AI Con 2024: Exploring the Present and Future landscape of Artificial Intelligence

Gareth Workman, Kainos, Suzi Murtagh, Allstate NI, Paul McCoy, Invest NI, Laura McClean, Synechron NI, David Crozier CBE, AI Collaboration Centre (AICC).

Ireland’s leading AI focused conference, AI Con will once again draw hundreds of experts, researchers and innovators together to explore the latest developments in AI and machine learning.

The popular conference will return to Titanic Belfast on Thursday, 3 October.

Over 400 technologists and business leaders will gather to hear from global experts in the Artificial Intelligence space, including representatives from the University College Dublin Innovation Academy, Beyond Reach Consulting Limited, Kainos, Axial3D, and ASOS.

Now in its sixth year, AI Con will feature a twin-track approach with two programmes running simultaneously: ‘AI Now’ and ‘AI Next’.

AI Now will delve into the current state of the art, covering topics such as developing and operating AI-based systems, Regulation, responsible AI, and societal and economic impacts, among other subjects.

AI Next will explore the cutting edge of AI research and developing, including emerging approaches, methodologies, models and technology.

The conference will explore best practice for leveraging AI in a safe, transparent, and accountable way, and will also provide insights into the opportunities and challenges presented by a rapidly evolving AI landscape.

Dr. Lollie Mancey, Programme Director for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at University College Dublin's Innovation Academy, will deliver the keynote address at AI Con, drawing from her extensive experience in digital transformation, technology, and resilience.

Currently, Dr. Mancey is working on a TV project exploring technological innovations in Ireland that could shape society by 2050. This project aligns with her involvement in RTÉ's "Welcome to Futureville," which envisions Athlone as a futuristic city, addressing challenges such as housing, transport, and the environment, and creating a virtual reality model of the town in 2050.

Other notable speakers include Patricia Shaw, CEO of Beyond Reach Consulting Limited; Rory Hanratty, Chief Technology Officer at Axial3D; and Suzanne Brink, Head of AI Ethics and Governance at Kainos.

William Hamill, Head of Engineering in Digital Services at Kainos, will chair a panel discussion on creating an AI Avatar that can engage in a real-time dialogue with multiple participants. The session will feature live participation from said AI Panellist.

AI Con 2024 will be hosted by Kainos, supported by Allstate, Invest NI, Matrix, Synechron, Belfast City Council and the Artificial Intelligence Collaboration Centre (AICC). The event will contribute to the debate on the responsible advancement of AI technology by showcasing global examples of both the risks and opportunities of AI.

Additionally, on Friday 4 October 2024, the AICC will host exclusive AI workshops at Ulster University, open to all AI Con 2024 conference attendees.

For further information or registration details, please visit: https://ai-con.ai/.

Kainos Group Chief Technology Officer and Director of Innovation Tom Gray said:

“This year, the conference will feature dual tracks, ‘AI Now’ and ‘AI Next,’ looking at how we use AI currently and then looking forward at how AI will evolve in the future, covering topics such as AI in creativity, responsible AI, industry impacts, and sustainability.”

“With so much information available about AI and its potential, our goal at AI Con is to support a responsible and innovative AI ecosystem that not only advances technological capabilities but also prioritises ethical considerations and societal impact.”

Eversheds Sutherland: Return of PPPs/PFIs could be the key to unlocking infrastructure

Writes Lisa Boyd, Projects, Construction and Procurement Partner at Eversheds Sutherland. Article first published in the Irish News, Tuesday 27 August.

Lisa Boyd, Projects, Construction and Procurement Partner, Eversheds Sutherland.

It has been a mixed summer in terms of news for the building of infrastructure.

On one hand, we have had encouraging news of major infrastructural projects such as the final report of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, and on the other we have had the new Labour government in Westminster stalling major road and hospital projects in England due to a lack of funding.

There have been many rumours that new Chancellor for the Exchequer Rachel Reeves will turn to private sources in order to fill the black holes in public finances, with it reported that she will seek private finance to get the £9 billion Lower Thames Crossing over the line.

