Inside the programme helping leaders think differently about AI
Deloitte AI Leader’s Programme is creating a connected, capable network to drive Ireland’s digital future
“It gave me the opportunity to connect with different companies that are based in Ireland and to learn from them what their challenges and successes are from an AI perspective. We could all share very freely openly in the room together which was a great motivator. I’ve built a great network as part of the programme,” explains Ashling Sheridan, Data Science & Engineering Lead with the Kerry Group.
For leaders like Ashling, who is guiding Kerry Group’s journey through digital transformation, the experience of participating in Deloitte AI Leaders Programme has been both empowering and deeply pragmatic.
“If I have a challenge that I can’t solve with my immediate resources, there are people I can definitely reach out to from it and feel they could give me insights especially if I feel they are further along in their journey,” Ashling points out. “The subject matter experts that came into the room were very knowledgeable and gave us great data in particular in relation to the compliance side of AI, which is something I’m really interested in to ensure we’re always up to speed in relation to that area. We also heard about what’s coming from an Agentic AI perspective, the cloud side of things, because everyone’s concerned about the cost of cloud.”
Over the past year, Deloitte AI Leader's Programme has emerged as a vital catalyst for organisations across Ireland, connecting senior leaders across industries, bringing them into the room with some of the most knowledgeable minds, and equipping them with the strategic foresight needed to embed AI into the core of their business models.
“We’re constantly trying to evolve as an organisation and transform,” continues Ashling. “Being part of the Deloitte AI Leader's Programme has been of great benefit to me to ensure I can bring the best knowledge back to my organisation.”
“For many participants, this type of visibility helps spark internal conversations about how current capabilities align (or don’t) with emerging technological realities,” explains programme coordinator and Deloitte’s AI Lead in Ireland, Emmanuel Adeleke. He’s worked with a cross-disciplinary team to ensure the programme remains both visionary and grounded. “We’ve found this type of collaboration brings a really important shift for companies to remain competitive in an increasingly AI-native landscape. The programme ensures that every conversation, whether theoretical or technical, is translated back into decision making for the participating organisations.”
Adeleke says that “the programme’s structure blends immersion, dialogue, and foresight and with the ultimate goal of accelerating AI capability across the Irish business landscape.”
The programme creates an open environment for AI Leaders to not only connect with peers across industries, but also share learning and develop a support network in a rapidly evolving space.”
As AI becomes more embedded in the critical operations, services, and strategies of organisations across Ireland, the need for informed leadership and collective intelligence will only grow. Ultimately the Deloitte AI Leader's Programme is designed to keep pace with that change, while also helping to shape it.
