Irish Tech News Audio Articles

"Certain formats consistently trigger AI Overviews: clear explainers and definitions, step-by-step how-tos, detailed comparisons and buying guides, and local discovery content with consistent business details," writes Laughlin Rigby, Digital Transformation & AI Director of Core Optimisation The search experience has fundamentally changed. Users no longer just scroll through ten blue links, they are reading answers. Google's AI Overviews, now reaching 1.5 billion users across 200+ countries, synthesise trusted sources into concise, cited summaries above the fold. Meanwhile, agentic browsers like ChatGPT Atlas, Perplexity's Comet, and Edge Copilot sit beside the page, comparing options and completing tasks on behalf of users. This shift demands a new approach: be citable, machine-readable, and action-ready. The classic pillars of SEO remain foundational. What's changed is how we express them, ensuring machines can reliably extract and act upon our information. The behavioural shift When AI-generated answers appear above the fold, click-through behaviour transforms. Traffic concentrates on pages offering canonical facts, original insights, and proprietary data, which is precisely what AI assistants quote. Expect fewer low-intent sessions but higher post-click quality. KPIs must evolve to emphasise assistant-layer visibility through citations and mentions, alongside completion metrics like enquiries and bookings. The content strategy follows: write answer-first, then layer in nuance. Address likely follow-ups on the same page. Becoming citation-worthy Earning citations from AI systems requires deliberate choices. Remain discoverable. Allow reputable AI crawlers like OAI-SearchBot in your robots.txt. Keep high-value pages indexable and track assistant-origin traffic. Structure for dual audiences. Employ semantic HTML and WAI-ARIA. Write one idea per paragraph. Use proper tables for data. Implement schema.org markup for Article, Product, FAQPage, Organisation, and Person, always including datePublished and dateModified timestamps. Clear headings and concise sections improve both human comprehension and machine extraction. Deploy focused FAQs. On high-intent pages, add four to six genuine questions marked up as FAQPage schema. Place direct answers first, then link to details. Demonstrate provenance. Feature named authors with verifiable credentials. Cite reputable sources and maintain claim consistency across channels. Maintain currency. Regularly update priority pages, eliminate duplicates, and establish a single canonical source for each claim, price, or specification. Provide reliable APIs. AI assistants act, not just read. Publish OpenAPI endpoints for dynamic information like prices and availability with stable IDs and clear errors. For complex interactions, develop an official integration. Measure rigorously. Track AI Overview presence, citation share, and SERP features. Monitor assistant referrals using server-side tagging. This is continuous, data-driven optimisation for the assistant era. Campaign strategy in the AI Era Use consented, verifiable sources and label AI-assisted copy where appropriate. Develop a concise brand style guide documenting preferred phrases and model summaries to help your tone survive AI paraphrasing. Establish a visible "source of truth" for prices, policies, and key figures. Position this prominently and mirror it in structured data, ensuring AI assistants quote your facts directly. Agent-friendly design Agentic browsers navigate via the accessibility tree, making inclusive design both ethical and strategic. Bind inputs with proper labels, use descriptive button text, apply ARIA landmark roles, keep states predictable, and design forms for autofill and programmatic submission. Your goal: the agent completes the intended action correctly, first time. Preparing for agentic commerce September 2025 brought two competing standards: OpenAI and Stripe's Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP), now powering live...

A researcher in the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS) has issued a request for the public to help create the largest Irish archive of photos of the Northern Lights. In May and October 2024 last, the northern lights were visible across the island of Ireland, caused by some of the most intense geomagnetic storms of the 21st century. These storms were highly documented by people across the island of Ireland through photos on their phones and cameras, and DIAS researchers are now asking for people to share these images as part a of a citizen science research project. To find out more about the Northern Lights and submit your photos visit https://www.dias.ie/cosmicphysics/astrophysics/aurora-eire/ Dr Alexandra Ruth Fogg, Postdoctoral Fellow with DIAS School of Cosmic Physics, is the lead researcher who is asking for the public to contribute their images to her research so as to create a comprehensive dataset: "We want to create the first archive of auroral photos from the island of Ireland during these exciting events. Using these photos, we will be able to map the location, brightness, colours and shapes of the aurora across Ireland during these two storms. All of these characteristics of the aurora can tell us different things about what's happening in space. This will give us new and unprecedented information about space weather local to Ireland. "This research will contribute to our understanding of space weather, which is a natural hazard and will help to bolster local space weather preparedness for the island of Ireland, which is a priority for the Irish government". Calling for as many people as possible to submit images as they can, Dr. Fogg said: "The more images we collect from the public, the more information we will be able to find out. If we are able to gather a large archive of photos from people across the island of Ireland, our dataset can become one of the best scientific resources for analysis of the structure and form of the aurora during these two storms". See more stories here.

By David Stephen "Africa is about to get its first international neuroscience journal. The African Brain Journal, published by the Society of Neuroscientists of Africa (SONA), plans to release its debut issue in early 2026." reports The Transmitter. "Most African journals are not indexed online or in international databases, according to a study published in 2022, which reduces the chances of the work published in them being cited. But SONA plans to promote the new journal internationally, and Masocha says he is confident that the African Brain Journal will help African research shine." African Brain Journal coming in 2026 "The African Brain Journal plans to limit article processing fees to $200 for African researchers, $150 for SONA members and $600 for international contributors, Masocha says." Neuroscience in Africa The new African Brain Journal is commendable, given its opportunity to bring on more African researchers to the centerstage. However, it remains unclear if a journal is the most important thing that African Neuroscience experts can do for their society. This comment is not to knock their effort, given what it would have taken to get to this point that the contributions to knowledge, by Africa neuroscientists, are reachable. The significance though, for the continent is that while the journal is vital, what is on ground already or accompanying the announcement, to ensure that novel solutions are accelerated? What are the most common neuroscience-associated problems in Africa? What is SONA contributing, or what have they done to mitigate or manage many of those? There is a documentary category, BBC Africa Eye, laying bare many of the stark realities of Africa - where sometimes, drug addictions for youths, gambling and sports betting addiction, indoctrination of different sorts, violence with regards to post-election, forced labor by fear, some problems with the system of education and much else - are numerous. In most of these documentaries, while some location expert speaks and other officials, there had never been a sense that there is anything like the Society of Neuroscientists of Africa, at all. They have done no work, it seems, around applicable models in mental health, drug addiction, human intelligence augmentation for learning and education and so forth, that would have been useful in the mainstream, against many of the existing and budding challenges in Africa. This is not saying that their work in neurological disorders - coming off metabolic syndromes - or their work for degenerative diseases and much else do not matter. It does. It is saying that providing more help to their society requires an adaption beyond correlative studies or queueing behind "no one knows how the brain works", as an exemption to not make progress. Innovating Health Solutions for Africa There are answers that are possible against mental disorders that may not require top technical information and heavy neuro facilities. There are possibilities in preventive health solutions [digitally] for Africa, using bulk SMS, email newsletters and much else that they could power, for the entire continent, regardless of external support. Already, there are often public health programs, across primary health centers sometimes getting across rural areas. There are networks that would have made it extremely possible to reach deep places. There is no excuse that SONA [founded in 1993] is not mature enough to be present and [to] solve many of the harsh realities of brain problems in Africa. There are some major cities in Africa, where the density of those living with mental disorders - displaced on the street - is enormous. There are different new drugs, cooked, that several young people are hooked on, in different towns. There are children who drop out at some stage of school, in part, because they found education intractable, not necessarily because of insolvency. It is not all these problems that require just money, or are undone because of ...

