Former Minister Ossian Smyth joins Tech Thursday to explore AI, enterprise and opportunity in the South East
Free Kilkenny event brings together perspectives from business, technology and government on Thursday 29 October.
Tech Thursday will bring people from across the South East’s business and technology community together this Thursday for HEADLESS, an evening exploring how AI and emerging technology are changing work, investment and the way companies are built.
Taking place at 7:30 pm on Thursday 29 October in Harry’s Bar, Langtons, Kilkenny, the Halloween edition will feature three individual conversations hosted by Tech Thursday founder John Cleere.
Special guest Ossian Smyth, former Minister of State and now co-founder of textile technology start-up FibreChain, will join John for “The Minister from the Other Side”. Drawing on his experience in government and his move into business, Ossian will discuss what he has learned and how he is approaching building a technology company today.
Smyth’s ministerial responsibilities included Public Procurement, eGovernment, Communications and the Circular Economy. FibreChain focuses on Digital Product Passports and Textile EPR.
Also joining the evening are:
Michael Bambrick, Wallace Corporate Counsel LLP — “The Devil’s in the Detail”
A conversation about investment in AI, the potential for disruption to create new founders, and the changing expectations facing graduates and professional services.
Barry Hayes, Tirlán — “The Monsters in the Machine”
An exploration of AI inside organisations, from how graduates use it to the business knowledge being shared with AI systems and the challenges of trusting it with financial work.
Taking its cue from the Headless Horseman, HEADLESS asks a practical question: which scary stories about technology are modern-day folklore, and which should businesses be paying attention to?
John Cleere said:
“AI and emerging technology are raising big questions for businesses across the region. We want to make room for people to explore those questions together, drawing on the experience of people working through them.
“Ossian brings a particularly interesting perspective, having worked on major national programmes and now building a technology company himself. Alongside Michael and Barry, he’ll help us look beyond the headlines at what is changing, what deserves our attention and where new opportunities might emerge.”
Tech Thursday is an enterprise-led community connecting people across technology, business, design and the wider community. Its events create space for shared experience, practical discussion and new connections within the regional business community.
The evening is supported by Blacknight Internet Solutions Ltd and Clancy Homes.
Event details
HEADLESS — Tech Thursday
Thursday 29 October 2026, 7:30 pm
Harry’s Bar, Langtons, Kilkenny
Free admission; advance booking required.
