Tag: techfest

Tech Industry Alliance TechFest 2025 – Tech, AI & Humanity: Shaping Our Future

Tech Industry Alliance’s flagship annual conference, TechFest 2025, brought over 400 delegates to the Rochestown Park Hotel in Cork on Thursday, 15 May, for a powerful day of insight, innovation, and inspiration. With the theme “Tech & Humanity – Shaping Our Future,” the event challenged attendees to re-imagine our relationship with technology—from the rise of AI to the future of work and the next frontier: space.

Hosted by Tech Industry Alliance, the conference brought together tech and business leaders, educators, startups, and policymakers from across the South West of Ireland to explore how technology is impacting every aspect of society—and how we can ensure that progress is human-centred, ethical, and inclusive.

Tech & Humanity – Shaping Our Future

The conference opened with a captivating keynote by neuroscientist and broadcaster Dr. Hannah Critchlow, who explored “Consciousness and Our Evolving Relationship with AI”. The morning continued with a powerful panel on AI and Humanity, moderated by Jonathan McCrea, that delved into the ethical, philosophical, and societal impacts of artificial intelligence.

Later in the day, Cormac O’Sullivan of MBRYONICS delivered a visionary talk on “Building the Internet in Space”, which led into a thought-provoking discussion on Space and the Future of Humanity, highlighting the South West’s growing role in space-tech innovation.

Other key sessions examined the future of tech talent, exploring the skills and strategies needed to future-proof the workforce, and featured a showcase of evolving tech companies, with early-stage startups from the region pitching their products and sharing their journeys.

Exhibition stands, networking lounges, and interactive sessions throughout the day gave attendees opportunities to connect, learn, and collaborate.

A Region Leading the Way

Gerry Murphy, Chairperson of Tech Industry Alliance, commented on the event with a strong call to action: “TechFest 2025 has shown what happens when bright minds and bold ideas come together. The South West is not just keeping pace—we’re helping to shape the future of technology on a national and international stage. Today’s conversations will echo in tomorrow’s innovations.”

“Our deep thanks go to our sponsors and partners, whose commitment helps drive the growth and cohesion of the region’s tech ecosystem. This is about more than technology—it’s about people, purpose, and progress.”

Tech Industry Alliance Announces TechFest 2025: Tech, AI & Humanity

Tech Industry Alliance is proud to announce the official launch of TechFest 2025, the South West’s leading technology conference, bringing together industry pioneers, AI experts, and business leaders to explore how artificial intelligence, space innovation, and tech talent are shaping our future.

TechFest is the Alliance’s annual flagship technology conference and will be held at Rochestown Park Hotel, Cork, from 08:00am on May 15, 2025. This year’s theme, “Tech, AI & Humanity – Shaping Our Future,” will examine the profound impact of AI on society, business, and the workforce of tomorrow. Tickets for the main conference are now on sale at:  https://techindustryalliance.ie/techfest-2025/?doing_wp_cron=1742820112.6130120754241943359375

TechFest 2025 is delighted to welcome internationally acclaimed neuroscientist, broadcaster, and author Dr. Hannah Critchlow as keynote speaker. Named a “Rising Star in Life Sciences” by Nature, Dr. Critchlow is a Fellow at Magdalene College, University of Cambridge, and a respected voice in neuroscience and AI. With frequent appearances on BBC, ABC, and global media, including The Life Scientific, Tomorrow’s World Live, and BBC Radio 4’s Destiny and the Brain, Dr. Critchlow will explore the intersection of neuroscience, AI, and human potential.

Keeping the energy high and discussions insightful, Jonathan McCrea, an acclaimed science communicator and AI master trainer, will guide attendees through the event. Passionate about harnessing AI to drive productivity and innovation, Jonathan will ensure an engaging and thought-provoking experience.

Other expert speakers on the day include Dan Rapp Chief AI and Data Officer – Proofpoint, Dr. Laura Maye – UCC Lecturer specialising in human-computer interaction and inclusive technology design, Rory Fitzpatrick – CEO of the National Space Centre, Cormac O’ Sullivan from Mbyronics,  Dr. Niall Smith – Head of Research at Munster Technological University, Tim Crowe, Co-Founder and CEO of WrxFlo, Emily Brick  – Founder of Athena Analytics, plus many more.