New data released by Geotab Inc. ("Geotab"), a global leader in connected vehicle solutions and asset management, reveals that Irish and UK commercial fleets reduced their travel distances by almost 10% in the week before Christmas compared to other European fleets. However, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions increased by 9% during the holiday period. The findings, based on data from fleet vehicles across seven European countries during November and December 2024, highlight how the holiday shopping surge intensifies operational pressure on delivery services, resulting in more frequent stops, shorter routes and longer idling times. Across Europe, fuel consumption increased by 50%, amounting to an additional 160,00 litres of fuel burned. Idling times rose by 9% compared to pre-holiday levels, contributing to higher emissions and underscoring the negative environmental impact of increased consumption during the period. In Ireland and the UK alone, fuel consumption was up by 9%. While efforts have been made to electrify fleets across Europe, with the number of electric vehicles in operation steadily growing over previous years, Geotab's data shows that during peak periods only 12% of deliveries are completed by electric vehicles. Despite an industry-wide push for electrification, internal combustion engine vehicles still handle the majority of deliveries, leading to the notable increase in C02 emissions during this time. The surge in demand for fast, convenient deliveries not only impacts the environment, but also places considerable financial pressure on fleet operators. Across Europe, fleets incurred an additional €28,910 in fuel costs during Black Friday week alone. "Our data shows how the holiday period is a universally busy time," said Edward Kulperger, Senior Vice President EMEA at Geotab. "While people rush to find the perfect present for their loved ones, the immense operational challenges that come with that are often overlooked. As fleets work hard to keep up with the surge, there are often added operational and financial burdens, as well as challenges to maintain sustainability initiatives. Although the industry has been working hard to turn towards a greener future, the majority of Black Friday and Christmas deliveries are made by fuel-powered vehicles, putting into question the viability of conveniences like one-click shopping and next-day delivery." With Irish drivers making more frequent stops to deliver Christmas gifts nationwide, C02 emissions and fuel costs continue to rise, a trend likely to repeat itself this year. This presents a critical, recurring challenge for fleet operators and highlights the need for further electrification and sustainable logistics solutions to achieve greener holiday seasons in the future. See more stories here.

Ireland's Connected Hubs model is breaking new ground in Europe, as regions in Finland and France begin rolling out pilot projects based directly on the Irish system. Through the CODIL Pilot Action, Ireland's experience is now informing regional policy, digital infrastructure, and community hub strategy beyond its borders. Western Development Commission (WDC) oversees the Connected Hubs platform and network on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht. Allan Mulrooney, CEO of the WDC said the international adoption of the Connected Hubs model highlights Ireland's growing influence in shaping the future of work: "The Connected Hubs initiative is proof that big ideas tested in the west of Ireland can scale internationally. What started as a regional innovation to support rural communities is now informing digital and enterprise policy across Europe. This international expansion shows how the WDC's approach to pilot, prove and then scale can deliver real impact, not just for the west but for regions across the EU seeking to build smarter, more connected communities." In recent months, Liam Horan and Leah Fairman, both WDC, represented Ireland at in-person engagements with regional stakeholders in South Ostrobothnia, Finland, and Laval, France, respectively. Their visits included site tours of coworking hubs, local SMEs, academic institutions and community innovation spaces in the context of how Ireland's experience with remote work hubs can be tailored for local contexts. CODIL is a European project that aims to improve regional innovation policy instruments to better support the emerging distributed-team innovation model and its key component - highly skilled mobile knowledge workers. As the nature of innovation has fundamentally changed, policy instruments that support innovation must also change if they are to effectively support this changed post-COVID innovation ecosystem. Údarás na Gaeltachta are among the lead partners in the project. The CODIL project enables Finnish and French partners to trial the core functionalities of the Connected Hubs platform, including the hub directory, booking engine and event calendar. Through a 'sandbox' environment, these partners will simulate their own hub entries and explore the platform's community management features. This phase will also include knowledge-sharing, applying lessons from Ireland's approach to hub onboarding, community building and visibility. "These international engagements are a real vote of confidence in the Irish model. What began as a regional response to the needs of rural communities has grown into something with relevance far beyond our shores. It's a reminder that local innovation when backed with the right support can lead the way in rethinking how we live and work," added Stephen Carolan Head of Connected Hubs and Digital Innovation at the WDC. During his presentation in Seinäjoki, Liam Horan introduced the Connected Hubs project, from its inception within the Western Development Commission to becoming Ireland's national remote working infrastructure. He outlined the impact of hub networks on regional enterprise, inclusion and climate goals, and discussed the roadmap for future platform developments. Looking ahead, delegations from Finland, France and Scotland will attend the fourth annual National Hub Summit in Ballinasloe, Co. Galway on the 13th of November. They will join Irish and international speakers to discuss the evolving role of hubs in economic development, climate action and digital inclusion. This international interest reinforces the value of Connected Hubs as a leading European good practice and strengthens Ireland's reputation as a frontrunner in innovative and inclusive remote work infrastructure. See more stories here.

