AI Ireland with Mark Kelly

Today’s guest is Declan McKibben, Executive Director at the ADAPT Centre. Organisations worldwide are grappling with the realities and opportunities posed by AI-enabled tools and technologies. In this podcast, Declan offers invaluable insights into how AI is reshaping industries, the challenges associated with its adoption and the collaborative efforts needed to harness its full potential.Topics include:0:00 An overview of ADAPT as Ireland’s human-centered AI research centre 2:44 Their work with Smart D8 and Digital Twin, which uses AI to model and improve cities6:45 Creating the Generative AI lab to guide Dublin City Council’s safe adoption9:19 Running workshops to build AI literacy and inclusive decision-making11:40 How the AI lab prioritizes use cases with responsible, agile testing14:14 Award-winning AI projects showcased for public sector transformation15:37 How trust and measurement enable responsible, scalable AI adoption18:23 Sandboxes enable practical AI exploration amid investment uncertainty22:35 How their AI Accountability Lab ensures responsible, fair, socially beneficial AI28:00 ADAPT Centre as a sponsor for the 2025 AI Awards

Today’s guest is Paul Hearns, Executive Director at Blockchain Ireland. Ireland stands at the crossroads of embracing digital transformation and addressing the challenges it brings. In this enlightening episode, Paul delves into key topics like Web3, blockchain, AI and energy issues that Ireland faces today. Through his insights, we gain a better understanding of how Ireland can position itself at the forefront of the technology landscape while mitigating environmental impacts.Topics include:0:00 His role as a Blockchain advocate and tech content strategist in Ireland2:07 Inspired by Web3’s user control and blockchain’s real-world impact6:29 Crafting authentic, audience-focused content expressing clear value propositions9:10 How AI excels at data analysis, but big messages need humanity13:31 AI’s rapid growth is driving soaring data-centre energy demands worldwide20:14 Ireland’s digital growth outpaces its infrastructure, hindered by energy underinvestment23:37 Why Ireland needs smarter energy use and public understanding27:54 How AI optimises energy grids, enabling efficiency, reuse and sustainability33:30 How to connect with Blockchain Ireland or PJH Consulting services

Today's guest is Dr. Simon Wallace, Chief Medical Information Officer at Microsoft. In the ever-evolving world of healthcare, administrative burdens have long plagued clinicians, detracting valuable time from patient care. However, the advent of AI technology is poised to turn the tide. In this podcast, Simon tells us about how Microsoft's Dragon Copilot is at the forefront, offering a promising solution to reduce stress, enhance patient experiences and streamline workflows.Topics include:0:00 Microsoft's Dragon Copilot that AI automates clinical notes and reduces burnout2:39 How AI reduces clinicians’ admin burden, restoring focus and job satisfaction4:48 Their Copilot shows how AI improves efficiency, wellbeing and documentation quality7:42 How AI generates clinician-style summaries from transcripts securely in Azure10:31 AI integrates with EPRs securely, ensuring compliance and clinical safety12:53 How Voice-driven AI will streamline workflows, keeping clinicians in control16:02 AI’s real-world benefits boost clinician trust and technology adoption

Today's guest is Gerard Quinn, Vice President of Innovation and Informatics at ICON plc. With over 35 years of experience in clinical research services, ICON is at the forefront of leveraging artificial intelligence to revolutionise the clinical trial process. In this episode, Gerard shares invaluable insights into how AI is reshaping the landscape of clinical trials, emphasising the importance of trust, scalability and evidence of value.Topics include:0:00 From pilot purgatory to scalable, data-driven AI deployment6:53 Focusing on delivering measurable, evidence-based, and trusted AI value10:43 Ensuring leadership buy-in through transparent, stepwise AI development15:54 Why AI adoption requires cultural and process change, not just implementation18:33 How AI accelerates tasks, enhances value and improves patient outcomes22:32 Optimizing trial sites, investigators and contract processes efficiently with AI27:23 How AI evolved from novelty to expectation, requiring careful implementation31:07 Managing AI adoption costs requires defined users and evidence of value35:02 Implementing AI requires strict governance, transparency, and regulatory compliance

