Latest news with #AGIS
The Journal
17-07-2025
- The Journal
Former head of garda group was ‘profoundly distressed' by online harassment, court hears
FORMER GENERAL SECRETARY of the Association of Garda Sergeants & Inspectors (AGIS) Antoinette Cunningham has revealed in court how 'blatantly false, vile social media attacks' left her feeling profound distress and helplessness. Andrew McGovern, 38, of School Lane, Rathowen, Co. Westmeath, the man behind 'sinister' messages on Twitter, now X, was remanded on continuing bail pending sentencing by Judge Bernadette Owens at Mullingar District Court today. McGovern pleaded guilty to a charge stating that he 'did distribute or publish a threatening or grossly offensive communication about Antoinette Cunningham with intent to cause harm.' The offence occurred in the Mullingar area from 16 to 30 March, 2023, while she was still head of the AGSI. The charge under section 4 of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020 carries a possible six-month sentence at the District Court level. In November, McGovern failed to appear in court, resulting in a bench warrant for his arrest. He was later bailed again and a probation report was ordered. Dressed in a green and hooded black tracksuit and white runners and wearing a facemask throughout the hearing, McGovern sat silently on with his arms crossed. He will be sentenced on 4 September. Detective Sergeant Alan Farrelly of the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation outlined the facts. He told the court that the first set of five direct messages was sent privately to the victim and made claims that she was his godmother. He maintained his father had told him before he died, and he remembered her when he was a little toddler in the 1990s, saying 'God mum, are you annoyed with me?'. Cunningham ignored the messages until she learned of a second set of 'more sinister' posts on his Twitter account about her and mentioning a person connected to her that were publicly accessible. They contained unfounded claims that allegations had been 'all swept under the carpet' and that his life had been ruined forever. When questioned by the detective sergeant, he never apologised and continued his story, even when various inconsistencies were pointed out to him. Advertisement He had one prior conviction for drink driving, which led to a road ban in 2008. In a victim impact statement, Cunningham addressed the court. She spoke out at her dismay at seeing 'blatantly false, vile, and completely shocking allegations' about her on social media. They mentioned her job, which she believed was an attempt 'to try and deliberately damage and discredit me'. Describing the posts as 'a demonstration of the very toxic side of social media,' she highlighted how the attacks violated her privacy and integrity, 'and my sense of personal well-being and peace of mind was fractured as a result of what happened'. The court heard she could not fathom why somebody would choose to post disturbing messages about her and to continue doing it. 'I felt helpless to defend myself or to receive the expected support from the social media platform; there was a personal vilification of me going on, and I was powerless, at that point, to do anything about it. 'The messages had a profoundly negative effect on me, they were filled with hate, disinformation, offensive content, lies and basely offensive matters.' Cunningham highlighted the added pressure of 'presenting a façade of normality' while dealing with the stress of the situation. She emphasised the urgency of speaking out, and had strong words for the social media platform, adding: 'To this day, I find it deeply upsetting that something that is a criminal offence in this country is not accepted as a breach of social media rules here.' Last year, Cunningham, from Limerick, announced her retirement after 33 years with An Garda Síochána and the AGSI. She has since moved on to become an employer relations executive with the Irish Business and Employers Confederation (Ibec). She made Irish policing history in 2018 when she became the first full-time female official in a Garda representative organisation and the first woman to serve at every executive level of the association. Judge Owens noted a probation report on McGovern referred to the possibility of a psychiatric assessment. However, she added that she was not going down that route because if McGovern was not going to engage with the process, it would be unfair to allow for no valid reason. Defence solicitor John Quinn told the court he needed to consult with his client over the contents of the report.
