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AI eagerly rang every pub in Ireland to find the price of a pint of Guinness
Mar 1700:08:21Tap to summarizeHow much is a pint of Guinness these days, anyway? Over Paddy's weekend 2026, a friendly Northern Irish "woman" called Rachel rang 3,000+ pubs across all 32 counties to find out, from Donegal to Kerry, Belfast to Wexford. 2,052 answered. Over 1,000 gave a price. Only a handful seemingly realised Rachel was an AI voice agent. The result is the Guinndex: the first comprehensive pint price index for the entire island of Ireland. "I'm a former pub and bar owner, so I know what it's like to be on the other end of customer pricing calls," said Cortland. "But I also know what it's like to be on the consumer end and paying a kidney for a pint. I apologise to everyone I tortured over Paddy's weekend. Rachel just wanted a wee drink." What the data shows The national average price of a pint of Guinness is €5.95. The most common price is €5.50. But where you drink matters enormously. Dublin is the dearest county by a wide margin, averaging €6.75 a pint. The cheapest pints are in the west and midlands, with Laois at just €5.38. The gap between Dublin and the cheapest county is €1.37 per pint. The cheapest pint in the entire index is €3.00 at Glynn's Bar in Dunmore, Galway, although he may have just been taking the mickey. The most expensive is €10 at The Auld Dubliner, Dublin, which incredibly seems to be accurate. Despite the rising cost of a night out, the Guinndex unearthed 12 places across Ireland where you can still get a pint for a fiver or less, including one in Dublin. Dublin doesn't fare well on any measure. Of the 46 pubs in Ireland with a perfect 5.0 Google rating, not a single one is in Dublin. They're in places like Augher (Tyrone), Kilmakilloge (Kerry), and Rathdowney (Laois). The CSO tracked pint prices from 2001 to 2011, then stopped. In the 14 years since, the price of a stout has jumped from €3.93 to €5.95 (+48%). The Guinndex fills the gap. The reactions Only a handful of the people Rachel spoke to seemingly realised they were talking to an AI agent. The calls produced dozens of memorable exchanges. When questioned, Rachel told them truthfully that she was putting together a wee price comparison list. Most people accepted that and moved on. At Malzard's Pub in Kilkenny, the bartender laughed and offered to buy the round: "They're normally 6.20, but if you can't afford one, we'll buy you one. We'll look after you." At Doogies in Northern Ireland, the bartender opened with: "Twenty-five pound. But if you're coming in for a wee drink, I'll give it to you for a fiver." At McIntyre's Bar in Donegal, the bartender launched a full interrogation: "Five eighty. What time is it? How many are coming? Where are you coming from? What part of the country are you from? Who's this I'm speaking to?" At Drumlane Bar in Cavan, the person who answered was in the kitchen: "I'm in the kitchen. I don't work in the bar at all." He went behind the bar to check. Five sixty. At Beaufort Bar in Kerry, the bartender played coy: "It's far too cheap. You'll have to come in to find out the price." Rachel persisted. Five sixty. At Buddy's Bar in Tipperary, Rachel asked the price. The bartender asked her name. Rachel said she was just putting together a wee price comparison list. "Fuck off." Fair. At The Plough in Curraglass, Cork, the bartender refused to give the price no matter how many times Rachel asked: "You'd have to call in and I'll tell you." Rachel said she couldn't do that. "Ah, well done. You'll never know, though, will you?" At The Linen House in Lisburn, Rachel got trapped in a Premier Inn phone system. Two AI systems talked past each other, neither able to help the other. Rachel said "Oh, dear" four times. The virtual receptionist kept apologising. Nobody got a pint price. Pat Hayes, owner of The Arch Bar in Thurles, Tipperary, was one of the thousands of people who picked up Rachel's call over the weekend. When he later found out he'd been chatting to an AI, he took it in good spirits. "It was a good laugh. I had no idea it wasn't a re...
