Mid Ulster Businesses Embrace AI Future at Packed Dungannon Workshop
Dungannon, Northern Ireland – Over 40 businesses from across Mid Ulster took a notable step towards integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into their operations at a sold-out event held at The Junction in Dungannon on September 16th. The workshop, part of the AI Acceleration Tour, aimed to demystify AI and equip small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) wiht the knowledge to leverage its potential.
Delivered by the AI collaboration Center (AICC) in partnership with the Mid Ulster Labor Market Partnership, the half-day event focused on practical submission, moving beyond technical jargon to provide actionable insights for business owners. Expert-led interactive workshops, guided by AICC Data Scientists, explored the fundamentals of AI – clarifying what it is and, crucially, what it isn’t – and guided attendees through assessing their company’s readiness for adoption.
the sessions also addressed the responsible implementation of AI, a growing concern for businesses navigating this rapidly evolving landscape. Participants left with concrete strategies for integrating AI into their daily workflows,and learned about the AICC’s Transformer Program,offering 20 days of fully funded,hands-on support for SMEs looking to embed AI solutions.
“Mid Ulster has a strong and resilient business community,” stated Councillor Frances Burton, chair of Mid Ulster District Council. “This event demonstrated how embracing innovation such as AI can help future-proof our enterprises and maintain our competitive edge. We are proud to support initiatives that give local businesses the knowledge and tools to thrive, and we look forward to welcoming the return of the AI Acceleration Tour to Mid Ulster in February 2026, encouraging even more SMEs to take part and benefit.”
Donnacha Kirk, Deputy Director of AI Technology and Research Services at AICC, emphasized the importance of accessibility. “Our goal is to ensure businesses in Northern Ireland are equipped for the future, and events like this are vital in opening the door to new technologies. We were delighted to partner with Mid Ulster Labour Market Partnership to offer a practical and inspiring introduction to AI that will undoubtedly spark innovation across the region.”
due to overwhelming demand, the AI Acceleration Tour is scheduled to return to Mid Ulster in February 2026. Businesses interested in learning more about AI and future events can visit [www.aicc.co](https://protect.checkpoint.com/v2/r02/https:/www.aicc.co.YzJlOnVsc3RlcnVuaXZlcnNpdHk6YzpvOmQ2ZDkwOWU3YTg4ZmU1YTM3OTUyMDcwNWUwMGVlMTZiOjc6M2QzYzphMDE2NzY2NzRiOTdhYjNj