Elio Podcast tackles Business’ Tech Challenges

The role of ESG, the complexity of AI, and the challenge of skills shortages are among the topics in a new podcast series addressing key tech issues for Irish businesses, as we head into 2024.

Created by Irish connectivity provider, Elio Networks, The Elio Podcast is presented by Joe Lynam, Newstalk business editor, and is live from the beginning of December.

Cyber security and the Zero Trust Model feature in the expert discussions, as does the challenge for indigenous business, competing with global big tech, on recruitment.

In episode one, Dermot Williams, Managing Director of cyber security business, Threatscape, warns against short-cuts when it comes to properly protecting networks, and explains the growing global security challenges facing Irish business.

Getting sustainability right, avoiding greenwashing, and successful ESG strategy is also addressed in episode two by specialist consultant, Grainne Madden, who lectures on environmental and social governance.

Our tech workforce and skills is the subject of Neale Richmond, Minister of State for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mark Cockerill, Vice President of Service Now, and Donal O’Donoghue, Managing Director with Sanderson Recruitment, who discuss Ireland’s education and training record, why Ireland cannot get more talent, and how AI is going to impact the tech workforce.

Abeba Birhane, professor at Trinity College Dublin and a leading authority in AI, asks how worried we should be about artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Additional contributors to the six-part series, which extends into 2024, include tech journalist Emmet Ryan; Katie Flood, EY Ireland Partner and Head of Strategy and Transformation; and David Russell, Chief Executive of podcast sponsors, Elio Networks.

The role and challenges of connectivity within digital transformation, are also examined.

“Connectivity has gone from being part of the IT story, to something central to each element of a company’s digital infrastructure.  The Elio podcast addresses this, and other core issues for Irish businesses today, and provides tools for business leaders to address them head on,” David Russell, Elio Networks’ CEO, said.

The Elio Networks’ boss says digital transformation and AI solutions are storming down the line, in practically all business verticals, but many struggle to understand their full implications.

“While dramatically improving business processes and the customer relationship, and boosting productivity and growth, AI-driven digital transformation is a mystery to many business leaders. The Elio Podcast guests provide insight and knowledge to provoke debate and help ensure Irish companies are in the right place to make the decisions that will shape the future of their sectors,” Russell explains.

Expansion and Acquisition

Launched in 2011, and formerly known as Host Ireland, Elio Networks works with 1,600 enterprise customers including multinationals, SMEs, and government bodies.

The business added a Cork operation to its Dublin base in 2023, along with new team members and enhanced flexible product and service offerings.  The connectivity provider is actively looking for acquisitions within its core competencies, to continue its expansion, since being acquired for €60m last year by investment business, Digital 9 Infrastructure.

“The rapid enterprise move to AI and digital transformation means connectivity is now more important than ever.  As connectivity providers, owning an FWA network in Dublin and Cork, Elio is perfectly positioned to serve business with next day wireless installation, providing full resilience, at a much lower deployment cost.” added Russell

The new podcast series, The Elio Podcast, is available on all major podcast networks.

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