The annual Irish AI Awards were held in Dublin on 26 November, run by AI Ireland in conjunction with chief sponsor Microsoft Ireland, to support the growth and development of data science, machine learning and artificial intelligence in Ireland.
Pfizer’s ‘Smart Factory Co-pilot’ and Irish Life’s CARA, which revolutionises claims processing, were among the big winners at this year’s AI Awards. Other winning entries included companies focusing on early cancer detection, protecting children from cyberbullying and developing remote working hubs to reduce carbon emissions.
UCD's Ana Le Chevillier was named 'Young AI Role Model of the Year' for her work which advances the globally recognised AI healthcare project, AI_PREMie. Ana integrates AI ethically, enhancing preeclampsia diagnostics and improving outcomes. Skilled in data science and mentoring, she is committed to equitable and innovative healthcare solutions. Ana is a Clinical Research Manager based at UCD Conway Institute for Biomolecular and Biomedical Research and UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science.
Commenting on her award, Ana said: "It’s an incredible honour to be recognised as Young AI Role Model of the Year. This achievement is not just a personal milestone, but a reflection of the guidance and inspiration I've received from the outstanding professors at UCD, like Prof. Patricia Maguire, Prof. Fionnuala Ní Ainle, and Dr Brian MacNamee. Their mentorship has been pivotal in shaping my journey, and I’m proud to represent UCD in this innovative field."
Also recognised at the awards, CeADAR - Ireland's Centre for AI, based at UCD, won 'Best Application of AI to achieve Social Good' for their Remote Working Hubs. 'ReLeafHubs' uses AI tools to reduce carbon emissions, alleviate urban congestion and boost rural economies. Aimed at supporting sustainable and balanced development, it employs the myRWH.app for personalised hub recommendations, AIDTs for real-time monitoring and GCNs for analysing user patterns.
Lead researcher on the project, Dr Alireza Dehghani (left) commented: "Winning the 2024 AI Award for Best Application to Achieve Social Good with the ReLeafHubs project is an incredible honour. This recognition highlights the CeADAR team's and our collaborators' collective effort to leverage AI to create sustainable and impactful solutions. ReLeafHubs exemplifies how AI, through digital twins and smart technologies, can address pressing societal challenges like climate change and remote work sustainability. I’m deeply grateful to UCD and CeADAR for fostering an environment that encourages innovation and collaboration, and we are excited to see how this project evolves to create even greater social impact."
AI Ireland Founder Mark Kelly said: "At the AI Awards, we're not just recognizing technological achievements, we're celebrating Ireland's bold vision of using artificial intelligence to drive meaningful transformation across healthcare, sustainability and beyond. These innovators aren't just developing technology; they're reimagining what's possible."
Microsoft Ireland, which is also a partner in AI_PREMie, was once again the principal sponsor for the AI Awards, continuing their partnership since the inaugural awards in 2018. COO at Microsoft Ireland Ronan Geraghty congratulated all the winners and highlighted the key role of the AI Awards in the AI ecosystem in Ireland.
"Microsoft Ireland is proud to support the AI Awards for the sixth consecutive year and since their inception. The transformative impact of AI in Ireland has been remarkable, fostering innovation across healthcare, sustainability, academia, and beyond. These awards have played a crucial role in nurturing the indigenous AI ecosystem, and we are delighted to be at the heart of this vibrant community, championing technological advancements and supporting Irish AI talent," he said.
The 10 other winners from the 2024 AI Awards were:
Best Application of AI in a Large Enterprise
Pfizer Global Supply – for developing the “Smart Factory Co-Pilot,” an AI-driven solution that monitors manufacturing processes, detects issues and provides real-time insights to optimise yield, reduce costs and improve quality. This innovation enhances decision-making and is being expanded across Pfizer to support its goal of becoming an AI-driven company.
Best Application of AI in Consumer/Customer Service
Irish Life – for CARA, which revolutionized claims processing by using advanced AI to enhance speed, accuracy and customer satisfaction. CARA streamlined operations, integrating with legacy systems and ensuring compliance. It significantly improved processing times and set a new standard in the insurance industry, with plans for broader AI applications.
Best Application of AI in Healthcare
Axial3D – for their new software platform, which automates the creation of patient-specific 3D anatomical models from 2D scans, drastically reducing development time and costs. This innovation enhances surgical precision and scalability, transforming patient-specific solutions from niche applications to routine practices in global healthcare.
Best Application of AI in a SME
BuyMedia – for their AI-powered platform which helps SMEs in Ireland and the UK overcome advertising challenges by simplifying planning, purchasing, execution and learning. It offers data-driven insights, a centralised marketplace and automated campaign management, enabling SMEs to compete effectively with larger enterprises and improve their ROI.
Best Application of AI in a Startup
Durotimi AI – for their work in enhancing early cancer detection by providing GPs with real-time decision support through AI-driven analytics. The platform is transparent and adaptable, and integrates seamlessly into healthcare environments. They improve diagnostic accuracy and reduce delays, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes and potentially saving lives.
Best Use of Responsible AI and Ethics
Chirp – for developing an ethical, AI-powered solution embedded at the smartphone’s OS level to detect and block harmful content like cyberbullying, grooming and self-harm. Their privacy-by-design approach prioritizes child safety and agency while involving parents without violating children’s privacy.
Best Application of AI in Sustainability
SynCarbAI – for tackling the inefficiencies of traditional CO2 conversion by developing an AI-driven electroreduction system. Integrating AI, ML and IoT sensors, it optimises CO2 conversion in real-time, enhancing scalability and efficiency. This innovation reduces carbon footprints across industries, contributing to sustainability goals and market leadership.
AI Person of the Year
Ciaran Gilligan-Lee – A leading AI researcher at Spotify’s Causal AI lab, Ciaran combines causal inference with machine learning to enhance decision-making. His globally recognised work improves AI applications in various industries. With a strong academic background, he focuses on solving real-world problems and promoting ethical AI development.
Women in AI Ambassador of the Year
Emerald de Leeuw – Global Head of AI Governance & Privacy at Logitech, Emerald is a leading expert in AI ethics and governance. As co-founder of Women in AI Governance, she champions diversity and inclusion, enhancing women’s roles in AI. Her work has significantly shaped responsible AI practices and industry standards.
Best Application of AI in a Student Project
Nadeem Rather, University College Cork – for his research with the Tyndall National Institute which focuses on addressing challenges in IoT by integrating AI into Chipless RFID (CRFID) systems, enhancing data capacity, reliability and adaptability. The innovative AI-enabled CRFID tags reduce costs and electronic waste, offering sustainable solutions for various applications, including healthcare and agriculture.
Microsoft Ireland was the principal sponsor for the 2024 AI Awards, which was also proudly sponsored by Alldus International, Forvis Mazars, Mason Hayes & Curran, Dublin City Council, IDA Ireland, Fáilte Ireland, Dublin Tech Summit, Women in AI Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, ICBE Business Excellence Skillnet and Aviation Skillnet.