Transcribe →Digital agency Granite agrees acquisition to accelerate major US expansion
Mar 1600:04:27Tap to summarizeCork-headquartered Granite, Ireland's largest independent digital agency, has announced an agreement to acquire Creative Media, a Northern Ireland-founded performance marketing specialist with a significant client base across the US and Canada. This is alongside a series of senior appointments to drive its North American expansion. The agreed acquisition will enable Granite to target revenues of $40 million by 2027. North America will account for $20 million of company revenues – half of the overall total. The deal anchors an ambitious US growth strategy, following a 400% year-on-year increase in organic North American revenue over the last 12 months. Granite's strategy for continued expansion is backed by $10 million in growth capital from BGF, Ireland and the UK's most active growth capital investor. Creative Media has built an impressive client base across North America over the past 25 years. Its founder, Marcus Isherwood, will join Granite as Chief Revenue Officer, working alongside Rob Carpenter, Granite's US-based Chief Commercial Officer. The move positions Granite as a strong independent alternative to holding company agencies for US enterprises seeking digital transformation, performance marketing and AI-powered solutions. A quarter century of North American market expertise Marcus Isherwood founded Creative Media in Northern Ireland in May 2000 and grew it into a team of more than 40 specialists serving over 30 clients across the US and Canada. Marcus Isherwood, CEO of Creative Media, said: "I've spent 25 years building client relationships in North America with a simple philosophy: every dollar spent on marketing has to deliver a measurable return. That's exactly how Granite operates, but at enterprise scale and with technical depth I haven't seen in an independent agency. Joining forces with this team gives our clients something genuinely new in the market." Enterprise-grade delivery, independent agency model The deal will grow Granite's workforce to 200+ specialists across strategy, engineering, design, data and marketing. Working directly with clients, practice leads spend over 70% of their time on client deliverables, not pitches. This model has delivered a Net Promoter Score of 71 against an industry average of 51, an average client tenure of nine years, and 87% of business from repeat customers and referrals. The company serves major enterprise clients including Intel, Pepsi, Sysco, Iron Mountain, Concentrix, Aer Lingus, Tesco and Dalata Hotel Group. Granite was shortlisted for Best Large Agency of the Year at the 2025 US Agency Awards. This will be the ninth acquisition Granite has made since 2020, and its most significant step into North America. Granite's ambitions are further strengthened by the recent appointment of Joy Marcus as Non-Executive Chair, bringing more than two decades of leadership experience across digital media, technology and venture capital. She has held executive roles at major organisations including Condé Nast, Time Warner and MTV Networks. Rob Carpenter, Global Chief Commercial Officer, Granite, said: "The US market is ready for a different kind of agency. Enterprise clients are tired of paying holding company rates for junior teams, fragmented delivery and dashboards nobody reads. We're building something that doesn't exist yet in this market: an independent agency with genuine enterprise capability, senior talent on every account and full accountability for outcomes. The agreed acquisition of Creative Media, the leadership appointments and Joy joining our board are not incremental moves." Conor Buckley, CEO of Granite and EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 finalist, added: "North America has always been central to our growth strategy. The Creative Media agreed acquisition, Marcus's appointment, and the team we're building in the US are all part of a deliberate plan to bring Granite's model to the world's largest digital market. We've proven this works in Europe and the Middle East...
