The Future of AI: Growth, Impact & Risks – Key Insights from Industry Leaders

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a speculative trend—it is an operational reality shaping public and private organisations across Ireland.  

At GeoDirectory’s 2025 Customer Conference, we brought together three experts in the Irish data and technology ecosystem—Bronagh Riordan (EY), Eoin Thornton (Integrity360), and Lorcan Malone (Analytics Institute)— to discuss the growth, impact, and risks of AI adoption.

Watch the full session to find out the key insights discussed amongst the panel.

Short on time? Find the key insights discussed during the session below. 

1. AI Adoption: Expanding Rapidly, But Unevenly 

The panel discussed that while AI adoption is accelerating, it remains uneven across sectors and roles. Younger professionals are integrating tools like ChatGPT into workflows more frequently, sometimes even without managerial oversight. For example, Lorcan Malone observed that job applicants under 30 frequently submit AI-generated CVs and are increasingly using generative AI for presentations and interviews. 

More broadly, enterprise adoption has shifted in just 12 months. According to Malone, “a year ago, only a few companies were piloting AI. Now nearly all are embedding it into active projects.” This echoes trends observed at the Analytics Institute’s recent showcase, where public and private entities—from financial institutions to healthcare—demonstrated practical applications of AI. 

2. Security, Shadow AI, and Compliance Challenges 

One of the most pressing concerns raised was the use of ungoverned AI tools, often referred to as Shadow AI. A Microsoft survey cited during the session indicated that up to 27% of AI use in enterprises occurs outside approved IT infrastructure, raising significant data privacy and compliance risks—especially under the EU AI Act. 

Eoin Thornton emphasised that from a cybersecurity standpoint, AI is already embedded in defence strategies, particularly for threat detection and anomaly detection across large enterprise networks. However, he cautioned that attackers are also using AI—particularly in social engineering, phishing, and deepfake generation. 

“We're behind the curve in countering deepfakes,” Thornton admitted. “Security tooling is evolving, but governance and user education remain key.” 

3. Practical AI Applications Across Sectors 

During the session, the panel spoke about several impactful use cases from Irish organisations on how they’re adopting AI: 

• Bank of Ireland is developing a digital assistant to help customers manage spending. 

• Musgrave uses AI to predict customer purchases using basket data. 

• Pobal, a government body, uses AI to identify and support at-risk children in deprived communities. 

• Gas Networks Ireland improved operational efficiency by shifting from manual mapping to AI-based network prediction—mapping 300,000 nodes in one month, compared to 300 per week manually. 

These examples show how AI is moving from experimentation to practical transformation, particularly in domains where automation, pattern recognition, and predictive analytics add measurable value. 

4. Implementation Strategy: Start Small, Scale Responsibly 

Bronagh Riordan advised organisations to begin with small-scale AI projects, ideally with clear alignment to business questions or KPIs. She outlined a reverse methodology: start with the insights needed, then determine what analytics and data are required. 

Key factors for successful implementation include: 

• Data quality: Essential for accurate modelling and AI decision-making. 

• Agile methodologies: Short sprints (2–4 weeks) allow quick validation of use cases. 

• Cross-functional collaboration: Business and IT teams must co-create use cases to ensure relevance and accountability. 

5. Governance, Regulation, and the EU AI Act 

The EU Artificial Intelligence Act, which came into force in 2024, was a central topic. The Act classifies AI systems by risk level (e.g., high risk for recruitment, health, and law enforcement) and mandates human oversight, transparency, and data protection compliance. 

Riordan noted that even in highly regulated industries, these frameworks are not overly restrictive, as many organisations already operate with rigorous compliance practices. She stressed the need for internal AI policies that align with both ethical standards and regulatory requirements. 

“AI literacy and clear governance are critical—particularly when AI intersects with personal data, recruitment, or decision automation.” 

6. Ireland’s Position in the Global AI Landscape 

Despite concerns about regulatory lag or economic scale, both Riordan and Malone expressed confidence in Ireland’s standing. Noting the following examples: 

• Ireland hosts European HQs of global tech leaders and has a deep pool of AI talent. 

• Government-backed initiatives like the National AI Strategy (refreshed in Nov 2024) aim to make Ireland a hub for responsible and innovative AI development. 

• According to Malone, international speakers who attend Irish data events are often surprised by how advanced the local ecosystem is—especially in sectors like pharma, telecoms, and financial services. 

7. Looking Ahead: Human Oversight, Literacy & Trust 

While AI capabilities continue to grow, the panel consistently returned to the importance of human oversight and digital literacy. In areas like customer service, organisations must strike a balance between AI efficiency and the human touch. 

Riordan highlighted the role of transparency in customer service. She explained that consumers need to know when they’re interacting with AI and must retain options for human escalation. 

Malone advocated for broad-based upskilling, noting that AI cannot remain the sole domain of technologists. All employees—regardless of role—need to understand both the opportunities and risks of AI. 

AI is rapidly transforming the landscape for data professionals in Ireland. The challenge now is not whether to adopt AI, but how to do so responsibly, securely, and ethically. With the right governance, public-private collaboration, and workforce education, Ireland is well-positioned to be a global leader in responsible AI innovation. 

Further Reading: 

• EU AI Act Overview (European Commission) 

• Ireland’s National AI Strategy (gov.ie) 

• Microsoft Digital Defence Report 2023