AI Leaders Gather in Dublin to Champion Local Innovation Across Celtic Nations

Ireland’s growing influence in responsible artificial intelligence will be spotlighted this Thursday as the Interceltic Business Forum convenes leading entrepreneurs and investors from across the Celtic nations for an exclusive dinner and networking event in Dublin, supported by the Western Development Commission. The event will feature a keynote address by Open AI’s John Shanahan.

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Critical Cloud, a Welsh based digital solutions company announced that to is confirming plans to establish a Dublin office as part of its EU expansions plans, further strengthening business ties between Ireland and Wales, and increasing cross-border collaboration and investment between the two nations.

The event aims to highlight the rapidly growing but often overlooked ecosystem of local AI companies operating outside the traditional global power centres of Silicon Valley and China.

Charles Kergaravat, founder of the Interceltic Business Forum stated. “Too often, the AI narrative is dominated by just three or four massive global companies.But in the Celtic nations, we have brilliant founders building practical, impactful AI tools across medicine, fraud prevention, customer service and more who simply don’t have the same access to funding or scale expectations. Their solutions are often better suited to local needs, but we forget they even exist. We want to get them all in the same room, elevate their work, and remind decision-makers that when they’re buying AI in 2026, there are innovators right on their doorstep.”

Mr. Kergaravat added that the gathering is about visibility; “Just as someone might prefer an Irish or Welsh-made sweater over a mass-produced one, we should think the same way about AI tools. There are entrepreneurs close to home making genuinely useful technology and they deserve to be part of the conversation.”

Representatives from Irish, Welsh and Scottish businesses welcomed the initiative, pointing to the importance of local innovation in an increasingly globalised AI landscape.

James Smith, Founder and CEO of Critical Cloud, commented on his expansion plans; “Dublin is the natural home for our EU expansion. Ireland has a world-class technology ecosystem, strong links to the US and Europe, and a government that is taking a thoughtful, responsible approach to AI. Establishing a base here allows us to support customers across the EU, build deeper partnerships with cloud and observability providers, and invest in the growing community of Irish and Welsh innovators who share our vision for safer and more reliable AI systems. 

Our ambition is to create a long-term presence in Dublin, hiring local talent, partnering with Irish organisations, and contributing to an ecosystem that is already shaping the future of AI and modern cloud operations.”

Jonathan Prescott, CEO of Cardiff-based Cavefish AI, said: “In Wales, we specialise in practical, problem-solving technologies using the most important piece of data-emotions. AI gives us a way to punch above our weight, but visibility is everything. The Interceltic Business Forum is giving companies like ours a seat at the table, proving that Celtic nations can help shape the future of responsible, human-centred AI.”

Allan Mulrooney, CEO of the Western Development Commission, the Irish Government agency supporting the event, commented:

“Welcoming these companies to Ireland, and having OpenAI, sends a clear signal about the opportunity ahead. When global leaders engage directly with start-ups and scale ups from across our regions, it creates the visibility and connection that smaller innovators need to grow.

Across the Celtic countries, and particularly in more peripheral regions such as the West and North West, we are already seeing companies build practical, applied AI solutions that respond to real challenges in healthcare, business and community life. They need visibility and they need access, and events like this give them both. By working with colleagues in Wales and Scotland, we can share what works, learn from one another and push forward at a key time for responsible AI. Our goal is simple. To make sure our regions have every opportunity to lead and to ensure that local innovation is part of how Ireland shapes the future.”

The dinner marks the latest in a series of IBF initiatives to champion cross-border innovation among Celtic regions. By bringing together AI leaders for open discussion, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing, the Forum hopes to accelerate visibility, support more local procurement decisions, and showcase the diversity of AI development emerging from smaller markets.

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