University of Galway has been awarded funding for 25 collaborative projects as part of the ENLIGHT European university alliance. Title photo From left, Aishling Hanrahan, ENLIGHT Engagement Manager; Kathryn Kozarits, ENLIGHT Executive; Alex Metcalfe, Vice President International; Louise Hannon, Head of Research, Post Award; and Pamela Devins, Head of ENLIGHT, University of Galway. Academics and researchers leading the partnerships will focus on a range of areas including migration; cancer; hydrogen energy; multilingualism; accessible AI transformation; neurotherapies; and pain. ENLIGHT funding for 25 collaborative projects A total of €1.64million was awarded across the alliance to enable University of Galway staff to work with counterparts in 10 European countries across the ENLIGHT alliance, along with external stakeholders. The collaboration projects are all in areas linked to the University's key research pillars of Innovation for Health, Creativity, Culture and Society, Transformative Data and AI and Sustainable and Resilient Environments. Alexander Metcalfe, Vice-President for International, University of Galway, said: "ENLIGHT is a hugely positive initiative for University of Galway that has flourished in the last few years. This engagement with our ENLIGHT partners will support our strategic ambitions in education and research by providing diverse international opportunities to our university community and enabling our academics to further strengthen their international networks. "The focus of this second stage of ENLIGHT funding is on embedding the European University Alliance in each partner institution and in each country. Our 25 funded projects demonstrate that we are doing just that here in the west of Ireland and we look forward to seeing the outputs of these initiatives over the coming years." ENLIGHT is an alliance of ten European universities in ten European countries, with the aim of transforming higher education and empowering learners as globally engaged citizens. ENLIGHT is funded under the European University Initiative, part of the European Commission's flagship strategy for higher education. It is also supported by the Higher Education Authority. In 2023, the European Commission announced ENLIGHT would be supported with a four-year, €14.4 million investment, with a significant portion of that funding earmarked for academic collaboration, emphasising the alliance's commitment to supporting scholars. The collaborative projects are supported through the European Thematic Network initiative, which enables a community of multidisciplinary academic teams from at least three universities in the alliance to join forces around a specific topic with societal relevance and impact. About the 25 ENLIGHT funded projects B-MOVE - Beyond Migration: Organisms, Matter, Voices, Ecologies - Bianca Rita Cataldi and Andrea Ciribuco, College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies. LEMuR - Linguistic Equity in Multilingual Regions - Verena Platzgummer and Andrea Ciribuco, College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies. PainNet - Enlight Pain Education and Research Network - Michelle Roche, Physiology, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences. ETHYC - Education and Training for HYdrogen eCosystems - Pau Farras, College of Science and Engineering. IDenti-T - Interdisciplinary Dialogue on evolving identities in times of democratic Transformations - Ekaterina Yahyaoui and team, College of Business, Public Policy and Law and the Irish Centre for Human Rights. InfraCARE - Urban Infrastructures for Climate Action and Repair - Frances Fahy, Kathy Reilly and team, College of Science and Engineering. CROSS-ACCESS - Inclusive Systems Transformation for Migrants with Disabilities -Una Murray, College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies. NAI²TURE - Network for Accessible and Interdisciplinary AI Transformation at Universities through Research and Exchange - Olivia Mc Dermott, College of Science and Engineering a...

In Dublin, coffee sometimes falls from the sky via drone delivery Earlier this autumn I spoke with ORF Radio Austria for their technology programme Digital.Leben about something that's already part of everyday life in parts of Dublin: coffee, groceries, and takeaways delivered by drone. The short feature, broadcast on 29 October 2025, looked at how Irish company Manna Aero has turned what began as a pilot project into a real delivery service. The interview came about after meeting Franz Zeller, Head of Science and Innovation at ORF's Wissenschaft Unit, during Maker Faire Rome 2025. I was reporting for Irish Tech News as part of an international press group supported by the Italian Trade Agency and Innova Camera, the Rome Chamber of Commerce agency that runs the fair. How the Interview Happened Maker Faire Rome is Europe's largest festival of invention and creativity, bringing together researchers, artists, and small startups to show how technology can be practical, playful, and shared. Franz and I were part of the same international press delegation, invited by the Italian Trade Agency to visit the fair. In conversation with him, I mentioned that drones now deliver coffee to my home in Dublin, , and showed him a short video on my phone. He was intrigued. Austria has been cautious with drone trials, and the idea of receiving a flat white from the sky was something new. The interview took place one morning on the Gasometro Ostiense site, a former industrial complex turned innovation hub, just before the fair opened fully to visitors. Maker Faire Rome 2025 For more on Maker Faire Rome 2025, visit the Irish Tech News feature: Maker Faire Rome - Festival of Innovation "In Dublin fällt der Kaffee manchmal vom Himmel" "My name is Billy Linehan. I am a journalist with Irish Tech News. We have a home delivery service from Manna Aero, and every morning I can order a flat white dropped into my garden. When it arrives, there's a noise, you can hear the propellers overhead. It's cheaper than a car delivery and more environmentally friendly than using a van or motorbike. Whatever you want, your Chinese takeaway or whatever, you just order on the app, choose the item, and the drone arrives overhead. It lowers the package gently on a little string, and you can even watch the approach live on the map." That short exchange, broadcast nationally on Ö1 Radio Austria, reached a wide audience. It showed how Manna Aero has normalised drone delivery in the suburban area of Blanchardstown in Dublin, something that once sounded like science fiction. Listen here, find out about Dublin's Drone Delivery service, in German and English Why It Matters The interview was brief but said a lot about how technology travels. A conversation at an Italian innovation fair became a science-radio feature in Vienna. It reminded me how closely connected Europe's research and creative communities are. It also showed how public curiosity about practical innovation remains strong. Drone delivery may still be local, but its implications for sustainability, logistics, and convenience are global. A more detailed article on Manna Aero's work in Dublin 15 will follow soon here on Irish Tech News. Programme Note This segment aired on Digital.Leben, Ö1 Radio Austria, on 29 October 2025. The programme was produced by Franz Zeller, Head of Science and Innovation at ORF's Wissenschaft Unit. A longer five-minute version is available on the ORF website until April 2026: Digital.Leben, Kaffee aus der Luft Billy Linehan Billy writes for Irish Tech News on innovation, tech-for-good and entrepreneurship, covering events in Ireland and abroad. Alongside journalism, he's a business mentor and consultant at Celtar Advisers and has advised hundreds of owners of SMEs and startups. He also co-founded and organises StartUp Ballymun, Dublin's longest-running entrepreneurship series. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 T...

