Some of Benaich and Hogarth's findings were about the massive cost of training AI models, and the limited availability of research. They state that traditionally AI as an academic field has had an open ethos, but the ongoing industry adoption is changing that. Companies are recruiting more and more researchers (another theme the report covers), and there is a clash of cultures going on as companies want to retain their IP. Industrialization of AI is under way, as open source MLOps tools help bring models to production. Hogarth said that for startup founders, it's probably easier to get started with AI today than it was a few years ago, in terms of tool availability and infrastructure maturity.

Altada has closed a €1.3 million investment round, bringing total funding in the Cork-based AI start-up to €4 million. It has secured the investment from Enterprise Ireland, the state agency, and Rocktop Partners, an alternative investment manager headquartered in the US. Rocktop is one of 15 clients using Altada's technology, Allan Beechinor, the company's chief executive, said. Altada uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to help clients such as Rocktop, which handle high volumes of information, to manage due diligence and regulatory compliance. "Rocktop is involved in acquiring large pools of performing or non-performing residential mortgage loans. They would use us to identify collateral deficiencies and compliance issues within that portfolio," Beechinor said.