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AI CityXchange Workshop: Dublin, Ireland - 16 September 2026
Dublin AI CityXchange Workshop
The AI CityXchange workshop in Dublin will explore how local authorities are moving from curiosity about artificial intelligence to practical, responsible implementation. Bringing together local authority leaders, digital and innovation teams, and partners from across Ireland and the UK, the day will combine strategic discussion with real-world examples of AI already being tested or deployed in urban settings.
The Dublin edition of AI CityXchange covers the journey local authorities are taking on AI adoption, including lessons emerging from previous workshops, and gives councils the opportunity to share what they are currently doing, where they are seeing value, and where they are still facing uncertainty. Sessions on local government use cases will highlight practical applications such as road monitoring, citizen engagement and services for vulnerable residents, while roundtable discussions will focus on the processes that make adoption possible, from staff upskilling to building a generative AI innovation roadmap.
These behind-closed-doors discussions create space for honest discussion about risk, governance, skills gaps, procurement challenges and public trust – issues that are often difficult to unpack in public forums. By enabling candid peer exchange, local authorities can learn faster from one another’s experiences, avoid repeating mistakes, and build a more confident, collaborative and responsible approach to adopting AI in ways that deliver real public value.
The workshop is an invitation only event for delegates working for cities, local or regional authorities. All registrations are reviewed by our team to ensure relevance and we’ll advise if your seat at the event is approved or not.
For a list of scene setters and panellists, see information below.
Register Here What did delegates think of last workshop
Schedule: Wednesday 16 September 2026
| 09.30: | Arrival, coffee & networking | |
| 10:00: | Welcome & introduction | |
| 10:15: |
| AI scene setter: a journey with cities |
10.35: | The AI CityXchange emerging lessons about AI adoption in cities | |
10.55: |
| Panel discussion: what are your councils doing around AI? |
11.30: |
| Break |
11.45: |
| Local government use-cases: |
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12.45: | Lunch | |
13.30: | Panel discussion: what are your councils doing around AI? | |
14.15: | Concurrent roundtable discussions: | |
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15.15: | Break | |
15.30: | Report back from roundtables | |
16.00: | Closing remarks & next steps | |
16.30 | Networking drinks |
VENUE
Wood Quay, Dublin City Council, Civic Offices, Dublin 8, Co. Dublin, Ireland
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Case studies
Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council – Road monitoring
Discover how Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council is using AI and computer vision to transform road monitoring and management. By surveying over 800km of roads and footpaths, the project delivers detailed condition data, identifies maintenance needs earlier, and supports smarter investment decisions.
London Office of Technology and Innovation – Rough Sleeping Insights Project
Find out how London boroughs used data and AI-driven analysis to better understand patterns of rough sleeping, helping services target support more effectively, improve decision-making, and deliver better outcomes for vulnerable residents.
Glasgow City Council and Mott MacDonald – Ash dieback analysis
Learn how Glasgow City Council and Mott MacDonald used AI-powered computer vision to transform tree-risk management. By combining vehicle-mounted cameras, geospatial data, and machine learning, the project rapidly identified and assessed more than 13,000 ash trees threatened by disease.
Roundtable 1: Building an AI-ready workforce – developing the skills for digital government
As AI becomes embedded across local government, developing workforce capability is becoming a strategic priority. This roundtable will explore how local authorities can equip their people with the skills, confidence and leadership needed to embrace new technologies, adapt to changing ways of working and, ultimately, deliver better public services. The discussion will focus on how councils can develop future-ready workforces, ensuring staff at every level have the skills, support and culture needed to thrive in an increasingly digital operating environment.
Discussion points
Building the digital and AI capabilities that local authority workforces will need over the next five years
Creating effective approaches to upskilling staff, from digital literacy programmes to role-specific training and leadership development
Supporting organisational change by helping employees embrace new technologies and new ways of working with confidence
Developing the leadership, governance and organisational culture needed to ensure technology adoption delivers lasting improvements to public services
Sharing lessons and best practice on how local authorities can attract, develop and retain the digital talent needed to support long-term transformation.
