The Private Tech Exchange

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The Private Tech Exchange

Your invitation to be part of something unique

We are creating The Tech Exchange, an exclusive, invitation only forum for a carefully selected group of senior IT and infrastructure leaders. The Tech Exchange will convene twice a year, creating an ongoing forum for peer-to-peer discussion, knowledge sharing and collaboration.

Our Commitment

Attendance is strictly limited
Participation is by personal invitation only
Competing organisations will not attend the same session
All conversations operate under Chatham House Rules
Open, honest peer discussion is encouraged in a trusted environment

The inaugural session: Networking in the Age of AI: Preparing for the Next Internet Revolution

The Private Tech Exchange’s first session, Networking in the Age of AI: Preparing for the Next Internet Revolution will take place on Wednesday 23 September.

The event will begin at WeWork Central Plaza before continuing with an exclusive networking lunch at Díon Rooftop Restaurant. Designed to encourage open discussion and meaningful connections, the venue provides the perfect setting for collaborative peer-to-peer engagement among Ireland’s technology leadership community.

Essential Details
⏰Date: Wednesday 23 September 2026

📅Time: 10.00-2.30pm

📍Location:
Meetup Location: One Central Plaza Dame Street, Dublin, 2, D02 A4W7
Lunch Location: Díon Rooftop Restaurant

AGENDA

10:00am – Welcome
Speaker: John Curtis, Sales Director, Viatel Communications, Viatel Technology Group

10:10am – The AI Network
Speaker: Eilish O’Connor, Director of Strategy & AI, Viatel Technology Group
AI success will depend not just on the tools organisations adopt, but on whether their networks are ready to support real-time performance, resilience, security and scale

10:45am – Short networking break

11:00am – Networking in the Age of AI
Speaker: Tom Shelton, Engineering Product Manager, Cisco
Exploring how AI is reshaping the network and why secure, resilient and intelligent networking is becoming the critical foundation for organisations looking to adopt AI at scale.

11:45am – Executive roundtable discussion and peer-to-peer exchange

12:30pm – Three-course lunch at Díon Restaurant and continued networking with fellow technology leaders and speakers

OUR SPEAKERS

Eilish O’Connor

Director of Strategy & AI, Viatel Technology Group

Eilish O’Connor is Director of Strategy and AI at Viatel Technology Group, where she leads the company’s long-term approach to AI, cybersecurity, communications and digital services. With more than 20 years’ experience across the technology sector, including eight years as Viatel’s Chief Technology Officer, Eilish brings deep technical expertise and sharp commercial insight to one of the most important shifts in business today.

In her current role, Eilish is focused on helping Viatel and its customers turn AI from ambition into practical, secure and valuable outcomes. She has played a key role in shaping the Viatel Solution Stack and supporting the company’s recognition as Microsoft Ireland Modern Work Partner of the Year and a Platinum Deloitte Best Managed Company.

Tom Shelton

Engineering Product Manager, Cisco

Tom is an Engineering Product Manager at Cisco, where he has spent nine years—including seven as a Systems Engineer. Tom brings hands-on networking experience and a product perspective to exploring how AI will reshape the way networks are built and operated.