Technology « Thurles Information

AI Investment Drive By Meta And Microsoft Raises Concerns For Irish Job Market.

Fresh waves of job cuts announced by global technology giants Meta and Microsoft have sparked growing concern over potential knock-on effects for employment in Ireland, where both firms maintain significant operations.

Meta has confirmed plans to eliminate approximately 8,000 roles globally; around 10% of its workforce, while also scrapping a further 6,000 unfilled positions as part of a sweeping restructuring effort.

Although the company has not specified the extent of Irish impacts, previous reports indicate that job losses have already touched its Irish operations, with roles previously identified as at risk amid wider restructuring.

Risk to Ireland’s Tech Employment Base.
Ireland hosts Meta’s European headquarters and employs roughly 1,800 staff locally. While no precise figure has been confirmed, the scale of global reductions and hiring freezes raises concerns that Ireland could face further job erosion as the company pivots towards AI-led efficiency.

Industry analysts warn that artificial intelligence is enabling companies to “do more with smaller teams,” potentially reducing the need for large regional workforces over time.
This structural shift may disproportionately affect countries like Ireland that rely heavily on multinational tech employment.

Microsoft Signals Similar Direction.
Microsoft has taken a softer approach but with similar implications, offering voluntary redundancy packages to around 8,750 employees, roughly 7% of its US workforce.
While framed as voluntary, the move reflects a broader realignment toward AI investment and cost control. The company is committing tens of billions to AI infrastructure, signalling that future hiring priorities may shift away from traditional roles.

AI Investment Driving Workforce Transformation.
Both companies are dramatically increasing spending on artificial intelligence, with Meta and Microsoft each committing over $100 billion to AI-related infrastructure and development.
This investment surge is widely viewed as a key driver behind workforce reductions across the tech sector, where automation and productivity gains are beginning to replace certain job functions.

Implications for Ireland.
The developments highlight several risks for Ireland:

Reduced hiring pipelines as thousands of roles are eliminated or left unfilled.
Potential future layoffs if global restructuring deepens.
Shift in job profiles, favouring specialised AI talent over broader operational roles.
Increased vulnerability of multinational-dependent employment.

With Ireland’s economy closely tied to multinational tech firms, the transition to AI-driven efficiency could mark a significant turning point in the stability and nature of jobs within the sector.

Conclusion.
While both Meta and Microsoft present these changes as strategic investments in future growth, the immediate outlook suggests heightened uncertainty for workers, particularly in international hubs like Ireland.
The acceleration of AI adoption across Big Tech is not only reshaping business models but may fundamentally alter employment patterns, raising urgent questions about the resilience of Ireland’s tech workforce in the years ahead.

Tipperary Man Among Visitors To Houston Space Center For Artemis II Moon Mission.

A proud Tipperary native was among the international visitors gathered at Space Center Houston ahead of one of the most historic moments in modern space exploration; the launch of NASA’s Artemis II mission.

Mr Seanie Ryan, originally from Kennedy Park, Thurles, and a former member of the Tweed and Kenny Ryder Superband, travelled to the renowned visitor centre prior to the launch of the Artemis II mission from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on Wednesday, April 1st.

The landmark mission saw four astronauts embark on humanity’s first crewed journey around the Moon in over 50 years, marking a major milestone in global space exploration.

**Mr. Seanie Ryan and his wife Pamela, at Houston Space Center for Artemis II Moon Mission.**

Mr. Ryan and his wife Pamela, (pictured above), who previously lived in Houston and now resides in Sand Springs, Oklahoma, was joined by family members for the memorable visit. His daughter, Sarah, works locally as an American Sign Language teacher, near the Space Center, while his son, Kevin; a former member of the White House Press Corps, was present in a professional capacity, reporting on the historic launch.

The Artemis II mission has captivated millions worldwide, as the crew of four astronauts. including the first woman assigned to a lunar mission, undertake a journey orbiting the Moon before returning to Earth.

A well-known musician on both sides of the Atlantic, Mr Seanie Ryan has performed with numerous bands in Ireland and the United States. He is currently working as a professional soccer referee in America and remains a loyal supporter of Port Vale Football Club.

Mr. Seanie Ryan is also the brother of Thurles-based journalist Mr Tom Ryan, Rahealty, Thurles, whose poem commemorating the Artemis mission has featured in coverage of the event by his son Kevin.

The Ryan family’s presence at Space Center Houston added a personal Irish connection to an event of global significance, as the world once again turns its attention to the Moon and the future of human space exploration.

Bon voyage Artemis 11.
By Poet & Author Tom Ryan.

When there’s a bridge,
Between stars and sod,
Who knows all men may yet find God.
And so at last in one another
See ourselves as sister – brother
Bon voyage Artemis 11.
END.

Tipperary – Icarus Robotics Signs Landmark Agreement With Voyager Technologies.

Icarus Robotics Signs Landmark Agreement with Voyager Technologies to Deploy AI-Powered Robot on International Space Station.

Icarus Robotics, a pioneering space robotics company co-founded by Irish entrepreneur Jamie Palmer, who grew up in Co. Tipperary, has announced a major agreement with Voyager Technologies to test its innovative robotic platform aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

**Pictured L-R: Ethan Barajas & Jamie Palmer**.
*Image Courtesy: J Anders Urmacher/NYFrequency*.

Under the newly signed mission management contract, Voyager Technologies will support the deployment of Icarus Robotics’ free-flying robot, Joyride, with a demonstration mission scheduled for early 2027. The agreement represents a significant milestone in advancing autonomous robotics capabilities in space.

