Client News

IBM Commits to Train Two Million in Artificial Intelligence in Three Years, with a Focus on Underrepresented Communities

• Learners will benefit from a new generative AI course roadmap and collaborations with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) worldwide.
• Dublin City University (DCU) and Fast Track into Information Technology (FIT) are the first partners to lead the initiative in Ireland

To help close the global artificial intelligence (AI) skills gap, IBM have announced a commitment to train two million learners in AI by the end of 2026, with a focus on underrepresented communities. To achieve this goal at a global scale, IBM is expanding AI education collaborations with universities globally, collaborating with partners to deliver AI training to adult learners, and launching new generative AI coursework through IBM SkillsBuild. This will expand upon IBM’s existing programs and career-building platforms to offer enhanced access to AI education and in-demand technical roles.

According to a recent global study conducted by IBM Institute of Business Value, surveyed executives estimate that implementing AI and automation will require 40% of their workforce to reskill over the next three years, mostly those in entry-level positions. This further reinforces that generative AI is creating a demand for new roles and skills.

Deborah Threadgold, Country General Manager, IBM Ireland said: “As Ireland’s National AI Strategy recognises, providing workers with the right skills for AI jobs must go hand-in-hand with a much wider skills agenda, to ensure that everyone in society can benefit from the digital transformation that AI will bring. This should include a wide range of AI and digital courses across secondary, further and higher education, and raising the level of digital skills amongst the general public. That’s why we are investing in AI training, with a commitment to reach two million learners in three years, and expanding IBM SkillsBuild to collaborate with universities and nonprofits on new generative AI education for learners all over the world.”

Peter Davitt, Chief Executive Officer of Fast Track into Information Technology (FIT) added: “During the past twelve months, FIT has seen Ireland’s education system and business community interface with generative AI solutions, posing some challenges and promising future growth. FIT looks forward to complimenting the Tech Apprenticeships and broader provision with IBM AI course content.”

AI training for universities

IBM is collaborating with universities at a global level to build capacity around AI leveraging IBM’s network of experts. University faculty will have access to IBM-led training such as lectures and immersive skilling experiences, including certificates upon completion. Also, IBM will provide courseware for faculty to use in the classroom, including self-directed AI learning paths. In addition to faculty training, IBM will offer students flexible and adaptable resources, including free, online courses on generative AI and Red Hat open source technologies.

Professor Theo Lynn, Full Professor of Digital Business, DCU commented: “Ireland is emerging as a significant player in AI worldwide and the government has set out ambitious goals for 75% of all enterprises to be using AI, cloud and big data by 2030.  We are delighted to be the first university in Ireland to incorporate the IBM SkillsBuild generative AI learning and teaching resources into our business analytics modules for this Academic Year and extend our use of IBM SkillsBuild in postgraduate business analytics programmes. By integrating IBM SkillsBuild into our modules, faculty and students have access to training, coursework, resources, and certification to ensure that they are ahead of the curve when it comes to the opportunities presented by AI, Data Science, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity and Enterprise Design Thinking.”

Research shows eight out of ten believe pet ownership positively impacts mental wellbeing and prevents loneliness

• Over a third found their beloved pet through an animal shelter
• Findings shows six out of ten buy gifts for their pet
• Pet nutrition brand Purina renews partnership with DSCPA to support over 1,700 cats and dogs annually

Eight out of ten Irish adults believe that having a pet has a major positive influence on their mental wellbeing – while in the past year over a third have sourced their pet from an animal shelter, with four in ten looking to family and friends.

The research findings coincide with Purina announcing the renewal of its long-term partnership with the DSPCA. This sees Purina providing all the food and nutrition for cats and dogs in the care of the DSPCA, contributing positively to the charity’s work to rehome cats and dogs annually.

It is anticipated that Purina’s support will help with the care of over 3,500 cats and dogs over the course of the next two years alone.

The findings also show that some eight out of ten Irish adults cite having a pet as key to preventing them from feeling lonely. Meanwhile, over 90% of those surveyed said their pet is an integral part of the family unit, with nearly 60% buying gifts for their pet at milestone moments such as birthdays and Christmas.

The survey of 1,000 adults found that Ireland is very much a nation of animal lovers, with 64% owning a pet:  dogs (45%), cats (33%) and fish (6%) ranked the top three most popular choices.

On a yearly basis the DSPCA supports almost 3,000 animals at their headquarters in Rathfarnham, Dublin, through the provision of rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming services, as well as educating the public on responsible pet ownership through engagement and advocacy work.

