Digital and AI for Boards: Mastering the Essentials

Equip yourself and your board with the skills to navigate the governance of digital transformation and AI.

Directors play a crucial role in ensuring their organisation and Board possess the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the rapidly evolving digital landscape. As AI and other digital technologies continue to reshape industries, understanding their challenges and opportunities are essential for developing a resilient and forward-thinking organisational strategy. 

Join strategist, innovator, and transformation advisor Garvan Callan for an insightful masterclass designed for both new and experienced directors. This session will explore the fundamentals of digital transformation, equipping directors with the knowledge to navigate evolving technologies and manage digital risks effectively. 

Gain critical insights into board responsibilities in shaping digital strategy, ensuring resilience, and driving innovation in an increasingly complex business landscape. 

This workshop is designed for: 

• Executive Directors and Non-executive Directors
• Members of the C-Suite and the senior management team 

What will Participants Learn from this Workshop?

From a board perspective, participants will: 

• Acquire frameworks for overseeing digital and AI risks, including large complex execution programmes, cybersecurity and data management, ethics, and compliance. 
• Demystify digital transformation and AI, gaining clarity on core technologies and their strategic implications. 
• Learn how to effectively align digital and AI initiatives with your organisation's broader strategy and growth goals. 
• Gain an overview of digital culture and how it can be executed within an organisation.
• Develop the ability to confidently ask management the right strategic questions about digital and AI projects.
• Gain practical tools, insights from real-world case studies, and peer exchange opportunities to immediately enhance board effectiveness. 

As a strategist, innovator, and transformation advisor at ONEZERO1, Garvan helps leaders and their businesses develop and execute commercial, customer, and cultural strategies that leverage digital, artificial intelligence and innovation methodologies and tools.

With over 26 years of experience in the financial services industry, Garvan has a proven track record of leading and delivering complex and impactful projects and initiatives across multiple domains and geographies.

Garvan is also a non-executive director at Nucleo, a specialist consultancy company that provides data analytics, BI reporting and data asset management strategies and solutions to clients. He brings his expertise and insights from his executive roles at Bank of Ireland, Danske Bank, and Ulster Bank/RBS, where he led strategy and innovation, CX, digital transformation, business development, and wealth management. 

Garvan is a strong learning advocate having spent over 10 years as a Council member of the Institute of Banking and completing numerous educational opportunities including executive programmes at IMI, IMD, Harvard Business School, Oxford Said Business School, and Singularity University. He also shares his perspectives and insights as a lecturer and writer for various academic and media platforms.

Q1. What is the Digital and AI for Boards: Mastering the Essentials workshop about?

This workshop helps directors understand and govern digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives. It focuses on equipping board members with the strategic insight and oversight tools needed to navigate digital disruption, manage risks, and align technology with organisational goals. 

Q2. What topics are covered in this workshop?

Key topics include:

• Fundamentals of digital transformation and AI. 
• Board responsibilities in shaping digital strategy and resilience. 
• Oversight of digital and AI risks, including cybersecurity, ethics, and compliance. 
• Aligning digital initiativeswith boarder organisational strategy. 
• Building digital culture and capability within the board and organisation. 
• Real-world case studies and peer exchange to enhance board effectiveness. 

Q3. Who is the faculty lead for this workshop?

The session is led by Garvan Callan, Strategist, Innovator, and Transformation Advisor at ONEZERO1. With over 26 years of experience in financial services, Garvan specialises in helping leaders develop and execute commercial, customer and cultural strategies that leverage digital and AI methodologies. 

Q4. When and where is this workshop taking place?

The workshop will take place on Tuesday, 13th October 2026 from 9:00am to 1:00pm. It is an online workshop and will be facilitated over Zoom. 

Q5. What is the cost of this workshop? 

The price of this workshop ranges from €385 - €480, depending on IoD Ireland membership status.

6. Is this workshop right for me? 

This workshop is ideal for directors and C-Suite executives that are looking to strengthen their board's digital literacy and strategic oversight of AI. 

7. I'd like to learn more about this workshop. Who can I speak to? 

Reach out to our Learning and Education Manager, Gillian Roddie if you'd like to learn more about the Embedding Sustainability Into Strategy workshop. Contact her by emailing [email protected] or calling us at 01 411 0010. 

Is this eligible for CPD?

Dimension covered: Technical Skills and Knowledge

Eligible hours: 3.5 hours of Chartered Director CPD

This session may be eligible for other professional body CPD. Check with your relevant professional body.

Workshop participants will receive a Certificate of Attendance on completion of the session.

What is the cost?

IoD members - €385

Non-members - €480

It is not possible to book individual sessions, booking is paid for as a whole.

Cancellation and refund policy

Places are confirmed upon full payment. Cancellations with a full refund are accepted in writing to [email protected] Wednesday, 7th October 2026.  After this date, no refunds are possible, and all fees are forfeited for cancellations or non-attendance. Please note this virtual but live and interactive series requires live online attendance at each session. Unfortunately, recordings will not be available as part of post-session materials.

Group bookings

Contact the IoD Ireland Learning and Education team on [email protected] or phone +353 1 411 0010.

How do I attend? 

To reserve your space, book and pay through the “Book now” button.

Once registered, we’ll send an email to confirm your booking.

We'll also send a reminder email with a link to access the session closer to the date. You must click the link and confirm your details to receive the direct link to join the workshop.

The event will take place on Zoom. Download Zoom if you don’t have it already. Please ensure you have a working microphone and camera to take part in our interactive workshop.

Want to connect with fellow workshop participants?

All workshop attendees will receive a list of all other workshop participants in advance of the session. This will include name, job title and organisation. If you have any queries around this  please contact the Learning and Education team.

For GDPR reasons, we cannot provide contact details on the attendee list. 

Questions?

Reach out to Gillian, our Learning and Education Manager, if you would like more information about our upcoming workshops by emailing [email protected] or calling +353 1 411 0010.