Pictured (l-r) are Ricardo Simon Carbajo, Director of Innovation & Development & EDIH for AI Programme Director, CeADAR; Jean Carberry, Assistant Secretary, EU, Digital & Access to Finance, Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment; Patrick Sweeney, EEN Coordinator, Ireland, Enterprise Ireland; Anne Lanigan, Divisional Manager, Technology & Services, Enterprise Ireland; Laura Plunkett, EDIH Programme Manager, CeADAR; John Lonsdale, CEO, CeADAR
Panel discussions offered insight from industry experts into the benefits of accessing CeADAR’s European Digital Innovation Hub for AI programme
CeADAR, the European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) for AI hosted an event in partnership with Enterprise Europe Network. The event showcased Irish SMEs and public sector organisations (PSOs) who have engaged with CeADAR’s EDIH programme to accelerate their growth by adopting AI technology.
The European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH) network is a Europe-wide initiative to help SMEs and PSOs become more digitally intense by providing access to test-before-invest, skills development, and support to find investment services. CeADAR is one of four EDIHs in Ireland, it is the EDIH for AI. CeADAR’s EDIH services are 100% discounted to eligible enterprises and PSOs.
The Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) is the world’s largest support network for SMEs with international ambitions. In Ireland, the Network is coordinated by Enterprise Ireland and delivered by the Local Enterprise Offices (led by Donegal LEO), along with Dublin and Cork Chambers – ensuring national coverage and local connectivity for businesses.
The event had presentations from John Lonsdale, CEO and Ricardo Simon Carbajo, Director of Innovation & Development, introducing CeADAR and the EDIH programme.
In the opening remarks Anne Lanigan, Divisional Manager of Technology and Services at Enterprise Ireland, emphasised the relevance of AI to Enterprise Ireland’s Scaling agenda and the importance of collaboration across Europe with the significant support of EEN and the EDIH Network.
Jean Carberry, Assistant Secretary for Digital Policy at the Department of Enterprise, Tourism, and Employment, provided the strategic and policy context, linking Ireland’s national AI and digitalisation agenda with delivery through EI, EEN and the EDIH Network.
A series of panels followed, starting with a panel led by Paul Browne, AI, Cyber and Digital Product Manager at Enterprise Ireland, which showcased SMEs that have engaged with the EDIH Test Before Invest services. Enterprise panellists included Trinity Finances, Profix, Progressive Credit Union, WorkJuggle, Dawn Horizon and HERE. The panel discussions highlighted how accessible the EDIH for AI programme is for all types and size of enterprise and organisation with panellists emphasising the high level of support and expertise available through the programme, which enabled them to experiment, learn and move forward confidently in applying AI solutions to their business stressors.
Ramy Ebeid, CeADAR’s EDIH Engagement Lead highlighted the current skills development opportunities available through CeADAR’s EDIH for AI programme including the ‘AI for You: Introduction to AI and the EU AI Act’ online course developed in partnership with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to support the AI Literacy requirement for organisations currently using or developing AI.
Director of Innovation at University College Dublin Liam Cronin hosted a discussion on scaling SMEs and supporting acceleration alongside current and former participants in CeADAR’s EDIH AI Ecosystem Accelerator Programme in partnership with NovaUCD, an initiative to support entrepreneurs who are developing AI solutions for the global markets. Accelerator panellists included GoMappED, Customs Window, RunAudit and Nestifi.
In the afternoon session, Laura Plunkett, EDIH Programme Manager led a discussion, with representatives of other innovation hubs and agencies about collaboration, ecosystem building, and how to access funding. Ecosystem panellists included ENTIRE EDIH, Data2Sustain, AIM Centre, Enterprise Europe Network and service user Cork County Council.
Attendees had a chance to sign up to meet with the CeADAR EDIH team, and with representatives from Enterprise Ireland, the Enterprise Europe Network, and other EDIHS, as well as network with any of the other speakers and attendees at the event.
Jean Carberry, Assistant Secretary for Digital Policy at the Department of Enterprise, Tourism, and Employment, said: “Ireland is taking a strategic, whole-of-ecosystem approach to supporting AI adoption, ensuring that organisations of all sizes can access the skills, expertise and programmes they need to innovate and grow. The partnership between the EDIH Network, Enterprise Ireland and the Enterprise Europe Network is central to delivering on our national digital and AI strategies. The examples shared today highlight how Irish enterprises and public bodies are already applying these supports to deliver real improvements and unlock new opportunities.”
Anne Lanigan, Divisional Manager of Technology and Services at Enterprise Ireland, said: “Enterprise Ireland is committed to helping Irish companies embrace digital transformation so they can compete, scale and innovate in a rapidly changing technological landscape. Through our coordinating role across both the Enterprise Europe Network and Ireland’s EDIH Network, we are ensuring that businesses have access to the right expertise, training and supports to adopt AI responsibly and effectively in order to grow their businesses. Today’s event highlights the real impact of these programmes, and the strength of collaboration across Ireland and Europe’s innovation ecosystem.”
CeADAR Director of Innovation & Development & EDIH for AI Programme Director, Ricardo Simon Carbajo said: “CeADAR EDIH programme offers valuable opportunities for SMEs and PSOs to support their growth and AI-driven transformation. The panellists at the EDIH for AI event at The Gibson Hotel are excellent examples of how engaging with AI technology, providing AI literacy training to staff and integrating AI into products and services can accelerate growth.”
CeADAR CEO, John Lonsdale, added: “SMEs and PSOs that are utilising the transformation services that are available are thriving and we encourage all organisations to follow suit to ensure that they maximise their growth potential.”