Commenting on the announcement, Joanne McKenna, Country Category Manager Ireland, Purina PetCare said:

“Purina is delighted to build further on its long-standing, decade plus partnership with the DSPCA, where it has supplied nutrition equating to over 300,000 meals and tasty treats. The partnership renewal will now see both organisations come together to further promote the importance of animal health and wellbeing and demonstrate the positive impact of pet ownership for individuals and families.

“Our recent survey underscores the deep bond between pets and their families, with an overwhelming majority considering their pets as integral family members. Central to this is the positive impact that an animal has on mental and physical wellbeing and contributing to an overall positive sense of self. There is an incredible bond between owner and animal and the benefits for both are many.

Pat Watt, CEO of the DSPCA said,

“We are pleased to continue our long-standing relationship with Purina, who have to date, played an integral role as the official nutritional partner to the DSPCA, providing unwavering support over the last decade.

“As you can appreciate one of the key pillars of our work is animal care, in many cases nursing animals back to full health and in other cases, caring for their needs before they go to a new home. Central to this care and recovery process, is the type of nutrition that an animal is provided with, and we would like to acknowledge the support provided by Purina.

“We are now entering an exciting new phase for the DSPCA as we look to further amplify the message of responsible pet ownership and importance of animal welfare, among the public through our public awareness and advocacy work. The renewal of our partnership with Purina is timely, and provides much needed support for this, with both organisations aligning on the value of pet ownership but equally the roles and responsibilities that come with that.”

Bláthnaid Treacy, TV & Radio Presenter, RTÉ 2FM said,

“As Ireland’s largest animal welfare charity, the DSPCA make an amazing contribution to safeguarding and promoting animal welfare, supporting over 1,700 cats and dogs each year. It’s fantastic to see the renewal of this long-standing partnership between DSPCA and Purina with an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the importance of pet ownership and how this can positively impact physical and emotional wellbeing. In my own life, we were so lucky to adopt Mabel, our beautiful dog from the DSPCA and she has made an enormous difference in our household, bringing us lots of joy and laughter.”

Irish children’s TV production wins prestigious Clio Award at Hollywood ceremony

We were delighted to support the Lámh project by volunteering our time and expertise to publicise this recent award. Thanks to all the team in Kano and everyone who covered the story for us. Lámh is a manual sign system used by children and adults with intellectual disability and communication needs in Ireland and we are happy to support it.

‘Dizzy Deliveries’ TV series aimed at increasing inclusivity for children with intellectual disabilities fights off competition from major streaming channels to scoop prestigious award

• Dizzy Deliveries series, which is part of The Lámh Project, won a coveted Clio Entertainment Award in the category: Television Series: Public Relations for Social Good judged by an international panel
• Dizzy Deliveries wins in category which included submissions from Netflix, National Geographic & MTV
• RTÉ’s commission is the first Irish production to feature Lámh, the manual sign system used by children and adults with intellectual disability and communication needs in Ireland
• The Lámh Project reissues national appeal to teach ‘everyone to say hello to everyone’ as it receives global recognition
• Irish agency Ringers Creative win second Clio this year for The Lámh Project.

Dizzy Deliveries, the first Irish production to include the ‘Lámh’ sign language system, won a Clio Award in the flagship Entertainment Category at a ceremony in the Dolby Theatre, Los Angeles on 9th November, in a category which included submissions from global streaming giants such as Netflix, National Geographic and MTV.

The children’s series, which is made by Macalla, the TV & content production company, was awarded a silver Clio in the Public Relations for Social Good Category. The Clio Awards is an annual award program that recognises innovation and creative excellence in advertising, design, and communication, as judged by an international panel of advertising professionals. The Lámh Project created by Irish agency Ringers, has already picked up a Clio Grand Prix award in the Health category earlier this year in New York.

Dizzy Deliveries is a 13-episode children’s TV show with Lámh Signs which first aired on RTÉJr in October 2022. It is the most watched children’s TV series on the RTÉ Player. Audiences join Joe Daly a slightly accident-prone delivery man who has magical powers as he attempts to deliver parcels. In each episode we meet children who use Lámh, and focus on specific signs, bringing Lámh signs to life as the drama unfolds. Dizzy Deliveries helps audiences to add Lámh to their own vocabulary in a fun and interactive way. All the wonderful young people including Jack Bolger aged 7 from Waterford featured in Dizzy Deliveries either use or have used Lámh in their everyday lives and the series aims to ensure equal and inclusive on-screen representation for the nation’s children with disabilities.

