Dr John Lonsdale has been appointed CEO of CeADAR, Ireland’s Centre for AI at UCD, starting September 2024. CeADAR is an Enterprise Ireland and IDA funded technology centre established to support businesses and other organisations to understand, adopt and leverage the benefits and value of AI and Machine Learning (ML).

John has combined experience of working in industry in technical and commercial roles and extensive commercial experience in a university environment. Consequently, he has a deep understanding of the differences between commercial and academic environments and how to bridge them.

John has extensive senior leadership experience in university innovation and enterprise, in roles including Director of Innovation and Enterprise at the University of Central Lancashire (2007-2018), and most recently as Head of Enterprise at the University of Edinburgh (2019-2024). Before moving into the Higher Education Sector he worked in commercial roles for Rolls Royce Power Group and the National Nuclear Laboratory. He holds a Doctorate of Business Administration based on his research into academic entrepreneurship.

Speaking about his appointment, he said: “I am delighted to be joining CeADAR at this point in time where AI and ML offer so much potential for the Irish economy. CeADAR will act as a catalyst, linking cutting edge research to practical application in industry and public sector organisations, working collaboratively with a wide range of partner organisations across the country and internationally, driving technology adoption and skills development. Successful implementation of these technologies across the country will stand Ireland in good stead in a globally competitive environment."

CeADAR supports start-ups, SMEs and large scale organisations to identify, design and develop AI strategies, prototypes and solutions that will bring their product or service to the next level and ensure they remain competitive in a changing global and local marketplace.

Visit https://ceadar.ie/