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IV’s 2024 Summit was held 10th-12th June at Maynooth University with the theme of ‘Digital- Unleashing the Power of Data and Services’.
As well as the launch of the Data Governance Roadmap for Ireland with University President Professor Eeva Leinonen and Seán Fleming TD, the Summit’s key speakers included Jeevantika Linaglwar (Founder, International Women in Tech / Partner Solution Architect, Microsoft); John Ghent (CEO, Privacy Engine); Zoe Ryan (presenter and broadcaster, RTÉ); and more.
As well as a packed schedule of talks and workshops, on Day 1 (10th June) the Summit included a social event in the Russell Library in Maynooth University followed by a visit to Dublin including EPIC, the Irish Museum of Emigration, and the Dublin Guinness Storehouse.
On Tuesday June 11th, the Summit hosted six co-creation workshops on a range of topics, including
To provide an international overview and discussion of digital transformation and strategic directions in specific areas, the workshops were interactive and thanks to the chairs and panelists from each workshop as attendees gained key takeaways from each and follow up discussions.
Speakers panel at IVI Summit 2024
IVI launched a pioneering initiative, the ‘Data Governance Roadmap for Ireland’, on 12th June with Seán Fleming TD, Minister of State Department of Foreign Affairs (International Development and Diaspora) and TD for Laois/Offaly.
As one of the leading forums for data and digital discussion, the summit brought together international experts, policy leaders, practitioners and researchers over three days to shape the digital agenda on innovation and research.
Professor Eeva Leinonen, President of Maynooth University, highlighted the power of collaboration and Professor Markus Helfert, Director of the IVI, emphasised the significance of the initiative. This roadmap aims to foster responsible governance of data and artificial intelligence, leveraging data value as the basis of a sustainable information-enabled and data-informed society.
Aligned with EU Digital Decade policy targets and several other critical EU initiatives such as the Data Governance Act, Data Act and AI Act the initiative aims to bridge skills gaps and develop new competencies to tackle growing challenges across various sectors, including sustainability, security, and education.
The roadmap reflects Ireland’s commitment to maintaining leadership in information, data and digital innovation, setting highest standards for governance, promoting transparency, and ensuring equitable distribution of digital benefits that digital and data creates. It sets new benchmarks for success aligned to Ireland’s ambition to lead and set standards in Europe, inspiring other nations to follow suit.
Seán Fleming TD, Minister of State Department of Foreign Affairs
Key presentations were delivered by Dr. Mihai Bilauca (Chief Information Officer, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage), Jeevantika Lingalwar (Founder, International Women in Tech / Cloud Solution Architect, Microsoft), and Anne Joséphine Flanagan (Vice President, Artificial Intelligence at the Future of Privacy Forum).
Morning panelists included Dr. Kevin Walsh (Head of SFI Research Centre), Robert Gunning (Senior Data Scientist, Intel Corporation), Josef Treml (Austrian Trade Commissioner for Ireland, Advantage Austria) and Lorraine McNerney (Head of Data Governance, Office of the Government Chief Information Officer), discussing ‘Digital Futures – Shaping a sustainable society through digital transformation’.
The afternoon saw three parallel deep dive sessions:
These workshops provided more interactive sessions for attendees along with insights into the topics above which has opened up pathways for further discussion with attendees.
Jeevantika Lingalwar (Founder, International Women in Tech / Cloud Solution Architect, Microsoft)
The afternoon also saw very insightful presentations from Claire Dunleavy (Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office Kildare), Zoe Ryan (Streaming Coordinator, RTE Sports) and John Ghent (Co-founder and CEO of PrivacyEngine).
Talks were followed by the panel ‘Rethinking AI – What do they say in 10 years?’ moderated by Joan Mulvihill (Digitalisation Lead, Siemens Ireland) with panelists Mark Little (CEO and Co-founder, Kinzen), Stephen Redmond (Director & Head of Data Analytics and AI, BearingPoint Ireland) and Michael Beary (Chair, Governing Authority, University College Dublin).
In the evening we were honoured to welcomed Larysa Gerasko, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Ireland to the award ceremony to present awards to the winning teams who participated in the Ukraine and Ireland Student Innovation Challenge, ‘Careers in the Digital Age with impact to Society.’ Winning teams came from the three universities Ivano-Frankivsk National Technical University of Oil and Gas, Kyiv National Economic University named after Vadym Hetman, and Maynooth University. Well done to the winning teams and to all involved, and thanks to our sponsors Unum.
The event closed with the IVI Recognition Awards, where Prof. Markus Helfert presented awards to a number of very valued contributors to IVI over the year.
The 2026 IVI Summit celebrating our 20th year promises to be our biggest yet. With Early Bird prices available until February, now is the time to register and ensure you can take part in collaborating, learning and networking with leaders from across digital, research, government, business and more.
Register for the IVI Summit 2026