The Lámh Project was launched in October last year to coincide with the premiere of the series on national television.  It is a campaign of inclusion with the ambition of showing everyone how to say hello to everyone using Lámh, as demonstrated by Jack Bolger from Series 1. This multi-channel campaign aims to show the difference a simple ‘Hello’ can make to a child with intellectual disabilities or communication needs.

Since the campaign launch in October 2022, thousands of people in Ireland have learned to say ‘hello’ using Lámh. Today, as the Lámh sign system receives global recognition with the Dizzy Deliveries Clio Award, The Lámh Project is reissuing its national appeal for the public to learn how to say ‘Hello’ using Lámh, with the goal of enabling everyone in Ireland to be able to greet one another. This simple act can bring a smile to thousands, who may otherwise only currently communicate with their family, SNAs and teacher and other support staff.

Commenting on the Clio Award win, Cúán MacConghail, Executive Producer of ‘Dizzy Deliveries’ said:

“I speak for the entire team behind Dizzy Deliveries when I say that we are delighted and honoured to receive this recognition from the Clio Awards. It was very important to us that this show was designed to be fully inclusive, while fostering a movement of awareness for ‘Lámh’. The recognition from the Clio Awards highlights the importance of using media and entertainment as a platform to promote social good and inclusivity. We have been inspired by how well received it has been by viewers of all ages and we look forward to continuing to work with the Lámh Project on the ultimate goal of ensuring that everyone can say hello to everyone!

Mary Cullen, General Manager of Lámh

Clio Award Recognition for the Dizzy Deliveries series is a remarkable achievement, particularly in the category of Public Relations for Social Good. The integration of Lámh sign into a national broadcast production has been a dream come true for us and is a landmark moment for increasing inclusivity and representation in mainstream media and society for people with intellectual disabilities and communication needs in Ireland. The Lámh Project’s simple mission is to teach everyone to say hello using Lámh, and we hope to use this award milestone to continue the momentum to reach our ultimate goal of everyone being able to say hello to everyone!

To learn more about The Lámh Project visit: www.lamh.org/

Irish tech firm Konversational announces European expansion

Irish technology consultancy firm Konversational is expanding into Europe with the opening of offices in France, Germany and Switzerland with the expansion anticipated to generate revenue growth of over €5 million for the Dublin headquartered company.

The move is part of strategic commercial plans by Konversational to capitalise on the demand for customer experience technology management, and specifically in France and Germany, which account for over a quarter of the total EU market.

The development will see the tech consultancy opening offices in Paris and Nantes, Frankfurt and Zug in Switzerland with the creation of 32 new roles, primarily in programming and technical consulting. Konversational have ambitions to increase employee numbers to over 100 within the next 18 months, based on estimated projections.

Globally, the customer experience management market is valued at over €10 billion and growing rapidly as companies look to fast-track investment in digital infrastructure and keep pace with customer communications preferences.

Founded in 2020, Konversational is the largest and most experienced company working with ServiceNow, the world leading digital workflow company in customer workflow technologies, in Ireland and the UK.

This latest announcement builds further on its growing reputation, with the company only recently announcing a technology deal worth over €3 million with IT solutions provider Ergo, the Dublin headquartered firm which employs over 700 people globally.

John Gilleran, MD, Konversational said,

“We are moving into a new growth phase for the company and are looking to build on the back of several significant client wins across the UK and Ireland. Now is the right time to expand our market offering and to capitalise on the significant demand for customer experience management technologies.

“Since our foundation, we have enjoyed triple digit growth, owing to the priortisation of digital infrastructure investment by companies, who recognise the importance of harnessing the potential of technology to drive efficiencies and deliver an enhanced customer service offering in a competitive marketplace.

“In Vincent and Johann, we have two vastly experienced technology leaders, whose expertise and significant experience will play a crucial role in driving our operations, scaling our market offering and realising our commercial ambitions. “

Vincent Guiheneuc, Continental Europe VP, said, “Konversational’s position as the largest and most experienced company working with ServiceNow in customer workflow technologies, has placed them in an ideal position to engage with and support companies navigate the complexities of large-scale digital transformation programmes. We are excited to bring the Konversational approach to Europe and to begin the next chapter on this exciting journey.”

“There are significant opportunities across the French market and so too Germany; markets where there is a strong level of investment in digital technologies. We are confident that Konversational will bring a new dimension, with a best-in-class offering and we are excited to play a leading role in driving growth and to making a significant mark, added Johann Terrier, Continental Europe VP.

