Sync NI

Microsoft today announced that more than 70,000 students across Northern Ireland have developed STEM, digital and AI skills through its flagship Dream Space skilling programme, since its launch in Northern Ireland in 2019, marking a significant milestone for the initiative.

Fixed-term appointment (3 years with possibility of extension) Salary: £113,060 - £123,946 (under review), plus an employer pension contribution of 34.25% Location: The post holder will be based in the greater Belfast area. REF: IRC328463 For more detailed information and to apply, please go to www.nicsrecruitment.org.uk Completed application forms must be submitted no later than 12:00 noon (UK time) on Friday 2nd October 2026. The Northern Ireland Civil Service is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

NIE Networks returns as title sponsor of November’s flagship event which is set to welcome 300+ delegates to Hilton, Belfast Northern Ireland’s standout female leadership event has set a date of 12th November when more than 300 industry leaders and changemakers will mark 10 years of leadership lessons and insight under the theme of ‘Shaping What Matters.’ Over the past decade, the Women in Business Voices of Leadership conference has become a key fixture on NI’s business calendar, platforming...

Women founders from across Ireland are being invited to hear four entrepreneurs share their experiences of raising investment at an AwakenHub online event next week. The September 15th event will feature Clare Ryan of ITUS Secure Technologies, Naomi McGregor of Movetru, Wendy Slattery of Kaidron and Rachel McMullin of FreQnc, who have collectively raised £3.28M in investment.

Business leaders from across Northern Ireland gathered at the Culloden Estate & Spa on Thursday 10 September for the IoD Northern Ireland Annual Dinner 2026, supported by headline sponsor Bank of Ireland and associate sponsor Arthur Cox. Hosted by broadcaster and journalist Jim Fitzpatrick, the event brought together senior leaders from the public, private and third sectors to celebrate leadership, achievement and economic opportunity.

Community groups across Northern Ireland are being invited to apply for grant support as Fibrus Broadband opens a £30,000 funding round to help local organisations tackle digital exclusion, delivered in partnership with Community Foundation NI. Among the groups to benefit from last year's fund was 1st Portrush Brownies, who used its funding of £1,416 to buy four iPads and protective covers to support digital activities for their growing unit of 24 girls on the north coast.

By Shannon Holgate, Co-Founder at Hypership At the frontier of AI, companies are shipping more code generated by AI than typed by people. That shift took about two years. Why software first? The usual answer is abundant code online and the technical talent clustered around it. There’s another, more boring answer: software already has the machine that tells you when you’re wrong. A compiler says no. A test fails. The change appears on screen in red and green. That machine gave agents a feedback loop.

First Minister Michelle O’Neill, deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald have announced that First Derivative is investing £15.3million in R&D and jobs at a new AI and Fintech Centre of Excellence. First Derivative, an EPAM company, is a global consulting firm that provides a range of solutions for the financial services industry. Its client base includes many of the world’s top financial institutions.

By Síona O’Reilly, Principal Architect at Kainos When I joined Kainos as a placement Software Engineer, I certainly wasn’t thinking about what my job title might be years down the line. I was focused on learning, building my technical skills and getting experience of working on meaningful projects. Today, I’m a Principal Architect and Engineering Capability Lead, responsible for helping shape the growth, development and future readiness of our engineering community.

Mid and East Antrim is once again putting curiosity, creativity and innovation at the heart of learning, with the launch of the dynamic 2026/27 ‘Activate Your Curiosity’ programme. Returning for the fifth year, Activate Your Curiosity connects young people with exciting opportunities across Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM). The programme was co-founded by world-renowned physicist and broadcaster Professor Brian Cox CBE, FRS.