It is possible that Labour will end up going down the much-rumoured route of a return to public-private partnerships (PPPs) and private finance initiatives (PFIs).

The Conservative government discontinued PFIs in 2018, with the mechanism seen as a hangover from the previous Labour governments of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, but the fact remains that more than 700 public sector construction projects were delivered between 1997 and 2010. It is hard to imagine such a figure being possible without PFIs.

Projects that Reeves announced as being delayed in July may result in losses for private sector companies due to the potential loss of future revenue, demobilisation costs and penalties for the cancellation of procured long-lead items likely to arise from such delays.

PPPs allow the private sector to assume specific risks associated with project delivery, such as construction, operation, and maintenance making them more agile in terms of delivery but more certain in terms of project delivery and public financing.

By transferring risks to private partners, the government can focus on policymaking and oversight, reducing its exposure to financial and operational uncertainties, which is now of grave importance given the funding deficit in Northern Ireland.

PPPs can also often expedite delivery. Timely completion of infrastructure projects benefits communities, businesses, and the economy as a whole.

In Northern Ireland, many construction projects have been delayed due to associated public infrastructure not being capable of supporting them.

While the private companies responsible for these projects have offered to upgrade said infrastructure to deliver their own projects, they have found that there are no avenues for them to currently do so.

PPPs/PFIs have not been proposed of late due to Northern Ireland’s funding through the block grant, however a change in the funding model could see their return along with improved infrastructure, job creation, a boost to local economies, and enhanced connectivity in regions in need of economic stimulation such as our own.

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Ready for the return of the Assembly as sun sets on summer recess?

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Kneecap film opens at number three at the Irish box-office behind Hollywood heavy hitters

Kneecap Members, DJ Provaí, Mo Chara, and Móglaí Bap, with director Rich Peppiatt.

Despite extremely warm weather across Ireland over the weekend, audiences flocked to cinemas, with critically-acclaimed independent Irish film Kneecap opening at number three in the Irish box office charts with approx. €292k across the island of Ireland. 

Only Hollywood heavy-hitters It Ends With Us and Deadpool & Wolverine were ahead at the box office in Ireland, with big-budget US titles like Trap and Borderlands opening behind Kneecap.

This marks the biggest weekend opening for an Irish film at the Irish box office, including previews, since Academy Award® nominated The Banshees of Inisherin and the biggest box office opening for an Irish language feature film ever. Cinemas across Ireland are expecting the film to continue to perform very strongly, noting overwhelmingly positive word of mouth from audiences.

Kneecap had the widest ever opening of an Irish film in cinemas across Ireland, opening in 109 screens across the island of Ireland.

The Irish Film & Television Academy (IFTA) recently announced that the Irish language feature was selected to represent Ireland in the Oscar® International Feature Film category at the upcoming 97th annual Academy Awards. 

The film, written and directed by Rich Peppiatt (One Rogue Reporter) stars the members of the West Belfast rap trio Kneecap (Móglaí Bap, Mo Chara and DJ Próvaí) alongside an ensemble cast including Oscar® nominee Michael Fassbender, Simone Kirby, Josie Walker, Fionnuala Flaherty, Jessica Reynolds and Adam Best. 

Set in West Belfast in 2019, when fate brings Belfast schoolteacher JJ into the orbit of Naoise and Liam Óg, the needle drops on a hip hop act like no other. Rapping in their native Irish language, the trio create their own genre of Irish punk rap, melding the Irish and English language with electrifying energy. Their writing and performance reimagine what rap can be as a creative and cultural force, rooted in community. Kneecap ultimately become the unlikely figureheads of a Civil Rights movement to save their mother tongue, upending preconceptions about language and place and spearheading a cultural revival and interest from their legions of young followers.

Kneecap was produced by Trevor Birney and Jack Tarling for Fine Point Films and Mother Tongues Films, with Patrick O'Neill at Wildcard acting as Co-Producer. Funding for the film was provided by Northern Ireland Screen, the Irish Language Broadcast Fund, Fís Éireann / Screen Ireland, the BFI (awarding National Lottery funding), Coimisiún na Meán and TG4, Dias Feld and Kamila Serkebaeva, with backing from Great Point Media.