This year’s conference will feature four engaging tracks addressing the biggest challenges and opportunities in tech:

  • Tech, AI & Humanity – How Will Artificial Intelligence Reshape Society?
  • The Future of Tech Talent – What Skills Will Define the Workforce of Tomorrow?
  • Showcasing Evolving Tech Companies – Meet the Innovators Transforming the South West’s Tech Sector
  • Space & the Future of Humanity – Exploring the Next Frontier of Innovation

Gerry Murphy, Tech Industry Alliance Chairperson, commented: “We are delighted to be announcing TechFest 2025, which will feature rare content, rich dialogue, and facilitate real connections. This event would not be possible without the vital support of our sponsors, who all recognise the importance of our sector to the Munster region. Following a highly successful TechFest last year, we are thrilled with this year’s incredible lineup of speakers and the even greater opportunities to network with colleagues and businesses across the South West region.”

With over 400 attendees expected, TechFest 2025 will be an unparalleled opportunity to network, connect, and collaborate. Given the high demand, attendees are encouraged to secure their tickets early, as the event is expected to be a sell-out.

TechFest 2025 sponsors – Tech Industry Alliance Skillnet, AIB, Proofpoint, PepsiCo Ireland,  Skillnet Innovation Exchange, FIT (Fastrack into Information Technology), Barden, Trend Micro, Park Place Technologies, CyberSkills, NetApp, Aspen Grove, Deloitte, Cork City Council, Cork County Council, We are Cork, Kerry County Council, Discover Kerry, Voxxify, MTU, Nimbus

Secure Your Spot Now: TechFest 2025 is THE must-attend event for tech professionals, business leaders, startups, and innovators who want to stay ahead of the curve. Register today and secure your spot:
https://techindustryalliance.ie/techfest-2025/?doing_wp_cron=1742820112.6130120754241943359375

Tech Industry Alliance Announces TechFest 2024

Tech Industry Alliance has officially launched TechFest 2024 in the AIB offices 66 South Mall Cork with AIB being one of the main event sponsors. TechFest is its annual flagship technology conference which will be held in the Radisson Blu Hotel in Little Island, Cork from 9:30am on the 14th of May 2024. This year the focus is on “Tech for Good: Driving Deep Tech, Fostering Sustainability & Building a Better Tomorrow”and to complement the main event, a  festival of supporting events will take place throughout the week of TechFest led by well known organisations and agencies throughout the South-West region. Tickets for the main conference are currently on sale at https://techindustryalliance.ie/event/techfest-2024/

The line up of expert speakers include global leader in promoting tech for good – Sarah Porter who is the founder and CEO of InspiredMinds, a global community of 220,000 high level experts in AI and emerging technology and an advisor to both the UN and to the EU AI council.  TechFest 2024 will again this year be MC’d by award-winning industry broadcaster Jonathan McCrea and will feature panel discussions on AI, sustainability & diversity as well as having plenty of networking opportunities and an industry expo featuring leading companies from across Ireland.

Gerry Murphy, Tech Industry Alliance Chairperson commented: “We are delighted to be announcing TechFest 2024 which will feature rare content, rich dialogue and facilitate real connections and which would not be possible without the vital support of our sponsors, who all recognise the importance of our sector to the Munster region.  Following on from a really successful TechFest last year, we are excited with this year’s amazing line up of speakers and even greater opportunities to network with colleagues and businesses across the south west region.”

“Our three key themes this year are Disrupt, Evolve and Ignite and we will hear from leaders of Industry and academia on how technology can contribute to sustainability, the threats and opportunities from the latest AI technology, how to ensure a vibrant and diverse talent pipeline as well as how tech can benefit society and the future of business.”

Approx. 450 people are expected to attend the event, network, connect and collaborate. Other expert speakers on the day include Denis Ryan Technology, Media & Telecoms AIB; Joanne Sheahan, Senior Advisor – Sustainability & Climate Action Enterprise Ireland; Robert McArdle, Director in Trend Micro’s Forward Looking Threat Research; Steve Fleming Founder and CEO Voxxify; Andy Bastick, Senior Director, Product & Partner Marketing, Digital Realty; Susie Harding Senior Manager Data, Analytics & AI at EY; Nikki Bradley Motivational Speaker, Amputee and Adventurer and Lynsey Monaghan, Global Diversity & Inclusion Strategist at NetApp.

