AI Keynote Speaker at TU Dublin: What 130 Irish Leaders Told Us About AI in 2026 – Mark Kelly keynoted at TU Dublin’s ARISE event, sharing findings from 130 AI leaders. See what’s working, what’s blocking progress, and what Irish businesses should do next.

AI Keynote Speaker at TU Dublin: What 130 Irish Leaders Told Us About AI in 2026

When TU Dublin’s ARISE Programme invited AI keynote speaker Mark Kelly to present at their Digital Futures Research Hub, the brief was clear: tell us what’s actually happening with AI in Irish business. Not the hype. Not the vendor pitch. The reality.

Mark shared findings from the AI Ireland 2026 State of AI in Irish Business report — a survey of 130 AI leaders across Ireland. The data paints a picture that every board, CEO, and department head needs to see.

Here’s what the research revealed, and why it matters for your next event or leadership session.

The Event: ARISE at TU Dublin’s Digital Futures Research Hub

The ARISE (Amplifying Research and Innovation Supporting Enterprise) programme hosted a packed event at TU Dublin in February 2026, bringing together researchers, industry partners, and enterprise leaders.

Dympna O’Sullivan, Vice President for Research and Innovation at TU Dublin, opened the session by stressing the need for responsible innovation and strong ties between academia and enterprise.

The morning featured cutting-edge research from TU Dublin PhD candidates — Liz Darnell (working with Workday on explainable AI and trust) and Peterson Jean (improving health data for older adults). Industry leaders included Matthew Lynch from Meta on AR glasses and human connection, and Harish Kambampati on wearable tech for dementia care.

Mark Kelly delivered the AI keynote, sharing practical findings on what is delivering real impact across Ireland’s AI landscape. He then joined a panel discussion with Aidan McGowran of EXL and Gregory O’Brien of Mastercard, tackling trust, user experience, and responsible AI adoption.

The key message from the day: keep people at the centre of AI development. Technology is moving fast. But the human skills of critical thinking and independent judgement are what make AI work in practice.

What 130 AI Leaders in Ireland Are Telling Us

The AI Ireland 2026 survey went beyond opinions. It captured data from senior decision-makers — 32% C-Suite or VP level, 27% Directors or Heads of departments — across companies of all sizes, with a strong lean towards large enterprise (43% from firms with 1,001–5,000 staff).

Here are the headline findings Mark Kelly presented at TU Dublin.

74% of Irish Businesses Are Now in AI Production

This is the standout number. Nearly three-quarters of organisations surveyed have moved AI beyond piloting into either early production (41%) or broad adoption (33%). Only 2% haven’t started at all.

The question is no longer “Should we use AI?” It’s “How do we make it work safely, at scale, with the people and systems we already have?”

The Top Goal: Save Money (28%)

Cost optimisation is the number one AI priority for Irish leaders over the next 6–12 months. Not innovation for its own sake — smarter spending, better processes, and tighter operations.

Behind that, 19% want AI to help their engineering teams move faster (code generation is seen as a major productivity boost). And 15% are targeting predictive maintenance — using data to catch equipment problems before they happen.

The Top Blocker: Integration With Legacy Systems (25%)

Here’s where the gap shows up. A quarter of leaders say their biggest challenge is making AI tools work with older, existing company software. This isn’t a lack of ambition. It’s a technical plumbing problem that slows everything down.

Skills shortages (15%) and security concerns (15%) round out the top three blockers. Leaders are also raising questions about ROI measurement and the time needed to plan properly.

56% Want “Controlled Use” of GenAI With Company Data

When it comes to using generative AI tools with private company data, most leaders are cautious. Over half prefer a controlled-use model — they’ll use it, but with strict rules and guardrails in place.

Only 15% say they’re fully production-ready with their data. Another 15% are still testing in sandbox environments. This shows that trust in GenAI hasn’t fully caught up with the technology itself.

The Readiness Gap: Where Ambition Meets Reality

One of the most important themes Mark covered at TU Dublin was the “readiness gap.” While 74% of businesses are in production with AI, many are finding that the real challenges have nothing to do with the AI itself.

It’s the wiring behind the walls:

• Old IT systems that weren’t built to connect with AI tools
• Teams that lack the training to use AI confidently
• Governance frameworks that haven’t been written yet
• Vendor promises that look great on a slide but aren’t ready in practice

Leaders at the event described projects moving slower than expected, requiring multiple rounds of iteration. But those who stuck with it and proved business value early were the ones scaling successfully.