Voyager will provide end-to-end mission services, including payload integration, safety certification, launch coordination, on-orbit operations planning, and real-time mission execution support.

The Joyride platform is designed to operate in microgravity environments, using artificial intelligence to enable human-controlled robots that can learn from demonstrations and progressively perform complex tasks independently. The ISS mission will serve as a critical step in validating the system’s navigation, maneuverability, and operational performance in space.

“Icarus Robotics represents the next generation of space builders, providing a turnkey solution for reliable, flight-proven access to space,” said Mr Matt Magaña, President of Space, Defense & National Security at Voyager Technologies.

Founded in 2024, Icarus Robotics is focused on developing a robotic workforce for space applications. Its systems aim to address growing labour constraints in orbit, where astronauts often spend valuable time on routine tasks such as maintenance and cargo handling. By deploying intelligent robotic systems, the company seeks to free astronauts to focus on high-value scientific research and mission-critical operations.

The company’s first-generation robots are operated remotely by humans, forming the foundation for “embodied AI”; systems capable of learning from human input and eventually carrying out tasks autonomously in complex environments.

Co-founder Ethan Barajas highlighted the significance of the partnership, noting its connection to his early experience in Voyager’s NASA HUNCH programme. “It is a full-circle moment to now deliver a robotic platform that will help make the ISS and future commercial stations smarter, autonomous, and capable of operating where humans cannot easily go,” he said.

Looking ahead, Icarus Robotics envisions its technology playing a key role in a wide range of space activities, including intravehicular operations, satellite servicing, and large-scale orbital construction.

The upcoming ISS demonstration marks a critical step toward that future, laying the groundwork for more autonomous, efficient, and scalable space operations.

Cashel Library – Childrens Scratch Coding Workshop.

The next Scratch Coding Workshop will take place in Cashel Library on Saturday next March 14th from 2:30pm-3:30pm.

This workshop is suitable for children ages 9+, and as is always,
booking required, please, to Tel: 062-63825.

The Benefits of Scratch Coding for Children.

Scratch coding gives children an inviting first step into programming because its block-based design lets them focus on ideas rather than syntax. Instead of getting stuck on punctuation errors, they can build stories, games, and animations while learning core concepts like sequencing, loops, conditionals, and variables. The Scratch Foundation describes Scratch as a creative learning platform used by millions of young people worldwide, and research reviews on computational thinking and coding in primary education link these kinds of activities with stronger problem-solving, persistence, and computational thinking skills.

Just as importantly, Scratch helps children see themselves as creators, not just consumers, of technology. When kids design their own interactive projects, they practice imagination, communication, and iterative thinking: they test ideas, fix mistakes, and improve their work. UNICEF also emphasizes that digital literacy is now a core skill for school, work, and life, which makes early, playful experiences with tools like Scratch especially valuable. In that sense, Scratch does more than teach coding; it builds confidence, creativity, and a sense of agency in a digital world.

Ireland Represented At Ministerial Meeting Of EU Internet Forum in Brussels

EU Internet Forum endorsed a revised EU Online Crisis Response Framework, to enable a joint response to protect users online in times of crisis, and ensure the timely removal of content related to suspected terrorist or violent extremist attacks.
Discussed addressing the emerging threat of nihilistic extremism.
Discussed collective actions to protect minors from being radicalised online.
Exchanged views on innovative approaches to tackling antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred online.

Mr Niall Collins TD, (Minister of State with special responsibility for International Law, Law Reform and Youth Justice), represented Ireland at a Ministerial Meeting of the EU Internet Forum in Brussels yesterday.

The EU Internet Forum (EUIF) was launched by the Commission in December 2015 and addresses the misuse of the internet for terrorist purposes through two main actions:

reducing accessibility to terrorist content online
increasing the volume of effective alternative narratives online

The Forum’s activities also cover the fight against child sexual abuse online (since 2019), drug trafficking online and trafficking in human beings online (since 2022).

The Forum brings together relevant EU Ministers, technology companies and experts to discuss and advance responses to terrorism, violent extremism and illegal content online.

At the meeting, Ministers endorsed a revised EU Online Crisis Response Framework for the rapid removal of online content relating to terrorist attacks. This new Framework builds on the EU Internet Forum Protocol which was developed in the aftermath of the Christchurch terrorist attack in 2019, footage of which circulated widely online at the time.

The new Framework includes additional measures to enable Member States’ law enforcement authorities to share early warning alerts with other EU Internet Forum members in case of a suspected terrorist or violent extremist attack. This will allow for better monitoring and quicker action in case the situation develops into an online crisis.

The meeting also contained two round table discussions, the first of which opened with a presentation by Professor Ms Maura Conway (Dublin City University and member of the EU Knowledge Hub Research Committee) on the threat landscape and risks to minors stemming from terrorism and violent extremism online.

Increasingly, these risks are interlinked with other harms, such as exploitation, self-harm, child sexual abuse and recruitment into organised crime. The presentation served as an introduction for the round table discussion on innovative actions and cooperation to better protect children online.

The second round table session opened with a presentation by Ms Sasha Havlicek, [Co-Founder and CEO of the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD)], on the increase of anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim hatred online. Ministers and industry representatives then discussed actions being taken and required to effectively tackle this issue.