Chatting GPT

Simon Hodgkins has spent a career running global marketing — Sage, CMO Club president, and now Chief Marketing Officer at Vistatec, the Dublin firm helping iconic brands scale content and AI worldwide. He joins Maryrose to argue that the real AI bottleneck isn't the models. It's whether a company is ready to use them.Simon makes the case for gap analysis before tooling: before you buy, pilot or deploy, you need to know how you actually work today — what content exists, which workflows are documented, how the Frankfurt office differs from New York, and what ISO 42001 would expect you to prove. He explains why bolting AI onto broken processes wastes money, why regulated industries still need human experts in the loop, and what an "intelligent workflow" actually looks like.On the hype cycle, Simon is blunt: stop headline-reading. Figure out what you're doing first. Or as Rory Sutherland puts it — no robots are buying new cars.A conversation for any leader whose pilots keep going nowhere.

The CSO stopped tracking the price of a pint of Guinness in Ireland in 2011. The last official figure was €3.93. Nobody picked it up again until Matt Cortland and John Fleming decided to call every pub in the country and ask. Using Google Maps for contact data, 11 Labs to clone a Northern Irish voice, Claude Code to orchestrate the whole system, and Twilio to actually make the calls, they built the Guinndex: a real-time index of pint prices across Ireland and Northern Ireland. Over 700 pubs called. Total cost: approximately €200. They didn't stop there. With fuel prices dominating headlines on both sides of the Atlantic, they applied the same methodology to US gas stations, creating the Gas Index, complete with AI agents named after King of the Hill characters and a feature that tells you whether the cheaper station is actually worth the drive. This episode is a masterclass in what's possible when you connect off-the-shelf AI tools with a problem worth solving. And a cautionary tale about the Irish goodbye. Find Matt and John at guindex.ai.

Sean Blanchfield, Co-Founder Jentic, joins Maryrose Lyons of the AI Institute for the second part of their conversation, this time diving deep into agentic AI, what it actually means for businesses, and how Jentic's infrastructure can help enterprise get there. From the risks of locking into a single AI model to a practical three-layer roadmap for AI transformation, Sean offers a grounded, builder's perspective on where enterprise AI is really headed. An essential listen for anyone in construction, professional services, or other sectors navigating fragmented systems and wondering where to start.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Welcome Back00:30 Model Neutrality — Why You Shouldn't Lock Into One AI01:30 Microsoft Copilot: The Hype and the Reality02:20 Self-Hosting and On-Prem AI for Sensitive Data03:00 Where Jentic Fits In — Mapping Your Software Ecosystem04:00 Building a Digital Twin of Your Business Infrastructure 05:00 Agents in the Sandbox — Testing Before Going Live05:45 Validating and Publishing Automations Incrementally06:30 Voice Agents and Real-Time Field Queries 07:30 Layer Three: Governance and Running an AI-Powered Company08:30 Humans in the Loop — Cross-Workflow Thinking09:15 Resistance to AI Adoption (Spoiler: Less Than You'd Think)10:00 The Future Company — Humans as Governors of Machines11:00 Wrap-Up and Where to Find JenticConnect with Sean Blanchfield : https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanblanchfield/Check out Jentic https://jentic.com/

Serial entrepreneur and Co-Founder of Jentic, Sean Blanchfield joins our host Maryrose Lyons for a conversation about Ireland's AI opportunity, and the risks of getting it wrong. From energy infrastructure and nuclear power to the future of the professional class, Sean lays out a bold, pragmatic roadmap for positioning Ireland to win in the AI generation. A must-listen for founders, policymakers, and anyone thinking seriously about the future of the Irish economy.Key TopicsIreland's AI strategy and infrastructureEnergy and regulation for AI developmentFuture economy and AI's impact on jobs and wealthData centers and inference centers in IrelandRegulatory environment and green energy initiativesChapters00:00 Introduction to Sean Blanchfield and AI in Ireland01:07 Ireland's Position in the AI Landscape01:43 The Future of Work and AI's Impact04:47 Regulatory Challenges and Data Centers07:40 Energy Needs for AI Infrastructure09:24 The Importance of Creativity in the AI EraConnect with Sean Blanchfield : https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanblanchfield/

In this episode of Chatting GPT, Maryrose Lyons speaks with DC Cahalane, a venture partner at SureValley Ventures, about the evolving landscape of AI investment and its implications for startups and small businesses. They discuss the importance of rethinking traditional business processes, the role of government in AI development, and the need for new economic measures in a rapidly changing technological environment. DC emphasizes the significance of understanding investor expectations and the potential of AI to transform business operations, particularly for small enterprises.Chapters00:00 Introduction to AI and Ecosystem Building03:07 Investing in AI: Trends and Innovations05:52 Government Responses to AI: A Comparative Analysis08:32 The Role of AI in Small Business Success11:26 Rethinking Economic Measures in the Age of AI14:00 The Future of Entrepreneurship and AI15:50 Conclusion and Insights on Entrepreneurial Ecosystems16:47 Understanding Pitch Decks and Investor Expectations17:26 The Importance of Problem-Solving in Business19:06 The Misunderstanding of AI Terminology