HPRA reports increase in detention of Semaglutide products sold illegally online

254 units of falsified Semaglutide detained in 2023 to-date, compared to 32 units throughout entire 2022

The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) reminds the public of the serious health risks associated with sourcing prescription medicines online, as it reports a significant increase in the detention of products labelled as containing Semaglutide.

Semaglutide is the active substance in products such as OzempicTM, RybelsusTM and WegovyTM. Figures released by the HPRA show that 254 units of products claiming to contain Semaglutide were detained between January and September 2023, compared to just 32 units throughout the entirety of 2022. Products detained include vials of white powder or clear liquid labelled as containing Semaglutide and boxed pens being presented as a generic version of the product. The HPRA is concerned that these falsified products are being sold online by unscrupulous parties. It reminds the public that prescription medicines purchased online can contain harmful substances or incorrect dosages, thereby threatening your health and the effectiveness of any essential treatment you require.

Grainne Power, Director of Compliance with the HPRA, stressed that it is not safe to purchase prescription medicines online and doing so puts your health at risk.

Ms Power particularly appealed to members of the public who may be considering purchasing products online claiming to contain Semaglutide or presented as Ozempic, Rybelsus or Wegovy.

“The Semaglutide products that we have detained, including generic versions of pens as well as vials containing powder, are all falsified medicines. We have no information on where they were sourced or where, and under what conditions, they were manufactured. There is actually no authorised version of Semaglutide in powder form and any product of this nature promoted online is fake or falsified. Likewise, there are no generic forms of Semaglutide and any product of this nature promoted online is again fake or falsified. There is no way to know what these products actually contain or the strength of any dose provided. They could represent a serious risk to your health.”

“It is always best to seek advice from a healthcare professional about any health concerns or symptoms you may have. We strongly urge consumers to source their prescription medicines through the standard practice of accessing a prescription from your doctor, which is dispensed through your local pharmacy. Moving outside of this legal supply route presents a real risk to your health. Anyone using Semaglutide products that have been purchased online should stop using them immediately and contact a medical professional if they have concerns regarding their health.” Ms Power said.

The HPRA reminds members of the public they can report suspicious activities around the supply of Semaglutide and other health products to the HPRA, in confidence, by emailing reportacase@hpra.ie or by calling 01 634 3871 or 01 634 3431. Further information for consumers on the dangers of purchasing medicines online is available here: Dangers of buying prescription medicines online

Uisce Éireann urges the public to ‘Think Before You Flush’ and help protect our environment 

Uisce Éireann and Clean Coasts have urged the public to continue to ‘Think Before You Flush’ as alarmingly a recent survey revealed an increase in the disposal of wipes and other sanitary products down the toilet. Those aged under 35 are almost twice as likely to dispose of products down the toilet, compared to those aged over 35, and almost three times as likely compared to those over 55.

Whether labelled as ‘flushable’ or not, wipes should never be disposed of in toilets. With the growing popularity of year-round open water swimming, it is important to remember that our flushing habits directly affect the environment and in particular rivers and coastal areas. Making minor adjustments in our daily habits can play a crucial role in preventing sanitary waste appearing along rivers, sandy beaches, rugged shores, and hidden bays.

Uisce Éireann and Clean Coasts have been steadfast partners for the last seven years with a joint mission to drive the Think Before You Flush Campaign and reduce environmental impacts through behavioural change. Despite this progress, there remains a pressing concern as there are still too many people flushing the wrong items down the toilet impacting our natural and built environment.

Tom Cuddy, Uisce Éireann said: “We know the awareness is there, we are just asking people to take a moment to consider their flushing habits and put litter in the bin rather than down the toilet. The impact of removing these products from our wastewater system is immense, and they unfortunately can ultimately end up on our beautiful beaches and rivers right across the country. As Uisce Éireann continues its journey of upgrading and developing critical infrastructure to support sustainable growth and development, it is important that we continue to work together to protect and enhance our environment. Every individual’s contribution counts, and by making conscientious choices about what we flush, we can collectively make a huge difference.”

Speaking about the campaign, Sinead McCoy, Clean Coasts said: “Our message is straightforward: only the 3 Ps – pee, poo, and paper – should find their way into the toilet bowl. All other items must be placed in the bin. By following this practice, we can significantly reduce sewer blockages, minimise the risk of home and business flooding, and mitigate the environmental pollution that poses a threat to wildlife, such as fish and birds, their natural habitats and our coastlines. A minor change in our flushing behaviour can have huge benefits for our natural surroundings – simply dispose of wipes, cotton bud sticks, and sanitary items in the bin, not down the toilet.’