Over 50% agree that they anticipate the use of generative AI to be ‘very useful’ or indeed ‘critical’ for their business.
47% confirmed that cyber security is a top priority for their organisation
Poll results of attendees at the Matheson Digital Economy Conference ‘Regulating Tech, AI and Cybersecurity: A 360° Perspective’
L-R: Cathal Ryan, Deputy Commissioner, Data Protection Commission; Kieran McCorry, National Technology Officer, Microsoft; Ciaran Fennessy, Head of Strategy and Transformation for Global Funds Services Technology, Citibank; and Anne-Marie Bohan, Partner and Head of Innovation and Technology, Matheson LLP.
The rapid pace of digital innovation and new EU legislation is reinventing the way we do business.
A poll of conference attendees showed that businesses are endorsing the use of AI in their operations today with 52% agreeing that the use of generative AI will be “very useful” or indeed “critical” for their business. It is clear that the level of trust in AI technology increased over the past year with 44% confirming they have a team or a 'taskforce' (with a budget) up and running to look at the use of AI in their business, with a further 19% having completed their initial assessments. The majority (86%) indicate cyber security is a priority for their organisation by confirming they are at least ‘generally well prepared’ to respond to a cyber incident. These were some of the key messages from attendees at Matheson LLP’s Digital Economy Group’s annual conference in Dublin today, entitled “Regulating Tech, AI and Cybersecurity: A 360°Perspective”.
The pace of change presents huge opportunities, but also significant challenges, across legal, regulatory, commercial and ethical dimensions. As home to the fastest moving businesses in Europe and the world, Ireland stands at a crossroads for the global digital economy.
The conference panellists discussed the most topical issues at play, focussing on new legislation such as the EU Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) Act, NIS 2, DORA, the Digital Markets Act and the Digital Services Act. Speakers with expertise in legal, technology and policy issues discussed how to collectively drive innovation and economic growth in the digital economy.
Niamh Hodnett, Online Safety Commissioner, Coimisiún na Meán delivered the keynote speech. Niamh then joined Michael Byrne, Matheson for a discussion relating to Coimisiún na Meán’s recent activity and enforcement priorities. Pierre Bichet from the European Commission joined Calum Warren of Matheson to share key learnings from the initial six-month of the EU Digital Markets Act, and its intersectionality with other regimes.
Anne-Marie Bohan, Matheson, moderated a lively panel discussion on AI, Data and Governance from an industry perspective, with input from Kieran McCorry, Microsoft, Ciaran Fennessy, Citi and Cathal Ryan, Deputy Commissioner, Data Protection Commission. The second panel discussion explored the relevance to Ireland of Competition Law in EU Digital Markets, led by Kate McKenna of Matheson in conversation with Craig Whelan, CCPC, Seán O’Dea, ServiceNow and Pierre Bichet, European Commission.
Carlo Salizzo and Connor Cassidy, Matheson, discussed the NIS 2 cyber compliance and enforcement landscape with Prof Donna O’Shea, MTU and David McGill, DECC. This was followed by a discussion, chaired by Ian O’Mara, Matheson, in conversation with Darrell Flinn, Rippling, Alcarine Power, Aon and Michelle Brady, SEI who shared industry perspectives on DORA, the new ICT risk management law for EU financial institutions.
Technology and Innovation partner at Matheson, and member of the firm’s Digital Economy Group, Carlo Salizzo said; “There are very few businesses operating in Europe which aren’t affected by some or all of these very complex and rapidly evolving laws. This conference was an opportunity to hear from some of the leading players in rapidly converging areas, and it was fantastic to see attendance from the most innovative companies in the world. A lot to take from it, and a lot to think about as we head into 2025 and beyond.”
Deirdre Crowley, Commercial Litigation partner and also member of the Matheson Digital Economy Group, commented: “Business leaders and regulators alike are clearly committed to cyber compliance and operational resilience. The talent and expertise evident at today’s conference shows how well-placed Irish business is to navigate this challenging landscape and to establish itself as a global leader in the cyber space.”
Pierre Bichet, Digital Markets Unit of the European Commission, commented, “Our priority at the European Commission is to ensure that the Digital Markets Act is effectively complied with and works for all stakeholders, notably citizens and businesses alike. This is a significant mandate when we consider that the Act is relevant to 27 Member States and is complementary with other forms of legislation such as GDPR and competition legislation for example and cannot be assessed in a vacuum. Looking to the future, our focus will be the ongoing implementation of the Act within the context of a new Commission, and we are also working toward an evaluation of its effectiveness in 2026 as required by the Act itself.”Matheson also launched its Business Guide to the AI Act and AI Recitals Guide, which is designed to help clients start or continue their AI compliance journey. To get copies of the Matheson AI Guide for Businesses, and AI Recitals Guide, please email: AIGUIDE@matheson.com.
Speakers included:
- Niamh Hodnett, Online Safety Commissioner, Coimisiún na Meán;
- Pierre Bichet, Digital Markets Unit, European Commission
- Ciaran Fennessy, Strategy and Transformation for Securities Services, Citi;
- Kieran McCorry, National Technology Officer, Microsoft;
- Seán O’Dea, Senior Competition Counsel, ServiceNow;
- Professor Donna O’Shea, Chair of Cybersecurity, Munster Technology University;
- Craig Whelan, Deputy Director, Competition Enforcement and Mergers, CCPC;
- David McGill, Principal Officer with responsibility for Cyber Security, Internet Policy, and Emergency Planning, Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC);
- Cathal Ryan, Deputy Commissioner, Data Protection Commission;
- Darrell Flinn, CIO and Head of Tech and Information Security, Rippling;
- Alcarine Power, Head of Pension Risk Management, Aon; and
- Michelle Brady, General Counsel, SEI
- Michael Jackson, Managing Partner, Matheson LLP
- Anne-Marie Bohan, Partner and Head of Technology and Innovation, Matheson LLP
- Carlo Salizzo, Partner, Technology and Innovation, Matheson LLP
- Michael Byrne, Partner, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution, Matheson LLP
- Kate McKenna, Partner, Competition and Regulation, Matheson LLP
- Calum Warren, Partner, Competition and Regulation, Matheson LLP
- Connor Cassidy, Partner, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution, Matheson LLP
- Ian O’Mara, Partner, Financial Institutions, Matheson LLP