 TIA Vice Chair Donagh Kiernan added: “TechFest 2024 is a groundbreaking event dedicated to exploring the pivotal role of technology in addressing global challenges and fostering a sustainable future. The event will also showcase young innovative tech companies in the south west and provide attendees with an insight into technology aimed at addressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. And we are delighted to acknowledge the invaluable support of our Skillnet again for TechFest 2024. Tech Industry Alliance Skillnet (TIAS) has been a consistent sponsor throughout the last 10 years.

The theme of TechFest this year fits perfectly with our Skillnet services, fostering innovation in talent strategies for tech, through subsidised support with up- and cross- skilling programmes. In today’s fast-paced tech landscape, the significance of talent development and upskilling cannot be overstated. Our TIAS Team will be available at TechFest 24 to chat with attendees on how they can further support their organisation’s growth and development.”

Tickets for the event are now on sale at https://techindustryalliance.ie/event/techfest-2024/ but numbers are limited so attendees are encouraged to book early as the event is expected to be a sell-out.

Google Ireland host Kinia Educator TechFest

Google Ireland is hosting the Kinia Educator TechFest, a unique event that brings educators
together with the aim of increasing access to digital and STEM skills for young people, on Tuesday, November 14th.
This marks the second year of the event, which focuses on future skills, diversity, equity and access to digital learning
for young people across Ireland.

The event, which will take place in The Foundry at Google’s Dublin HQ, is open to all teachers, youth workers and
those in Ireland working with children in a teaching or youth development role through either English or Irish.
Organised by Kinia, an education non-profit charity and social enterprise, the event will feature panel discussions,
keynote speakers, industry professionals, educators, and youth representatives, covering themes which include:
“Addressing the skills gap,” “AI – the future and impact on education” and “Building inclusive careers and
learning pathways”.

Keynote speakers at this year’s event include ICT professional and entrepreneur Victoria Nxumalo, founder of AI
Ireland Mark Kelly, and founder and CEO of Mint-Tek Siobhán Ní Chofaigh. Educators attending the event can also
take part in two free skills-building workshops focused on the areas of AI, VR, green technology, smart energy, MoJo,
robotics and podcasting.

The event will also feature the launch of the updated Kinia Academy, an online community learning space, which will
enable educators to learn at their own pace while taking part in funded training opportunities with Kinia.
Marianne Checkley, CEO of Kinia, said “Educators in all youth settings work incredibly hard to make sure that no
young person is left behind in an increasingly complex and digital future. We want to celebrate their commitment to
professional development and creative learning at this event, inspiring the next wave of technology skills and giving
them a space to connect with peers and learn from other experiences.”
Victoria Nxumalo, founder and executive director of girls In STEM Trust, said: “The future of work will form the
basis of a great discussion at this year’s event. It will also be immensely interesting to explore the skills both educators
and young people will need to equip themselves with in preparation for jobs that will inevitably exist over the next few
years as AI and other 4IR technologies continue to evolve.”
For more information about the event, please visit: https://kinia-educator-techfest.zohobackstage.eu/event

Tech Industry Alliance Announces TechFest 2023

Tech Industry Alliance has today officially launched TechFest 2023, its annual flagship technology conference which will be held in the Clayton Hotel in Cork City from 8:30am on the 25th of May 2023.  To coincide and complement the main event, a  festival of supporting events will take place throughout the week of TechFest which will be led by well known organisations and agencies throughout the South-West region. Tickets for the main conference are currently on sale at https://techindustryalliance.ie/event/techfest/ 

The line up of expert speakers include leading Norweigian AI Expert and Futurist Elin Hauge whose expertise in connecting the dots between business strategy and the application of AI is world-renowned. The event, MC’d by award-winning industry broadcaster Jonathan McCrea, will also feature parallel sessions focused on sustainability, digitsation, cyber, energy etc,  networking opportunities and an industry expo featuring leading companies from across Ireland.

Gillian Bergin, Tech Industry Alliance Chairperson and Senior Consultant with DELL Technologies commented: “We are delighted to be announcing TechFest 2023 which is the first technology conference under our new brand Tech Industry Alliance, a collaboration between it@cork and KerryScitech.  Following on from a really successful TechFest last year, we are excited with this years amazing line up of speakers and even greater opportunities to network with colleagues and businesses across the south west region.”

