Meet the 2024 Finalists

Best Application of AI in Sustainability

EcoEasi AI –for their work in simplifying supply chain ESG reporting for mid-sized companies and their SME suppliers by leveraging AI to automate and reduce costs. It empowers SMEs to meet ESG requirements, enhances data accuracy and promotes collaboration, ultimately promoting sustainability and transparency across supply chains.

Software Interactive –for AITracker, developed by AISP, which automates traffic measurement using AI, recognising 22 vehicle categories with high accuracy. It addresses inefficiencies in traditional methods, offering faster, cost-effective and precise traffic data. By supporting sustainable city planning, AITracker enhances urban infrastructure, reduces carbon emissions and promotes active transportation.

SynCarbAI –for tackling the inefficiencies of traditional CO2 conversion by developing an AI-driven electroreduction system. Integrating AI, ML and IoT sensors, it optimises CO2 conversion in real-time, enhancing scalability and efficiency. This innovation reduces carbon footprints across industries, contributing to sustainability goals and market leadership.

TOMRA – for  ‘FM-ID,’ an IoT edge-based solution which uses Deep Learning to improve foreign material detection in food processing. It enhances food safety by accurately identifying and removing foreign material, reducing false positives, and enabling real-time notifications and remote updates via cloud integration.

Best Use of Responsible AI and Ethics

Chirp – for developing an ethical, AI-powered solution embedded at the smartphone’s OS level to detect and block harmful content like cyberbullying, grooming and self-harm. Their privacy-by-design approach prioritizes child safety and agency while involving parents without violating children’s privacy.

Orcawise – for their EU AI Act Custom Model, which addresses regulatory and ethical challenges in AI with a chatbot integrating GPT-3.5 and RAG. Positioned to scale globally, it provides real-time legal guidance and ethical support, enhancing compliance and trust.

University of Limerick –for their Safety and Responsible Large Language Model (SRLLM), which addresses bias in LLMs by fine-tuning safe models with specialised datasets and instruction-based methods. With an approach that promotes ethical AI practices and transparency, it enhances bias reduction and knowledge retention, which is validated through diverse testing.

Version 1 –for SimpliText,  an AI-driven solution designed to assist individuals with dyslexia by simplifying complex texts. It exemplifies responsible AI by promoting inclusivity, accessibility, and equity. Ethical AI practices ensure personalized, meaningful support without compromising content integrity, empowering users in education and employment.

Best Application of AI in a Large Enterprise

Aviva – for VehPic, an AI-powered application that streamlines motor insurance claims by allowing customers to upload vehicle damage images directly. This automation reduces processing time, enhances accuracy and improves customer satisfaction, while also optimising operational efficiency for insurers.

IBM Research –for developing Interactive Incremental Machine Learning algorithms to  tackle complex IT security challenges.These models adapt in real-time, incorporate user feedback and maintain interpretability, improving risk classification and impact scoring. This innovative approach addresses the limitations of traditional security solutions and is poised to enhance data protection significantly.

Pfizer Global Supply –for developing the “Smart Factory Co-Pilot,” an AI-driven solution that monitors manufacturing processes, detects issues and provides real-time insights to optimise yield, reduce costs and improve quality. This innovation enhances decision-making and is being expanded across Pfizer to support its goal of becoming an AI-driven company.

Virgin Media Television –Facing the challenge of keeping its morning show, Ireland AM, fresh and relevant, VMTV integrated AI tools across production, including scriptwriting and video production. This hybrid approach allowed AI to assist human creators, resulting in innovative, engaging content while setting a new standard for AI-driven television production.

Women in AI Ambassador of the Year

Adebola Olomo –CEO of Deefrent Media Agency, Adebola is a prominent AI leader known for her book ‘Marketing with AI’ and influential speaking roles. She drives technology adoption across Europe and Africa, champions diversity through Women in AI Ireland and mentors women in data science, promoting inclusive and innovative AI practices.

Ellen Gunning –Founder and CEO of Mettacomms, Ellen leverages her 35 years of experience in PR to lead an innovative AI-driven platform for reliable PR data. Her work, recognised globally and supported by numerous awards, focuses on enhancing industry tools and promoting female leadership in tech.

Emerald de Leeuw –Global Head of AI Governance & Privacy at Logitech, Emerald is a leading expert in AI ethics and governance. As co-founder of Women in AI Governance, she champions diversity and inclusion, enhancing women’s roles in AI. Her work has significantly shaped responsible AI practices and industry standards.

Meghan Dowling –Computational speech and language scientist at T-Pro, Meghan advances machine translation and speech recognition to benefit healthcare and preserve linguistic diversity. She champions gender diversity in tech and advocates for inclusive AI solutions, while addressing real-world challenges and promoting equitable technological advancements.