Roundtable 2: Generative AI in local government – from pilots to public value
This roundtable will examine how local governments can harness generative AI to transform public services while maintaining the governance, transparency and accountability that citizens expect. The session will open with a scene-setting presentation, introducing Ireland's first generative AI Lab for local government, explaining its objectives, how it is connecting academic research with real operational challenges, and the priorities emerging from its first year of work.
Discussion points
Identifying where Generative AI and Large Language Models can deliver the greatest value across local government, from customer services and planning to internal knowledge management and administrative processes
Developing AI systems grounded in trusted local government data to improve accuracy, reliability and confidence while keeping humans in control of decision-making
Moving beyond pilots – what governance, procurement and organisational changes are needed to scale successful Generative AI use cases across council services
Roundtable 3: Scaling AI innovation across local government
Many local authorities have successfully demonstrated the potential of AI through individual projects, but turning isolated pilots into organisation-wide capability remains a significant – often untaken – step forward. Here, participants can explore how councils can move beyond experimentation to embed AI as a sustainable tool for improving services, supporting staff and delivering better outcomes for residents. The conversation focuses on the practical, organisational and strategic steps needed to move from proof of concept to long-term impact, ensuring AI initiatives deliver measurable value across local government.
Discussion points
Identifying the organisational, technical and cultural barriers that prevent successful AI pilots from scaling across council services
Building the governance, leadership and business cases needed to transition from experimentation to sustainable, long-term AI adoption
Integrating AI into wider digital transformation strategies rather than treating it as a standalone technology initiative
Sharing successful use cases and identifying the conditions that make AI projects repeatable and transferable between local authorities
Measuring the impact of AI initiatives beyond the pilot phase, including improvements in service delivery, operational efficiency, workforce productivity and resident outcomes.
Scene Setter
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| Name: Alan Murphy Organisation: Smart Dublin |
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Panellists
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| Name: Jamie Cudden Organisation: Dublin City Council |
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| Name: Alan Dooley Organisation: Limerick City and County Council |
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| Name: Dominic Byrne Organisation: Fingal County Council |
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| Name: Tommy Kavanagh Organisation: South Dublin County Council |
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| Name: Theresa Cloonan Organisation: Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council |
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| Name: Rob Mulhall Organisation: Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council |
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| Name: Jay Saggar Organisation: LOTI (London Office of Technology and Innovation) |
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| Name: Kieran Kelly Organisation: Mott MacDonald (on behalf of Glasgow City Council) |
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| Name: Mark McCann Organisation: Belfast City Council |
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| Name: Richie Shakespeare Organisation: Dublin City Council |
Moderators
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| Name: Paul Wilson Organisation: SmartCitiesWorld |
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| Name: Luke Antoniou Organisation: SmartCitiesWorld |
Strategic partner
Supporting organisations
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Voices in the Room (some that are already confirmed)
- Innovation Lead, Kildare County Council
- Digital Programme Officer, Fingal County Council
- Digital Programme Officer, Kildare County Council
- IS Project Leader, Carlow County Council
- Digital Strategy Manager, LGMA
- Head of Information Systems and Innovation, Laois County Council
- Head of IT, Kerry County Council
- Public Partnership Manager, EIT Urban Mobility
- Head of IT and Innovation, Longford County Council
- Digital Officer, Cork City Council
- Innovation Challenge Fund Manager, Belfast City Council
- Group Manager Business Growth, Glasgow City Council
- Chief Technology Officer, Sunderland City Council
- IT Project Lead, Laois County Council
- Service Development Manager, Cork County Council
- Broadband Officer, Meath County Council
- Director of Service - MyPay and Innovation, Laois County Council
- Head of Information Systems, Waterford City and County Council
- Project Leader, Donegal County Council
- Innovation Broker, Belfast City Council
- and more
Why not try these links to see what our SmartCitiesWorld AI can tell you.
(Please note this is an experimental service)
How can cities embed AI into daily operational workflows effectively?Which governance frameworks enable transparency, accountability and public trust?How should councils prioritise AI use cases for maximum public value?How can regional partners share data and platforms while preserving interoperability?Which workforce training models rapidly upskill staff for responsible AI deployment?BECOME A MEMBER
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