing backhaul connection between Kerry and Dublin. In the event of any disruption to our primary fibre route, the SIRO circuit ensures uninterrupted service for our customers in the area. This additional layer of resilience is vital for delivering high-availability internet and VoIP services—particularly for the many local businesses that depend on Ivertec for reliable connectivity every day.”

Client Relationship Management (CRM) for Legal Professionals

In a profession built on trust and reputation, maintaining strong client relationships is essential for long-term success. That’s where Client Relationship Management (CRM) tools come in. Law firms are increasingly using CRM software to organize communications, track interactions, personalize outreach, and improve service delivery. These systems help firms better understand their clients’ needs and respond more efficiently, whether managing one case or a hundred. In today’s fast-moving legal landscape, relying on memory or spreadsheets isn’t enough. CRM tools provide structure and visibility, making it easier for attorneys and support staff to deliver consistent, high-quality client experiences.

What a CRM Actually Does for Law Firms

At its core, a CRM is a centralized platform that stores and organizes client data: contacts, past communication, billing details, case history, preferences, and more. This gives everyone on the team a shared understanding of a client’s journey. For law firms, this means smoother hand-offs between partners and associates, more timely follow-ups, and better visibility into client engagement. Many CRMs also automate tasks like appointment reminders or client check-ins, freeing up time for actual legal work. Whether you’re a solo practitioner or a multi-office firm, a CRM can help streamline your workflow and keep relationships strong.

Improving Client Communication and Responsiveness

Clients today expect quick, professional communication. CRM systems help firms track calls, emails, and meetings, so nothing falls through the cracks. They also make it easier to respond promptly, especially when multiple attorneys or departments are involved. Some CRMs offer integrated email tools or templates to make routine responses faster. Others link with calendars, enabling reminders for follow-ups or court dates. By making communication more organized and consistent, law firms can improve client satisfaction and reduce the risk of misunderstandings. A well-used CRM doesn’t just track relationships. It strengthens them through reliable, proactive contact.

Protecting Client Data in a Digital World

Because CRMs store sensitive client information, security is a top priority. Many law firms now use platforms with built-in encryption, user permissions, and secure cloud storage. In addition to these features, some firms also rely on threat intelligence to monitor potential cyber risks that could expose confidential records or contact histories. Threat intelligence tools help spot suspicious behavior, such as unauthorized access attempts or phishing schemes targeting staff credentials. This kind of digital protection is especially important in legal work, where even a small data breach could damage a firm’s reputation or result in regulatory consequences.

Better Insights for Smarter Business Development

CRM tools can do more than just manage relationships. They can help grow them. Many platforms offer analytics dashboards that track client engagement, referral sources, and communication patterns. This allows firms to identify top clients, spot trends, and understand where to focus their marketing or networking efforts. A CRM can show which types of clients tend to return, what practice areas generate the most interest, and how often follow-ups turn into new matters. With this data in hand, legal professionals can make more informed decisions about where to invest time and resources to strengthen their business.

Making CRM Part of Your Firm’s Culture

For a CRM system to be effective, it needs to be used consistently. That means training team members, setting clear usage expectations, and integrating the platform into daily routines. When everyone logs interactions and updates client records, the system becomes a true source of insight and support. It’s also important to choose a CRM that matches your firm’s size, practice areas, and workflow. From intake to follow-up, the goal is to build a tool that helps, not hinders, your team’s ability to serve clients. Done right, CRM becomes more than software. It becomes a culture of connection.

What is Customer Service? A Complete Guide

Customer service is the information and support supplied by a company to its consumers before, during, and after a purchase or use of a product or service. Customer service, one of the elements that says something about the customer experience, and suddenly, when we talk about satisfaction, loyalty, and corporate reputation.

Why is customer service important?

Customer service affects a business from the inside out, not to mention long-term success. Here’s why it’s important:

  • Drives customer loyalty: A positive experience makes customers more likely to return.
  • Enhances brand image: Consistently good service builds a trustworthy and professional brand.
  • Increases customer lifetime value: Happy customers tend to spend more over time.
  • Boosts word-of-mouth marketing: Satisfied customers recommend brands to friends and family.
  • Reduces customer churn: Exceptional service can retain customers even after product issues.

Best practices to provide excellent customer service

1. Personalized customer interactions

Customizing your contact with individual customers puts a personal touch. Greet them with their name, remember their past buys, and recommend solutions according to their needs.

