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About

I help business leaders turn AI from a buzzword into a working advantage

I'm Alastair McDermott - an AI consultant based in the West of Ireland, working with clients across Ireland, the UK, and the US. I work with directors and senior leaders at small and medium size businesses: the size where AI adoption can genuinely make a difference to capacity but where nobody has time to wade through vendor hype.

Alastair McDermott speaking at an AI and business event
Alastair McDermott speaking at an AI and business event

Depth of experience

Why this matters for your business

I've spent two decades in technology consulting, and the last three of those almost entirely on AI adoption. I've trained 500+ professionals through structured programmes with IRDG Innovation Skillnet, Engineers Ireland, Sligo Chamber and others. I've built custom AI tools for dozens of organisations across finance, logistics, professional services and healthcare. I've written four books in the Human-First AI Series, on using AI well without losing the things that make you good at your work. I host the Fewer Late Nights - Not Fewer Humans podcast, and a previous show with hundreds of episodes between them.

Hands-on AI implementation

Dozens of businesses helped across Ireland and the UK - finance, logistics, professional services and healthcare. AI automation systems that have freed up thousands of hours of team capacity.

Training and workshops

500+ professionals trained across dozens of organisations. Clients include IRDG Innovation Skillnet, Engineers Ireland, Sign & Print XL, and Sligo Chamber. Designed and delivered the AI curriculum for IRDG Innovation Skillnet's national training programme.

Published author

Author of the Human-First AI Series - four books for business leaders learning to use AI without losing what makes them good at their work: Hello! I'm New Here, An Absolute Beginner's Guide to Using AI, Use AI, Stay Human, and The AI Pilot Handbook.

Speaker and podcast host

Host of the Fewer Late Nights - Not Fewer Humans podcast. Regular speaker at IRDG Amplify Conference, Engineers Ireland, Sign & Print XL Expo, and Sligo Chamber events. See speaking topics and past events.

What this means for you

When you work with someone who has implemented AI across dozens of businesses, trained 500+ professionals, and written four books on the subject, you get a very different experience from hiring someone who learned about AI last year. I have seen what works and what doesn't - across industries, team sizes, and budgets. That means fewer wrong turns, faster results, and recommendations grounded in real-world outcomes rather than theory. I won't suggest something that sounds impressive but falls apart when your team tries to use it on a Tuesday morning. First cohort sold out instantly. IRDG described the feedback as exceptional. Everything I build, I build so your team can maintain and extend it without me. The goal is capability transfer - you end up more capable, not more dependent. I also bring a clear view of how AI should be used - not just what it can do. That sits alongside a set of values I try to hold to: empathy-driven strategy, human-first implementation, and integrity. I'm selective about who I work with, and I expect the same respect I give. Read more about our mission, vision, and values.

Alastair delivered high-quality sessions, took the time to understand who we are and how we operate, and built strong, collaborative relationships with our team.
Sean Molloy
Director, Jennings O'Donovan (120-person engineering firm)
He made AI accessible and directly applicable to attendees' business needs.
Pamela Ní Thaidhg
Development Officer, Údarás na Gaeltachta
Dozens
Businesses helped
500+
Professionals trained
20+
Years experience

Bio for media use

If you're a podcast host, event organiser or partner site needing a bio, copy whichever length fits.

Super-short (15 words)

Alastair McDermott is the founder of HumanSpark, an AI adoption consultancy based in Sligo, Ireland.

Short (40 words)

Alastair McDermott is the founder of HumanSpark, an AI adoption consultancy based in Sligo, Ireland. He works with small and medium businesses on practical AI implementation that improves how teams work without replacing the people who do it.

Medium (90 words)

Alastair McDermott is the founder of HumanSpark, an AI adoption consultancy based in Sligo, Ireland. He works with small and medium businesses on practical AI implementation that improves how teams work without replacing the people who do it. He has trained 500+ professionals through structured programmes with IRDG Innovation Skillnet, Engineers Ireland and others, and has built custom AI tools for dozens of organisations across finance, logistics, professional services and healthcare. He is the author of the Human-First AI Series and hosts the Fewer Late Nights - Not Fewer Humans podcast.

Long (160 words)

Alastair McDermott is the founder of HumanSpark, an AI adoption consultancy based in Sligo, Ireland. He works with small and medium businesses on practical AI implementation that improves how teams work without replacing the people who do it.

Alastair has spent two decades in technology consulting, with the last three years focused on AI adoption. He has trained 500+ professionals through structured programmes with IRDG Innovation Skillnet, Engineers Ireland, Sligo Chamber and others, and has built custom AI tools for dozens of organisations across finance, logistics, professional services and healthcare.

He is the author of the Human-First AI Series of four books on using AI well without losing the things that make people good at their work. He hosts the Fewer Late Nights - Not Fewer Humans podcast, and previously hosted a show with hundreds of episodes between the two.

Alastair lives in Strandhill, on the west coast of Ireland.

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Alastair McDermott

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