Nell Watson, an internationally renowned AI ethicist and engineer, has been announced as the keynote speaker for AICON 2026, Ireland's leading AI conference. The event will take place on September 23, 2026, at the ICC Belfast, marking a significant milestone as the conference moves to its new venue.
Keynote Focus: AI Ethics and Governance
Watson is celebrated for her work in artificial intelligence ethics, machine intelligence governance, and emerging technologies. She currently serves as President of Euraio and is the founder of Creed Space. Additionally, she is a faculty member in AI and Robotics at Singularity University. Her keynote address, titled ‘The Agent at Work: Trust and Capability in the Age of Delegation,’ will delve into the role of AI agents and how organizations can safely delegate tasks to autonomous systems. Watson will emphasize the importance of trust, reliability, and accountability in AI systems, as well as the necessary safeguards for their effective operation in real-world environments, according to Business First.
Conference Themes and Tracks
AICON 2026 will explore the theme ‘From Possible to Proven: Agents at Work,’ bringing together business leaders, policymakers, technologists, and AI practitioners. The conference will feature a twin-track format with two parallel programs: AI Delivered and AI Frontiers. The AI Delivered track will focus on practical lessons from organizations that have successfully integrated AI, while AI Frontiers will explore emerging technologies and ideas shaping the future of AI, as reported by Prestige Events Magazine.
Strategic Importance for Northern Ireland
The conference comes at a pivotal time for AI development in Northern Ireland, following the Executive’s consultation on its Draft Artificial Intelligence Strategy. This strategy aims for the responsible, ethical, and fair adoption of AI across the public sector. AICON will serve as a timely forum for industry, government, and academia to discuss how Northern Ireland can harness AI opportunities while ensuring effective governance and trust, as noted by the Belfast News Letter.
Gareth Workman, Chief AI Officer at Kainos, highlighted the importance of moving beyond AI experimentation to real-world implementation, emphasizing the need for responsible and secure deployment to create genuine value. Fiona Browne, Head of AI at Danske Bank, also remarked on the rapid pace of AI development and the significance of the conference in addressing these advancements.
Conclusion
AICON 2026 promises to be a landmark event in the AI calendar, with Nell Watson's keynote setting the tone for discussions on AI ethics, governance, and the future of autonomous systems. The conference will provide a platform for stakeholders to explore the practical and strategic implications of AI in today's rapidly evolving technological landscape.