  • Use CRM tools: Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools make it easier to track the history of purchases and interactions, allowing for more personalized service.

 

  • Segment your customers: Segment similar customers for specific campaigns and services.
  • Be proactive: Don’t wait for customers to find you. Call out with personalized offers, reminders, or useful content.
  • Leverage social media: Interact with your audience on social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter). Answer promptly, thank complimenting commenters, and assist when problems occur.

Listening to the voice of the customer during interactions can uncover hidden needs and drive stronger engagement.

2. Empower your employees

Empowered workers are more assured and can deal with problems more effectively.

  • Grant decision-making authority: Let employees resolve returns, opt-ins, or payments without the need for management approval.
  • Provide continuous training: Regular Employee Workshops & Seminars on Product Knowledge, Interpersonal and Conflict Resolution are crucial.
  • Recognize top performers: Reward and recognize excellent performance.
  • Foster ownership: Equip employees with the right tools, like customer experience management software, to take initiative and responsibility.

3. Consistent communication

Open and prompt communication creates trust and minimizes frustration.

  • Use omnichannel support: Be present on phone, email, chat, and social media.
  • Keep customers informed: Periodic updates on order status, policy updates, or service downtime are a must.
  • Implement feedback loops: Ask for feedback in the form of surveys and follow-up emails, and demonstrate that their voice is being heard by acting upon it.
  • Develop loyalty programs: Treat repeat customers with special offers, benefits, or precedence when a new product or service is launched.

4. Proactive problem solving

Solving problems before they occur shows customers that you care about their time and convenience.

  • Anticipate common issues: Identify and address recurring pain points.
  • Use predictive analytics: Analyze customer behavior to forecast future needs.
  • Implement a service recovery plan: Train teams to act quickly and professionally when things go wrong.
  • Monitor sentiment: Use tools to track customer sentiment and flag potential dissatisfaction.

5. Quality assurance

Quality control ensures customers consistently receive the level of service and product standards they expect.

  • Regular service audits: Review customer interactions for compliance and improvement.
  • Set clear service standards: Outline measurable performance expectations in a customer service charter.
  • Gather satisfaction feedback: Conduct routine surveys to uncover insights into quality perceptions.
  • Act on data: Use collected data to make informed decisions about improvements.

6. Streamlined processes

Simplicity and efficiency enhance customer satisfaction.

  • Minimize friction: Remove unnecessary steps in customer journeys, from shopping to support.
  • Offer self-service options: Online FAQs, help centers, and how-to videos empower customers.
  • Automate where appropriate: Tools like chatbots and auto-responses can handle routine queries.
  • Continuously optimize: Collect data on customer journeys to identify bottlenecks and improve flow.

Essential customer service metrics to track

Tracking performance metrics helps evaluate your customer service strategy and identify improvement areas.

1. Customer Satisfaction Score (CSAT)

  • What it is: Measures how satisfied customers are with a specific interaction.
  • How it works: Usually, a post-interaction survey asks, “How satisfied were you with your experience?” on a scale of 1–5 or 1–10.
  • Why it matters: It gives immediate feedback to help improve specific customer touchpoints.

2. Net Promoter Score® (NPS)

  • What it is: Measures customer loyalty and the likelihood of referrals.
  • How it works: Asks customers how likely they are to recommend the company on a scale of 0–10.
    • Promoters (9–10): Loyal, enthusiastic customers.
    • Passives (7–8): Satisfied but unenthusiastic.
    • Detractors (0–6): Unhappy customers are likely to damage your brand.
  • Why it matters: A high NPS indicates a loyal customer base likely to promote your business.

3. First Response Time (FRT)

  • What it is: The time between a customer reaching out and receiving the first reply.
  • Why it matters: Faster response times improve customer satisfaction and show attentiveness.

4. Resolution time

  • What It Is: The average time taken to fully resolve a customer issue.
  • Why It Matters: Shorter resolution times indicate efficient service and reduce customer frustration.

5. First Contact Resolution (FCR)

  • What it is: The percentage of issues resolved in the first interaction.
  • Why it matters: High FCR rates show that your team is effective and reduces the need for follow-ups.

6. Customer churn rate

  • What it is: The percentage of customers who stop doing business with you over a period.
  • Why it matters: High churn indicates service or product dissatisfaction and may point to a need for improvements.

