AI Ireland with Mark Kelly

Today's guest is Oisin Boydell, Chief Data Officer at Cortytics. One of the most pressing challenges within Artificial Intelligence remains regulation and compliance. As AI technology advances, businesses face the dual task of keeping pace with these changes while ensuring they remain compliant with regulations that are themselves in constant flux. In this podcast, Oisin sheds light on these challenges and the ways AI can aid compliance professionals.Topics include:0:00 His journey from From broad AI at Ceadar to compliance-focused AI at Corlytics1:56 How AI assists humans in managing complex, evolving regulations4:33 Ensuring ethical, trustworthy AI governance and compliance with ISO 420017:35 How AI assists compliance teams while humans retain final oversight10:51 AI's role in helping track and interpret rapidly changing regulations11:59 Helping businesses navigate and prove compliance with regulations12:47 How LLMs excel in interpreting nuanced, semi-structured legal language14:01 Why AI democratization lets non-experts use tools efficiently14:54 Why AI literacy is crucial to prevent a technology divide18:21 Book recommendations that explores technology’s societal impact19:36 While AI’s impact is unpredictable; regulation and literacy are crucial

Dr. Lollie Mancey, an anthropologist and futurist at UCD Innovation Academy, explores the fascinating intersection of technology and humanity. She discusses AI's societal impacts, emphasizing the balance between innovation and social justice. Lollie critiques the overhyping of AI, predicting a hybrid human-tech future with unintentional consequences. She also touches on the emotional complexity of AI companions and their role in addressing loneliness, highlighting the need for AI literacy to ensure meaningful human connections in a tech-driven world.

Today’s guest is David Bowles, Managing Partner at The Yield Lab. In this enlightening conversation, David shares his journey and insights into the dynamic world of AgriFood Technology and venture capital. He delves into the foundational experiences that led him to his current role, the strategic decision-making involved in choosing AgriFood tech and the evolving role of AI in this sector.Topics include:0:00 Growing The Yield Lab into Europe's leading AgriFood tech VC1:16 His journey from Computer scientist turned consultant, joining ezetop during growth phase3:18 How VC blends variety and smart founders, which was his perfect fit4:35 Choosing AgriFood tech to merge Irish strengths and fight climate change7:18 Investing in AgriFood tech using AI, science to cut emissions and innovate faster10:29 How AI helps analyse deals, but summaries lack key facts16:53 As AI aids research, experts drive deeper innovation insights18:48 Why AI must add real value, not just hype, to succeed22:52 Why AI literacy is crucial but broader, ongoing education is needed26:54 How VC isn’t the only success path with the need to focus on real revenue32:42 Helping founders grow by embracing a risk and failure culture

Today's guest is Dympna O'Sullivan, Academic Lead, Digital Futures Research Hub at Technological University Dublin. In the podcast, Dympna shares her valuable insights into how AI technologies are reshaping the landscape for those living with age-related cognitive challenges, such as dementia. She also covers topics from ethical AI use to empowering individuals with dementia to live independently.Topics include: 0:00 Her journey building AI assistive tech co-designed with cognitive-impaired users2:17 How AI supports dementia care ethically, enabling independent living7:49 Their AI toolkit which supports dementia care with personalized reminders12:15 Routines empower dementia patients, boosting confidence and autonomy15:08 The role of music to evoke memories while AI empowers older adults17:41 Generative AI risks shallow thinking, but expertise improves outcomes20:42 Why a overreliance on AI can hinder deep learning and growth24:36 Advocating for AI literacy, empowering users and including citizen voices

Today's guest is  Rebecca Keenan, Global Head of Intelligent Automation at Expleo Group. In an era defined by rapid technological advancements, companies are constantly seeking ways to leverage artificial intelligence and automation to enhance productivity and solve complex problems. In today’s podcast, Rebecca shares her insights on the transformative power of AI and the importance of strategic implementation in organisation’s today.Topics include:0:00 Her journey in tech from growing an RPA team to now leading AI solutions2:46 Why many companies skip RPA before AI, missing easy wins4:49 How AI enhances service, automates checks and predicts maintenance efficiently9:30 Real-time AI decision-making advances in big firms, but small ones lag11:34 Tighter budgets are prompting a shift toward greater efficiency13:40 Starting AI as a capability builds readiness amid busy schedules14:56 Advice to leverage existing AI-enabled tools before adopting new tech16:47 Ensure strong governance and compliance before using sensitive data17:57 Using AI daily for meeting notes, summaries and process mapping20:49 Clear storytelling and hands-on involvement help people embrace AI