A wide-ranging selection of tech companies, from drone software to med-tech have today been announced among the winners of the inaugural North-South Business Cooperation Awards, a €500,000 programme launched by the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation to celebrate cross-border entrepreneurship on the island of Ireland. The Awards, which culminated in a high-profile ceremony at Castle Leslie Estate, Co. Monaghan, saw a total of nine entrepreneurs and entrepreneur businesses in partnership, recognised for their outstanding achievements in building businesses that bridge communities in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The Awards attracted a large volume of entries from across the island, with businesses demonstrating genuine cross-border collaboration and trade. Eligible companies were required to show a meaningful presence in both jurisdictions while also meeting minimum thresholds for turnover and employment. The result was a highly competitive field that showcased the strength and diversity of entrepreneurship operating across the island of Ireland. North-South Business Cooperation Awards A total of €500,000 in cash prizes was awarded: one Gold Award of €150,000, two Silver Awards of €100,000 each, and six Bronze Awards of €25,000 each. Partnering with Galway-based chocolatier, Grá Chocolates, Northern Irish tech platform needi took home a Silver Award. The female-founded service, created by co-founders Steph Scholes and Louise Doyle to connect businesses with local, independent vendors using AI technology and human curation, was set up in Armagh in 2020. Renewable energy solutions firm Acel Energy also received a Silver Award. The Monaghan-based company designs and implements solar tech, battery-storage and demand-management systems for commercial clients, often under co-ownership or Power Purchase Agreement models. Among the Bronze Award winners, med-tech companies saw huge success through cross-border partnered entries, with fertility clinics OvaScan Fertility Ultrasound (Dublin) and New Beginnings Scan (Strabane), which each combine advanced ultrasound technology with specialist expertise, taking home prizes through a joint entry. Súil Pharma, a Galway med-tech company developing novel therapies specialising in vision and hearing diseases, and Medinect Ophtho, a Belfast service provider delivering high-quality pre-clinic services, also joined forces to each take home a Bronze Award. Rounding off the joint entries, Subterranean Software, specialising in drone and embedded systems for constrained environments, and Good Friday Robotics, which develops advanced drone robotics for hazardous environments, were each also awarded a Bronze prize. Other Bronze winners in tech included Cotter Agritech, which develops precision livestock health tools, enabling selective treatment of livestock to reduce chemical usage and improve sustainability, and Arcus Cleaning Systems, an industrial hygiene and automated cleaning solution provider. Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, creator and owner of the easy family of brands - including easyJet.com, easyHotel.com and many others (see www.easy.com and www.easyHistory.info), and founder and president of the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation (see stelios.foundation and stelios.ie) - personally presented the awards and met the finalists at the ceremony. Speaking at an event announcing the winners, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, said: "This is a proud day for entrepreneurship on the island of Ireland. The winners we honour today show that when determination, innovation and creativity meet, borders become bridges. These entrepreneurs are not only building successful businesses - they are proving that collaboration across communities leads to prosperity for all. They are creating jobs, delivering services and setting an example for the next generation of entrepreneurs. I hope that their success today will encourage even more entrepreneurs to think ambitiously, work collaboratively, and see the entire isl...

Guest post by Orla Kelly, founder of Orla Kelly Publishing. You have a book inside you. It's a collection of your hard-won lessons, your unique perspective, your vision for the future. As a leader, you understand the power of a story to inspire change and build a legacy. Yet, that book remains unwritten. The document sits unopened, the ideas stay locked in your mind, and another year passes. As an independent publisher, I've seen this countless times. I work with coaches, founders, and experts who are brilliant at what they do - yet their book project lingers on the back burner. They build businesses, lead teams, and create impact daily, but when it comes to writing their book, something stalls. The truth is, this delay isn't about a lack of discipline or ambition. It's a complex mix of psychological, emotional, and practical hurdles that can stall even the most driven individuals. The Hidden Barriers to Writing Your Book Why do so many accomplished people put off this critical legacy project? The reasons are often deeply personal but universally understood. 1. The Weight of Perfectionism As a leader, your name is attached to quality. This drive for excellence, which is so valuable in business, can become a paralysing force in writing. You might feel that every sentence must be perfect, every idea groundbreaking. The fear isn't about writing a bad book; it's about producing something that doesn't live up to the legacy you've already built. 2. The Fear of Judgement Putting your ideas into the world is an act of vulnerability. What if people disagree? What if critics dismiss your life's work? This fear of being misunderstood can quietly stop even the most confident leader from starting. 3. The "Time" Illusion For busy professionals, "I don't have time" feels true. But procrastination is rarely about time and more about priority. The book becomes a "someday" project, overshadowed by immediate demands. 4. The Fog of Uncertainty Where do you begin? What's your message? How do you publish? The lack of a clear roadmap creates hesitation. When the path is unclear, standing still feels safer. Turning Procrastination into Progress Overcoming these barriers isn't about willpower - it's about clarity, structure, and support. Here's what consistently helps high-performing leaders make real progress: 1. Reframe the Goal Replace "write a bestseller" with "share my message." It lowers the stakes and reconnects you to purpose. Ask: Is it clear? Is it useful? Does it move someone forward? 2. Schedule Writing Sprints Momentum beats marathons. Block short, focused sessions and treat them like key meetings. 3. Start with a Mind Map Map your ideas before writing. It turns chaos into clarity and "writing" into "organising." 4. Speak Before You Write If typing feels stiff, talk it out. Recording your insights often captures your most natural, powerful voice. 5. Seek Trusted Support In my work with hundreds of aspiring authors, I've seen the breakthrough come when they stop trying to go it alone. A strategic publishing professional can help shape scattered thoughts into a clear, publishable message which transforms overwhelm into momentum. The rise of independent publishing has made it easier than ever for thought leaders to bring their ideas to life, but clarity and guidance still make all the difference. Your book isn't just about writing words. It's about sharing wisdom, shaping minds, and leaving a legacy that outlasts you. Stop waiting for the perfect time, idea, or first sentence. Your legacy isn't about perfection; it's about impact. The first step you take is the one that turns procrastination into progress. About the Author Orla Kelly is the founder of Orla Kelly Publishing, an Irish independent publishing house that helps experts, coaches, and thought leaders turn their ideas into beautifully crafted, professionally published books that grow their impact and legacy. You can get in touch with Orla via getpublished@ orlakellypublishing.com...

Three of Cork's highest-achieving female STEM students were today recognised by Stryker, a global leader in medical technologies, at the WISE UP Technological Awards to celebrate outstanding academic achievement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Founded by Stryker's WISE (Women in Stryker's Engineering) team in Anngrove, the annual award recognises outstanding students from Cork's all-girls secondary schools who have achieved exceptional results in their Leaving Certificate - earning at least three H1 grades in STEM subjects - and who have chosen to pursue STEM degrees at Irish universities. This year's winners include Gemma Collins from St. Aloysius' College, who received first prize; Abi O'Connor, also from St. Aloysius' College, and Aoibhe Sparrow from Mount Mercy College, who both received second prize. Speaking at the event, Mag O'Keeffe, Vice President of Advanced Operations and Global Additive Technologies, Stryker, said: "The WISE Group at Stryker's Anngrove location are delighted to present the WISE UP Technological Awards to these outstanding students who have shown a real passion for STEM. These awards are about more than academic achievement - they're about recognising potential, encouraging ambition, and showing young women that there is a place for them at the forefront of innovation. We're proud to support the next generation of innovators and play our part in fostering future talent." Following the presentation, Aoibhe Sparrow, a prize winner from Mount Mercy College, said: "Winning this award is an incredible honour that means so much to me. It represents recognition of my hard work, passion, and commitment to pursuing a future in science and technology. This opportunity not only supports my education but also motivates me to keep learning, innovating, and using my education to create positive change in the world. I am especially excited to continue my journey in pharmacy, where I hope to gain the knowledge and skills needed to make a meaningful impact on patients' lives through the development, preparation, and dispensing of medications. I am so deeply grateful for this opportunity and for everyone who believes in my potential." Tricia Ryan, Principal at Mount Mercy College, said: "We are delighted that one of our students has been honoured with this Stryker WISE Technological award. This recognition not only celebrates the talent, dedication, and potential of the student but also reflects the strong values and high standards we strive to nurture in our school community. It is very encouraging to see a leading company like Stryker acknowledge the achievements of our young people."