Final thoughts

Customer service is not a customer-facing support function anymore – it is a catalyst in growth & togetherness that predetermines brand-line differentiators in a competitive market space.

Personalize the experience, enable employees, communicate consistently & proactively solve problems — businesses can make the world better in terms of service delivery.

Systems of the mind: With performance results in CSAT/NPS & resolution times, you start seeing what works and what does not work. Customer service is more than just the cost of fixing things;  it is having a great experience that motivates your client to return.

While businesses that possess the know-how and execute these best practices have a better chance of achieving long-term success with a strong relationship with the customers, along with an outstanding reputation.

Facial recognition systems: applications, benefits and service providers

Facial recognition  technology (FRT) has been around for years now. However, with the technology rapidly evolving, including AI-based solutions, FRT is becoming even faster and better at analysing unique facial features. So, in this article, we’ll look into how this technology actually works, where it can (and is) used, as well as who are currently the key players in the industry.

How does facial recognition work?

At its core, facial recognition technology uses sophisticated AI, particularly machine learning (ML) and deep learning algorithms. The process begins with detection, where the system identifies and isolates a human face within an image or video. Next is analysis, also known as feature extraction, which involves mapping out the unique facial landmarks of your face.

For example, things like the distance between your eyes, the shape of your nose, the contour of your jawline, or the subtle differences in your eyebrows all make up who you are. This is also referred to as a “faceprint” or the biometric template of your face. Once this information is processed, it’s usually converted into a numerical code, which is matched with the one associated with you. The accuracy and reliability of facial recognition heavily depend on the quality of the database and the sophistication of the algorithms.

Diverse applications of FRT

Facial recognition’s applications are already extensive and growing daily. For instance, it’s already a critical tool in security and law enforcement. Agencies can use it to identify suspects from a vast database of CCTV footage, scan large crowds for a person of interest, secure access to sensitive facilities, and so on. You’ve also most likely run into it at the airport passport check, where the machine verifies your identity against your passport. In fact, many people believe your face will become your boarding pass at the airport in the future.

In commercial and consumer applications, FRT brings a lot of convenience. One of the most familiar uses is to unlock our smartphones and laptops just with a glance. Online retail shops are also increasingly offering personalised experiences to customers, using the same technology. Contactless payments can also now be authorised using facial verification instead of passwords. On social media, photo tags are automatically recommended, as platforms can recognise the people associated with you, based on the names you’ve provided.

Moreover, the healthcare sector is where we see a lot of important applications. Facial recognition technology can help prevent various medical errors by accurately identifying patients as well as streamlining hospital check-ins. Experimental systems are even aiming to monitor patient conditions, like diagnosing rare diseases or assessing their pain level, all by analysing their facial dysmorphology.

The benefits of facial recognition implementation

The implementation of facial recognition technology offers numerous incredible benefits across various different industries. Foremost is enhanced security – FRT enables proactive threat detection and more effective crime prevention, improving both public and private safety. Beyond security, it drives improved efficiency and automation. Processes like identity verification, employee check-ins or physical access control are streamlined, reducing the need for manual monitoring.

Of course, FRT brings many benefits to our day-to-day lives too, by making different tasks more seamless. We have quick, contactless, intuitive interactions with our technology, from unlocking a phone to entering a building. Modern systems boast impressive accuracy and speed, quickly becoming the new normal in our homes and workplaces.

Key players in the FRT services

If you are looking to implement facial recognition in your organisation, partnering up with a reliable company will be here. Here are some of the best service providers in the industry today:

Digital Sense

Using the DSBio Face Recognition System (FRS), Digital Sense aims to turn complex projects into simple solutions. Their technology boasts 99.76% accuracy, allowing for reliable identification and verification of faces in real-time.

NEC Corporation

Based in Japan, NEC Corporation is a global biometrics leader, offering high-accuracy facial recognition technology NeoFace. These are widely adopted by law enforcement, border control, and enterprises for robust identity verification and enhanced security.

Clearview AI

Clearview AI primarily serves law enforcement with a controversial, vast database from public internet sources. Its powerful search is a game-changer in police investigations, with 99%+ accuracy, although it has sparked some debates over data collection and privacy practices.

Thales

Thales excels in digital identity and security. They offer biometrics for government programs, enterprise access, secure IDs, aerospace, and advanced border management systems incorporating facial recognition.

The future of face recognition

Facial recognition technology can be absolutely transformative across many sectors, particularly as it keeps getting even faster, more precise, reliable, and powerful. However, despite all of its advantages, the technology is increasingly challenged with privacy concerns, as vast amounts of public data are collected to train it for security purposes. There are also rising worries regarding potential identity theft crimes, as AI face recognition is fast becoming widely accessible to everyone. Ultimately, the positives outweigh the negatives, and with enough transparency and accountability, it can continue to serve individuals and the public safely.

8 in 10 financial services firms concerned about accountability of AI-driven decisions

More than eight in ten (81%) financial services organisations using Artificial Intelligence (AI) have adopted the technology for customer service purposes, while three in ten (29%) use the technology to prevent and detect fraud, with a similar number (29%) applying it to risk assessment.

However, despite its growing use, key concerns remain, particularly around accountability and the potential for bias in AI-driven or AI-influenced decisions. Data privacy risks associated with AI also rank high among the sector’s concerns.

This is according to the results of a new survey by Ireland’s professional body for compliance professionals, the Compliance Institute, which polled approximately 150 compliance experts working primarily in Irish financial services organisations nationwide.

When asked what concerns, if any, they had regarding the use of AI in compliance and financial services:

  • More than eight in ten (81%) compliance experts said that are concerned about the accountability and explainability of AI-driven decisions
  • Seven in ten (69%) are concerned about the potential for bias in AI decision-making
  • Six in ten (59%) are worried about data privacy and GDPR compliance risks
  • Almost six in ten (56%) are concerned about a lack of regulatory clarity around AI.

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

“Given that chatbots and virtual assistants are such a common sight when surfing the internet today, it’s perhaps no surprise that our survey shows that of those organisations using AI, customer service is the main reason they do so. However, it is interesting too the level of disquiet around the use of AI in organisations, particularly around AI bias and the accountability of AI-driven decisions, perhaps suggesting an inherent distrust of AI. Ultimately, AI will never be able to replicate the empathy that humans can bring to decision-making – as well as the nuanced approach they can take.

While AI can have many benefits for the financial services sector, including its ability to detect fraud and to reduce customer service costs, its fast-growing capabilities and increasingly widespread use have raised concerns, particularly around privacy and misinformation issues and the lack of regularity clarity around AI.”

 

Other headline findings from the Compliance Institute research reveal that:

  • AI-driven tools are not yet widely adopted in the financial services sector, with only 2% of organisations using them extensively and 18% using them on a limited basis.
  • More than half of the firms (54%) are considering AI for compliance monitoring, fraud detection, or risk management.
  • More than one in four (27%) have no plans to implement AI tools in the near future.
  • Among organisations currently using AI, its use in personalised financial products (10%) or trading and investment strategies (3%) is less commonplace.

Mr Kavanagh added:

“With only one in five organisations using AI tools, and most of these only doing so on a limited basis, the financial services sector is clearly cautious about the use of AI in firms.  The finding that more than half (54%) of the firms surveyed are considering AI for compliance monitoring, fraud detection, or risk management shows that many in the financial services sector have not ruled out AI – but they are being careful about if and how they might do so. This suggests that there is a strong awareness in the sector of the risks of AI and a determination to ensure the technology is used responsibly.

This is a positive reflection of the sector. While AI has the potential to deliver many benefits, it is important that AI is used in a safe and transparent way, and that the use and adoption of the technology is overseen so that harmful outcomes are prevented.”

