Shane Nolan from IDA Ireland joins me in a discussion about how the use of AI has evolved over the years and the guest shares his predictions for how it will continue to revolutionize business. I also learn how Ireland is addressing the AI skills gap talk about overall tech talent in Ireland, government investment in AI and Ireland being the first to offer a master's degree in AI). We discuss the topic of AI as a Service (AIaaS) and how is it being utilised. We also talk about the potential benefits and risks AIaaS has to businesses along with who are the top players in AIaaS already and which industries are likely to adopt it. Finally, I learn more about what makes Ireland such a great base for these top tech/AI providers About Shane Nolan Shane has been with IDA Ireland for over 18 years and currently heads up both IDA Ireland’s Technology and Emerging Business Divisions leading teams. These teams manage the relationships with the largest technology investors in Ireland and also work with fast-scaling technology and digital start-ups to help them leverage Ireland as part of their growth. Shane previously led the organisation’s Digital & Consumer business and, before that, its business in AsiaPac and Emerging Markets. Shane was also based for a number of years in IDA’s Silicon Valley office and has held other strategy and business development roles in his time with IDA. Prior to IDA, Shane worked for a number of start-ups in telecommunications and mobile software in technical and business development roles. About IDA Ireland Ireland continues to win international investments from global corporations because it is seen as a business location where the workforce, as well as being highly qualified, has a unique capacity to improve, to innovate and to initiate new ideas, new processes and new ways of working that can make business more dynamic, more efficient and ultimately more profitable. Ireland’s inward Investment Promotion & Development agency, IDA Ireland (Investment Development Agency) is responsible for the attraction and development of foreign investment in Ireland. Today, Ireland is home to companies such as, Facebook, Sanofi, Intel, Yahoo, Adobe, Microsoft, SAP, Liebherr, HP, Apple, LinkedIn, Zalando, Deutsche Bank, Google and Amazon.com, to name just a few.