Transcribe →Record number of female founder startups raised funding in 2025
Mar 1600:07:52Tap to summarizeTechIreland has released its Female Founder Funding Review 2026 that tracks investment into women-founded startups in 2025. The report shows that last year, 82 Irish women-founded startups fundraised a total of €131m, the highest number of woman-founded startups funded in any year. Female founder startups raised funding in 2025 Deal size decreased significantly, with the average raise declining to €2.3m in 2025 from €3.9m in 2024. Average funding dropped owing to an increase in the number of deals. However, the median also dropped to just €100k last year, compared to €1.5M in 2024. This indicates that the divide between a group of few very large rounds and that of a large number of very small rounds seems to be widening. Early Stages In 2025, there were 36 reported deals of female-led companies raising between €0.1m and €0.3m, compared to eight in 2024. As in previous years, some rounds remained undisclosed. Startups raising €1m – €3m remained steady, with 11 companies raising €18.7m. Irish female founders have yet again outshined other European peers in raising early-stage funding. While the Dealroom startup ecosystems portal shows a decline in the number of early-stage rounds for women founded startups, the trend in Ireland represents a nearly two-fold increase in the number of rounds raised by women founded startups last year. Thanks to the heavy lifting by Enterprise Ireland through their focused supports for women entrepreneur Angel networks such as HBAN and AwakenAngels, early-stage accelerator programmes such as Fierce and NextWave, and flagship supports such Enterprise Ireland's PSSF and HPSU supports among other key programmes continue to play a critical role in building a strong platform for women founders. Larger rounds The overall aggregates are skewed by some large outliers as we have noticed in previous years. However, in 2025 we saw just one clear outlier – ProVerum's €73m raise – significantly driving the overall figure. So, while just one company made nearly half of all funding reported into female founded startups last year, it is an impressive story to celebrate the success of women founders scaling from here in Ireland. There were also mid-sized rounds such as by Lative (€6.4m) and Novus Diagnostics (€4.6m). Sectoral Focus Reflecting the strength of our Life Sciences and Healthtech sector, funding into these companies made up nearly 70% of the €131m raised. This trend mirrors that in Europe, where health remains a top sector among female founders. Investment into Enterprise Software, another strong Irish sector, grew significantly to €30.7m raised by 22 companies in 2025 compared to €10.7m by 10 startups in 2024. Overall funding levels into Agri/Food from €3.5m (2024) to €3.9m (2025) and Consumer and E-Commerce grew from €0.4m (2023) to €1.8m (2025), while CleanTech declined at €1.1m. Fintech continued to decline, falling from €72m in 2022, to €4million in 2023 and €2.1m in 2025. Regional Spread As in previous years, companies in Dublin dominated the overall figures. 91% of all funding into female founded startups went into Dublin. This can also be attributed to the fact that ProVerum – accounting for nearly half of all funding raised – is a company based in Dublin. The share in funding for the regions outside Dublin dropped from 30% in 2025 to 9% in 2025. This disproportionate decline can be tied back to the fact that the top 5 largest rounds were all raised by startups based in Dublin. Responding to the report; Chair of TechIreland, Brian Caulfield said, "2025 was an interesting year for female founders from a fundraising perspective. On the face of it, the numbers held up pretty well. While it's encouraging to see so many female founded companies raising capital, it's a concern that the market has bifurcated, a very small number of companies raising large rounds, and a very large number of companies raising very small rounds (largely led by Enterprise Ireland). The mid-market of seed and Series A rais...