In this episode of Chatting GPT, host Maryrose Lyons of the AI Institute speaks with Dr. Lollie Mancey about the intersection of AI and anthropology, exploring how technology influences human relationships and societal structures. They discuss the importance of ethical AI, the need for agency in a technology-driven world, and the implications of AI on work and purpose. The conversation also touches on global perspectives on AI regulation, the challenges of abundance versus scarcity, and the necessity of fostering human connections in an increasingly digital landscape.Show NotesGuest: Dr Lollie ManceyTitle: Digital Anthropologist, Co-presenter of RTÉ's FuturevilleTakeawaysPeer-reviewed research in AI is often outdated by publication.The convergence of disciplines is crucial for understanding AI's impact.Humans attribute emotions to AI systems, complicating our relationship with technology.Consequential thinking is essential in AI development and ethics.Agency in technology use is divided between passive consumers and active learners.Leadership must embrace complexity and uncertainty in AI governance.Global perspectives on AI regulation vary, with different cultural implications.Abundance in resources does not guarantee fairness or meaning.Ethical AI requires a shift in mindset towards social responsibility.Human connections are vital in countering the loneliness exacerbated by AI.Chapters00:00 Introduction to AI and Anthropology03:06 The Intersection of AI and Human Relationships05:56 Consequential Thinking in AI Development09:02 Agency and the Bifurcation of Human Experience11:43 The Role of Leadership in AI Ethics14:50 Global Perspectives on AI Regulation17:43 The Future of Work and Purpose in an AI World20:43 Abundance vs. Scarcity in Economic Models23:48 The Need for Ethical AI and Social Responsibility26:52 Human Connection in the Age of AI30:01 Conclusion and Future ConsiderationsResources:Futureville - RTÉ programme imagining Ireland in 2050Connect with Lollie: drlollie.ie | LinkedIn: Dr Lollie (L-O-L-L-I-E)Chatting GPT is produced by AI Institute. For AI adoption in built environment firms, visit https://weareaiinstitute.com/

Show Notes Summary: In this episode of Chatting GPT, Maryrose Lyons speaks with Jo Joyce, a partner at Taylor Wessing, about the intersection of AI, law, and regulation. They discuss the EU AI Act, its implications for innovation, and how it compares to AI regulations in China. Jo explains the categories of high-risk AI systems and the challenges businesses face in navigating regulatory uncertainty. The conversation also touches on Jo's role as a trustee at the Vagina Museum, highlighting the importance of gynaecological health education. They conclude with insights on the future of law in the age of AI and practical advice for businesses.Takeaways: The EU AI Act aims to balance innovation and regulation.There is a generational shift in how technology impacts work.China's AI regulation is more streamlined compared to the EU.High-risk AI systems include those used in safety-critical applications.Regulatory uncertainty can overwhelm businesses, but clarity is key.The Vagina Museum educates on gynaecological health and challenges.Legal frameworks need to adapt to the evolving landscape of AI.Transparency and user trust are essential in AI regulation.Businesses should focus on understanding public perception of their AI use.Proactive engagement with legal advice can mitigate risks.Chapters00:00 Introduction to AI Regulation and Cybersecurity02:58 The EU AI Act: Innovation vs Regulation05:53 Comparative Analysis: EU vs China AI Regulation08:58 Understanding High-Risk AI Systems11:58 Navigating Regulatory Bodies and Compliance14:47 Future of AI Regulation: Expectations and Changes18:16 Shifting Responsibilities in AI Literacy20:53 The Getty vs. Stability AI Case: Implications for Copyright25:12 The Need for Legal Reform in the Age of AI27:33 The Vagina Museum: A Unique Educational Initiative30:43 Practical Advice for Ethical AI UseConnect with Jo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jkjoyce/

AI Implementation in Construction: A Conversation with Charlie Corcoran of SISKIn this episode of Chatting GPT, host Maryrose founder of the AI Institute, sits down with Charlie Corcoran, Head of Technology, Architecture, and Data at Sisk. They discuss the gradual integration of AI in the construction industry, emphasising productivity improvements, operational efficiency, and data management. Charlie shares insights into specific AI applications within Sis, including their internal intranet, safety data analysis, and the use of computer vision. They also talk about navigating the challenges of AI adoption, addressing shadow AI, and the importance of user groups in fostering AI literacy and collaboration within the organisation. Tune in to learn how AI is reshaping the construction sector and the strategies that are making this transformation possible.Show NotesGuest: Charlie Corcoran, Head of Technology, Architecture and Data, Sisk00:00 Introduction 00:38 The Role of AI in Construction02:11 Prioritising AI Projects03:20 Real-World AI Applications06:16 AI Adoption Challenges and Solutions08:42 Shadow AI and Data Security11:42 Maximising Productivity with AI18:16 Advice for AI Implementation