Today's guest is Andrew Parnell, Met Éireann Full Professor of Data Science for Weather and Climate at University College Dublin. In the episode, Andrew discusses how his career path took an unexpected yet impactful turn. Originally aspiring to become a banker, Andrew now works at the intersection of climate change, AI and weather forecasting. This transition reflects not only a personal journey of aligning work with purpose but also highlights the larger narrative of how AI is revolutionising weather forecasting and related fields.Topics include:0:00 His journey from maths to climate action; now curating collaborative research5:06 Driven by fascination with weather, urgency in climate extremes7:36 How AI has revolutionised weather forecasting, surpassing physics-based models9:53 AI matches physics in paths but lags in extreme forecasting11:03 AI connects climate data with human impact, enabling actionable insights13:29 Balancing accessible data with meaningful human health insights remains challenging15:26 How Climate change raises health, mental and energy efficiency concerns17:27 Using AI weather models more efficiently can reduce carbon footprint18:32 An insight into Met Éireann funding UCD's PhD degrees in AI weather forecasting

Today's guest is Scott Lien, CEO and Co-Founder at GrandPad and David Walsh, Chairman at HaloCare. In this podcast, we explore how technology is being innovatively integrated into elderly care, offering transformative solutions to improve the quality of life for seniors. David and Scott are leading the way in this field, by applying Artificial Intelligence to tackle the challenges faced by older adults and their caregivers.Topics include:0:00 Scott's tech journey improving lives, inspired by his elderly mother3:17 David's journey from farming roots to global security and elder care8:53 Promoting independence, connection and self-esteem for seniors13:06 Empowering elderly independence with tech and healthcare partnerships16:57 Designing simple tech empowering wise, loyal older users19:24 Use case of how their tech helps elderly live and die with dignity22:54 Passionately curing loneliness by reconnecting isolated seniors27:42 How AI enhances care, efficiency and human connection seamlessly29:08 Enabling predictive care, efficiency and language translation

Today's guest is Kalika Bali, Senior Principal Researcher atMicrosoft Research India. In the episode, Kalika talks about her intriguing journey and impactful work, as well as peeling back the layers of how accidental moments can shape careers and how language technologies are transforming lives worldwide. Topics include: 0:00 Her unconventional journey into the world oflinguistics 2:11 Her role as researcher at Microsoft with a focus onmultilingual, inclusive tech 6:19 Making tech accessible across languages, cultures andbiases 12:56 Promoting gender-aware AI, not gender-neutral blindspots 15:43 Using AI for idea generation, emails and feedback inher daily life 18:25 How AI speeds up research, especially literaturereviews 20:36 Why language tech preserves identity, not just ensuresaccess 23:41 Advice to focus on meaningful problems, not fleetingAI trends

Today's guest is Kevin Magee, Chief Technology Officer at All Human. In the episode, Kevin shares his wealth of experience and insights developed over a 30-year career in the tech sector. From startups to multinational corporations, Kevin's journey is filled with diverse experiences that offer valuable perspectives on innovation and the evolving landscape of AI.Topics include:0:00 His 30+ years of experience innovating across tech, startups, research & VC3:20 Why human connection drives impact, velocity and tech integration4:39 Joining All Human for impact, creativity and meaningful change7:57 Start with customer experience, then drive internal transformation12:19 As vision evolves, start with experience and adapt through insights14:38 How AI accelerates innovation with 'vibe scaling 'bridging creativity and production21:29 Blending digital and physical to transform healthcare23:26 Exploring future AI experiences beyond basic chat interfaces28:51 Using AI agents for daily news briefings in his daily life

Today's guest is Liam Cronin, Director of Innovation at University College Dublin and former CEO at the RDI Hub. In this episode, Liam reflects on six impactful years at RDI Hub, highlighting job creation, European funding and AI program successes. Now in his new role Nova UCD, he aims to support startups, drive AI innovation and build strategic partnerships.Topics include:0:00 His six-year journey building an impactful, community-driven, applied AI hub5:07 Having an inclusive, customer-driven approach shaped by community feedback6:59 With a huge AI demand, the challenge now is national scale10:06 Why the biggest barrier is time, not willingness and advice to start small12:31 How success in AI needs a people, productivity, and profit focus15:57 The 2025 AI summer school with a focus on finance18:07 Moving to UCD to lead innovation and startups