Transcribe →Stopping Cyberattacks Before They Start: The Zero Trust Approach
Mar 1600:09:04Tap to summarizeStopping Cyberattacks before they Start Most cyberattacks now begin with stolen credentials. Could Zero Trust stop them before they start? Phishing, credential theft and ransomware now dominate the cyber threat landscape. Instead of breaking into systems directly, attackers increasingly gain access by stealing credentials and logging in as legitimate users. Cybersecurity company ThreatLocker believes the most effective defence is to stop unauthorised activity before it can run. During Zero Trust World 2026, the company's annual cybersecurity conference in Orlando, I interviewed ThreatLocker CEO and co-founder Danny Jenkins about how the company is responding to this shift in cyber threats. Jenkins described the company's philosophy in simple terms. "Our goal has always been to stop attacks before they start," he told me. "If something isn't explicitly trusted, it simply shouldn't be allowed to run." That principle underpins ThreatLocker's deny-by-default Zero Trust platform, which allows only approved software and activity to operate inside an organisation's systems. The latest expansion of the platform focuses on one of the fastest-growing threats facing businesses today: credential-based cyberattacks. ThreatLocker Targets Credential-Based Cyberattacks A central announcement at the conference was the extension of ThreatLocker's Zero Trust controls to corporate networks and cloud services. Jenkins explained that the new capability verifies three elements before granting access: valid credentials, an approved device and a secure connection brokered through the ThreatLocker platform. "Our transformative solution gives organizations confidence that their systems are secure even if a credential is stolen," he explained during our discussion. If any one of those elements is missing, access is denied. The approach is designed to stop attackers even if a user has been successfully phished. Why Credential Theft has become a Major Security Risk Much of our conversation focused on how cyberattacks have evolved. Credentials are the digital keys that allow users to access systems. They usually include usernames, passwords and authentication tokens that confirm a user has logged in successfully. If attackers obtain those credentials, they may be able to access systems while appearing to be legitimate users. Jenkins noted that authentication tokens have become a growing vulnerability. "In many cases attackers don't even need your username and password anymore," he told me. He explained how attackers can capture login tokens issued after a successful authentication. "Once someone logs in, a token is issued to the device. If an attacker captures that token they can potentially access services without ever using the original credentials." Artificial intelligence is also accelerating the problem. When I asked about the future of cyber threats, Jenkins pointed out how AI tools have lowered the barrier for generating malicious software. "Twenty years ago there were probably a relatively small number of people capable of writing sophisticated malware," he said. "Today someone with no development experience can go to an AI system and generate malicious code in seconds." For Jenkins, these developments reinforce the need for security models focused on prevention rather than detection. "If something isn't explicitly trusted, it simply shouldn't be allowed to run." Extending Zero Trust Protection to Networks and Cloud Services The capability introduced at Zero Trust World extends ThreatLocker's existing controls to corporate networks and cloud platforms. In practice this means that even if a user is successfully phished, attackers cannot access company systems unless they also possess the trusted device associated with the account. ThreatLocker says the platform can protect access to widely used services including Microsoft 365, Salesforce, Google Workspace, GitHub and Asana. By verifying both the user and the device making the request, the system ...
Transcribe →The Spider Awards 2026 Winners Announced as Ireland's Digital Industry Celebrates 29th Year
Mar 1600:05:46Tap to summarizeIreland's digital, creative and technology leaders gathered in The Mansion House last Friday night, the 13th of March, for the 29th annual Spider Awards, with headline partner One4all, to celebrate excellence across the industry. Now in its 29th year, The Spider Awards (www.thespiders.ie) remain Ireland's longest-running and most prestigious digital awards programme. This year's black-tie gala welcomed approximately 500 guests from agencies, brands, tech innovators and creative teams across the country. With entries up 30% on 2025, the 2026 awards reflected a sector operating at an exceptionally high standard. Judges noted a strong emphasis on strategic thinking, long-term impact and measurable results, alongside creative and technological excellence. Among the standout winners on the night was GRANITE, which was named Large Agency of the Year and secured four additional category wins, cementing its position as one of Ireland's leading digital agencies. Chadwicks also had a remarkable evening, taking home two major accolades including the prestigious Grand Prix Award. The ones to watch! There was a few first time Spider Award winners such as Good as Gold, Western Development Commission, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Idea, and Rooftop Twenty Two. Other first time Spider Award winners were Chadwicks, SPAR Ireland, Oxfam Ireland, Claddagh Records, Bord Gáis Energy, Visit Belfast, Vhi Healthcare DAC, and Havas Media Ireland. The Spider Awards 2026 Winners Best UX & Customer Experience – Musgrave MarketPlace Best Collaboration – Western Development Commission AI-Powered Marketing Excellence Award – Údarás na Gaeltachta Best in E-Commerce – GRANITE Best in Storytelling – Idea Digital for Good Award – Rooftop Twenty Two Best App – GRANITE Digital Team of the Year – Chadwicks Best Consumer Campaign – GRANITE Best in Universal Design – Kooba Best