A researcher working on the design AI-driven methods for secure and trustworthy drone operations will share his expertise at one of the South East Science Festival's most keenly anticipated free events. 'Drones in Everyday Life - Promise, Potential, and Protection' is the title of Walton Institute researcher Iftikhar Umrani's talk in Clonmel Library in Tipperary on Wednesday, November 12, at 6.45pm. Pre-registration is not required. Drones are transforming how we live and work, from helping farmers monitor crops and improve harvests to enabling doorstep delivery of packages and medicines, he said ahead of the much-anticipated talk. "As these intelligent flying systems take on bigger roles in daily life, the UAVSec project at Walton Institute, SETU, funded by CONNECT Research Ireland Centre, investigates how to keep them secure ensuring they cannot be hacked or disrupted while in flight. The aim is to build trust in drone technology so it can serve communities with confidence and security. "Drones are opening new opportunities in areas such as precision farming, environmental monitoring, search and rescue, and the fast delivery of essential goods. They help reduce costs, save time, and support communities particularly in rural or hard-to-reach areas. "As drones become more autonomous, ensuring their safety, privacy, and security is essential. Public acceptance and regulatory frameworks also remain important challenges. Research under the UAVSec project focuses on protecting these systems from interference and building public trust in their use," the PhD researcher in the Department of Computing and Mathematics at Walton Institute, South East Technological University said. Iftikhar Umrani has been with Walton since March 2023, lives in Waterford City and has a keen interest in how emerging technologies can serve local communities safely and responsibly. The much-anticipated event is one of dozens on the South East Science Festival programme for 2025 from November 8 to 16 across pubs, restaurants, libraries, theatres, schools and community hubs in Waterford city and county, Clonmel and Carlow. All of the events across all three counties are designed to showcase how relevant all things science are in our everyday lives. Dr Sheila Donegan, Director of CALMAST, the South East Technological University's STEM engagement centre, said. "We're really looking forward to engaging with all sections of the community, from primary school children right up to adult-only audiences for this year's South East Science Festival programme. It's fun, it's engaging, it's entertaining and educational. We're delighted to work with Research Ireland and with our partners and sponsors, key among them the local authorities, SETU, key STEM employers in the region. "We now invite members of the public to peruse the schedule of events running across libraries, theatres, pubs, educational hubs, museums and so much more and to book their place. We will mix comedy and science and will be looking at why copper was mined in Waterford and if it could be again. We're examining fossils in the city, will host a coastal change workshop and walk and much more. Many events booked out within hours last year and we expect the very same for 2025," Dr Donegan said.

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a global leader in IT services, consulting, and business solutions and operating a global delivery centre out of Letterkenny in Ireland, has expanded its 18-year partnership with ABB, a global leader in electrification and automation. The partnership aims to modernise ABB's global hosting operations, simplify its IT landscape, and strengthen its digital foundation to drive resilience and innovation. As part of this multi-year engagement, TCS will operationalise ABB's Future Hosting Model, a next-generation modular IT infrastructure designed to streamline systems. This model will enable predictive operations, faster service restoration, and continuous security assurance through its AI-powered Zero Ops framework. This extension strengthens a trusted collaboration that has already delivered significant progress for ABB. TCS will help accelerate ABB's Core Platform vision which prioritises modernisation at scale, greater self-service and automation, cloud migration and agility, and orchestration and resilience. Alec Joannou, Group CIO, ABB, said, "Our extended partnership with TCS strengthens ABB's ability to deliver value to customers. By modernising our hosting operations, we're creating a foundation for agility, faster innovation, and improved reliability across the business." ABB envisions transforming the hosting landscape by leveraging state-of-the-art technologies that drive innovation and optimisation. This transformation aims to empower its evolving business demands with enhanced flexibility, superior quality, and cost efficiency. TCS' AI framework will ensure business continuity and excellent service delivery across ABB's global operations by minimising human intervention. Anupam Singhal, President, Manufacturing, TCS, said, "TCS has been a trusted partner in ABB's transformation journey for over 18 years. This latest milestone is not just a testament to our enduring collaboration, but a bold step towards reimagining ABB's hosting landscape with a modular, future-ready architecture. At the core of this engagement lies a shared vision: technology must serve a higher purpose - to empower people, enhance agility, and drive intelligent, responsible operations. Together, we embark on a transformative journey to build a platform-driven core that will unlock unprecedented levels of efficiency, autonomy, and innovation for ABB's global business." TCS's operational and industry expertise combined with ABB's platforms, security, and reliability will create a foundation that is resilient, efficient, and future-ready. Further, TCS' managed services platform architecture will enable flexibility in ABB's business integration needs across mergers, acquisitions, and carve-outs. Through a best-in-class, innovative environment built on a cloud-first approach and data-driven governance, TCS will help ABB reduce its carbon footprint. Over the past 18 years, TCS has supported ABB in initiatives such as ERP implementation, cloud migration, and data center consolidation. The new engagement will build on the foundation laid over the last two decades to transform ABB's infrastructure services and support service adoption to aid ABB's next phase of growth in electrification and automation, thereby enabling faster innovation to deliver more business value. Peter Alkema, Global Head of IS Technology and Platforms, ABB, said "ABB is committed to building a modular, scalable hosting service that drives agility and innovation. With TCS as our strategic partner, the Future Hosting Model strengthens this commitment and ensures operational excellence." This partnership builds on TCS' long-standing commitment to serving as a trusted IT partner for European enterprises, with a presence in the region for over 45 years. The company supports its clients in Europe with a robust network of highly skilled employees, operating out of 62 offices across 21 countries in the continent, serving over 350 clients. The company has been...