Gulf News
23-04-2025
- Business
- Gulf News
94% of UAE enterprises believe AI will enable long-term growth, shows SAP survey
The SAP survey findings reflect this momentum, with 97 per cent of the UAE IT decision-makers surveyed expressing confidence in using AI-driven insights to guide critical business decisions, and with 72 per cent describing themselves as 'very confident' in doing so. Real-world AI applications for business As AI adoption rises, UAE businesses are looking beyond experimentation and focusing on real-world applications that drive measurable impact. Attendees at the SAP event explored the company's latest advancements in business AI, including agentic AI, which enables autonomous decision-making and execution of complex tasks. SAP also showcased its collaboration with Databricks through the SAP Business Data Cloud, highlighting how organisations can eliminate data silos and extract deeper insights from structured and unstructured data. With the survey showing that 58 per cent of UAE enterprises plan to invest in data consolidation and quality improvement programmes over the next 12 months, the event underscored the growing need for businesses to refine their data strategies to fully harness AI's potential. This focus on data was of particular interest to businesses that are increasingly looking to use industry-specific AI solutions, with 76 per cent of enterprises in the UAE using AI-driven solutions that have been tailored specifically for their industry, according to the SAP survey. Sharing customer AI successes The SAP AI Tour also saw several signing ceremonies and deployment announcements, including innovative implementations at Al Futtaim and Al Ghurair Iron & Steel (AGIS) that demonstrate how AI can revolutionise business processes. 'Our recent collaboration with SAP has enabled us to reimagine how we approach sustainability and operational efficiency,' said B.S. Shetty, General Manager of AGIS. 'By deploying RISE with SAP Private Cloud edition alongside a tailored SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) solution, we've harnessed the power of AI to automate over 400 calculations, cutting operator time from 20 minutes to just three. Efficient user interfaces have simplified the planning and manufacturing functions at the shopfloor. This end-to-end integration, from customers to manufacturing, empowers our teams with real-time insights, supports accurate ESG reporting, and aligns seamlessly with the UAE's National Framework for Sustainable Development. We're proud of what we've achieved and excited to keep pushing boundaries with Business AI and data-driven innovation.' Al-Futtaim Group's Chief Technology Officer, Himanshu Shrivastava, said, 'At Al-Futtaim, we're committed to adopting technologies that enable our people to work more effectively and deliver exceptional employee experience; SAP SuccessFactors with Joule is helping us do just that. As one of the first organisations in the region to go live with this generative AI-powered capability, we've been able to personalise the employee experience like never before. Whether it's helping managers make faster talent decisions or guiding employees through everyday HR tasks with natural, conversational support, Joule is transforming how our people engage with HR — intuitively, intelligently, and at their convenience.' SAP's AI-driven solutions also support the UAE's national AI strategy, which aims to position the country as a global hub for AI innovation. The technology company is also participating in the Machines Can See 2025 event as part of Dubai's AI Week that is currently under way.
Zawya
17-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
94% of UAE enterprises believe AI will enable long-term growth, new SAP survey shows
Dubai, UAE: As AI adoption accelerates across the UAE, business leaders are banking on its potential to drive long-term growth. A new YouGov survey commissioned by SAP reveals that 94% of enterprises in the country believe AI will be a key driver of business expansion, with nearly half (49%) expecting significant returns on AI investments within the next one to two years. This optimism was on full display at the SAP NOW AI Tour held in the UAE today, where more than 1,500 industry experts, public sector leaders, and business executives gathered at the Dubai Expo Center to explore AI's transformative potential across industries. 'AI is already delivering tangible business value, and the UAE market is clearly ready to embrace its potential,' said Marwan Zeineddine, Managing Director of SAP UAE. 'The SAP survey shows that businesses recognize AI as a key driver of growth, but unlocking its full value requires the right strategies. The SAP NOW AI Tour was designed to help organizations navigate this journey, providing the insights and tools they need to leverage the full power of AI to meet their specific needs.' The SAP survey findings reflect this momentum, with 97% of the UAE IT decision-makers surveyed expressing confidence in using AI-driven insights to guide critical business decisions, and with 72% describing themselves as 'very confident' in doing so. As AI adoption rises, UAE businesses are looking beyond experimentation and focusing on real-world applications that drive measurable impact. Attendees at the SAP event explored the company's latest advancements in business AI, including agentic AI, which enables autonomous decision-making and execution of complex tasks. SAP also showcased its collaboration with Databricks through the SAP Business Data Cloud, highlighting how organizations can eliminate data silos and extract deeper insights from structured and unstructured data. With the survey showing that 58% of UAE enterprises plan to invest in data consolidation and quality improvement programs over the next 12 months, the event underscored the growing need for businesses to refine their data strategies to fully harness AI's potential. This focus on data was of particular interest to businesses that are increasingly looking to use industry-specific AI solutions, with 76% of enterprises in the UAE using AI-driven solutions that have been tailored specifically for their industry, according to the SAP survey. Sharing customer AI successes The SAP AI Tour also saw several signing ceremonies and deployment announcements, including innovative implementations at Al-Futtaim and Al Ghurair Iron & Steel LLC (AGIS) that demonstrate how AI can revolutionize business processes. BS Shetty, General Manager of AGIS, said, 'Our recent collaboration with SAP has enabled us to reimagine how we approach sustainability and operational efficiency. By deploying RISE with SAP Private Cloud edition alongside a tailored SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) solution, we've harnessed the power of AI to automate over 400 calculations, cutting operator time from 20 minutes to just three. Efficient user interfaces have simplified the Planning and Manufacturing functions at the shopfloor. This end-to-end integration, from customers to manufacturing, empowers our teams with real-time insights, supports accurate ESG reporting, and aligns seamlessly with the UAE's National Framework for Sustainable Development. We're proud of what we've achieved and excited to keep pushing boundaries with Business AI and data-driven innovation.' Al-Futtaim Group's Chief Technology Officer, Himanshu Shrivastava, said, ' At Al-Futtaim, we're committed to adopting technologies that enable our people to work more effectively and deliver exceptional employee experience; SAP SuccessFactors with Joule is helping us do just that. As one of the first organizations in the region to go live with this generative AI-powered capability, we've been able to personalize the employee experience like never before. Whether it's helping managers make faster talent decisions or guiding employees through everyday HR tasks with natural, conversational support, Joule is transforming how our people engage with HR — intuitively, intelligently, and at their convenience.' SAP's AI-driven solutions also support the UAE's national AI strategy, which aims to position the country as a global hub for AI innovation. The technology company will also be participating in the 'Machines Can See 2025' event as part of Dubai's AI Week later this month. Visit the SAP News Center. Follow SAP on Twitter at @SAPNews. About SAP As a global leader in enterprise applications and business AI, SAP (NYSE:SAP) stands at the nexus of business and technology. For over 50 years, organizations have trusted SAP to bring out their best by uniting business-critical operations spanning finance, procurement, HR, supply chain, and customer experience. For more information, visit
Al Bawaba
16-04-2025
- Business
- Al Bawaba
94% of UAE Enterprises Believe AI Will Enable Long-Term Growth, New SAP Survey Shows
As AI adoption accelerates across the UAE, business leaders are banking on its potential to drive long-term growth. A new YouGov survey commissioned by SAP reveals that 94% of enterprises in the country believe AI will be a key driver of business expansion, with nearly half (49%) expecting significant returns on AI investments within the next one to two years. This optimism was on full display at the SAP NOW AI Tour held in the UAE today, where more than 1,500 industry experts, public sector leaders, and business executives gathered at the Dubai Expo Center to explore AI's transformative potential across industries. 'AI is already delivering tangible business value, and the UAE market is clearly ready to embrace its potential,' said Marwan Zeineddine, Managing Director of SAP UAE. 'The SAP survey shows that businesses recognize AI as a key driver of growth, but unlocking its full value requires the right strategies. The SAP NOW AI Tour was designed to help organizations navigate this journey, providing the insights and tools they need to leverage the full power of AI to meet their specific needs.' The SAP survey findings reflect this momentum, with 97% of the UAE IT decision-makers surveyed expressing confidence in using AI-driven insights to guide critical business decisions, and with 72% describing themselves as 'very confident' in doing so. As AI adoption rises, UAE businesses are looking beyond experimentation and focusing on real-world applications that drive measurable impact. Attendees at the SAP event explored the company's latest advancements in business AI, including agentic AI, which enables autonomous decision-making and execution of complex tasks. SAP also showcased its collaboration with Databricks through the SAP Business Data Cloud, highlighting how organizations can eliminate data silos and extract deeper insights from structured and unstructured data. With the survey showing that 58% of UAE enterprises plan to invest in data consolidation and quality improvement programs over the next 12 months, the event underscored the growing need for businesses to refine their data strategies to fully harness AI's potential. This focus on data was of particular interest to businesses that are increasingly looking to use industry-specific AI solutions, with 76% of enterprises in the UAE using AI-driven solutions that have been tailored specifically for their industry, according to the SAP survey. Sharing customer AI successes The SAP AI Tour also saw several signing ceremonies and deployment announcements, including innovative implementations at Al-Futtaim and Al Ghurair Iron & Steel LLC (AGIS) that demonstrate how AI can revolutionize business processes. BS Shetty, General Manager of AGIS, said, 'Our recent collaboration with SAP has enabled us to reimagine how we approach sustainability and operational efficiency. By deploying RISE with SAP Private Cloud edition alongside a tailored SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) solution, we've harnessed the power of AI to automate over 400 calculations, cutting operator time from 20 minutes to just three. Efficient user interfaces have simplified the Planning and Manufacturing functions at the shopfloor. This end-to-end integration, from customers to manufacturing, empowers our teams with real-time insights, supports accurate ESG reporting, and aligns seamlessly with the UAE's National Framework for Sustainable Development. We're proud of what we've achieved and excited to keep pushing boundaries with Business AI and data-driven innovation.' Al-Futtaim Group's Chief Technology Officer, Himanshu Shrivastava, said, 'At Al-Futtaim, we're committed to adopting technologies that enable our people to work more effectively and deliver exceptional employee experience; SAP SuccessFactors with Joule is helping us do just that. As one of the first organizations in the region to go live with this generative AI-powered capability, we've been able to personalize the employee experience like never before. Whether it's helping managers make faster talent decisions or guiding employees through everyday HR tasks with natural, conversational support, Joule is transforming how our people engage with HR — intuitively, intelligently, and at their convenience.' SAP's AI-driven solutions also support the UAE's national AI strategy, which aims to position the country as a global hub for AI innovation. The technology company will also be participating in the 'Machines Can See 2025' event as part of Dubai's AI Week later this month. Visit the SAP News Center. Follow SAP on Twitter at @SAPNews.
