Ireland carves its niche in AI as tech's next big thing turns mainstream

Interest in artificial intelligence is at'fever pitch', according to the technology market research company IDC. If measured in money, the heat will reach almost 20 billion this year – that's the dollar amount IDC forecasts that companies will spend on AI and cognitive computing. But in fact, the temperature around these technologies has been rising for some time. Many industries, including banking, manufacturing and healthcare are scrambling to get involved. Top of the pile will be retail which IDC says will outspend all others on AI this year.