What to Do if Your Phone Is Stolen: 7 Essential Recovery Tips

With the rising cost of phones, comes the rising cases of theft. Like minded  Tech Expert Joe Davies shares tips on how to recover yours if lost.
In the age of expensive smartphones, the rising trend of phone thefts, and the ever-present risk of losing your device, it’s essential to be prepared. Phones now contain much more than just contact lists and photos.
They now also hold sensitive information and act as our connection to the digital world. With TikTok trending hacks and expert advice, we break down how you can improve your chances of finding your stolen phone.
The TikTok Hack: Can It Help You Find Your Stolen Phone?
Recently, a TikTok video went viral, showing a hack for tracking a stolen phone. By using the “Find My” feature from Apple or Google, it demonstrated how you could locate your device if it’s turned on and connected to the internet. This hack, while useful in theory, is not always reliable, particularly if the thief has turned off the phone or disabled location services.
“The viral TikTok hack is a good starting point, but it’s not a complete solution. If your phone is off or disconnected from the internet, you’re left with limited options. Always ensure that the necessary tracking services are enabled before any potential loss.”
That said, while the hack can be part of the solution, here are some other effective strategies to help you recover your stolen device.
7 Tips to Find Your Stolen Phone
  1. Use Find My iPhone (Apple Devices) or Find My Device (Android)
Apple and Android devices come with pre-installed features designed to track your phone. If you have “Find My iPhone” or “Find My Device” enabled, these tools can pinpoint your phone’s last known location. Additionally, they offer the ability to lock your device or erase sensitive data remotely.
“One of the most reliable ways to track a stolen phone is through the manufacturer’s built-in features. Just make sure they’re enabled beforehand, or you’ll miss out on these helpful tools.”
  1. Contact Your Service Provider
If location tracking doesn’t lead to your phone, reach out to your mobile network provider. They may be able to track your device’s IMEI number (a unique identifier for your phone) and lock it remotely to prevent further use.
  1. Remote Lock Your Phone
Whether you’re using an iPhone or Android, remote locking can prevent thieves from accessing your personal data. “Find My iPhone” and “Find My Device” both offer the option to lock your phone remotely, offering some peace of mind in case the phone can’t be recovered right away.
  1. Report the Theft to Local Authorities
While you may not be able to track your phone in real-time, it’s important to file a police report. This not only helps with the recovery process but is necessary for insurance claims. Some local law enforcement agencies have the means to trace stolen phones based on their IMEI numbers.
  1. Check Lost-and-Found Services
Many airports, malls, and other public places have lost-and-found services. If you’ve lost your phone while out and about, make sure to check with them in case someone turned it in.
  1. Use Third-Party Apps
Third-party apps like Lookout or Prey offer additional tracking options and remote control of your phone, such as taking photos of the thief, locking your phone, or erasing your data.
“Third-party apps can be a good backup option, but you need to install them in advance. These apps may not be as effective as the built-in features, but they offer extra layers of security.”
  1. Protect Your Phone with a Case and Screen Protector
While this doesn’t help you track a stolen phone, using a protective case makes your phone less appealing to thieves. A bulky or uniquely designed case can act as a deterrent.
While recovering a stolen phone is not always guaranteed, taking these steps can increase your chances. However, the most effective way to protect yourself is to ensure your phone is equipped with the necessary security settings before any incident occurs. Enable location tracking, use strong passwords, and stay vigilant when in public spaces.
“The best way to prevent a phone from being stolen is to be proactive. Prevention is always better than trying to recover something once it’s gone.”
With these tips and expert advice, you’ll be better prepared to find your phone if it’s stolen or lost. But, ultimately, safeguarding your device starts with taking simple steps to protect it from theft.

Have Your Say: Coimisiún na Meán seeks public’s views on the future of Public Service Media

Coimisiún na Meán is today (28.03.25) inviting the Irish public to have their say on the future of Public Service Media.

The Call for Inputs, which opens today, Friday 28 March and closes Friday 23 May, asks the public what they want, need and value in Public Service Media in Ireland, and what they would like to see more of in the future.

Coimisiún na Meán is looking for views on what sorts of content the public care most about, what platforms people use to watch programmes and if people feel that Public Service Media in Ireland accurately represents them and their viewpoints.

Commenting on the launch of the Call for Inputs, Coimisiún na Meán Broadcasting and Video-on-Demand Commissioner Aoife MacEvilly said: ‘’Ensuring that Ireland’s media landscape serves the needs of Irish audiences is a priority for Coimisiún na Meán. We know that the media landscape is constantly evolving, technology is changing and the way audiences engage with content is transforming rapidly. The Call for Inputs that we are launching today is a great opportunity for people across Ireland to have their say on the future of Public Service Media.

‘’The Public Service Broadcasters, RTÉ and TG4, and the licensed broadcasters all have a crucial role to play in educating, entertaining and informing the public. This Call for Inputs is the first step to developing a new Position Paper on Audience Needs and the Principles and Values of Public Service Media, which will be completed in 2026. I would encourage the public to take this opportunity to let us know their thoughts by Friday 23 May, and to help us shape Ireland’s media landscape into the future.’’

The Call for Inputs is the first step in a multi-year programme of work from Coimisiún na Meán on the future of Public Service Media. There will be opportunities for broadcasters, and other stakeholders to provide their views as this work progresses.

Call for Inputs