The Elio Business Podcast

On this week's episode Host Joe Lynam is joined by Dr Abeba Birhane, a cognitive scientist and senior advisor in AI accountability and an adjunct assistant professor at Trinity College Dublin. In September 2023 Time Magazine named her one of the world's most influential people in the field of AI and most recently she was appointed to the UN's new advisory body on AI governance. Dr Birhane explains what AI is and reassuringly explains how it is still reliant on humans and the 'terminator' aspect of it is a myth, she highlights how there is no fully autonomous AI, that there has to be people all the way through. She warns why we have to be careful; a lot of what we hear is an over exaggeration of the capabilities of the AI systems and reminds us of the importance of balancing out all this enthusiasm with the actual realities of the AI systems we are talking about. They also talk about data, disinformation and AI bias, why all AI information always needs verification, what needs to be done in the area and the EU AI act. She also shares what advice she would give to businesses, academics and employees when it comes to navigating the area of AI in the workplace and outlines when it might help and when we should be wary. 

In this episode host Joe Lynam is joined by Shay Walsh Managing Director of BT Ireland and David Russell, CEO of Elio Networks talk about how important connectivity is for businesses. They start by discussing what connectivity is and the difficulty to run any business without some level of connectivity. They also highlight importance of connectivity for all businesses no matter what the sector and how Ireland fares nationally from a connectivity perspective, and recent improvements in the area. Shay talks through all the options for connectivity and David explains fixed wireless access in more detail. They all also discuss the idea of connectivity being recognised as a utility rather than a luxury, if there should be financial and government support around that concept and also what that might look like. How companies can align their connectivity strategies with their ESG goals, in particular sustainability.

Joe Lynam is joined by Katie flood, EY Ireland Partner and Head of Strategy and Transformation and David Rusell, CEO Elio Networks and they discuss if there is an urban rural divide when it comes to business, they ask if the economy is lopsided and agree while this is the case – there is good work being done to change it. They discuss what International investors could be looking for when considering investing in regional areas. Katie also talks about the other avenues available to help people build skills that would help support the skills needed by a multinational employer.They also discussed how lockdowns may have been a positive for regional and rural areas but how we still need to continue to develop rural hubs. How a lot of people may just be attracted to cities for work and the lack of public transport and issues around planning permission as a barrier to rural working and development were also covered, as was the difficulty getting homes in bigger cities like Dublin and Cork. Finally they talked about importance of improving not just transport, planning and housing issues but how vital connectivity is if we can move more business outside of urban areas and promote regional growth.  

In this episode Joe is joined by Neale Richmond, Minister of State for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mark Cockerill Vice President of Service Now and Donal O'Donoghue Managing Director with Sanderson Recruitment to discuss our workforce and skills. They discuss Ireland’s education and training track record, how AI is going to impact the workforce and what is the biggest prevention from Ireland Inc getting more talent.

On this week’s episode Joe is joined by Grainne Madden founder of GMJ Associates. Grainne has also lectured MBA students on the subject of ESG and responsible corporate behaviourShe explains ESG (environmental social and governance) and how oganisations need to focus on each of these three areas and not purely on the profit motive. Grainne breaks down each of these areas in detail and gives helpful and practical advice and information. She also highlights some of the challenges faced by businesses in these areas. Grainne also talks to Joe about how and why lots of companies perhaps over focus on the environment element.Grainne can be found at www.gmjassociates.com

David Russell, CEO Elio networks joins Joe on this introductory episode to give an insight into the Elio Business Podcast, what people can expect from the series and why they chose to make it.