Curzon will release the film in the UK on Friday 23rd August.

The film had its World Premiere at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival in January this year, where it won a NEXT Audience Award, the first Irish language film to win at the festival. It went on to play at Sundance London, and was the opening film of Galway Film Fleadh, where it won three prizes including the Audience Award.

Construction works to commence on site of new Kainos global headquarters and Queen’s eco-friendly accommodation

Work gets underway on the Kainos and Queen’s University, Dublin Road site. Pictured from left to right are Laura McCarthy and Russell Sloan from Kainos, with Peter Erwin, Professor Sir Ian Greer and Liz McLaughlin, Queens University Belfast

Work is due to begin on site for Queen’s University Belfast’s new student accommodation and Kainos’ new global headquarters at Bankmore Exchange, on the Dublin Road in Belfast.

Planning permission was granted earlier this year for Kainos to develop its new headquarters, targeting a BREEAM outstanding accreditation and NABERS 5* rating which is a first for the office market in Northern Ireland, and for Queen’s to develop the first Passivhaus purpose-built managed student accommodation in Northern Ireland.

Enabling works for both projects are set to get started this month with Queen’s having appointed construction company, Graham, to develop its new student accommodation.

Russell Sloan, CEO of Kainos, stated:

"This location will serve as Kainos' global headquarters, situated right here in Belfast. We are eager to stimulate local economic growth and generate new opportunities within the city. This building underlines our commitment to Belfast. In addition to our own base, this tech hub will provide sustainable office space for other companies. Our aim is to contribute to Belfast’s position as a leading destination for investment and employment."

Queen’s University is one of the largest property owners in the city and has been at the forefront of the development of south Belfast throughout its history, as affirmed through its Civic Commitment to the area.

Queen’s President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Ian Greer commented:

“For the past 180 years, Queen’s has been renowned for providing a world-class education to our students and huge influence on the economic and social landscape of Belfast and beyond. This accommodation, together with Kainos’ new office space, will transform the landscape of Dublin Road, increase economic activity in the area through city-centre-living and deliver tangible benefits for the welfare of our people and planet.”

The low-emission Passivhaus accommodation uses minimal energy for heating and cooling. Housing up to 459 students, it drives forward the university’s commitment to delivering nearly 3,000 new student beds by 2029 and meeting its net-zero commitments.

Kainos plans to occupy around half of its building and will lease the remaining floors to commercial tenants. It has appointed joint property agents Avison and Young, and Cushman and Wakefield.

Both projects represent a significant investment by Kainos and Queen’s to the rejuvenation of an area once known as Belfast’s Golden Mile. The projects highlight a collective commitment to creating a vibrant hub, serving to benefit local business owners and positively impacting the work environment in central Belfast.

Queen's plans to welcome students to its new facilities in time for the beginning of the September 2026 academic year.

Bankmore Exchange is scheduled for completion within 24 months, with Kainos aiming to take occupancy in early 2027.

VSS leading the way in Trauma-Informed Approach with formal accreditation

Andrew Walker, Victims and Survivors Service (VSS) CEO

The Victims and Survivors Service (VSS) has become the first organisation in Northern Ireland to be accredited with a Silver ‘Trauma-Informed: Working With Trauma Quality Mark’, offering formal recognition of its trauma-informed approach in identifying and responding to the needs of victims and survivors. 

The initiative, supported by the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland’s (SBNI) workforce development project (Trauma Informed Practice), involved working with ‘One Small Thing’, a specialist charity which provides assessment and accreditation to organisations who can evidence that they meet a robust, accessible, and supportive set of standards for working with trauma.

As the first organisation in Northern Ireland to receive this accreditation, VSS ensures that victims and survivors receive the measured, considerate, and tailored trauma-informed approach required in all interactions with its team and in the services and support provided.

Receiving this accreditation demonstrates the commitment of VSS and its team to delivering a trauma-informed approach in everything it does to support victims and survivors.

Responding to the announcement, the Safeguarding Board NI Trauma Informed Practice Team described the process as:

“A pleasure, which is a well-deserved recognition of their efforts. We are confident that VSS will serve as a model for other organisations to emulate, follow and collaborate with”.   

