‘We're getting to a real break point': Meet Horizon - the Irish-founded startup eyeing Nasdaq debut
'We're getting to a real break point': Meet Horizon - the Irish-founded startup eyeing Nasdaq debut
With a breakthrough imminent, Joe Fitzsimons and his team want to be ready for quantum computing's ChatGPT moment
Vish Gain
05:00
Si-Hui Tan, chief science officer, and Joe Fitzsimons, founder and CEO of Horizon Quantum, which was valued at $500 million earlier this year
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Irish Times
2 hours ago
- Irish Times
Thousands of ChatGPT conversations accessible online despite efforts to erase them
More than 100,000 conversations between users of ChatGPT and the online AI platform remain accessible through internet searches despite attempts by ChatGPT developer OpenAI to erase them after what was described as a 'short-lived experiment', it has been reported. Online investigative journalism unit Digital Digging said the majority of the conversations, which are preserved in their entirety, are 'harmless', but some were not. In its report, it cites the examples of an Italian lawyer discussing how to obtain land from an indigenous community in the Amazon for a multinational seeking to build a hydroelectric facility, an Egyptian seeking to use AI to write critically about the country's authoritarian regime and a researcher documenting their academic fraud. The report follows an incident at the end of last month when it became apparent that thousands of ChatGPT users were essentially ticking a box that made their conversations with the platform visible to search engines like Google without users appreciating the consequences. READ MORE The facility, which was described by a senior OpenAI executive as a 'short-lived experiment', was quickly disabled and some 50,000 conversations 'scrubbed' by the company. Experts say the Digital Digger article highlights the difficulty with erasing online posts once they have initially been made publicly available. The wider incident points to issues with AI literacy among the rapidly growing number of people engaging with the technology. The consequences can go well beyond ridicule or embarrassment, according to Pradeep Sanyal, a San Francisco-based adviser to company boards and chief executives on AI strategies. Influencers beware, Revenue is on the prowl Listen | 48:38 'Some posts reveal commercially sensitive information, legal strategies, political dissent in authoritarian contexts and confidential personal matters such as health conditions,' he said. 'These could lead to reputational damage, competitive disadvantage, regulatory scrutiny or even personal safety risks depending on jurisdiction. 'There have been revelations that, if tied back to the individual or organisation, could have significant consequences. The example of a lawyer discussing strategy to displace indigenous communities for the lowest possible price, for instance, is not merely embarrassing; it could have legal and ethical implications,' he told The Irish Times. Barry Scannell, an AI law and policy partner at William Fry solicitors and a member of the Government-appointed AI Advisory Council, said his 'jaw hit the floor' when he saw some of the original material made accessible to routine Google searches. On Monday he said that the enduring issues raised by the incident 'have shone a light on the nature of information people are sharing with AI tools, some of it deeply commercially sensitive where they look to have it help them strategise or deal with other business issues [and] some of it deeply personal, where they are treating AI like a therapist. 'Some of this reminds me of the early days of electronic communication when some people were very flippant about what they put in emails and that was sometimes shown up in discovery processes. It is certainly another reminder of the importance of companies having very clear processes and policies when it comes to their people using this technology.'
