Exploring Exciting AI possibilities At Tech Connect Live, May 30th With Ray Walshe

With Ray Walshe, Assistant Professor of ICT Standardization at DCU who is speaking at Tech Connect Live on May 30th.

1 min pitch for what you are doing now?

For the last year I have been involved in various projects with International Standards Organisation (ISO) on AI Standardization, IEEE on European Public Policy, European Commission on Standards Policy Initiatives, World Economic Forum on the Digital Europe project and more recently I was appointed to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe ICT Working Group.

All of these initiatives are examining the challenges and opportunities for emerging technologies like AI with a view to delivering on the Digital Single Market objective for the European Commission and driving economic growth through interoperability of goods, services and technologies.

How was the last year, what worked well?

It was a good year. I’m really enjoying the WEF and IEEE work which is providing an ICT related foresight exercise on what should be the technology areas to prioritise. The week before last I attended a meeting in the European Commission HQ hosted by Vice President Jyrki Katainen, Ann Mettler Director General European Political Strategy Centre (EPSC) and Martina Larkin, Executive Committee World Economic Forum and Head of Regional Strategies for Europe and Eurasia.

There were key decision makers looking at many of the challenges facing Europe and it was welcoming to encounter a lot of positivity in relation to what ICT and Standards can deliver for the future. Europe is in a state of transition with challenges both internally and externally that need to be prepared for.

What are your plans for the future?

I will continue my work on AI Standardization with the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) and International Standards Organisation (ISO), through the Adapt Centre Elite-S Fellowships where we will hire 14 postdoctoral researchers to work on ICT projects which have a standards focus, and the European Commission FP7 StandICT. eu where I chair the Expert Advisory GROUP.

I hope to spend some more time developing policy, position papers and white papers for IEEE, World Economic Forum and UNECE in the space of “Planet ICT” where technology can make a positive contribution to the planet through delivering in the UN SDGs. I also am hopeful that the ISO IEC standard for Big Data Reference Architecture which I’m Lead Editor forgets published after many years of work by experts from all over the world. These ICT standards bring down international barriers to trade and are key to sustainable economic growth on a global scale.

What will you be talking about at Tech Connect Live? (brief taster)

I’ll be looking at how AI is or can be used to take on some of the larger Global Societal Challenges as described in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. AI is a technology catalyst which is impacting on many sectors and driving progress in more than just economic terms. I’ll provide some insights on what can be achieved under the 17 UN SDG headings. For more information why not attend TechConnectLive

What inspired you to attend it?

I’ve spoken at TechConnectLive before and there is a good cross section of ICT stakeholders at the event. Enterprise, SMEs, Startups and Academic Research is well represented in both talks on stage and a broad spectrum of exhibitors on the floor. I enjoy speaking in Ireland, there’s a great buzz around our events and the networking during the breaks tends to be very productive.

Which influencers and websites do you follow to keep up to date with the latest developments?

I primarily use LinkedIn and Twitter to keep on touch with what my colleagues in Industry and Academia are working on. I read a lot on standardization and technology policy-related content from WEF, UN, IEEE, EC, ISO, IEC and DCU Centres (Adapt and Insight)

How can people find out more about what you are working on?

Check out my LinkedIn posts and articles! Connect with me to follow my activities. https://www.linkedin.com/in/raywalshe/

Anything else you’d like to add / we should have asked?

I’m encouraged by the depth of the engagement by academia and enterprise in voluntary
activities like Global Standards. If you feel you can commit some time to join ICT expert groups
on Cloud, Big Data, AI, Smart Cities, IoT, Blockchain etc please contact NSAI.

As I begin my role with the United Nations (UNECE) ICT Group this Autumn, I believe we in Ireland are doing better at recycling, conserving water and electricity on an individual level,  but I’d like to see more Enterprise and Academic groups using their knowledge and technologies to make a greater contribution to addressing global societal challenges to leave a better planet for the next generation. I expect the circular economy to become a top global priority this year.

You can read more articles regarding Tech Connect Live here.

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