Today's guest is Ross Hunt, Founder and CEO at Outmin. While Artificial Intelligence is often associated with glamorous uses like predictive analytics and automated driving, it's in the realm of the mundane, routine tasks where AI can deliver significant value. This is the philosophy that's core to Outmin, a company dedicated to automating bookkeeping with AI.Topics include:0:00 Automating bookkeeping while building future AI infrastructure4:04 Focus on automating boring bookkeeping to improve data quality8:59 Automated bookkeeping by combining humans, measurement and data14:21 Investing personal funds required transparency and shared risk with partner15:41 Breakthrough came with hospitality focus and accounting partnerships18:31 Why fundraising is seen as means, not a success metric, in business20:16 How Sustained success comes from deep technology application, not hype22:40 Why talented juniors prototype quickly, but experienced engineers ensure scalability24:20 How AI literacy is best learned through daily, hands-on use28:24 Enterprise Ireland providing crucial early funding and strategic support31:31 How success requires indispensable, value-driven products in current market

Today's guest is Mark Kelly, SVP of Global Intelligent Power Technologies at Eaton. In this insightful conversation, Mark covers the surprising evolution of AI, its current utility and the implications of its widespread adoption across various sectors.Topics include:0:00 How ChatGPT’s accessibility drives massive AI adoption and risks5:14 How Eaton powers global industries by enabling safe, reliable, AI-driven electrification8:17 Embedding AI in products for predictive maintenance, optimisation and safety13:18 Using AI for real-time optimisation, supply chain efficiency and physics-informed safety16:00 AI as a digital assistant for research, summarising and structuring ideas18:28 Advice to AI users, tuners and creators to stay skilled, critical and adaptable21:48 As AI literacy is essential, the future lies in specialised & collaborative multi-agent systems25:58 Championing multidisciplinary collaboration as key to groundbreaking innovation

Kieran McCorry, National Technology Officer at Microsoft Ireland, dives into how AI is transforming the workplace. He discusses the uneven adoption of AI across levels and genders, revealing that senior leaders harness it more due to top-down approaches. Kieran highlights the importance of practical AI training from employers, emphasizing that workers seek accessible resources. He explains how AI tools like Copilot enhance focus and productivity while reshaping job roles and boosting career acceleration, warning that employees will move on if workplaces lag in AI adoption.

Today’s guest is Jennifer Geraghty Ryan, Principal Product Manager at Microsoft. In the podcast, Jennifer delves into the rapidly evolving world of AI agents, from covering the significant recent advancements and taking a glimpse into the transformative potential AI holds for businesses across diverse sectors.Topics include:0:00 Working on Microsoft’s autonomous agents program and AI governance2:17 How Microsoft agents now support multi-agent collaboration and deep research3:56 How Research agents work autonomously and show transparent reasoning processes5:30 An insight into agents clarifying problems, using internal data and automating tasks8:13 Applying AI to enable rapid product testing, feedback and persona insights11:31 How agents can learn in real time from other agents12:58 AI agents provide diverse perspectives through role-playing simulations15:56 Effective AI use requires feedback, context, and iterative prompting18:00 How Teams Copilot automates meeting recaps and workflow documentation20:05 AI captures tacit knowledge and automates workflows effectively

Today's guest is Aisling Browne, CEO and Co-Founder at Glitch. Glitch are a pioneering company set on transforming the world of B2B marketing through unique insights and solutions. The company is built on a foundation of resilience, with strategic partnerships and innovative approaches spearheading its success. In this podcast, Aisling delves into their journey, their unique value proposition and how they are addressing the complex challenges faced by businesses today.Topics include:0:00 Her journey from rom politics to startups, partnerships and entrepreneurship3:51 How early startup lessons shaped a smart, resilient founder mindset6:59 Lessons from highs and lows such as resilience, foresight & adaptability9:13 Making B2B ads accessible through Glitch with agency-level support12:29 How Glitch bridges ads, insights and sales–marketing alignment15:04 Using data to reveal real customers, not assumptions16:55 Leveraging AI to massively boost productivity and efficiency

Today's guest is Deirdre Lyons, CEO at Examfly. With a staggering 50% failure rate in some professional exams, the need for an effective, enjoyable studying experience is more critical than ever. This is precisely the challenge Deirdre Lyons is tackling with her pioneering startup, Examfly. In this episode, Deirdre explores her journey, the impact of technology and the role of AI in shaping the future of education.Topics include:0:00 Her journey from law and tax professional to entrepreneur inspired by learning3:12 Transforming professional learning and business models with Examfly4:21 How Irish startup support from Enterprise Ireland helped validate and develop the idea5:43 Combining AI with Animation and interactive tools to enhance learning7:06 Enabling scalable, high-quality content and personalized learning journeys with AI9:01 Target customers such as large enterprises, especially Big Four firms, globally11:00 How they raised €2.1M with investor feedback shaping growth strategy13:24 Her advice to move fast, focus on core AI use cases and refine continuously