Influencer Led Campaign – SPAR Ireland Sustainability Impact Award – Oxfam Ireland Best Use of Disruptive Technology – Vodafone Ireland Cultural Driver Award – Claddagh Records Best Brand – Ringers Creative Small Agency of the Year – Good as Gold Best Integrated Media Campaign – Bord Gáis Energy Best in Social Media – Sweartaker Best Website – SME – Visit Belfast Best Website – Large Company – Vhi Healthcare DAC Large Agency of the Year – GRANITE Grand Prix Award – Chadwicks Digital Rising Star Award – Havas Media Ireland Clare Kilmartin, COO of The Spider Awards, said: "Fast approaching its 30th year and he 30% surge in entries reflects something significant — the creative community is coming out fighting and celebrating. There is much publicised concern about AI and creative ownership, but there's also empowerment. Agencies, designers and marketing leaders are early adopters who've integrated these tools, and now they're using the awards to showcase exactly what human creativity delivers. It's a powerful moment for the industry." Terry Spence, Director of B2B Sales, One4all, headline partner of The Spider Awards, said: "At One4all, we are proud to support an awards programme that recognises innovation, creativity and measurable impact. The winners this evening reflect the forward-thinking mindset and strategic excellence that define Ireland's digital industry. It is inspiring to see organisations of all sizes embracing new technologies while keeping customer experience and brand integrity at the heart of their work." Judge Naoise Ó Conchubhair commented: "The quality of entries this year is exceptionally high. There's a clear emphasis on strategic thinking, not just execution. 2025 was a milestone year for accessible and universal design. The introduction of the EU Accessibility Act has helped ensure accessible design thinking is deeply embedded across the full lifecycle of every project we deliver as designers and developers. Overall, the confidence and quality of entries shows that the Irish digital design industry is going from strength to strength and continues to punch above its weight." As ...
Transcribe →Medical logistics drone delivery test for Rotunda Hospital with Manna
Mar 1300:04:42Tap to summarizeA flight simulation of medical drone delivery has taken place in Dublin, demonstrating the potential for rapid aerial transport of blood and other life-saving medical supplies between hospitals. Led by the clinical expertise of Rotunda Hospital and enabled by Manna's drone delivery platform – with software and drones built in Ireland – the demonstration simulated a delivery to Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown. The medical partners are driving the ambition to explore how drones can safely deliver between two hospital sites. This simulation is designed to show what is now technically possible and how it could support faster, cleaner and more connected healthcare in the near future. On the simulation John O' Loughlin, Laboratory Manager at Rotunda Hospital said: "The ability to move blood, samples and other critical supplies between hospitals at speed could transform how we support emergency and planned care in Ireland. Today's simulation is a glimpse of that future." The test reflects an ambition to upgrade how Irish hospitals operate as a system – moving vital supplies such as blood, pathology samples and emergency medicines in minutes, not hours. At a time when clinical pressure and population needs are growing. Bobby Healy, Chief Executive Officer at Manna Air Delivery said: "We've proven this technology works at scale. What we're showing now is how it can be applied in healthcare where minutes matter. Ireland is well-placed to lead the way, and this simulation is about building trust and momentum toward full integration." In the UK, NHS trials have shown how drone technology can transform hospital logistics and clinical outcomes. In London, blood sample transport times between Guy's Hospital and St Thomas' Hospital were reduced from over 30 minutes by road to under 2 minutes by drone – enabling faster diagnostics for high-risk surgical patients and accelerating decision-making at the point of care . In Dorset, a study found that drones serving 13 GP surgeries achieved an 83% reduction in average delivery time compared to traditional van routes. Last year, a simulation flight involving Manna's drones and the rapid delivery of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) showed how drone delivery could dramatically improve survival rates for cardiac arrest patients in the community. The project, led by Dr Glenn Curtin in collaboration with the HSE, National Ambulance Service and Community First Responders, demonstrated how a defibrillator could be delivered to a home within two minutes – significantly faster than the average ambulance response. A previous study in Sweden found that drones beat ambulances to the patient 70 per cent of the time and reduced response time by an average of 3.4 minutes – a success rate that, if replicated in Ireland, could save more than 900 lives annually. Professor Joseph Galvin, cardiologist and member of the Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Register Steering Group, said: "There's nothing in all of healthcare that comes close in terms of the number of lives saved. This is radical and has great potential." While live operations between hospitals are subject to regulatory approval, the underlying platform is already in use in Ireland. Manna has operated safely across suburban communities under IAA and European oversight delivering groceries, over the counter pharmacy items and other time-sensitive goods daily. Medical deliveries are the next evolution. In just 18 months, Manna Air Delivery has already replaced over half a million kilometres of road-based deliveries in Dublin 15 alone, reducing congestion. The sustainability case is equally strong: the drones are fully electric and emit zero CO? during flight. They have made 48,000 deliveries in the area. See more stories here. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you ...