VSS Chief Executive Andrew Walker commented:

“This important accreditation provides us with crucial assurance on how we work and deliver support and services for those who need them. Additionally, it ensures that everything we do is carried out in a way that is informed by the lived experiences of victims and survivors and their specific needs.  I am grateful to the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland for their support, and to VSS staff and our partners for their dedication to trauma-informed practice.”

Eversheds Sutherland: Murphy’s Good Jobs Consultation Long Overdue

Writes Ian McFarland, Employment Partner, Eversheds Sutherland. Article first published in the Irish News, Tuesday 9 July. 

Ian McFarland, Employment Partner, Eversheds Sutherland.

The unveiling of Minister for the Economy Conor Murphy’s Good Jobs consultation was long-awaited and overdue. Years of political stagnancy and a lack of desire on the part of previous Ministers for the Economy have meant that Northern Ireland has been left behind in its employment laws in recent years.

Unsurprisingly, the terms of the consultation have mainly been inspired by developments to our east and south. The consultation papers are comprehensive, but among the 157 pages of the document, it is clear that some proposals are more likely to come to fruition than others.

The most likely of the proposed reforms to be implemented are the most high profile. Zero hour contracts will be a key area of focus. While much maligned and open to exploitation by some employers, they can and do work for many. Their abolition is unlikely, but they may be limited to specific circumstances as in the Republic of Ireland, where the work must be of a casual nature, short-term relief work, or work done in emergency situations.  

Fire and rehire will also be in the Department’s crosshairs; legislative intervention to prevent the practice is not impossible to imagine, but it remains more likely that we will see a Code of Practice similar to that recently implemented in Great Britain.

Developments in relation to the fair distribution of tips are also expected, with a legal requirement for full amount of cashless tips be passed on, which would be a welcome development for the workers but come at a cost for the employers.

The issue of holiday pay has vexed employers for many years, but there will likely be some much needed clarification with the reference period for calculation purposes expected to be extended from 12 weeks to 52 weeks, assisting local employers currently faced with the dilemma of reconciling competing reference periods in the legislation and recent decisions.

Flexible working developments will also likely reflect recent developments in Great Britain, including the right to flexible working from day one of employment and making the exercise of the right to request more straightforward. Changes to family-related rights such as carer’s leave, neonatal care leave and pay, protection for pregnant employees, and paternity leave will all likely follow a similar path of modernisation as those seen elsewhere.

The consultation period set out, lasting until 30 September, is extensive, fulfilling the purpose of devolution by allowing local voices to be heard. Northern Ireland employers can now engage with the process, and while the proposals are inspired by examples from elsewhere, this consultation allows us the opportunity to make them fully our own.

Government Plans Laid Out in King's Speech

The King’s Speech is the epitome of pomp and ceremony, with hours of coverage and preparation of a twenty-minute speech. This morning, the King made the journey from Buckingham Palace over to the House of Lords for the State opening of Parliament, while Buckingham Palace took Samatha Dixon MP “hostage” while the King is in Parliament; an old tradition, to ensure the King’s safe return.

The contents of the speech were a repetition of what we’ve heard from the Labour Party over the six weeks of the election campaign. With a mandate of growth, growth, growth, the King said the word repeatedly throughout the first two minutes of his speech, also reiterating the Labour mantra of “Get Britain Building.” Other pledges, which have been repeated time and again during the Labour campaign, included nationalisation plans for GB Railways, the creation the GB Energy company, a Border Security Command, House of Lords Reform, the end to VAT exemptions for private schools, and a ban on conversion therapy. The speech was just as anticipated, with little surprises, but some important Labour pledges were excluded, such as voting for 16-year-olds, a mandatory retirement age for the House of Lords, and an AI Bill.

The King also said that the government will focus on devolution to the nations and regions and intends to “repeal and replace” the Northern Ireland Troubles Act, a move very welcome across party lines in Northern Ireland, as pointed out by the SDLP leader Colum Eastwood and Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart in their post-speech comments.