A majority of Irish organisations have enhanced cybersecurity measures in recent months yet under-investment in key areas of training and compliance, ongoing talent shortages and AI-powered cyber threats continue to be areas of concern for Irish cyber leaders. That's according to EY Ireland's inaugural Cyber Leaders Index, which surveyed 165 of Ireland's senior cyber leaders with a particular focus on the corporate, health and life sciences and government sectors. 83% of Irish cyber leaders report enhancing cybersecurity measures over the past six months, with nearly a third (32%) noting an increase in budgets, while two thirds (67%) report investment holding steady. However, more than 70% of cyber leaders report difficulties securing budget for staff cyber awareness training. 43% cited challenges in securing budget for hiring and retaining skilled personnel, which remains a key challenge for cyber leaders. Nearly half (48%) of cyber leaders identified AI and data security as a top priority for the year ahead, and many organisations are adapting their practices in response to the EU AI Act. Yet 44% say they face challenges securing budget for AI-related security initiatives, suggesting that investment is not keeping pace with strategic intent. This may reflect internal competition for AI budgets, rather than reluctance to invest in cybersecurity, and embedding cybersecurity into AI efforts positions the function as a driver of growth and advantage. Almost seven in ten (68%) of respondents said that protecting against supply chain and vendor-related threats is a top priority within their cybersecurity programmes, however only 4% identify third-party vendor risk as one of their main concerns. Compliance with relevant regulations and data privacy laws such as NIS2 was cited as a priority by 39% of respondents, while the EU AI Act is also having an impact with nearly half (47%) of the leaders surveyed stating they have updated their data handling and monitoring practices and four in ten (39%) having updated their data protection impact assessment systems. Puneet Kukreja, Technology Consulting Partner and Head of Cyber at EY Ireland said: "In an AI-driven world where algorithms and code are reshaping both attacks and defences, cyber risk is no longer something to eliminate, it must be managed with precision. This shift demands that cyber leaders evolve from engineers and managers to architects of trust, with a seat and a voice at the top table where strategic decisions are made and budgets are shaped. Cyber threats are escalating, with major breaches reported almost every week, and it's clear that defences are only as strong as their weakest point. Yet investment is not always going where it matters most, with gaps in staff training and talent retention remaining areas of concern." Carol Murphy, Consulting Partner and Head of Markets at EY Ireland said: "Irish organisations are strengthening their cyber resilience, with most reporting enhanced defences and stable or increased budgets. The challenge now is to direct that investment towards people and partnerships, ensuring teams are trained, supported and equipped to manage the growing demands of compliance and third-party risk. Organisations must prioritise the continuous training and wellbeing of their cyber teams, recognising that resilience depends as much on people as it does on technology." Burnout Risk As Cyber Threats Remain A Top Concern Burnout and fatigue amongst cyber leaders have been identified as growing resilience risks for Irish organisations, with 37% of those surveyed reporting concern about the gaps in their organisation's cyber risk coverage. More than one in four (26%) of respondents reported negative impacts on their mental health. Puneet Kukreja said: "Our research shows that stress is fast becoming a hidden cyber risk for organisations. Cyber risk is constant, and that unrelenting pressure is taking a toll on the people who defend against it. Burnout does...

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced Fastnet, a new state-of-the-art transatlantic subsea fibre optic cable system connecting Maryland, U.S., and County Cork, Ireland. When operational in 2028, Fastnet will add vital diversity for customers by building a new data pathway with unique landing points, keeping services running even if other undersea cables encounter issues. This enhanced network resilience will improve global connectivity and meet rising demand for cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI). Increasing resilience through system diversity Fastnet is a dedicated transatlantic cable system designed with two strategic landing points that deliver critical route diversity away from traditional cable corridors. This strategic placement strengthens the network in two ways: it provides backup routes if other cables encounter issues, and it creates a network design for growing demands in cloud computing, AI, and edge applications that use AWS services such as Amazon CloudFront and AWS Global Accelerator. The Fastnet system incorporates advanced optical switching branching unit technology, engineered to accommodate future topology needs. This state-of-the-art unit is strategically positioned on the cable route, enabling seamless redirection of data to future landing points as network demands evolve. This scalable architecture is specifically designed to handle growing AI traffic loads, allowing customers to rapidly expand their data demands while the system adapts to accommodate future growth. Fastnet is designed for long-term reliability and performance. The system combines robust cable armoring with additional layers of protective steel wires in nearshore areas to protect against natural and human activity. With a design capacity exceeding 320 terabits per second (Tbps), Fastnet will integrate directly into AWS's comprehensive global network. To put this capacity in perspective, the system could transmit the entire digitized Library of Congress three times every second, or stream 12.5 million HD films simultaneously. This integration enables rapid data rerouting and multiple layers of redundancy, helping ensure uninterrupted operations for customers. Unlike the public internet, where each networking device makes routing decisions with limited network visibility, AWS's centralized, real-time traffic monitoring system has complete visibility into every link within the global network. This system implements millions of daily optimizations to ensure customer traffic always uses the most available and performant path, avoiding congestion and other issues before they impact applications. Through Fastnet, customers benefit from secured long-term capacity and rapidly scalable bandwidth for their most critical operations, from generative AI and cloud-native applications to advanced research, transatlantic business connectivity, and international commerce. This investment in network diversity helps ensure customers can reliably access their cloud resources, with the flexibility to quickly expand capacity as their demands grow. Driving community development Infrastructure projects of this scale succeed when they're built in partnership with communities. From day one, AWS has worked closely with local organisations, nonprofits, and residents in both Maryland and County Cork to understand what success looks like for them. As part of our commitment to these communities, we are establishing Community Benefit Funds for both Maryland's Eastern Shore and the local community in County Cork. We will work directly with stakeholders to identify and support initiatives that address each community's unique needs and priorities. These community-driven funds could support a range of local initiatives, such as sustainability and environmental programs, health and wellbeing services, Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) education, future workforce development, economic development and leadership training, inclusion and diversity...