Transcribe →Traditional Benefits Still Dominate as Flexibility Becomes Workplace Norm
Mar 1300:07:35Tap to summarizeGlobal talent services firm, Morgan McKinley, today launches its Ireland 2026 Benefits Guide, a comprehensive national study of how benefits are offered by employers, experienced and valued by employees across the Irish labour market. — 68% of employees say benefits influence loyalty, yet 38% believe their package is below market. — Younger and early-career employees are significantly less likely to report having access to pensions and health insurance. — Hybrid working is now a baseline expectation, now offered by most employers, but significant sector differences remain. — Just over 2% of employees report access to employer-supported childcare. — Life Sciences, Financial Services, Technology, Legal and Telecommunications sectors lead the market on range of benefits and competitiveness. — Pensions, bonuses, and health insurance remain the most common benefits. — Guide draws on 1,222 employer and employee responses across 32+ sectors, all 32 counties, among Irish and multinational organisations representing 600,000 employees. The findings point to a more mature and more strategic benefits market, but also to a sharper contradiction at its core. While pensions, bonuses and health insurance remain among the most valued and most established benefits, access to some of these core protections is still materially lower for younger and early-career employees. The gap matters at a time when Ireland has an ageing population and when earlier access to private health insurance can have long-term value because of Lifetime Community Rating. Some 90% of employee respondents report being enrolled in an employer-sponsored pension scheme. However, the report finds that younger employees are significantly less likely to report access to pensions and health insurance than older groups. This points to a benefits model that remains strongest for established employees, rather than consistently supporting talent from the earliest stages of employment. The Morgan McKinley Ireland Benefits Guide shows that benefits continue to play a major role in retention, with 68% of employees saying their benefits package influences their loyalty to their employer. Yet 38% still believe their package is below market standards, highlighting a persistent gap between employer intent and employee experience. Hybrid working is a baseline expectation Across the wider benefits landscape, the report finds that hybrid working has shifted from a differentiator to a baseline expectation, with almost one in three employees ranking it among their most important benefits. Childcare support At the same time, childcare support from employers remains almost non-existent, with just over 2% of employees reporting access to employer-supported childcare, despite persistent cost-of-living pressures on working households. The research also highlights a disconnect between the benefits employers say they offer and employees' lived experience. For several high-value benefits, including protection benefits, learning and development and enhanced leave, employer-reported provision exceeds employee-reported receipt by up to 40%. This suggests that access, awareness, eligibility, and communication are important factors in the development and administration of employer benefits schemes. The research also points to a clear divide in benefits competitiveness by sector Financial Services, Life Sciences, Technology, Legal and Telecommunications emerge as the strongest performers overall, offering the broadest mix of pensions, bonuses, health insurance, hybrid working, and protection benefits. Life Sciences stands out as one of the most balanced sectors in the market, providing pensions (84%), bonuses (83%), health insurance (86%) and enhanced annual leave (46%), while Financial Services, Technology, Legal and Telecommunications also perform strongly across financial, wellbeing and flexibility supports. Key findings from the Ireland 2026 Benefits Guide include: — Benefits matter for retention: mor...
