AI Con 2024: Northern Ireland business leaders and tech experts meet in Belfast for Artificial Intelligence conference

A leading technology conference, AI Con is today hosting hundreds of tech experts and business leaders in Belfast.

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AI Con 2024 is hosted by Kainos and supported by Allstate, Invest NI, Matrix, Synechron, Belfast City Council, Options, and the Artificial Intelligence Collaboration Centre (AICC).

placeholder image — Councillor Micky Murphy, Lord Mayor of Belfast, Dr. Lollie Mancey, Programme Director at UCD Innovation Academy, Conor Murphy MLA, Minister for the Economy, Tom Gray, Director of Innovation and Group CTO, Kainos.

Speaking ahead of AI Con, Hosted by Kainos, Tom Gray, Group Chief Technology Officer and Director of Innovation and Founder of AI Con, said: “AI Con 2024 is another step in our ongoing journey to shape the future of Artificial Intelligence

"By featuring the dual-track approach with 'AI Now' and 'AI Next,' we have aimed to provide a comprehensive view of AI's current impact, and its future potential."

"The focus is not only on advancing technology but also on creating a responsible AI ecosystem that prioritises ethical innovation and societal benefit. This year's conference was designed to inspire, challenge, and equip attendees with the knowledge to drive positive change in their industries.”

Economy Minister Conor Murphy said: “This conference addresses a very important issue. Artificial Intelligence is set to transform our society and our economy. AI will redefine job roles, create new industries, require new skills, and generate commercial opportunities for entrepreneurs.

"My department is taking action across these issues. I recently launched a Digital Skills Action Plan to help provide people with the skills needed in an AI economy.

"I have also invested £16.5m in an ‘AI Collaboration Centre’ which is being delivered in Belfast and Derry by Ulster University, supported by Queen’s.

"This investment is not only developing our AI skills capacity, but it is also offering fully funded support to accelerate AI adoption in business.

“This AI revolution could happen very quickly. So, we must work collaboratively, to make sense of the coming change, manage the challenges, and harness the positive potential of this technology.”

Tomorrow (Friday, 4 October 2024), the AICC will host exclusive AI workshops at Ulster University, which are open to all AI Con 2024 conference attendees.

The full AI Con programme is available here.