Why This Matters for Your Next Event

If you’re planning a conference, leadership offsite, board briefing, or industry summit in 2026, this is the conversation your audience needs to have.

Not “What can AI do?” but “What should we do next?”

As an AI keynote speaker, Mark Kelly brings something different to the stage:

• Real data, not vendor slides. The AI Ireland survey gives Mark original, Ireland-specific research that no other speaker can share. It’s independent, current, and built from conversations with real leaders.
• Practical frameworks. Mark’s 5 P’s AI Readiness model (People, Process, Platforms, Proprietary Data, Products & Services) gives audiences a clear structure to assess where they stand and what to do next.
• Executive-level experience. Mark works with boards, C-Suite teams, and senior leadership groups across Ireland and Europe. His keynotes are built for decision-makers, not just technologists.
• An honest, jargon-free approach. No buzzwords. No overpromising. Mark tells audiences what’s working, what’s failing, and where to focus their time and money.

Three Takeaways Every Leadership Team Should Hear

Based on the survey findings and the TU Dublin panel discussion, here are the three things Mark recommends every Irish leadership team act on:

1. Fix the plumbing first. Before launching a new AI project, audit your IT systems. If your legacy software can’t connect with modern AI tools, you’ll stall at integration — the number one blocker reported by leaders.
2. Start with cost and efficiency. The highest-value first projects focus on saving money and helping staff work faster. These are easier to measure, easier to justify, and easier to scale.
3. Set the rules before you scale. With 56% of leaders opting for controlled use, the message is clear: governance isn’t a nice-to-have. Build your AI usage policy, set up sandbox testing, and get leadership alignment before you push AI into production.

What Mark Kelly Covers in an AI Keynote

Mark tailors every presentation to the audience, but common themes for 2026 include:

• The State of AI in Irish Business — original survey data, real trends, and what’s next
• AI Readiness for Boards and Leadership Teams — using the 5 P’s framework to assess maturity
• From Pilot to Production — how to move past experiments and into real business value
• The Governance Mandate — ISO 42001, EU AI Act, and what Irish businesses need to do now
• Shadow AI and Risk — what happens when staff use AI tools without your knowledge

Formats available include keynote presentations (45–60 minutes), executive leadership workshops, half-day AI strategy sessions, and panel contributions.

Book Mark Kelly as Your AI Keynote Speaker for 2026

Mark Kelly is the Founder of AI Ireland, Ireland’s national independent AI community, and an international keynote speaker on applied AI and AI readiness. He hosts the AI Ireland Podcast and works with business leaders across Ireland and Europe.

If you’re planning an event, conference, or leadership session and want a speaker who brings original research, practical frameworks, and honest advice — get in touch to discuss your event.

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FAQs

What topics does Mark Kelly cover as an AI keynote speaker?

Mark covers the state of AI adoption in Ireland, AI governance and risk, practical AI readiness using his 5 P’s framework, Shadow AI, and how leadership teams can move from pilot projects to production. Every talk is backed by original survey data from the AI Ireland community.

What kind of events does Mark speak at?

Mark keynotes at industry conferences, board briefings, leadership offsites, chamber of commerce events, university programmes (like TU Dublin’s ARISE), and corporate strategy days. He speaks both in-person and virtually across Ireland and Europe.

Can Mark customise his keynote for a specific industry?

Yes. Mark has delivered tailored AI keynotes and workshops for sectors including retail, hospitality, hardware, golf and leisure, financial services, and technology. He adapts frameworks, use cases, and examples to match the audience.

How far in advance should I book Mark as an AI keynote speaker?

For 2026 events, booking 2–3 months in advance is recommended. For large conferences or multi-day engagements, earlier is better. Contact Mark’s team to check availability.

Does Mark also run workshops, or just keynotes?

Both. In addition to keynote presentations, Mark runs executive AI leadership workshops, half-day strategy sessions, and advisory engagements. These are designed for senior leadership teams who want hands-on guidance, not just inspiration.

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Mark Kelly is the Founder of AI Ireland and an international AI keynote speaker. He works with boards, C-Suite leaders, and enterprise teams to adopt AI in a practical, safe, and commercially focused way. To book Mark for your 2026 event, visit markkellyai.com