How are businesses preparing for the tipping point of artificial intelligence? And how can leadership be reimagined amidst this technological shift? These were the animating questions of the University of Galway Business Summit 2025, held on Friday, 4 April. Drawing over 400 attendees, the high-impact event offered a critical lens on the rapidly evolving nature of work and enterprise.
Hosted by J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics, the summit convened a dynamic mix of industry leaders, academics and students. Described by attendees as “energetic,” “explosive” and “thought-provoking,” the event ignited rigorous discussion on the challenges and opportunities of AI-driven transformation. Speakers from leading organisations—including Portwest, Deloitte, CybSafe, Medtronic, IBM and Davy (see full list of panellists here)—joined university experts to assess the accelerating pace of change and its implications for leadership, cybersecurity and the workplace. Notably, over 70% of attendees were senior decision-makers, including CEOs, directors and business owners.
Harry Hughes, CEO of Portwest, delivered a keynote that combined clarity and conviction. Tracing the 120-year evolution of the Hughes’ family business—from a drapery shop in Westport to a leading global workwear manufacturer with over 5,800 employees across 130 countries—Hughes underscored the importance of maintaining values-based leadership in the age of AI. “Scaling a business in the West of Ireland presents unique opportunities and challenges,” he remarked. “The University of Galway Business Summit provides an important platform to share insights on sustainable growth, global expansion and the power of innovation.”
Business, now at an inflection point, must adapt to a future where AI is increasingly embedded in the heart of commerce and operations. Across the summit’s panels, speakers emphasised the importance of ethical and strategic integration of generative technologies. While AI is increasingly seen as a collaborator rather than a tool, it remains the product of statistical modelling—incapable of replacing human judgment.
Professor Michael Madden, Established Professor of Computer Science at University of Galway, likened AI tools to “a group of enthusiastic and talented, if haphazard, interns”—a vivid analogy that urged businesses to adopt an active, not passive, approach to digital transformation. The panels offered tangible strategies for AI integration, with Mairead Dooley-ffrench, Ecosystem Leader for Ireland at IBM, capturing the mood succinctly: “The West is well and truly awake.”
As AI’s potential grows, so too do the threats. The same systems that boost productivity can also fuel criminal enterprise. From AI-assisted engineering attacks to sophisticated ransomware and deepfakes, the security landscape is rapidly shifting. Cyber resilience, therefore, is not optional—it’s essential.
One clear takeaway from the summit was that AI-driven change, no matter how technical, is ultimately shaped by people. “Cybersecurity is not a technological problem; it’s a people problem,” said Annick O’Brien, General Counsel at CybSafe. “I was delighted to see so many people here today talking about the challenges they’re seeing and thinking about how we can transition into the future.”
Speakers focused on operational resilience, cybersecurity regulations and practical solutions. “Cybersecurity affects everybody,” noted Rebecca Lindley, Head of Compliance at Centripetal. “It’s not just your IT teams… it’s everyone in the organisation—and they are the assets.” Vaibhav Malik, Cybersecurity Partner at Deloitte, issued a stark challenge: “You either go through the pain of stagnation, or you go through the pain of transition. The choice is yours.”
Technology may transform systems, but people remain the central agents of change. The leadership panel looked at ways of cultivating empathy and innovation in an environment of rapid change. While AI offers powerful tools, real innovation lies in the structures empowering individuals to wield them. Interpersonal intelligence, inclusivity and critical thinking emerged as vital traits for leadership into the future. “I came along, and I was thinking about leadership and AI, but it went much deeper…”, said Margot Slattery, Global Group Head of Social Sustainability at ISS World Services. “I’m going away with a lot of things to reflect on.”
In its 2025 iteration, the University of Galway Business Summit confirmed its standing as a vital forum for strategic foresight in the West of Ireland. Beyond the headlines of AI and cybersecurity, the summit fostered a deeper dialogue about responsibility, resilience and the future of leadership. Delegates left not only with new contacts and case studies, but renewed clarity—and a sense that amid uncertainty, thoughtful action remains the most powerful tool.
