Irish Computer Society

Dear ICS members, In 2027, our Society turns 60. As Chair of the Fellows Guild, I want to share where our anniversary planning stands and how you can be part of it. Since our first call for involvement, a dedicated 60th Anniversary Sub-Committee has been established, working with the Fellows Guild and ICS Council to shape a programme worthy of six decades of the profession in Ireland. Work will formally get under way in September, but the response so far has been encouraging.

The AI Omnibus Regulation takes effect across the EU on 27 July 2026, introducing extended implementation timelines and a suite of measures designed to streamline and simplify administrative requirements for organisations working with artificial intelligence. Originally proposed on 19 November 2025 as part of the wider Digital Omnibus package, the AI Omnibus provides a targeted refinement of the existing AI rulebook.

A free ADPO webinar | 14 July 2026 | 12:00 noon | 45 minutes The committee and members of the Association of Data Protection Officers invite privacy practitioners, professionals, and curious parties to a review and debate on one of the thorniest issues in modern privacy practice: the “difficult” Data Subject Access Request. Why now? Access requests are the single biggest source of data protection complaints in Ireland.

As an affiliated body of itSMF International, a global membership organisation of IT Service Management practitioners dedicated to advancing best practice in IT Service Management, itSMF Ireland serves as the leading association for service management professionals in the country. Its diverse membership spans independent consultants, SMEs, and major multinational enterprises.

Members may be interested in the forthcoming Innovation Value Institute Summit, to be held 10-12 June at Maynooth University. A special discounted registration is available for ICS members. The Innovation Value Institute’s annual Summit brings together experts on digital transformation, data ethics and governance, and AI, from research, technology, finance and the public sector.

On 25 May 2026, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) marks its tenth anniversary since its adoption by the European Union in 2016. Since coming into force in May 2018, GDPR has become one of the most influential pieces of legislation in the modern digital era, reshaping how organisations worldwide collect, process and safeguard personal data.

AI Lite Bites is a podcast series produced by the ICS’s Strategic AI Network (SAIN). We bring together leading voices from law, technology, policy and diverse industries to explore the challenges we all face around the growth and use of AI in our world. In this episode of AI Lite Bites, we explore the Beacons project, jointly funded by Research Ireland and the Department of Education and Youth under the Discover programme.

The Bebras2025/2026 Finals took place at Maynooth University on 18 April 2026, welcoming over 600 primary and secondary school students from across Ireland for a day dedicated to computational thinking, logic, and creativity. The event marked the culmination of the national Bebras Challenge, which encourages young people to develop problem‑solving skills through engaging, age‑appropriate challenges.

In July 2025, the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) adopted the Helsinki Statement on Enhanced Clarity, Support, and Engagement setting out a series of initiatives aimed at simplifying GDPR compliance, strengthening consistency, improving transparency and dialogue with stakeholders, and enhancing cooperation between regulators.

We are delighted to warmly invite all Fellows to the Irish Computer Society Fellows Lunch, a special occasion dedicated to celebrating the achievements, influence and ongoing contributions of our esteemed Fellows. This annual gathering offers a relaxed and welcoming setting to reconnect with colleagues, exchange insights, and enjoy engaging conversation with fellow leaders from across Ireland’s computing and technology community.