Barry James

Speaking

I love speaking to business audiences about data and AI without the hype. If you're looking for an honest voice for your event, let's talk.

Talks


Better Together: Why AI Needs Governance — And Your Business Needs Both

AI is the most powerful ingredient to arrive in business in a generation. But on its own, without a foundation, it's an extraordinary engine with no road to drive on. Using real stories — including a significant sum found sitting undiscovered in a company's own data — this keynote makes the case that AI and data governance are better together. Audiences leave with Barry's own Secure, Organise, Manage framework and three plain-English questions that tell them exactly where to start.

35–40 min · SME owner-managers, business associations, leadership networks

Download one-pager →

The Data You Already Have: Why Most Businesses Are Sitting on Untapped Value

Most businesses aren't short of data — they're short of confidence in it. This talk explores what it actually means to get your data working for you: where to start, what to fix first, and how organisations that treat data as an asset make better decisions at every level. Practical, honest, and built around real examples from Irish business.

40–45 min · SME owner-managers, operations leaders, sector associations

Punching Above Your Weight: How AI Lets Smaller Businesses Compete Like Bigger Ones

For the first time in a generation, small businesses have access to capabilities that used to require entire departments. AI is the great leveller — but only for the businesses that know how to use it. This talk shows exactly how SMEs are using AI to move faster, serve customers better, and free up the leadership bandwidth to focus on what actually grows the business.

45 min · Growth-stage businesses, accelerator cohorts, sector associations

Your Competitors Are Already Using AI. Here's What You Should Do About It.

The businesses in your sector that were early to adopt AI are already seeing the results — in productivity, in customer experience, in the quality of their decisions. This talk is a clear-eyed look at the competitive landscape, what AI adoption actually looks like in businesses like yours, and a practical framework for getting started without betting the company on the wrong thing.

50 min · Executive audiences, industry conferences, chambers of commerce

Past events


Barry James speaking at Analytics Summit 2025
Analytics Summit 2025
Barry James speaking at Analytics Summit 2025
Analytics Summit 2025
Barry James on a panel at Career Zoo
Career Zoo
Barry James speaking on stage at TEDx Drogheda
TEDx Drogheda
Conference on Applied Statistics in Ireland Analytics Summit 2025 DAMA UK & Ireland Conference 2025 Career Zoo TEDx Drogheda Digital Boyne Girls in Tech

Speaker bio


For use in event programmes, websites, and press materials.

Download bio (PDF) →

Enquire about speaking


Thanks — I'll be in touch soon.