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Irish Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
Arts Council ‘deeply regrets' Minister's decision on director's contract
The Arts Council board has said it 'deeply regrets' that Minister for Arts Patrick O'Donovan refused to wait until the results of an external review into the spending of €6.75 million on an abandoned IT system before deciding not to appoint director Maureen Kennelly for a further five-year term. The council said the board 'are in unanimous agreement that it was essential that the decision on the director's contract be deferred until the external review is concluded and the findings are available, and had requested this. This request was subsequent to a business case that had been made by the board in December 2024, which recommended a renewal for the director for a further five years.' However, the Department of Arts confirmed that Mr O'Donovan 'would consider a proposal from the council for one further appointment of the director for up to nine months', said the council. The council was told 'there is no mechanism to defer a decision on the director's contract'. READ MORE 'The board of the Arts Council deeply regrets this situation,' it said. The council and department confirmed that, contrary to previous briefings by Government sources to The Irish Times, Ms Kennelly was not offered an extension of her existing contract, but rather a new contract of nine months duration only. Ms Kennelly did not accept the offer of a new nine-month contract. In February, the Government announced a full review into the operations of the council after hearing €6.75 million was spent on a proposed new IT system that has since been abandoned. Mr O'Donovan said an initial report commissioned by his department last year found the council was not prepared for the scale of the IT project and did not assign adequate resources to deliver it. Why Europe needs to realise the truth about America – with Helen Thompson Listen | 42:33 Tánaiste Simon Harris said he was 'furious' upon learning the news and said the matter raised serious questions about the governance and controls within the agency. Council representatives – including Ms Kennelly and chairwoman Maura McGrath – are likely to be questioned on the controversy today when they appear at the Oireachtas Arts and Media committee. Ms Kennelly will tell the committee that she 'deeply' regrets the loss of public funds. She will also tell the committee the council has 'commenced legal proceedings against two contractors and are in the pre-action stage in relation to two others. We are vigorously pursuing our cases to reduce the loss to the taxpayer.' However, it is not clear if the department supports the pursuit of potentially expensive legal actions.
Forbes
09-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Projecting The Tech Market For The Remainder Of 2025
As we move deeper into 2025, the technology industry stands at a critical inflection point As we approach mid-year 2025, I look closer at how the tech market may fare for the rest of the year. In years past, projecting end-of-year tech trends was relatively straightforward. I would look at the fall orders that PC makers gave to their ODMs and study current and future consumer demands for new technology. However, given the instability of the overall market, driven by the uncertainty of tariffs, global conflicts, and supply chain problems, it is much harder this year to forecast how well the tech market will do during the rest of 2025. As we move deeper into this year, the technology industry stands at a critical inflection point. The turbulence of the early 2020s- marked by pandemic-induced disruptions, supply chain shocks, and global economic uncertainty- has given way to a renewed sense of optimism, innovation, and strategic recalibration. Drawing on decades of observing technology adoption cycles, I see the rest of 2025 as a year where the groundwork laid in the past few years begins to bear fruit, but not without its share of new challenges and pivotal decisions for industry leaders. The technology sector is set to grow robustly in 2025. After overcoming challenges from inflation and shifting consumer demand, the industry anticipates a 9.3% increase in global IT spending, led by double-digit growth in the data center and software segments. Artificial intelligence—particularly generative AI—drives this resurgence as enterprises rapidly shift from pilot projects to full-scale production deployments. Worldwide spending on AI is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 29% from 2024 to 2028, signaling a passing trend and a foundational shift in how businesses operate and compete. The cloud, too, remains a critical enabler, allowing companies to scale AI initiatives, enhance cybersecurity, and deliver new customer experiences at unprecedented speed. Without addressing the semiconductor industry, no discussion of 2025's tech market would be complete. After a robust 2024, the sector is set for even stronger growth this year, with revenues projected to increase by double digits. The relentless demand for generative AI chips-spanning CPUs, GPUs, and specialized accelerators for data centers and edge devices is reshaping the competitive landscape. Four key trends will define the semiconductor space this year: As someone who has tracked the PC and consumer electronics revolutions from their infancy, I see parallels here: just as the microprocessor unleashed waves of innovation in the 1980s and 1990s, today's AI-centric chips are setting the stage for entirely new categories of intelligent devices and applications. With opportunity comes risk. The attack surface for cyber threats is expanding rapidly, fueled by the proliferation of IoT devices, generative AI, and the continued migration to cloud computing. In 2025, the global cost of cybercrime is expected to reach $10.5 trillion, making cybersecurity not just a technical priority but a board-level imperative. Interestingly, generative AI is a double-edged sword: while it introduces new vulnerabilities, it also offers powerful new threat detection and response tools. Yet, only 24% of current generative AI projects are considered secured, leaving many organizations exposed. The industry must prioritize secure, trustworthy AI-embedding security in every layer of the technology stack. Geopolitical risk is now a permanent fixture in tech strategy. Governments worldwide seek greater technological autonomy through export controls, trade barriers, and industrial policies. This is disrupting supply chains and alliances, prompting tech companies to diversify suppliers and manufacturing bases-often to countries like India and Vietnam-to reduce dependence on any single region, particularly China. This trend is reminiscent of earlier eras when global events forced companies to rethink their sourcing and manufacturing strategies. Today's difference is the speed and complexity of change, driven by political and technological factors. Regulatory pressure is mounting, especially around data privacy, AI ethics, and competition. The European Union continues to lead with stringent regulations, while the U.S. grapples with how best to oversee an industry it often struggles to understand fully. The challenge for tech leaders is to innovate within these constraints, ensuring compliance while pushing the possible boundaries. On the consumer front, PC and smartphone sales are expected to grow by low single digits in 2025. While these markets are mature, innovation is far from stagnant. AI-powered features, better cameras, and enhanced connectivity drive upgrades, particularly in premium segments. The hybrid work trend accelerated during the pandemic and continues to shape demand for devices and home office solutions. Several imperatives will define the remainder of 2025: The technology industry has thrived on its ability to adapt, innovate, and anticipate the next wave. As 2025 progresses, companies that combine bold investments in emerging technologies with careful risk management will be best positioned to lead the next phase of the digital revolution.