TechWorks Marine has commenced a comprehensive year-long metocean survey in Maritime Area A - Tonn Nua, of the Irish Government's South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan (SC-DMAP), supporting EirGrid's Powering Up Offshore South Coast project. Commissioned by Fugro, EirGrid's appointed marine survey supplier, the survey will deliver vital baseline oceanographic and environmental data to support the development of offshore substations and grid connections along Ireland's south coast. This flagship initiative aims to connect 900 MW of offshore wind generation to Ireland's power network, accelerating national progress toward the government's target of 80% renewable energy and at least 5 GW of offshore wind in the coming years.. The Tonn Nua site is a designated area for spatially planned offshore wind, selected for its pivotal role in achieving Ireland's climate action goals and enhancing energy security for nearly a million homes. TechWorks Marine, the leading Irish-based supplier to Fugro on Powering Up Offshore South Coast, brings over 20 years of specialist expertise in metocean data collection and analysis. The data gathered will help inform the design and delivery of robust infrastructure for clean energy and support regional economic development. Charlotte O'Kelly, CEO of TechWorks Marine, commented: "We are delighted to support EirGrid and Fugro on this landmark project for Ireland's energy transition. Our team is committed to delivering world-class oceanographic data that underpins a resilient, sustainable, renewable energy system on the south coast." Speaking about the 2025 survey campaign, Chief Transformation, Technology and Offshore Officer at EirGrid, Liam Ryan, said: "These surveys would not be possible without a huge amount of coordination and strategic planning of staff across EirGrid, our strategic partners, fishing communities and local landowners. The data being gathered from this research is essential in shaping plans for the installation of this transmission infrastructure for offshore wind and creating a cleaner energy future for Ireland."

ePower is reminding sports clubs across the island of Ireland who have been selected for grants to install electric vehicle chargers to ensure they have carried out the necessary paperwork to receive the funding. Through the Shared Island Sports Club EV Charging Scheme, which was launched earlier this year, 227 clubs, of which 179 are in Ireland and 48 in Northern Ireland, have qualified for the installation of a network of publicly accessible chargers. This scheme is administered by Pobal on behalf of Zero Emission Vehicle Ireland (ZEVI). The scheme is designed to cover 100% of the installation costs, allowing clubs to enhance their facilities for both members and visitors at no cost to them. Following a comprehensive tendering process, ePower and two other charge point operators were selected to deliver fast EV charging solutions for both Ireland and Northern Ireland through the scheme. Offers have been sent out to clubs nationwide, across a multitude of sports including athletics, boxing, GAA, golf, hockey, rugby, soccer and tennis clubs. However, ePower is reminding clubs to evaluate the offers they have received, and select their preferred charge point operator via the mini-tender process. ePower is delighted to have already been selected as the preferred CPO for many of the clubs eager to capitalise on this opportunity to lead the charge in sustainability in their community whilst at the same time generating revenue for their clubs. Ivan O'Connor, Commercial Sales Director with ePower says: "This is a wonderful opportunity for sports clubs and ePower is delighted to be part of the scheme. Like with all grants, there's an element of paperwork involved, and the key is for clubs to take the next step and choose their operator, so we would encourage people with questions around this to liaise with the CPOs and Pobal. We look forward to seeing this initiative come to life; further expanding on the public availability of EV charging in communities the length and breadth of Ireland and Northern Ireland." 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.

New data from Matrix Recruitment for Q3 2025 has revealed that workers in Ireland are prioritising stability, flexibility, autonomy, upskilling, and culture despite economic uncertainty and geopolitical unrest. Despite a seasonal slowdown in manufacturing and construction, finance, healthcare, and engineering remained resilient. Contract and temporary role renewals soared, signalling a "wait-and-see" approach taken by employers awaiting the 2026 Budget, which was announced on October 7. "Employers are now taking stock," says Breda Dooley, Head of Recruitment at Matrix Recruitment. "They're managing costs, protecting key skills, and focusing on retention. It's more of a recalibration built around flexibility and foresight than a hiring freeze from what we've seen." Contract Economy Continued The Matrix Recruitment data confirms that contract and temporary extensions increased during the third quarter, particularly within the finance, engineering, and healthcare sectors. "Contracting is a deliberate strategy," Breda explains. "It allows employers to maintain output, manage uncertainty, and respond quickly to project demand without getting locked into long-term commitments with new permanent contracts." Workers are reaping the rewards of contract work, with experienced contractors leveraging the renewed demand for flexible expertise with strong daily rates and a balanced work schedule being an attractive draw. This all leads to a more agile labour market that supports the business continuity and workers alike. Long-term Strategy Employers were also seen to be shifting focus from external acquisition to internal development. This involves upskilling and mobility programmes, which have rapidly become a critical retention tool. "Companies that invest in their people through structured learning and recognition are seeing measurable improvements in morale and performance," agrees Breda. "Upskilling is not just a training exercise; it's a long-term competitiveness strategy." Matrix Recruitment notes that many organisations are introducing career-path frameworks and mentorship schemes, particularly at the mid-management level. Breda noted that this area is where turnover has been most acute. This also backs succession planning and lessens the need for short-term cover. Candidate Priorities Hybrid and remote arrangements are increasingly being viewed as standard expectations rather than optional benefits, says Breda, who warns that employers who can accommodate flexible patterns are outperforming competitors in both attraction and retention. "Work-life balance is now a key currency," Breda explains. "Candidates are prioritising shorter commutes, hybrid options, and supportive cultures over headline salary figures. Companies that recognise this are securing better talent and higher acceptance rates." Even as salary inflation eases, benefits packages, wellbeing initiatives, and authentic workplace culture remain critical to secure top-tier performers. Regional Outlook Matrix's regional offices in Waterford, Carlow, and Athlone report particularly strong engagement among mid-level professionals looking for hybrid roles close to home. The Midlands and Southeast continue to attract investment in logistics, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing, supporting job creation in comparison to Dublin's crowded job market. That said, the financial, legal, and tech sectors saw a mild slowdown versus Q2. "This was due to several multinational companies pausing their expansion," explains Breda. "Nevertheless, according to our data, regional recruitment sentiment remains stable as we approach year-end." 2026 Roadmap Matrix Recruitment anticipates a late-year uptick in hiring across supply chain, finance, and healthcare. According to the data, a balanced hiring market is predicted for 2026, with moderate growth predicted across professional services, life sciences, and infrastructure. However, there will be heightened competition for highly skille...

