Technology Ireland DIGITAL Skillnet Delivers GenAI Masterclass to Irish Business Leaders

In a dynamic and rapidly evolving technological landscape, staying ahead of the curve is imperative for businesses aiming to maintain competitive advantage. Recognising this need, Technology Ireland DIGITAL Skillnet designed a two-day masterclass for senior business leaders to explore the vast potential and opportunities including the inherent challenges presented by Generative Artificial Intelligence (GEN AI) technology and to evaluate how companies and organisations can harness its potential.

The GenAI Masterclass, hosted by Technology Ireland DIGITAL Skillnet in collaboration with London Business School, focused not only on the strategic implementation of AI but also on the imminent need for significant up-skilling of Ireland’s workforce, a need amplified by the rapid advancements in AI.

30 Senior executives from leading Irish companies - including Pfizer Careers, Zurich, FINEOS, Davy, Stats Perform, and Munich Re Group - engaged in an intensive discourse on how to harness the transformative power of AI to drive business innovation and modernisation. They participated in discussions covering business process re-engineering, responsible AI principles and ethical implications, strategic AI alignment, and business modernisation. The masterclass also delved into popular tools like Co-pilot, ChatGPT, Sonnet 3.5, and the underlying technologies of LLMs, data science, and risk mitigation.

Commenting on the importance of AI upskilling for businesses, Maire Hunt, Network Director, Technology Ireland Digital Skillnet, said: “Our goal, in the Technology Ireland Digital Skillnet, is to bridge the gap between recognising AI’s potential and actually implementing it effectively. That means that organisations need to have the right skills, capabilities and strategies to realise business value in terms of innovation, productivity and speed.

“While the technology is still developing rapidly, forward-looking companies have already completed the experimentation phase and are now proceeding to full deployment across key business functions. But a significant process of AI upskilling at scale is required.” 

Una Fitzpatrick, Director, Technology Ireland, which has carried out significant work on the legislative framework for AI, said: “Informed leadership is crucial in harnessing the power of transformative technologies. We want to ensure that business leaders are prepared to navigate the AI revolution, turning potential into real sustainable value for their organisations, and applying responsible AI frameworks in their companies.”

Among the speakers was globally renowned AI expert Nicos Savva, Professor of Management Science and Operations, London Business School, who provides businesses and organisations with a clear evidence-based understanding of Generative AI.

“Merely implementing AI technologies without strategic integration and proper understanding can lead to substantial investments with little return, potentially resulting in the trough of disillusionment. The real value will come from finding clever ways to integrate the technology in our everyday workflows and leveraging the technology competently,” Professor Savva said.

In line with the insights and discussions from the GenAI Masterclass, Technology Ireland DIGITAL Skillnet has announced the launch of a comprehensive suite of programmes designed to meet the diverse needs of various groups within companies. These programmes are tailored to equip Business AI Users, Technical Leaders and Teams, Data Scientists and Strategic Leaders creating business ready applications.

With the support of Technology Ireland DIGITAL Skillnet, organisations have a unique opportunity to develop the optimal skill solutions that drive business value and performance. These initiatives are designed to foster a culture of continuous learning and innovation, ensuring that companies are well-prepared to harness the full potential of AI technology.

To find out more about the range of bespoke programmes and supports offered by Technology Ireland DIGITAL Skillnet, contact info@digitalskillnet.ie.