By Martin Naughton, Managing Director at Galvia Digital
As we’ve leapt into 2025, it's clear that 2024 was a pivotal year for technology. AI has transitioned from being a trendy term to something businesses are actively implementing, bringing with it new opportunities and, inevitably, cybersecurity challenges that demand attention.
Northern Ireland has firmly established itself as a tech hub, punching well above its weight on the global stage. We've made some impressive strides, but staying ahead in 2025 will require continued focus and innovation. Let’s reflect on the achievements, the hurdles we’ve encountered, and the path forward.
Generative AI has exploded, transforming the tech landscape in profound ways. Beyond chatbots, it’s now a tool being actively implemented for automating workflows, optimizing software development, and creating hyper-realistic media assets for marketing and training. Globally, searches for generative AI rose 700% since 2022, signaling that businesses across industries are recognizing its potential to revolutionize how we design, innovate, and operate. For developers, AI tools are streamlining code generation and testing, cutting development times dramatically and improving efficiency at scale.
With all this AI and digital transformation, cybersecurity staff are busier than ever. Cyberattacks are more sophisticated and targeted, and the numbers prove it. The UK is the third most targeted country for cyberattacks after the US and Ukraine, and Ireland isn’t far behind. Last year, over half of Irish companies were hit with a cyberattack. Businesses that don’t step up their game will be left paying the price. Literally.
Northern Ireland isn’t immune. But the local cybersecurity sector is booming. It’s supporting over 2,750 jobs and adding more than £237 million to the economy. And with salaries averaging £54,000, this isn’t a bad place to be if you’re a techie.
Northern Ireland continues to lead the UK in digital connectivity. By March 2024, 95% of premises had access to gigabit-capable connections, with full fibre availability hitting 96% by October, far above the UK average of 71%. Government-backed programs connected 21,000 more premises to gigabit broadband in the past year, solidifying Northern Ireland’s position as the most connected part of the UK.
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Mobile network coverage has also advanced, with 94.9% of the UK’s landmass achieving 4G coverage by September 2024, nearly reaching the Shared Rural Network’s 95% target ahead of schedule. These improvements, driven by decarbonization, economic growth, and growing demand for connectivity, provide a robust foundation for Northern Ireland’s digital future while addressing challenges in rural broadband access and adoption barriers. As businesses adapt to evolving regulations on privacy and online safety, the region's connectivity achievements provide a strong foundation for future innovation and economic resilience.
So, what’s on the cards for next year? Here are some predictions, and what they’ll mean for businesses and tech in Northern Ireland.
We’ve barely scratched the surface of what generative AI can do. Expect it to get smarter, faster, and even more integrated into everyday workflows. Big players like Google are already using AI to generate a quarter of their code output, and it’s only going to grow. By 2028, AI is expected to make 15% of day-to-day work decisions on its own. Scary? Maybe. But the businesses that figure out how to use this tech effectively will leave their competitors in the dust.
AI isn’t just for attackers. In 2025, we’ll see more AI-driven cybersecurity systems detecting and responding to threats in real-time. Generative AI will also simulate attack scenarios, helping companies prepare for the worst. For Northern Ireland’s growing cyber sector, this is a huge opportunity.
Quantum computing has been a pipe dream for years, but 2025 could be when it finally starts to deliver. The potential applications are massive; from cracking impossible problems in cryptography to revolutionizing drug development. For local businesses, staying informed about this tech is crucial, even if it’s not quite ready to disrupt your industry yet.
With the rollout of 5G networks nearly complete, we’ll see it powering smart cities, autonomous vehicles, and IoT devices like never before. Northern Ireland’s strong focus on IoT development could position it as a leader in this space. At Galvia Digital, we’re already delivered proof-of-concept projects that leverage 5G for smarter, more connected systems.
Green coding practices and sustainable software development are set to become industry standards. It’s not just about environmental concerns for some though.. AI uses a LOT of energy. And energy costs money. Businesses that ignore sustainability will find themselves not just left out of the conversation, but also footing the bill for it.
Belfast and the wider region have all the ingredients to keep growing as a tech hub. With ambitious targets like 5,000 cyber jobs by 2030 and the ‘50 and Five by 35’ strategy to hit 50,000 software jobs by 2035, the future looks bright. But hitting these goals won’t be easy.
Across the UK, 62% of organizations are grappling with skills shortages, with 68% reporting increased workloads on existing staff as a result. Yet only 19% of businesses have a written skills plan, exposing a gap in strategic workforce development. Northern Ireland stands out here, with 77% of young people interested in tech careers compared to 69% in London, reflecting a strong talent pipeline for the future.
Efforts like the Skills Strategy for Northern Ireland: Skills for a 10x Economy aim to close this gap by increasing adult learning participation to 25% by 2030 and preparing the workforce for evolving industry needs. Initiatives such as the Cyber Explorers competition inspire young people to pursue careers in tech, while programs like the Skills Focus Programme enhance SME workforce skills with a focus on higher-level qualifications. These proactive measures, alongside recommendations from the Skills and Workplace Forum to establish a talent hub and promote Northern Ireland as a tech destination, position the region to tackle skills shortages and support sustainable growth.
Investment in local tech companies is already growing. Northern Ireland saw a 67% increase in venture capital investment in cyber firms since 2023, with total funding surpassing £72 million. The region’s startups have drawn attention from international investors, particularly in cybersecurity and IoT. Reports like Samsung’s naming Northern Ireland as the potential “Silicon Valley” of the UK underline this global interest. Samsung highlighted that 77% of young people in Northern Ireland want to pursue a career in tech, compared to 69% in London, and patent applications here rose 33% between 2022-23, far outpacing London’s 11% growth.
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The message is clear: Northern Ireland has the talent and ambition to succeed, but maintaining momentum will require continued support. With the right investments and policies, the region can transform this interest into sustained growth. It’s encouraging to see initiatives like the DTFF, InvestNI grants, and the InterTrade Ireland Export Pathway paving the way for many.
Northern Ireland has a chance to expand its role in ethical AI, though we’re just 1% of the UK’s AI footprint. That said, Belfast is already standing out, with half of NI’s AI companies based here and a 3% rise in tech investment despite the UK’s overall 54% decline.
Kier Starmer’s vision for the UK as an AI superpower is ambitious, and Northern Ireland can contribute by carving out a niche.⁸ Focusing on ethical AI and regional strengths could make us a valuable player without overstretching. An ideal position would be to establish ourselves as essential contributors to the broader UK strategy.
But challenges remain. Supercomputers and data centres are costly, and AI’s power needs could strain Northern Ireland’s grid. Navigating the EU’s AI Act adds complexity, but it could also become a unique advantage if approached strategically.⁹ By leveraging our dual regulatory position and investing wisely, Northern Ireland can turn these obstacles into opportunities. It’s very exciting.
2024 has been a year of big changes, and 2025 promises even more. For businesses, the message is clear: adapt or get left behind. That could mean leveraging AI, strengthening cybersecurity, or investing in sustainable practices. This is no time to sit on your hands.
At Galvia Digital, we’re excited about what’s next. We’ve spent years building software and IoT solutions that align with the 4th Industrial Revolution. The future is coming fast, and we’re ready to help businesses not just survive but thrive.
So, here’s to another year of innovation and growth. Let’s make it count.
Read Sync NI's free online Big Data Belfast autumn magazine here.