From today, Parliament will start to debate the contents of the Speech for the next six sitting days, with a vote at the end. This debate is the first opportunity for MPs to deliver their maiden speeches in the House of Commons, so expect to see some fresh faces preaching their loyalty and thanks to their constituents, with little mention of the speech itself, over the next week.

Nesbitt’s Health Priorities Outlined

Health News 10 July 2024

It’s always worth a look when a departmental press release comes out on the cusp of a holiday. This afternoon’s surprise was from the Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt MLA, releasing a written statement on his department’s planned initiatives.  There’s A LOT to cover, so here’s a quick summary. Deep breath…

Bengoa’s Back

The first headline grabber is the news that Professor Rafael Bengoa of the eponymous and oft-referred-to “Bengoa Report”, will return to Northern Ireland in the Autumn.  Professor Bengoa first reported his recommendations for reform and transformation of the Northern Ireland health service in 2016. He will return for a conference and a series of engagements around these same topics.  The Minister states his intention to “reboot the public conversation around health reform.”

Welcoming this news, Alliance Health spokesperson Nuala McAlister MLA said, “I hope that this visit from Professor Bengoa will refocus the minds of those who have been unable to make difficult decisions required for the necessary transformation of our health service, and increase the urgency of reform.”

Summer Consultation on Hospital Reconfiguration

The Minister has also announced today that he is planning to publish a proposal for hospital reconfiguration for consultation over the summer. The Minister states clearly, “while every existing hospital has a key role to play, every hospital cannot provide every service.”  Minister Nesbitt knows he won’t be able to please all the people all the time and he’s up front in acknowledging it.

Three Year Strategic Plan for Health and Social Care

The Minister has stated that he will issue a Strategic Plan for Health and Social Care the remaining mandate of the current Assembly. It will cover three themes: Stabilisation, Reform and Delivery.  He notes that, given budget constraints, Stabilisation will be the dominant theme.

Primary Care and Social Care as Priorities

The Health Minister stated that prioritising primary care and social care are “front and centre” in the department’s priorities.  He recognises that “it is vitally important in its own right to help our citizens live healthy and independent lives in the community” and notes the additional benefit of “easing pressure on our beleaguered acute hospital sector”. 

Reform of Adult Social Care - news next week

It will come as welcome news to the sector that there is imminent news on this. The Minister has announced that a Delivery Plan for the Social Care Collaborative Forum will be published next week. He stated that the Forum is working collaboratively to implement proposals arising out of the consultation on the Reform of Adult Social Care and said key themes for the Delivery Plan will focus on: Building a Sustainable Workforce; Improving Commissioning and Contracting Arrangements; and Developing Improved Partnership Working. 

Children’s Social Care Services

Today’s Ministerial Statement coincides with the publication of responses to the public consultation on the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care Services.  The Health Minister said he is planning to publish his response to the Review’s recommendations in Autumn. 

Minister for Children and Families

Also of note, the Minister stated he will be looking at cross-cutting recommendations involving other Departments, including recommendations on the possible appointment of a Minister for Children and Families, the establishment of a Children and Families Arm’s Length Body and the expansion of the Sure Start programme and the Gillen Review of Civil and Family Justice. 

Tackling Inequalities – Public Health Prevention

Throughout his statement, the Minister reiterates his now-familiar theme of health inequalities.  He announced the first phase of a “Live Better” initiative, designed to bring targeted health support to communities which need it most.  This will build on work by the PHA and others, covering areas such as increasing uptake in health screening and vaccination, mental health support, blood pressure and cholesterol checks, nutrition and physical activity. 

In the week when the Minister also announced that the core grant to voluntary organisations is to remain at the 50% level provided in 2023-24, it is of note that his statement says “my intention is that the community and voluntary sector will be a key, and equal partner in delivering and supporting this programme.”

The long weekend ahead will need to be restful: it looks like July and August are going to be action-packed in the Department of Health.

The Health Minister’s statement can be read in full here *doh-wms-Department of Health planned initiatives-july-2024.pdf (health-ni.gov.uk)

ENDS 

By Vicki Caddy, PR Director, Head of Healthcare Communications

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt MLA meeting health service staff