“Staying with our three key themes of Transform, Innovate and Inspire, we will hear from Industry and academia on the latest AI technology with its societal and sectoral impact, the future of power and responding to the energy crisis, as well as how we are building tech capabilities and expertise in the South West around cyber security, energy and smart manufacturing. Business leaders and academic thought-leaders will discuss the challenges and opportunities facing Ireland and how talent and skills need to be realigned in an increasingly fast changing environment”.

Approx. 300 people are expected to converge on the Clayton hotel on the day to attend the event, network, connect and collaborate. Other expert speakers on the day include Matt Watts, Chief Technology Evangelist at NetApp and Dr. Paul Deane, Research Fellow at MaREI Centre for Marine and Renewable Energy.  The conference will also feature speakers, panellists and facilitators from The Cantillon Academy at MTU, Enterprise Ireland, Technology Ireland, UCC, Keelvar, Trend Micro, Graphite Note, Grant Thornton Ireland, Future Planet, ENERCON, EY, VMware and MTU 

TIA Ingnition team lead and CFO, Aspen Grove Solutions Manjit Gill added: “We are delighted to be further developing the festival theme of TechFest and are building on the successful alliances formed throughout the region over the last number of years and in particular, the successful events held last year as a part of the week-long festival. We encourage and welcome any new organisations who want to showcase and support the very best of our tech ecosystem to get in touch and be a part of the celebration of our growing STEM community in the region”.

TechFest 2022 returns in-person to Cork City

it@cork has today officially launched TechFest 2022, its annual flagship technology conference, which returns for its first in-person event since 2019. The technology conference will be held in the Clayton Hotel in Cork City from 9:30am on the 25th of May 2022 with a festival of supporting technology events all that week. Tickets for the main conference are currently on sale at https://bit.ly/itcorktechfest22.

The technology festival will feature expert speakers from across the world, including Global Tech for Good practitioner and Director at GitHub Mala Kumar and Environmental Scientist Dr. Tara Shine. The event, MC’d by award-winning industry broadcaster Jonathan McCrea, will also feature workshops, networking opportunities and an industry expo.

Gillian Bergin, it@cork Chairperson and Senior Consultant with DELL Technologies commented: “We are energised and excited that TechFest returns as an in-person event this year. There are two years of networking and knowledge sharing to catch up on, and we have a jam-packed day planned with panel discussions, breakout sessions and keynote addresses.

“With our three key themes of Transform, Innovate and Inspire, attendees will hear from industry leaders and subject matter experts on how tech has enabled them to adapt and succeed, overcoming the lingering impacts of the pandemic. There will also be a focus on how companies can overcome the current talent crisis, how current and future transformative technologies will impact the nature of work and challenging discussions on possibilities and practicalities.” 

Over 250 people are expected to attend the event, giving the opportunity for attendees to network, connect and collaborate. Other speakers include Dr Marguerite Nyhan, Associate Professor in Environmental Engineering and Future Sustainability from UCC, Rois Ni Thuma, Head of Cyber Governance from Redsift, Niamh Parker, Co-Founder from Altada, Greg Tarr, Chief Executive Officer from Inferex, Conor O’Loughlin Co-Founder of Glofox, and Ross Frenett, Founder and Chief Executive Officer from Moonshot. Plus, many more speakers will be released in the coming weeks. 

TechFest project lead William Dalton, Head of Global Infrastructure Services at Trend Micro and it@cork board member added: “We are also inviting organisations in the region to host satellite events that week, creating a multi-day technology festival, offering diversity of thought and experience, and showcasing the best of what the region has to offer”

As part of the TechFest 2022 schedule, it@cork is inviting organisations in the southwest of Ireland to host an event for it@cork members and beyond. If you have an idea for a partner event, please contact Juliette at juliette@itcork.ie. 

At their recent AGM, it@cork appointed five new members to their board, including Laura Hughes, Program Manager at Cloudera, Vikram Kunnath, Lifesciences Manufacturing, Supply chain and Technology Consulting leader and Partner at Ernest & Young, Louise O’Neill, Associate Director at Berkley Group, Catherine Evans, RDI Collaboration Manager at Fexco and Matthew Camilleri, Founder and CEO at Castille.

Tickets for the event are now on sale at https://bit.ly/itcorktechfest22, but numbers are limited so attendees are encouraged to book early as the event is expected to be a sell-out.