Kevin Higgins, Platform Consultant, Allstate; Mark McCormack, Managing Director, Aflac NI; Ryan Keenan, Director, Learning Experience Lab, DeepLearning.ai; Síona O’Reilly, Solutions Architect, Kainos; Leah Ní Mhurchú, Technical Support Engineer, Options IT
BelTech, one of the Irish tech industry’s most prominent conferences, made its return to Belfast yesterday, 10 April 2025, bringing together leading figures from across the sector.
Curated by Kainos in partnership with Allstate, BelTech is supported by leading technology companies, including Options, Unosquare, Aflac Northern Ireland, and Rakuten.
This year, BelTech welcomed an impressive lineup of speakers from Amazon Web Services, MIT, Monzo Bank, and more.
US based Ryan Keenan, Director of the Learning Experience Lab at DeepLearning.AI, headlined the day with a keynote that focused on artificial intelligence and the future of education.
Aimed at both experienced professionals and emerging talent, the conference showcased a diverse agenda designed to inspire, educate, and spark collaboration across the tech ecosystem.
Software development was an integral part of the conference, exploring the art and science of crafting robust, scalable software solutions. Sessions covered everything from foundational programming languages and frameworks to advanced architectural techniques and design patterns.
Delegates gained insight into the real-world applications of both generative and narrow AI in the software industry. Topics included automated code generation, intelligent debugging and testing, and enhancing creativity in development. Crucial security and ethical considerations such as data privacy and regulatory challenges were also front and centre.
BelTech also explored a ‘What’s Next?’ theme, focused on the evolving developer landscape, this track examined the rise of generative AI assistants and their role in streamlining development workflows.
A key feature at BelTech was the "Powered by Partnership" panel, chaired by John Ferris of Ulster Bank, it highlighted how collaboration between academia and industry is helping to build the next generation of scaleups.
Featuring founders from Ulster University’s Connect to Success programme the panel offered valuable insights into how AI is driving innovation and growth across diverse sectors. The discussion showcased the real-world impact of strong partnerships and the vital role of support networks in scaling tech-led businesses.
Síona O’Reilly, Solution Architect, Kainos said:
“BelTech is a clear example of how innovation thrives when we come together as a community. Innovation isn't just about the technology - it’s about the people who drive it. The conversations, ideas, and collaboration truly embodied everything this conference stands for.
The exchange of ideas and expertise from our speakers today was truly inspiring. It was a true celebration of our vibrant technical community, and a powerful reminder of how collaboration and shared knowledge are key to solving the challenges that lie ahead.”
With a continued focus on inclusivity and innovation, BelTech 2025 cemented its position as a cornerstone for knowledge exchange, professional development, and community-building in the Irish tech scene.
To find out more: https://www.beltech.co/