Best Application of AI in a SME

Axial3D –for their new software platform which automates the creation of patient-specific 3D anatomical models from 2D scans, drastically reducing development time and costs. This innovation enhances surgical precision and scalability, transforming patient-specific solutions from niche applications to routine practices in global healthcare.

Ardanis – for creating a generative AI solution called Aileen to streamline processes and improve agent efficiency. It also enhances the customer experience for call centres, particularly those in the financial and regulated industry sectors, facing rising contact centre volumes.

BuyMedia –for their AI-powered platform which helps SMEs in Ireland and the UK overcome advertising challenges by simplifying planning, purchasing, execution and learning. It offers data-driven insights, a centralised marketplace and automated campaign management, enabling SMEs to compete effectively with larger enterprises and improve their ROI.

Viska Systems –for Viskam, an AI-driven vision system which addresses inaccuracies in medical device manufacturing by providing precise counting of microscopic components. It leverages advanced computer vision and machine learning to enhance efficiency and quality, reducing error rates and waste.

Best Application of AI in Consumer/Customer Service

Ardanis –for creating a generative AI solution called Aileen to streamline processes and improve agent efficiency. It also enhances the customer experience for call centres, particularly those in the financial and regulated industry sectors, facing rising contact centre volumes.

Irish Life –for CARA, which revolutionized claims processing by using advanced AI to enhance speed, accuracy and customer satisfaction. CARA streamlined operations, integrating with legacy systems and ensuring compliance. It significantly improved processing times and set a new standard in the insurance industry, with plans for broader AI applications.

Laya Healthcare –for integrating AI to enhance customer service by reducing call wrap-up time and improving agent knowledge access. The project cut average call handling time by one minute and 25 seconds, streamlined training and improved customer experience, while setting the stage for future AI advancements.

Workhuman – for their ‘CS Agent Journey’ initiative, which leverages AI to automate 50% of customer service administrative tasks, enhancing efficiency in email and phone case management. Key features include sentiment analysis, case routing and automated resolutions, allowing agents to focus on higher-value tasks and improving the customer experience.

Best Application of AI in Healthcare

Axial3D –for their new software platform, which automates the creation of patient-specific 3D anatomical models from 2D scans, drastically reducing development time and costs. This innovation enhances surgical precision and scalability, transforming patient-specific solutions from niche applications to routine practices in global healthcare.

Biologit –for addressing inefficiencies in pharmacovigilance by developing the AI-driven MLM-AI platform, which enhances safety surveillance through advanced NLP and machine learning. The platform significantly improves efficiency, accuracy and regulatory compliance, positioning Biologit as a leader in AI-driven safety monitoring in the life sciences.

ICON plc –for their AI-driven solution which streamlines Clinical Outcome Assessments (COAs) identification, improving accuracy and efficiency. COAs are vital for capturing patient experiences and assessing treatment impact in clinical trials. This innovation enhances trial design, reduces costs and positions ICON as a leader in AI-powered healthcare intelligence.

The Pillar Centre, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital –for pioneering AI integration in the Hospital’s Radiology Department, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and efficiency. Using Aidoc’s and Gleamer’s software, the AI system rapidly identifies critical cases, improves patient care and optimises staff workflows, setting a model for future healthcare innovations.

Best Application of AI in a Student Project

Anthony Slawski, University College Dublin –for his involvement in creating the ALPACA Dyslexia Detection Tool, which uses AI and machine learning to provide early, accessible dyslexia screening through cognitive and literacy assessments. The tool offers scalable and affordable detection, enabling timely interventions to improve academic outcomes for children, especially in underserved communities.

Daire Maria Ni Uanachain, Université Côte d’Azur –for her research which addresses challenges in adapting secondary education to generative AI by developing solutions like personalized learning systems, teacher training modules, innovative assessment methods and ethical AI integration frameworks. These scalable solutions aim to enhance education globally and prepare students for future demands.

Muhammad Zawish, South East Technological University  –for his research with Walton Institute which proposed energy efficient AI models for image analysis of Irish grasslands on edge devices by overcoming traditional methods’ limitations. It optimises deep learning models for energy efficiency through advanced pruning techniques and hybrid approaches, significantly reducing energy use and improving accuracy for farmers.

Nadeem Rather, University College Cork –for his research with the Tyndall National Institute which focuses on addressing challenges in IoT by integrating AI into Chipless RFID (CRFID) systems, enhancing data capacity, reliability and adaptability. The innovative AI-enabled CRFID tags reduce costs and electronic waste, offering sustainable solutions for various applications, including healthcare and agriculture.

