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Is the rapid rise of AI sustainable? Public invited to join discussion
Public panel at ATU’s Sligo Campus on 5 November will explore the opportunities, risks and future of artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence is transforming how people work, learn, conduct research and access information- but can its rapid growth be managed in a way that is ethical, responsible and sustainable?
Members of the public are invited to explore that question at AI- Fast, Furious and Sustainable?, a public panel discussion at Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Sligo Campus on Thursday, 5 November 2026.
The event will run from 6 to 7.30 pm in the AbbVie Theatre, with light refreshments available from 5.30pm.
Attendance is free and open to everyone, but advance registration is required.
Register for AI – Fast, Furious and Sustainable?
Artificial intelligence has the potential to improve services, support learning, accelerate research and help organisations work more effectively. Its growing influence also raises important questions about employment, privacy, trust, academic integrity, human decision-making, energy use and the environmental demands of expanding digital infrastructure.
The discussion will examine how individuals, educators, researchers, and businesses can use AI while recognising its limitations and wider effects.
The panel will bring together perspectives from education, industry, communications and the student community. Speakers will include:
- Dr Valerie McTaggart, Senior Academic Lecturer and Researcher at Atlantic Technological University
- Rich Archbold, General Manager and Senior Vice President of Business Systems, Security and BizTech at HubSpot
- Joanne Sweeney, Digital communications consultant and AI trainer
- AmirPouya Masoumi, ATU PhD candidate and student representative
Topics will include the changing role of AI in education and research, its implications for workplaces and professional practice, the experience of students using emerging technologies, and the need to develop and use AI responsibly.
Professor Frances Lucy, ATU lead for the EU GREEN University Alliance says that artificial intelligence is already influencing how we study, work, communicate and make decisions. Its potential is considerable, but so are the questions surrounding how it is developed and used.
“This event will bring together different perspectives on the opportunities AI presents, the risks we need to understand and the steps required to ensure that technological progress remains responsible, ethical and sustainable. You do not need any specialist knowledge of AI to attend. We encourage anyone who is curious or concerned about how these technologies may affect their work, education or everyday life to join the discussion.”
The event forms part of the 2026 EU GREEN Early Stage Researchers Conference, hosted by ATU at its Sligo campus from 2 to 6 November.
The conference will bring together Master’s, PhD and postdoctoral researchers from universities across the EU GREEN European University Alliance for interdisciplinary research exchange, collaboration and professional development.
Register for AI – Fast, Furious and Sustainable?
SPEAKER BIOs:
Joanne Sweeney
Joanne Sweeney is Founder and CEO of the Digital Training Institute, helping public and private sector organisations build practical AI skills and apply them responsibly.
A four-time author whose latest book is AI Playbook, she hosts the AI SIX podcast, with more than 500 episodes. She brings 20 years’ experience in journalism, PR and digital marketing and has completed executive education in AI and public policy at Harvard Kennedy School.
Joanne delivers bespoke, CPD-accredited AI training for businesses, public bodies, universities and governments. She also founded GovComms.ai, a platform for government and public sector communications, with governance and human oversight at its core
An international speaker, she has addressed the United Nations AI for Developing Countries Summit and the World AI Assembly. She was named Network Ireland’s, National Established Businesswoman of the Year 2026.
Her mission is to equip half a million people with practical AI skills for free.
Rich Archbold
Richard Archbold is SVP of Agentic GTM Engineering at HubSpot, where he leads multidisciplinary teams using AI, data, automation, and software to transform how the company goes to market.
Since joining HubSpot in 2023, his work has spanned business and technology transformation, modernizing the systems and operating models behind HubSpot’s global customer-facing organization. Over the past 18 months, he has focused especially on AI enablement and transformation: helping teams adopt new capabilities, redesign workflows, and turn rapid advances in AI into meaningful business impact.
Before HubSpot, Richard held senior engineering and business systems leadership roles at Intercom, Facebook and Amazon. Across his career, he has built and scaled high-performing organizations responsible for mission-critical technology, from cloud infrastructure and security to enterprise systems and go-to-market platforms.
Based in Dublin, Richard is passionate about developing leaders, simplifying complex systems, and creating the conditions for teams to move quickly, learn continuously, and deliver meaningful outcomes for customers and the business.
Valerie McTaggart
Dr Valerie McTaggart is a Senior Lecturer and Researcher at Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Sligo Campus, specialising in digital transformation, artificial intelligence, digital business strategy, and organisational change. She holds a PhD from Dublin City University and is recognised for her work on technology-enabled innovation, digital leadership, and the societal impact of emerging technologies.
Before entering academia, Valerie spent over 20 years in the financial services sector across Ireland and the United Kingdom, holding leadership roles in people management and project delivery. This combination of industry and academic experience provides her with a practical and strategic perspective on digital transformation.
Her research focuses on how organisations adapt to technological change, with particular interests in artificial intelligence, digital ecosystems, remote and hybrid working, and the human factors that influence successful digital transformation. She has published and presented her work nationally and internationally.
Valerie also contributes to a range of European initiatives as an expert evaluator for the European Commission and an active participant in international research networks. Her work aims to support organisations, communities, and policymakers in harnessing technology responsibly, ethically, and effectively.
Amir Pouya Masoumi
Amir is a PhD researcher in Mechatronic Engineering from Atlantic Technological University in Ireland. His research focuses on process monitoring and control for 3D printing of drug delivery medical implants, with a strong emphasis on integrating artificial intelligence (AI) techniques.
Masoumi has extensive experience in various roles, including working at the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Technology Centre (PMTC) as a part-time job where he modeled and optimised fluid bed granulation systems. At Atlantic Technological University, he assisted undergraduate students in designing and control systems for robotic courses. Previously, he was involved in research and development work at Dorrin Sabz Fars in Iran, where he designed drying tunnels, sorting devices, and industrial chopping devices, all of which included AI-driven enhancements for efficiency and accuracy.
Educationally, Masoumi is obtaining a PhD in ATU Sligo from 2023-2027, an MSc in Mechatronic Engineering from Shiraz University of Technology (2016-2019), and a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from Shiraz University (2012-2016).
His skill set includes Ansys software, Python, Matlab, and C/C++. Masoumi’s interests span mechatronics and measurement systems, deep learning, image processing, machine learning and artificial intelligence, intelligent control and dynamic systems, robotics, optimisation, and renewable energy. Additionally, he has worked on several projects that incorporate AI to improve system performance and innovation.
Photo caption: Attendees gather at a recent EU GREEN event.
For media enquiries, contact:
Ivana Hanjs
Communications Officer
Tel: 089 963 9559
E: ivana.hanjs@atu.ie