Transcribe →EU Cybersecurity proposals pose significant risks for Ireland and Irish businesses – Digital Business Ireland
Mar 1300:03:32Tap to summarizeDigital Business Ireland (DBI) has called on the Irish Government to seek changes to the European Commission's proposal to revise the EU Cybersecurity Act. DBI warned that the current proposals, known as CSA2, pose significant risks for Ireland and Irish businesses, as they are very broad and lack sufficient detail – especially in terms of non-technical standards that could potentially apply to every ICT device used by a business. DP Fitzgerald, a spokesperson for DBI, stated: "This proposal could affect up to 18 key sectors of the economy and public service — including energy, health, transport, and financial services – and the breadth and lack of detail in the proposal risks creating unintended consequences across the wider economy with SMEs, at risk of being disproportionately impacted". The proposed revision also provides for a significant centralisation of powers at EU level, introducing binding, EU-wide ICT supply-chain measures. This includes the ability for the European Commission to designate "high-risk suppliers", impose mandatory restrictions, or phase out obligations directly on electronic communications networks. DBI have highlighted that the proposal to designate entire third countries as 'high-risk' is particularly worrying, as it would automatically classify all suppliers from those countries as high-risk and impose blanket bans on them, creating significant risks for businesses in Ireland with global supply chains. DP Fitzgerald stated: "Removing national discretion is especially problematic for smaller Member States such as Ireland. A one-size-fits-all approach could undermine Ireland's digital competitiveness, disrupt existing infrastructure investments, and limit our ability to respond proportionately to risk. Ireland already operates a robust, best-in-class cybersecurity framework, and we should not be disadvantaged for having achieved an effective and proportionate regime". DBI has written to the Minister for Justice, calling on the Government to seek changes to CSA2 to: — Respect and protect Ireland's national competencies. — Ensure that any non- technical criteria are objective, risk-based and verifiable. — Ensure any proposed new restrictions are proportionate to the assessed risk. Digital Business Ireland has welcomed comments by the Minister for Communications, Patrick O'Donovan, who stated Ireland does "not believe in protectionism and, before applying security restrictions on products in sensitive supply chains, we will need to take a balanced and proportionate risk-based assessment to implement these types of measures" More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at Info@IrishTechNews.ie now to find out more about how we can help you reach our audience. You can also find and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.
Transcribe →Tech Industry Alliance Announces TechFest 2026: AI, Technology & The Future: Innovation, Intelligence, and Human Impact
Mar 1300:04:54Tap to summarizeTech Industry Alliance has announced the official launch of TechFest 2026, the South West's leading technology conference, bringing together technology leaders, policymakers, innovators, and industry experts for a high-impact, in-person event exploring one of the defining issues of our time: how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are reshaping business, society and public trust. TechFest, the flagship annual conference from Tech Industry Alliance, will take place at the Rochestown Park Hotel, Cork, from 09:00 on Thursday, 21 May 2026. This year's theme, "AI, Technology & the Future: Innovation, Intelligence and Human Impact," will explore both the opportunities and responsibilities that accompany rapid advances in artificial intelligence. Tickets for the conference are now available at: https://techindustryalliance.ie/tech-industry-alliance-techfest-2026/. The dynamic one-day conference will feature high-profile keynote speakers, expert panel discussions, and real-world industry case studies. The programme is designed to provide both strategic insight and practical application, examining not only the transformative potential of AI, but also the governance, regulatory and ethical frameworks required to scale it responsibly. TechFest 2026 will welcome Jamie Bartlett, a UK-based author, researcher, and broadcaster specialising in the societal impact of emerging technologies, online culture and digital power. He is the author of several acclaimed books, including the bestselling The Dark Net, Radicals, The People Vs Tech and The Missing Cryptoqueen, with his work translated into 15 languages. Bartlett founded the Centre for the Analysis of Social Media at the think tank Demos and is a regular commentator across national and international media. His