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Book your place in our upcoming event ‘AI Driving Ireland’s Competitiveness & Growth’, in partnership with Dell Technologies. Taking place in-person from 5:30pm-7:30pm on Thursday, 25th June 2026.
The event will address how AI can support and drive Ireland’s competitiveness agenda. As Ireland takes up the Presidency of the Council of the European Union at the start of July, there is a key opportunity for Ireland INC to demonstrate leadership in the development, governance and deployment of AI that strengthens national capabilities and unlocks long-term value.
Our expert event speaker line-up includes:
- Mary O’Connor, Chief Information Officer, ESB
- Dr Barry Scannell, Member of the Government's AI Advisory Council, and Partner, Technology Department, William Fry
- Neil Bowden, AI Business Development Executive, Dell Technologies.
- Darren Clarke, Business Development Manager, IoD Ireland
This event brings together expert voices from the policy and business community to explore how maintaining control over AI infrastructure and data is crucial to Ireland’s competitive advantage. Speakers will share practical insights on responsible AI, strengthening resilience, and enabling organisations to scale AI in a way that aligns with national priorities and EU regulatory frameworks.
Exclusive to members. This event is in partnership with Dell Technologies.
Mary O’Connor Chief Information Officer, ESB
Mary O’Connor is Chief Information Officer for ESB. Mary is responsible for driving digital transformation for the organisation as well as overseeing cybersecurity, IT strategy and enterprise architecture. She is also responsible for the portfolio management of IT, digital and analytics work and is a champion of driving business transformation through the application of data and technology and digital ways of working. Mary has a wealth of experience from over 30 years working in a wide range of disciplines and functions at all levels within ESB. She has a strong track record of developing and implementing strategies in a variety of businesses across ESB, of motivating teams and driving business performance through people, innovation and technology. She has led teams at all levels of the organisation in successful transformation, working closely with internal and external partners to do so. Mary is an IT graduate of Trinity College and holds an ACCA post-graduate diploma in Accounting and Finance. She is a coach and mentor and is passionate about supporting people in their development to enable them to reach their full potential. In addition, Mary sits on the Audit & Risk Committee of St. James Hospital, Dublin.
Dr Barry Scannell Member of the Government's AI Advisory Council, and Partner, Technology Department, William Fry
Barry is internationally recognised as a leading expert in the area of AI law. He advises clients on issues relating to text and data mining, AI copyright infringement, machine learning, and AI ownership. He has expertise in AI specific contracts, licences, and dataset agreements. Barry specialises in advising on the AI Act and other legislation such as the DSA and GDPR from an AI compliance perspective. Barry was appointed by the Irish Government to Ireland’s AI Advisory Council; has recently completed the writing stage of his PhD on AI and copyright; and is a member of the Law Society of Ireland’s IP & Technology Committee.
Neil Bowden AI Business Development Executive, Dell Technologies
Neil Bowden is an AI Business Development Executive at Dell Technologies. Based in Dublin, Neil works with enterprise, corporate, commercial and public sector organisations across EMEA to help them successfully adopt transformative, Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions as part of their business transformation. Neil also works with Dell Technologies strategic, solution and system integrator partners to create and deliver joint AI solutions to customers. Neil is a skilled AI evangelist who translates the complex into tangible business value, bringing in the right teams and partners to deliver end-to-end solutions that drive strategic growth.
Darren Clarke Business Development Manager, IoD Ireland
Darren Clarke is Business Development Manager for the Institute of Directors Ireland. Darren is responsible for the sustainable growth of IoD Ireland including cultivating relationships with members, identifying partnership opportunities, and developing IoD Ireland’s Boardroom Services which include Board Evaluations and the Board Room Centre. Darren previously held the position of Business Development Manager at the largest independent macro-economic and strategy advisory – Oxford Economics. He has also managed the Americas Sales team at Legal 500, responsible for their overall growth and development in the region. Darren holds a BSc in Management and a Master’s in Business & Entrepreneurship from DIT.
Dell Technologies Ireland is at the forefront of enabling organisations to harness the transformative power of artificial intelligence. With strategic campuses in Dublin, Cork, and Limerick, Dell provides cutting-edge infrastructure, expert guidance, and collaborative innovation environments to help customers accelerate their AI journeys. From proof-of-concept testing in our Customer Solution Centres to real-world deployment of AI-powered systems, we support businesses in unlocking new efficiencies, insights, and capabilities. Our investment in AI spans across industries—empowering smart manufacturing, predictive analytics in finance, intelligent healthcare systems, and more. Our Cork and Limerick campuses host innovation labs and testbeds for AI, 5G, and IoT, helping partners validate and refine their solutions in real-time. As a trusted technology partner, we are committed to helping Irish businesses stay competitive in the AI era -through infrastructure, expertise, and a shared vision for digital transformation.
Is this eligible for CPD?
- Dimension Covered: Governance
- Eligible Hours: 1 hour of CPD
This session may be eligible for other professional body CPD. Check with your relevant professional body.
How do I attend?
- Reserve your space by clicking the ‘Book Now’ button. All IoD Ireland members will be notified once the event is open for booking.
- Once registered, we’ll send an email to confirm your booking with the option to add the event to your calendar.
Want to connect with fellow members?
Before the event, you will receive a list of the names and companies of all the attendees.
Take the opportunity to connect.
• Reach out via the IoD Members’ LinkedIn Group.
• Email the Events team we will make this happen on your behalf.
For GDPR reasons, we cannot provide contact details on the attendee list. Photography will also be taken at the event for marketing and promotional purposes. For further information, please contact the Communications team.
Questions?
Get in touch with Anna Hannigan, Events Manager, IoD Ireland.
