AI Ireland with Mark Kelly AI Ireland

Today's guest is Brian McElligott, Partner and Head of AI at Mason Hayes & Curran LLP. In this discussion, Mark and Brian talk about the EU AI Act and its implications for businesses and the market. 

Topics include:


How the AI Act prioritizes product safety by categorising risk regulation
How regulatory sandboxes offer potential but are resource-intensive
Why law requires AI literacy for staff, varying by use case.
Imposing obligations on both AI creators and users, especially for high-risk products
How AI law is rapidly evolving with shifting regulations
Key dates and deadlines for the EU AI Act's regulations
How some US clients view EU compliance as a market advantage
Change control is key as firms adapt standards for compliance

Today's guest is ⁠Gabriele Mazzini⁠, Team Leader AI Act - Directorate General CNECT at ⁠European Commission⁠, and architect and lead author of the ⁠EU AI Act⁠. In this episode, Gabriele delves into the EU AI Act's creation and implications and explores the complexities of crafting this comprehensive legal framework.



Topics include:


His career in gaining diverse experience in technology and AI
Building on prior work to conceive and develop AI Act
Creating the first comprehensive, cross-sectoral legal framework to ensure trustworthy AI
Classifying AI systems into prohibited, high risk and transparency-focused categories
Complementing GDPR but focusing on market regulation
Why human oversight in AI is crucial
Why companies must know their AI systems' classifications and compliance requirements
How Regulating AI involves balancing speed with democratic process and flexibility
Balancing risk mitigation with fostering a trusted AI market
How the AI Act introduces high standards & fosters technical innovation
His personal preference for focused governance and clear requirements in AI Act
Timelines for implementation of the EU AI Act

Today's guest is Dara Calleary, Minister of State for Trade Promotion and Digital Transformation at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. In this episode, Mark and Dara discuss Ireland's approach to AI regulation, innovation and fostering AI startups.

Topics include:


Rapid AI advancements, regulation, innovation and business readiness
Launching an AI Accelerator to emphasise AI's universal impact, funding and skills
National Digital Strategy's focus on high-level, labor and societal skills
How the National AI & skills strategy emphasises trust, collaboration and supporting startups
Why Data protection & public trust is essential for AI innovation
How AI integration in public services ensures inclusivity and data protection
The Digital vision from inclusivity, AI innovation, job enhancement and preparation for disruption

Today's guest is Ciarán Gilligan-Lee, Head of Causal Inference Research Lab at Spotify. A finalist for AI Person of the year at the 2023 AI Awards, Ciarán joins host Mark Kelly on the podcast to discuss the significant role
that AI and causal inference plays in enhancing user experiences at Spotify.

Topics include:


How the Spotify team uses causal inference for better recommendations
Using causal inference for personalized music recommendations and discovery
Navigating causal factors in user streaming behaviors
Balancing complex stakeholder needs at Spotify for improved user experience
Clarifying assumption to enhance modeling clarity and accuracy
How Causal inference enhances decision-making across various industries
Why Understanding data bias is crucial for accurate decision-making

Today’s guest is Dajana Achelpohl, Head of EMEA Service Management at Google. The discussion focuses on the practical applications of AI in the workplace and to demystify some of the hype around AI, as Dajana shares her insights on integrating AI into business processes.

Topics include:


How Google emphasizes AI understanding and implementation basics
Focusing on problem-solving to achieve measurable outcomes
Aligning teams on AI usage: educate, address concerns & empower productivity
The need for a team-driven AI adoption
Educate on AI risks, promote responsible use & proactive management approach

Today's guest is Jared Browne, Head of Privacy and AI Governance at Fexco who discusses the EU AI Act. He explains its risk-based approach, its focus on trust, safety, and sustainability in AI and the need for companies to prepare for compliance. Jared also highlights the Act's complexity, enforcement challenges and global implications.

Topics include:


The EU AI Act's aim for trust, safety and sustainability in AI
Comparing 2018 guidelines to 2020 regulation with penalties
How user-driven AI development leads to unintended consequences
Challenges in global adoption of the AI Act such as governance
Imposing responsibilities on providers, deployers and distributors
Why deployers assess tools and providers ensure EU compliance or risk exclusion
How unintended behaviors of AI raise ethical workplace considerations
Adapting to technology's impact on society with fairness principles.