The Artificial Intelligence Collaboration Centre (AICC), a pioneering £16.3 million initiative accelerating AI adoption and innovation across Northern Ireland, has announced two strategic appointments to strengthen its impact on business transformation.
Led by Ulster University in partnership with Queen’s University Belfast, and funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the Department for the Economy, the AICC is dedicated to increasing AI awareness and adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly among SMEs. By bridging industry and academia, the Centre empowers businesses to harness AI, enhance competitiveness, and position Northern Ireland as a leader in AI-driven transformation.
Donnacha Kirk has been appointed Deputy Director of AI Technology & Research Services, leading AI research and development efforts to connect SMEs with cutting-edge expertise from Ulster University and Queen’s University Belfast.
Tadhg Hickey joins as Head of AI & Digital Ethics Policy, bringing expertise in responsible AI governance, ensuring transparency, fairness, and accountability in AI applications.
David Crozier CBE, AICC Director, welcomed the appointments, saying:
“Tadhg and Donnacha bring a wealth of expertise that will be instrumental in ensuring businesses can adopt AI with confidence. Their leadership will help bridge the gap between research and real-world application, reinforcing Northern Ireland’s position as a leader in AI innovation.”
Donnacha Kirk said:
“AI has the power to transform business in Northern Ireland. Our focus is on making AI accessible and practical for SMEs, helping them unlock new opportunities and drive competitiveness.”
Tadhg Hickey added:
“AI must be built on trust. At the AICC, we are committed to helping businesses integrate AI in a way that is ethical, responsible, and future-focused.”
Alongside these appointments, Patrick McGirr, former AICC Operations Manager, has stepped into the role of Deputy Director of Business Engagement, following a competitive open recruitment process. A key driving force behind AICC from day one, Patrick will now lead efforts to strengthen collaboration between industry, academia, and government, further embedding AI innovation across the region.
With 14.5 staff already in place and a goal of building a dedicated team of 25 across Ulster University’s Belfast and Derry~Londonderry campuses and Queen’s University Belfast, the AICC is making strong progress in delivering 390 postgraduate AI qualifications and equipping thousands of professionals through workshops and online skills training.
To embed the integration of AI across Northern Ireland’s business community, the AICC will provide tailored AI, data science and/or machine learning support to 248 SMEs, driving widespread growth of the technology. The Centre is currently seeking expressions of interest from SMEs across Northern Ireland that wish to adopt AI and drive productivity in their business.
More information can be found at www.aicc.co.