expertise spans cybersecurity, crypto scams, online subcultures and the influence of technology on politics. His TED Talk, How the Mysterious Dark Net Is Going Mainstream, has been viewed more than five million times. Guiding attendees through the day will be Jonathan McCrea, acclaimed science communicator and AI master trainer. Known for making complex technology accessible and engaging, Jonathan will help frame discussions around the opportunities and challenges of AI adoption, ensuring an insightful and thought-provoking experience for attendees. Matthew Camilleri, Chairperson of Tech Industry Alliance, said: "We are delighted to announce TechFest 2026. From the societal risks associated with AI, cybersecurity threats, and criminal misuse, to regulation, innovation enablement and enterprise adoption, this year's conference will offer a balanced and forward-looking agenda. TechFest continues to bring together the voices shaping the future of technology in Ireland. This event would not be possible without the support of our sponsors, who recognise the critical importance of the technology sector to the Munster region. Following the success of last year's conference, we look forward to building on that momentum in 2026." With more than 400 attendees expected, TechFest 2026 will provide a unique opportunity to network, collaborate, and share insights across the technology ecosystem. The event will feature speakers from technology companies, academia, government, law enforcement, and cybersecurity, alongside organisations already deploying AI solutions in real-world environments. The full lineup of speakers will be released in the coming weeks. Given the high level of interest, early registration is encouraged as the event is expected to sell out. For exhibitor and sponsorship enquiries, contact info@techindustryalliance.ie. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email u...
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Solance selects SaaScada to power next-generation payments platform
Mar 1300:03:27Tap to summarizeSolance, a Dublin-based financial institution providing financial services for family offices, corporate service providers and corporates with multi-entity structures, has selected SaaScada to power its new multi-currency payments platform as part of its European launch. Solance specialises in delivering financial solutions for niche sectors often underserved by traditional banks. Built around the principle that complexity should not be a barrier to access, the firm is developing a modern payments platform designed to combine efficient technology, strong governance and a relationship-driven service model. Currently progressing through the licensing application process in Ireland, Solance is targeting a 2026 go-live. Alongside regulatory preparation, the company is building its technology platform to deliver a streamlined onboarding experience focused on speed, clarity and personalised support. SaaScada's cloud-native banking platform was selected to provide the real-time payments infrastructure powering Solance's proposition, enabling rapid product deployment, scalable account structures and enhanced operational visibility, capabilities critical for managing sophisticated corporate arrangements. "We are building Solance for companies that expect more from their financial partner," said Stefan Sluijter, CEO of Solance. "Our ambition is to become the financial partner organisations rely on when they require expertise, responsiveness and a truly personal approach. To achieve that, we needed a technology platform capable of delivering both flexibility and reliability from day one. SaaScada provides the foundation to make that possible." By combining the efficiency and speed associated with neo-banks with the personalised, high-touch service traditionally found in private banking, Solance aims to set a new standard for how organisations access modern financial services. "SaaScada provides configurability and real-time data needed to enable institutions launch and scale financial products quickly while maintaining precision and control," said Nelson Wootton, CEO and Co-Founder of SaaScada, "Solance's focus on solving real challenges for corporate clients is a strong example of how modern banking infrastructure can unlock new market opportunities. We are delighted to support their journey to launch." The partnership marks another step in the evolution of specialised financial services, where modern technology enables institutions to confidently serve segments that have historically been difficult to onboard and support. See more stories here. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at Info@IrishTechNews.ie now to find out more about how we can help you reach our audience. You can also find and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.
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