AI Roundtable: The Future of AI in Business and Society
Author – David Monaghan, Deputy Editor at Business & Finance Media Group
On Friday 19 September, KPMG Platform X was buzzing with conversation. Over thirty business leaders came together to tackle one of the hottest topics in boardrooms today: artificial intelligence. The discussion, led by Ian Hyland, President of Ireland INC and Publisher of Business & Finance, brought together voices from KPMG, IDA, NBI, Salesforce, Inclusio and more into one room.
The Shift: Speculation to Action
AI is no longer a distant concept – it is here, reshaping boardrooms, redefining industries, and rewriting the way we work. The question is no longer if AI will deliver value, but how fast and how effectively companies can harness it.
In engineering, AI tools are now performing up to 75% of tasks once carried out by humans, It was said. That’s a leap from just 20% last year. In financial services, law, and other sectors, processes that previously took days are being completed in minutes. The pace of change is accelerating, and early adopters are already reporting significant productivity gains.
Beyond Tech: People, Culture, and Readiness
AI isn’t just a technology shift, it’s a cultural one. Successful adoption will come down to how organisations prepare their people.
From C-suite executives to new hires, teams are learning to integrate AI into daily workflows. Training, experimentation, and cultural openness are no longer optional; they’re the drivers of transformation. And as leaders noted, when culture embraces change, AI becomes more than a tool, it becomes a catalyst.
Building the Foundations
Scaling AI in Ireland will demand robust infrastructure, from data centres and energy supply to research capacity and skilled talent pipelines. The integration of renewable energy, particularly offshore wind, will be vital in meeting future demand.
Regulation was also a key focus. The EU AI Act aims to establish guardrails for consumer protection and governance, but leaders noted that Ireland must strike a balance between oversight and competitiveness. With global rivals not bound by the same rules, agility will be crucial.
Why Conversations Like This Matter
As Rory Timlin of KPMG put it: “Convening leaders around AI is particularly valuable because it is a multidisciplinary field. Sharing perspectives, surfacing common challenges, and exploring collaboration across the ecosystem helps us collectively solve problems and seize opportunities.”
That’s what makes forums like this so powerful, and why Dublin Tech Summit 2026 will be the next big stage for these conversations.
DTS 2026
As the pace of change accelerates, the conversation is shifting from potential to performance. Companies that adapt quickly, embrace cultural change, and invest in talent will set the pace for the future.
At Dublin Tech Summit 2026, these themes will continue to take centre stage, with global leaders, innovators, and decision-makers coming together to explore how AI is transforming industries and society alike.
Join us in Dublin on 27–28 May 2026 to be part of the conversation.
