AI Seminar

‌John Clancy is the founder and CEO of Galvia, an AI platform that helps organisations unlock the potential of their data.  Since 2017 Galvia has been working with some of the World’s largest companies including Nestlé, Medtronic and NTT DATA as well as one of Ireland’s leading universities, the University of Galway. Galvia's AI-powered infrastructure services and automation showcase the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in driving growth, profit and efficiency in an organisation as well as freeing up staff for more meaningful work. In 2022 John was appointed a board member of the Enterprise Digital Advisory Forum (EDAF) to advise and work with the government of Ireland to drive industry adoption of AI. John has won numerous awards for growing companies in different industries. He has a passion for creating successful businesses, building enduring business relationships, value selling, and leading teams.

Dr Beatrice Heneghan is Director of ICT at the University of Galway with responsibility for delivering transformative ICT for the enablement of impactful research, innovation and teaching. She is a member of the Maynooth University Innovation Value Institute (IVI). She is also a member of the International Advisory Board for the Lero Professional Doctorate in Engineering at the University of Limerick and contributes as a guest lecturer to the programme. In 2021 Beatrice received the IVI Leadership in Digital Transformation in the Public Sector award.

In her prior role Beatrice served as Head of Information Systems and Innovation at Mayo County Council. Previously, she held posts in ICT and Digital Transformation in Laois and Limerick local authorities and served as Chair of the local government sectoral Architecture and Standards Group (ASG), and as a member of the national ePlanning and Central Data Unit boards.
While having wide experience in the Information Systems (IS) field her particular expertise is in the area of data governance and enterprise architecture with a focus on business/IT alignment in the design and delivery of strategy. Beatrice holds a doctorate in engineering from the University of Limerick and master’s in software engineering from University of Galway. Beatrice has presented at national and international academic and practitioner conferences, peer reviewed journal papers and continues to collaborate on research in IS.

Russell Kane is the University Engagement Lead for Microsoft across the island of Ireland where he is exploring technologies with students, academics and administrators through hackathons, talks and workshops as well as sitting on academic panels.
Before joining Microsoft he was an academic within the School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Queen’s University, Belfast for 23 years. His interests within academia were in Innovation Leadership, which developed students’ professional and entrepreneurial skills through engagement with companies by means of projects, competitions, talks and hackathons. Hackathon Evangelist in QUB and further afield including multi-disciplinary Hackathons with other schools & universities which have included areas such as data science, AI, medical, mental health, transport, sustainability to name a few. During his time in academia, he developed and delivered a number of courses and workshops to students both locally and internationally as well as guest speaking on technology at external events internationally.
Before academia, he worked in the Public Sector and in the Fintech sector.

Sarah Slevin, Senior Associate, RDJ Solicitors
Bio in the dropdown section

Sarah is a Senior Associate at RDJ LLP, practising across the key areas of Corporate and Commercial, Cyber and Data Protection, and AI. She is also a member of the firm’s Technology, Healthcare and AI sector groups.
Sarah has a particular specialisation and interest in the technology sector, with the knowledge and experience to help clients at all stages of growth. She has advised on numerous complex and high-value transactions across M&A, private equity, venture capital investment and restructuring, both in the technology sector and generally. She also has a deep expertise in all aspects of data protection law and compliance, advising clients, including multinational companies, large public sector bodies and innovative technology companies in all sectors and across all sizes on complex data protection queries.
Sarah leverages her extensive knowledge of emerging regulations and industry best practices to counsel clients in implementing effective governance and risk management structures to mitigate AI legal and regulatory risks. She regularly advises clients on AI regulations, including the impending EU AI Act, as well as the application of existing legal frameworks such as data protection and IP to the development and use of AI-based technologies and content.