E200 ‘Building an AI Community and Vision’ Celebrating 200 episodes of AI Ireland with Mark Kelly

As part of our milestone 200th episode, the roles are reversed as AI Ireland Founder Mark Kelly takes the hotseat as he delves into the visions, accomplishments, and aspirations of AI Ireland. The host of this special episode: Artificial Intelligence. Join Mark and his virtual host as he explores the nuances of AI, from its humble beginnings to its transformative impact on industries and its potential to reshaping the future.

For AI Ireland, the future is about literacy, inclusion and community. Mark’s ambition is clear: “We are trying to help a million people become literate with AI.” Not every individual needs an advanced degree to participate, but understanding AI’s basic capabilities and challenges is pivotal. This endeavour aligns with the vision of fostering a fully engaged community, equipped to thrive alongside technological advancements.

Reflecting on the inception of the AI Ireland podcast back in 2018, Mark reminisces about starting with minimal equipment and a vast curiosity. “When I first started, I just had my phone, a lapel mic and my bicycle.” This curiosity led Mark to explore what AI could achieve, propelling the podcast from intimate conversations to a thriving hub with now 200 podcasts and community engagement levels he hadn’t initially imagined.

Mark’s excitement is palpable when discussing key trends in AI, particularly the emerging “Agentic AI” which has significant implications for healthcare. Companies like Hippocratic AI, who’ve raised massive funding, illustrate the powerful potential of AI-powered tools to revolutionise healthcare. This, alongside the rapid advancements in drug discovery, signals a future where illnesses could be managed like never before.

For those venturing into AI, Mark offers pragmatic advice: “Start small. Try to solve a problem.” Engaging directly with users to ensure solutions meet real-world needs is crucial. He emphasises surrounding oneself with smart individuals and maintaining momentum through consistent learning and application of new knowledge.

The roadmap for the AI Ireland podcast includes showcasing everyday AI applications. With aspirations to host more episodes focusing on practical AI usage, the goal is to inspire and educate businesses and individuals on how AI can solve numerous challenges. From document summarisation to creating marketing content, these insights aim to illuminate accessible pathways to integrate AI into daily operations.

Mark shares personal AI hacks that have significantly optimized his workflow. Using frameworks that integrate AI tools for content creation, he transforms podcast transcripts into engaging social media posts. He also embraces the challenge of asking AI to predict potential strategic failures, providing fresh perspectives to refine his approach continually.

The journey of interviewing guests has revealed how approachable and humble thought leaders in AI are. According to Mark, the truly insightful guests are those focused on problem-solving with a relentless drive, avoiding vanity projects in favour of tangible, impactful solutions.

As AI continues to evolve, the most pressing question remains: how do we utilise AI to enhance productivity while fostering personal growth? For Mark, the solution lies in empowering people to spend time on self-improvement, using AI as a tool to refine processes and services. Through ongoing education and application, individuals can become adept at navigating the digital landscape, pushing boundaries of what AI can achieve.