Best Application of AI in a Startup

Durotimi AI –for their work in enhancing early cancer detection by providing GPs with real-time decision support through AI-driven analytics. The platform is transparent and adaptable, and integrates seamlessly into healthcare environments. They improve diagnostic accuracy and reduce delays, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes and potentially saving lives.

Inspeq AI –for tackling Generative AI challenges by offering a comprehensive framework for evaluation, guardrailing and governance. By setting  new standards for AI safety and compliance, their innovative approach avoids biases inherent in Large Language Models, ensuring reliable, scalable and ethical AI assessments.

KineMo – for addressing the gap in athlete movement analysis by using 3D pose estimation with mobile cameras to provide precise, scalable and accessible measurements. This innovation offers enhanced accuracy with a 33-joint model, aiding coaches and physiotherapists in optimising performance and injury prevention.

WHYZE Health –for addressing the challenge of fragmented healthcare data by developing an AI-driven platform that integrates and analyses clinical and patient data. This enhances decision-making, personalises treatments and improves patient outcomes, setting new standards for data-driven, efficient and secure healthcare.

Best Application of AI to achieve Social Good

ALPACA Assessment –for their Dyslexia Detection Tool, which uses AI and machine learning to provide early, accessible and cost-effective dyslexia screening. Gamified assessments and cloud-based scalability enable early detection and intervention, particularly in underserved communities, helping children overcome educational barriers and improve academic outcomes.

CeADAR ReLeafHubs –for their Remote Working Hubs (RWHs), which uses AI tools to reduce carbon emissions, alleviate urban congestion and boost rural economies. Aimed at supporting sustainable and balanced development., it employs the myRWH.app for personalised hub recommendations, AIDTs for real-time monitoring and GCNs for analysing user patterns

Durotimi AI –for their advanced, cloud-based platform that uses machine learning to improve early cancer detection. By analyzing patient data in real-time, it helps general practitioners identify potential cancer cases sooner, reducing diagnostic delays and improving survival rates, while integrating seamlessly into existing healthcare systems.

Gemmo AI –for MoveMuse, an AI chatbot, helps address health disparities faced by autistic adults face, like lower physical activity and higher chronic conditions. MoveMuse offers personalised, evidence-based guidance to improve physical activity. Its aim is to reduce disparities and enhance quality of life with a focus on long-term engagement and accessibility.

AI Person of the Year

Ciaran Gilligan-Lee – A leading AI researcher at Spotify’s Causal AI lab, Ciaran combines causal inference with machine learning to enhance decision-making. His globally recognised work improves AI applications in various industries. With a strong academic background, he focuses on solving real-world problems and promoting ethical AI development.

Jennifer Geraghty Ryan –As Principal Product Manager at Microsoft Ireland, Jennifer leads the development of Copilot Agents, an innovative AI platform enhancing workflow automation. Her work integrates advanced AI with user-friendly design and responsible practices, setting industry standards and significantly improving operational efficiency for businesses.

Luca Longo –Luca is a leading expert in Explainable AI (xAI), focusing on making complex AI models interpretable. He integrates deep learning with symbolic reasoning to improve transparency, particularly in neuroimaging. His innovative research enhances AI trustworthiness, contributes to scientific knowledge and supports responsible AI development.

Rena Maycock – Founder of Chirp, Rena has pioneered embedded child-protection software for smartphones that detects and blocks harmful content, including in encrypted messages. Her innovative approach and leadership have led Chirp to secure significant funding and endorsements, positioning it to transform child safety online.

Young AI Role Model of the Year

Ana Le Chevillier –A Clinical Research Manager, Ana has advanced the AI_PREMie project in healthcare with global recognition. She integrates AI ethically, enhancing preeclampsia diagnostics and improving outcomes. Skilled in data science and mentoring, Ana is committed to equitable and innovative healthcare solutions.

Haribaskar Subramaniam –Senior Data Scientist at ICON, Haribaskar’s focus in software and data science roles has earned him accolades for improving user engagement and developing AI-driven solutions. His work at ICON plc, notably advancing Clinical Outcome Assessments, demonstrates his innovative impact and dedication to the field.

Jeremiah Scully – AI R&D Engineer at Moofwd, Jeremiah is an AI expert who, after winning an engineering expo with his neural networks project, pursued a PhD applying AI to solar physics. He has developed innovative solutions for solar weather detection and manufacturing quality assurance.

Paul Banahan – Paul is a dedicated AI researcher and entrepreneur with notable achievements in healthcare AI, including developing Generative AI for CT-to-MRI translation at Mater Hospital and pursuing impactful PhD research. His work has advanced patient care, improved clinical diagnostics, and demonstrated significant innovation and leadership in the field.

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