Guest post by Stanley Olisa For years, corporate giving has been dominated by the same playbook: annual donations, branded sponsorships and one-off CSR campaigns that rarely go beyond a press release. The problem is lack of structure. Business leaders want to create real social impact but most models for doing so are still transactional, not transformative. The world no longer needs photo-op charity. It needs systems that save lives. And that's where a new generation of tech-driven nonprofits, such as Helpster, are rewriting the rules of corporate giving: replacing one-off sponsorships with traceable impact, symbolic gestures with measurable outcomes and delayed reporting with real-time transparency. The CSR problem Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) was meant to align business growth with societal good. But even after two decades of global adoption, its impact remains inconsistent. More than 80% of companies globally say they can measure ROI for their sustainability projects, according to a 2025 survey by Morgan Stanley Institute, but only around 70% report having long-term CSR strategies. These figures show a gap between doing good and knowing whether the good lasts. Across Africa, much of CSR funding still goes to highly visible projects, such as events, donations or relief drives, that are hard to scale or sustain. Globally, companies are re-evaluating this approach. The Edelman Trust Barometer 2024 found that 71% of consumers expect CEOs to drive societal change, not just fund it. Investors are also shifting attention to measurable ESG outcomes where impact is quantifiable, continuous and tied to business value. The implication is clear: companies that treat giving as a one-off cost miss the opportunity to make it a recurring investment in resilience, equity and public trust. A smarter model for impact Helpster Charity, founded in 2023, shows what already works: a model of social impact built on speed, transparency and sustainability. The organisation uses technology to provide free urgent medical cover for underprivileged populations across Africa and Asia. Behind its humanitarian mission lies a model that redefines how giving can work for both individuals and businesses. Helpster's life-saving platform tracks every donation in real time, from contribution to medical intervention, allowing donors and corporate partners to see precisely where their money goes and whose life it touches. This level of transparency builds accountability and emotional proximity; donors no longer just give, they witness impact. More interesting, however, is how Helpster's funding ecosystem creates continuity. In addition to one-time donations, it partners with an investment foundation where members can commit funds that generate income. The returns are directed towards medical interventions while the investors retain access to their principal. This structure converts generosity into a sustained revenue stream for impact, a practical blend of finance and philanthropy. In 2025, Helpster and its partners have distributed over $260,000 in direct medical aid, saving more than 1,100 lives across Kenya, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Cambodia, at the average cost of about $230. These are modest figures compared to the size of global corporate giving, estimated at $21 billion in 2023 (CECP Giving in Numbers Report), but they point to a model that's measurable, renewable and scalable. Why businesses should care For companies, embedding impact in operational systems is both moral and strategic. The COVID-19 pandemic revealed how fragile public health ecosystems directly affect supply chains, consumer behaviour and workforce stability. A business landscape that ignores health inequity is one that underestimates risk. By integrating giving through tech-driven platforms like Helpster, businesses can achieve three critical outcomes: Sustained visibility: real-time funding infrastructure ensures every donation is visible from disbursement to treatm...

Guest post by Isobel Rimmer, who is founder of international training and development consultancy, Masterclass Training, and author of Present with Presence: Everything you need to plan, prepare and deliver with impact in any situation published by Rethink Publishing I've trained hundreds of tech professionals, from IBM mainframe pre-sales engineers to the geekiest white hat hackers, consultants and data analysts, to speak with presence and confidence in customer meetings, conferences and events. In this article, I share what makes the best stand out and truly own the room. Presentation Skills, to Present with Presence There was a time when tech professionals, particularly in high level customer meetings, were expected to stay mute, speak only when spoken to, and then only in words of one syllable. How times have changed - and rightly so. Subject matter experts, SMEs, are critical to success in tech. Whether a systems architect, security specialist, pre-sales engineer, systems integrator or IT services professional explaining how the 'tech' will work, your ability to make what you say meaningful to every member of your audience, however technical, will make you stand out. And that's a key point. Just how technical is your audience? You probably take what you do for granted. You're comfortable with the 'tech' and you know the jargon. But that may not be true of the people you're speaking to. If you want to own the room, the first step is to assess the level of technical skill in the room. Most people are too polite to say they don't understand when things get complicated. They don't want to look foolish not knowing the latest acronym or piece of jargon. I once spent a whole day hearing about the 'uniques' of a major IT vendor when, to my horror (and that of the speaker), one audience member, looking confused, asked which version of 'Unix' he was talking about… No one likes a 'smart Alec' either, so your ability to pitch at the appropriate tech level will make you a star. Rarely does it work to try and impress with superior tech knowledge. One of the best ways to stand out is to introduce 'stories' and 'characters' into your presentations. I remember an amazing tech pitch at a Gartner event when the speaker used two hand puppets (and no notes) to explain his product's roadmap. Unique, fun and incredibly easy to understand. Whether you call them stories, case studies, use cases or citations, the outcome is the same. A story, told well, builds credibility, shows you 'know your stuff,' demonstrates your ability to solve serious technical problems and demonstrates the value you bring. A story is so much more memorable than a list of facts and figures. My 5D framework used by thousands of consultants globally allows you to bring even the most technical use case to life. A good story allows your audience to relate to you, your work, and how that can help them, increasing the likelihood of a 'virtual nod' because they see themselves in your story too. The first D - description - sets the context and gives validity to your story. If you've done similar work for a major global player, your audience will sit up and listen. The second D - dilemma - is where we share the challenges, issues and concerns the other customer faced. This does many things - it boosts your credibility and, if you choose the right story, shows what your audience is facing, too, connecting you more intimately. The third D - desire - is what the characters in your customer story wanted. This makes your story 'human' and relatable. Perhaps the CIO needed to overcome a major security issue, but was struggling to get budget from the Board, wanted to demonstrate a return on their ERP (enterprise resource planning) software to t shareholders, or ensure their systems were safe in the cloud following an outage. Your fourth D - delivered - is what you did. This is a pivotal moment. The best tech presenters, the ones who can really hold a room, understand that this descrip...

Time is running out for third-level students across Ireland to showcase their vision for the future of the country's energy sector. Students are invited to apply for the EirGrid CleanerGrid Competition 2025/26, with applications due to close on Wednesday, 19th November 2025. Back for a third year, the CleanerGrid competition run by EirGrid, the operator and developer of Ireland's electricity grid, aims to foster innovation and creativity by encouraging students to showcase their skills in creating innovative solutions for the Ireland's clean energy transition. With a top prize of €12,000 (€6,000 for the winning student team and €6,000 for the student's third-level institute), this year's theme focuses on "Opportunities and challenges in accelerating offshore wind potential." Entrants should propose innovative, practical solutions that address both the opportunities and obstacles in developing Ireland's offshore electricity infrastructure. Submissions may reflect each student's discipline or interests, whether in engineering, policy, economics, environmental science, data, or another field, and should offer fresh, actionable ideas that contribute meaningfully to Ireland's clean energy transition. Shona O'Halloran took part in last year's CleanerGrid competition as a student at the University of Galway. Now part of EirGrid's graduate programme, she is encouraging other students to apply, even if they do not have a complete project in mind. "CleanerGrid is an opportunity for students to be innovative and creative. When I initially applied, I did not have every detail of my project figured out, there was a few months before we had to present the final concept. This gave me plenty of time to consider different approaches and experiment with my ideas, as well as work around my coursework. If you are interested in applying, go for it, and see where it takes you." The competition is open to undergraduate and postgraduate students, below PhD level, from all disciplines at any third-level institution in the Republic of Ireland. Students can take part by signing up at EirGrid.ie/CleanerGrid as part of a team of up to six members. Applications close on the 19th of November. The top entrants will be invited to EirGrid's head offices to present their innovations to industry experts, including members of the EirGrid senior management team.