Irish Independent
4 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Enterprise Ireland asked for pay bump for its chief executive
The agency told the Department of Enterprise late last year it was looking to recruit a new CEO with a pay package worth €300,000 per year. In a sanction request last December, the agency said it wanted to 'attract the highest possible calibre of candidates' including CEOs from the private sector. It said the €300,000 package was not at private sector standards but 'would send a strong signal to the candidate market for this role'. The Department of Enterprise responded that a robust business case would be needed for raising the salary up from the agreed level of around €230,000 per year. Two weeks later, Enterprise Ireland submitted a revised document, this time saying it was looking for a salary of €270,000. The sanction request said: 'The CEO role is critical to the growth of the Irish economy while ensuring the effective leadership, direction, governance, client service delivery and internal transformation of the agency.' The Department of Enterprise cautioned, however, there was almost no chance of getting an enhanced pay package approved by the Department of Public Expenditure. A senior official said it was a 'substantial increase in pay' that would mean the CEO was paid more than a department secretary general or the boss of the IDA. An email in January said: 'We envision [the Department of Public Expenditure] will have significant concerns with the proposed salary, particularly as it could have wider public sector pay implications whereby other non-commercial semi state agencies could cite Enterprise Ireland when making future business cases. 'While the rationale outlined in the business case is well founded and has merit, [we think the department] will be reluctant to sanction the post given the high base salary requested.' Officials also said Enterprise Ireland plans for filling the post quickly seemed 'incredibly ambitious' given how long the Department of Public Expenditure would need to assess the business case. They also asked for a copy of any analysis the agency had conducted which underpinned the case for a higher salary. Later that month, Enterprise Ireland dropped the enhanced request and asked to proceed with the appointment at the original rate of €229,949-per-year. A copy of the conditions of service said: 'Candidates should note that entry will be at the minimum of the scale and will not be subject to negotiation.' In early February, the Department of Public Expenditure gave the go-ahead for the job to be advertised at the old salary level. It was subsequently filled with the appointment in May of Jenny Melia, a long-serving senior executive at Enterprise Ireland. By the time the announcement was made, the pay level for the post had risen to around €235,000 as part of pay restoration for the public sector. Asked about the discussions, a Department of Enterprise spokesperson said the salary for the Enterprise Ireland CEO was on a single point pay scale. 'At the time of the first draft business case this was set at €229,949. However, due to a pay adjustment in March 2025 the set remuneration was increased to €234,548,' they said. 'It is government policy that all appointments from open co mpetitions are at the minimum point of the relevant [scale].'
Agriland
5 hours ago
- Agriland
Report launched on timber construction in Ireland research
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon has launched the timber construction in Ireland research report, 'Pioneering Research and Innovation for timber and wood-based products in Ireland'. Minister Heydon commented: 'The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is a key funder of forestry and timber research. "My department funds this research in order to produce the knowledge, insights and technology needed to address evolving strategic, policy and industry needs. "This investment in research and innovation reflects the continued government support for utilising our forest resource and creating a renewable building environment.' Minister of State with responsibility for forestry, farm safety and horticulture, Michael Healy-Rae welcomed the output from the Timber in Construction Steering Group: 'Our thriving sawmilling and forest sectors have evolved into a highly advanced processing industry, thanks in no small part to the innovation and expertise generated through past research. "By building on this foundation, we can further strengthen the sustainability, efficiency, and competitiveness of our timber sector, supporting the adoption of the timber construction industry, maximising the value of our forest resources and benefiting the communities that depend on them.' Minister of State with responsibility for food promotion, new markets, research and development, Noel Grealish added: 'This booklet provides a concise overview of more than €8 million worth of research, supported by my department over recent years, and conducted by Irish institutions on timber and wood-based products. "It covers topics such as structural performance, environmental impact, material developments, and advancements in engineered wood products. "The booklet highlights the practical impact on policy, industry and society that the outputs of this research can have, and it demonstrates the depth and breadth of Ireland's timber research.' Notable examples of research featured in the booklet include: SAOLWood – Sustainable Construction and Lifecycle Assessment of Irish Timber SAOLWood is creating Ireland's first national database to track the environmental footprint of Irish wood products across their full life cycle. This work provides essential data to support green public procurement, sustainable building design and timber-focused climate policies. By showing the environmental benefits of local timber, SAOLWood supports more informed, low-carbon choices in construction. MODCONS – Modular Mass Timber Buildings for the Circular Economy MODCONS focuses on the design, development and experimental testing of a sustainable modular timber using prefabrication to speed up construction, reduce waste and improve building performance. The project also tests how these timber systems perform in terms of fire safety, sound insulation and long-term use. MODCONS shows how Irish-grown timber can support national housing and climate goals. WoodProps – Wood Properties for Ireland Programme A national programme, WoodProps is helping define the structural capabilities of Irish timber species, especially Sitka spruce. The project has developed machine grading settings for additional species thereby diversifying Irelands timber options, developed finger-jointing technologies, and preserved decades of timber research in a national repository. It plays a central role in ensuring Irish-grown timber can be specified with confidence in modern construction and is actively shaping Irish and European standards. The Timber in Construction Steering Group was established to create the conditions to increase the use of timber in construction, while ensuring the highest degree of building safety and property protection; to examine regulatory and standardisation challenges; and to maximise the use of home-grown timber in construction. The steering group of 16 members and the independent chair is supported by five thematic groups comprising over 60 members across a wide range of stakeholders. The members represent key industry bodies, as well as senior representatives of relevant government departments and agencies with responsibilities for policy and the development of sectors. These thematic groups include:
