ADAPT Executive Director Declan McKibben joins Mark Kelly on the AI Ireland podcast to break down how Dublin is working to adopt AI safely and responsibly. He details the Generative AI lab created with Dublin City Council, the workshops aimed at boosting AI literacy and inclusive decision-making, and why trust and measurement are non-negotiable for scalable AI adoption.
McKibben points to two major collaborations with the council already delivering impact: Smart D8, a living lab in the Docklands driving community-focused innovation, and the Digital Twin initiative, which uses 3D modelling and AI to improve planning and infrastructure decisions.
He also outlines the joint Generative AI lab launched in January, built to tackle internal adoption challenges and ensure regulatory compliance. With a multidisciplinary team, the lab is designed to accelerate digital transformation while strengthening public trust in AI-driven services.
The discussion extends to ADAPT and Trinity College Dublin’s AI Accountability Lab, which examines bias, discrimination, and wider societal implications of AI systems. By drawing on social sciences, humanities, and the arts, the lab provides a fuller picture of how AI affects people and where safeguards are needed.
The full conversation is available in the latest AI Ireland podcast episode here.
