The RDI Hub in Killorglin hosted an ‘Ethics of AI’ event that took an in-depth look at the issue of ethics in the continuously evolving world of artificial intelligence.
The event was led by Sudha Alagappan, founder of Neural BI, who delivered a talk titled ‘Ethics of Artificial Intelligence: Impacts and Real World Applications’. Sudha’s company is an ethical AI-driven platform designed to validate AI-generated code and ensure it is secure, unbiased and balances business needs with human values. The focus of the company is to support trustworthy and compliant AI deployment.
Attendees at the AI event were drawn from a wide range of sectors including cybersecurity, software communications, academic institutions and local SMEs.
The ‘Ethics of AI’ event was kindly supported by Kerry County Council, and the morning opened with a welcome address by Mayor of Kerry Cllr Breandán Fitzgerald. Reflecting on the county’s unique blend of heritage and innovation, the Mayor remarked: “Kerry may be renowned for its rugged landscapes, rich culture and timeless traditions, but we are equally committed to innovation, learning and ethical leadership. This is why today’s event holds such significance – not only for what AI can do, but for the profound questions it asks of us as a society.”
The guest speaker Gearóid Keegan, Programme Manager at RDI Hub, who outlined the hub’s growing influence in the AI space. In his address, Gearóid highlighted the importance of ongoing initiatives and the annual two-day AI Summer School, held in honour of Stanford professor John McCarthy, whose family roots were back to North Kerry, as a milestone event for this occasion.
Helen O’Connor Barry then delivered further context to the event, referencing the recent Global Economic Summit – which Kerry County Council hosted. At this, the issue of ethics in AI was raised with significant interest. Ms Barry noted that, alongside growth in AI technologies, there is an urgent need for clear standards and transparent processes.
Widely recognised as one of the godfathers of AI ethics, Dr Wallach shared personal reflections on his journey into ethics and moral machines. Praising Neural BI’s approach, he commented: “Sudha has created a fascinating platform here… she is particularly focused on what Neural BI can do for those implementing AI in ways that actively mitigate biases.”
Following this, Sudha delivered her keynote address, outlining Neural BI’s mission to embed ethical standards into AI-generated code. She addressed the complex challenges of bias detection and mitigation, showcasing how AI can be strengthened with governance. AI generated code, analyses algorithms’ behaviour, and helps ensure fairness, security and compliance with evolving regulatory frameworks.
As the event concluded, Sudha summarised the key takeaways, underscoring the ongoing need for ethical oversight in AI development. She also highlighted the importance of continuous bias monitoring; the use of diverse data sets to reduce systemic risk; and the shared responsibility we all hold in shaping responsible AI.
Sudha said: “Machine learning – who’s the teacher, and what’s the lesson? In many ways, we are all learners. We share a collective human responsibility to ensure AI in all systems and end-users fair, just outcomes.”
