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Patrick Ward, principal with Aitheria Partners (centre), pictured at Shannon Chamber’s AI seminar with Helen Downes, CEO, Shannon Chamber and Peter Murphy, marketing and CSR, Ei Electronics. Photograph by Eamon Ward

With artificial intelligence (AI) adoption accelerating, many chief executives are questioning which AI opportunities truly matter for their business, how can they manage the risks, and what successful AI implementation looks like.

To answer all these questions, Shannon Chamber enlisted the help of Patrick Ward, principal with Aitheria Partners, a company that helps companies to understand how AI can help deliver on their business strategy.

The purpose of the event was to demystify AI through giving clear, business-focused explanations of AI concepts, identify the business challenges AI can address and give attendees proven frameworks for AI governance and risk mitigation.

The result was a truly energetic and engaging seminar held in Ei Electronics’ Centre of Excellence and attended by executives eager to understand how and where to utilise AI tools.

They heard that, just as all business change initiatives need to be managed carefully, AI adoption is no different. An understanding of the business problem is essential and projects lacking business sponsorship often fail.

Citing sales preparation, knowledge management and software development as common AI applications used across different organisations, Ward cautioned against using externally facing AI chatbots given their potential to provide “incorrect information, confidently expressed”. He emphasised the need for human oversight and outlined specific requirements emerging from regulations like the EU AI Act.

Recommending that larger companies establish AI governance structures, leverage their existing risk management processes and prepare for the EU AI Act, he had a particular message for smaller companies: “SMEs should focus in particular on understanding the potential of Generative AI, and the AI-driven features being added to the existing tools they use to run their business”.

Turning his attention to AI’s impact on business sectors, he referenced the high replacement risks in finance and insurance, which may necessitate policy interventions for retraining. He even pointed to surprising findings from recent Department of Finance research, indicating that roles like executive chefs may benefit significantly from the adoption of AI.

Shannon Chamber CEO Helen Downes was particularly engaged by the seminar.

“The critical takeaway was that AI should align with business strategy and enhance capabilities rather than being an end goal. Companies need to have tailored strategies to evaluate AI’s impact across their various business units and view AI as an enabler of business value, one that demands ethical frameworks, robust data management, and alignment with strategic goals.

“We all need to be responsible in our adoption of AI and educate ourselves as appropriate. As referenced in our Pre-Budget 2026 submission to Government, Ireland has the potential to become a European leader in AI, but achieving this will require deliberate strategy, investment, and regulation. It will need investment in education and research though expanding AI-focused programmes, funding research to institutes focused on AI ethics and data science, encouraging interdisciplinary AI studies, and supporting AI start-ups.

“For our part, as a Skillnet business network, we will seek out AI-focused training that can enhance our members’ AI capabilities,” Ms Downes added.