By Business & Finance 
John Clancy is CEO of Galvia AI, a company that makes artificial intelligence accessible for businesses so they can manage data and take actions based on the findings and results.
What are your main priorities and goals in your role?
At Galvia AI, our goal is to cut through the AI noise and deliver impactful tools which leverage artificial intelligence in a way that drives tangible results for businesses. To put it simply, we clean, organise, and structure a company’s data, integrating data from diverse sources. We then build custom machine learning models tailored to specific industries and companies, which answer key business performance questions. It is one platform, with endless use cases, helping you to understand what is happening in your business, why it’s happening and how to take action. In today’s fast-paced, information-driven world, data matters more than ever. 15% higher revenue growth, 23% gains in efficiency, 9 times more likely to be profitable – these are just some of the benefits of leveraging your data for AI.
As CEO, my overall goal is to make that opportunity accessible to more and more organisations. According to surveys as recent as June, only 26% of businesses here in Ireland have already deployed AI tools. Many companies are in real danger of getting left behind. That’s why we are launching our AI Accelerator programme – a five-week programme for decision-makers of medium-size organisations designed to accelerate their innovation ambitions. Companies will come away with tailored AI models for key business challenges, the ability to effectively interpret large data sets with expert support, a proof of concept for AI-driven solutions, and a strategic implementation plan to integrate these capabilities into their operations.
What are your biggest challenges as CEO?
As CEO of Galvia AI, one of my biggest challenges is staying focused on our core mission amidst a variety of opportunities. With today’s advancements in innovation, every business is now a technology business. We frequently encounter organisations with diverse business and systems problems looking for technology solutions. Our challenge is to remain laser-focused on our primary offering and avoid being sidetracked by opportunities that don’t align with our core value proposition — leveraging data to drive growth. Pivots only make sense if they strengthen our existing strengths. I have to find the right balance between making the most of opportunities without getting sidetracked, which can require Olympic skill at times!
What are the challenges facing the industry going forward?
The AI industry is rapidly evolving, and many key challenges are likely to shape its trajectory. Our goal is to help organisations cut through the complexity and accelerate their innovation ambitions. When business leaders talk to us, a large concern they raise is around regulatory compliance. With all of the new and incoming legal parameters introduced by governments and regulators, ensuring that your company is doing what it should be, in relation to privacy, safety and ethical use of AI, is difficult but paramount.
Companies operating internationally will also likely encounter complexities, as different countries implement regulations differently. AI governance frameworks will prove essential in promoting responsible AI use, as well as determining accountability for when mistakes happen. The extent to which regulation inhibits innovation is yet to be determined but is certainly something myself and other business leaders have been thinking about.
What new trends are emerging in your industry?
One of the emerging trends in our industry, that excites me, is the increasing integration of AI in the energy sector, where it is optimising energy consumption, reducing carbon emissions, and driving the transition to more sustainable energy sources. For example, AI is being used in data centres to optimise cooling systems, reducing energy consumption and carbon footprints while maintaining optimal performance levels. It does so by analysing real-time data from sensors to adjust cooling levels precisely where needed, reducing energy usage by predicting and preventing hot spots and adjusting airflow, temperature, and power distribution dynamically. It’s a great example of how AI systems can deliver efficiency.
Are there any major changes you would like to see in your sector?
I would like to see a greater industry focus on Small Language Models (SLMs), and the benefits they offer over Large Language Models (LLMs). According to recent estimates, it takes US$ 700,000 a day to run ChatGPT 3.5. As an industry, if we are serious about reducing our carbon footprint and making AI more sustainable, we should certainly look to SLMs, which by comparison operate on a smaller scale. They are industry-specific, resource-efficient, and possess a more simple architecture. Their lower computational demands also result in less energy consumption. Equally, in alignment with our goal to make AI more accessible to medium-sized enterprises who need more tailored solutions than the big players allow, SLMs incur lower deployment costs and their lower resource demands mean that they can be used in a wider range of applications.
How do you define success and what drives you to succeed?
As a father of three, I define success as ensuring financial security for my family, which drives me to excel at Galvia AI. This goal can only be realised by delivering exceptional value and innovative solutions to our customers. I have had a long career in technology, including a significant chapter with Denis O’Brien’s Digicel in the South Pacific. I’ve seen how expanding access to affordable and reliable technology can create new economic opportunities for communities. So while the financial goals drive me, it’s the innovation and its impact that keeps me inspired and energised.
What have been your highlights in business over the past year?
Over the last year, a key highlight has been seeing the University of Galway win a prestigious Times Higher Education Award in the UK for technological innovation powered by our platform. During the pandemic, we pivoted to support the University, helping students feeling isolated and assisting staff overwhelmed by support needs. It was a pivot that built on our strengths. Our platform enabled 24/7 access for students to unify a source of information and provided staff with data insights for early intervention. Being invited by the University to the award ceremony in Liverpool was a meaningful recognition of our collaborative approach and trust-building with clients. As an alumnus, I was particularly proud to see my alma mater honoured. This success has also opened new opportunities for us, as we are now working with universities across the UK and continental Europe.
What’s next for your company?
The future is bright, and we are set to pass significant milestones in months to come. With our current momentum, the plan is to expand our team and scale internationally in the next 18 months. By onboarding both technical and commercial specialists, Galvia AI’s goal is to advance product development and grow new business in both Ireland and other target European territories. Through working intensively with and delivering fantastic results for enterprise level clients, honing our craft and developing our approach to machine learning, we have identified how our software could benefit organisations of any size. With all this in mind, we are looking to extend our reach to the 50,000 medium-sized companies that exist in Ireland and the UK.
Where do you want your business/brand to be this time next year?
The global landscape is evolving on a number of fronts, but in relation to Galvia AI, with the company’s impressive momentum, investment and growth, we are gaining traction in target European markets. To scale sustainably and build on recent wins, our team will likely double to 20 in the next 18 months. With targeting the medium-sized company ecosystem, as well as increasing our visibility and scaling in priority markets, we expect to be expanding, and opening offices in other European countries. We are also committed to fostering innovation and ambition in our industry, and supporting an upcoming AI accelerator programme will be a large part of that.
What is the best book you’ve ever read (non-business) and why?
Richard Brandson’s book Like a Virgin — Secrets They Don’t Teach You in Business School, hands down. It is incredibly informative and underscores something I believe wholeheartedly: we learn from our experiences and through facing adversity.
What is your favourite hobby and why?
I’ve been getting involved with my local sailing club through my 12-year-old son. I truly enjoy the camaraderie of preparing the boats and setting the kids off to sail. I know very little about sailing but it’s a great way to spend time with my son and the whole exercise kinda epitomises parenting for me!
What is your mantra for life?
My mantra for life is ‘Just go for it.’ As I always tell my kids, the ones who succeed aren’t always the most talented but those who persist. Being a startup CEO is tough, with many factors beyond your control, but maintaining resilience and positivity is crucial. Embracing challenges and continuing to push forward, despite setbacks, is key to achieving success.
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