In this monthly series, we meet Ireland’s female leaders to learn how they got to where they are today and what makes them tick …
Catherine Doyle has had a distinguished career, spanning over two decades, in various senior technology roles. While she said she initially “fell into tech”, she has never looked back. As general manager, she now leads the company celebrating 40 years in business in Ireland this year, stepping up at a time of digital transformation. Microsoft Ireland is a cornerstone of the global operation, she explains, as “a strategic hub that combines scale, diversity and end-to-end capabilities”, while being a hugely important business to the Irish economy. Employing more than 6,000 people, with operations in Dublin and Belfast, it comprises a diverse team boasting 96 nationalities. Asked about President Donald Trump’s edict to US-owned companies to slash Diversity, Equity and Inclusion spending, she said; “Microsoft has a culture of inclusion. In Ireland, nothing has changed. We have a multicultural workforce that brings richness to everything that we do”.
AI: threat or opportunity?
I was keen to hear her views on artificial intelligence, which many people either don’t understand or haven’t adopted. Catherine believes that it’s a real opportunity, citing recent research from Trinity College Dublin (with whom they collaborated), “projecting that artificial intelligence could add at least €250 billion to Ireland’s economy (GDP) by 2035”. With widespread adoption and policies in place, this figure could rise by a further €60 billion, underscoring AI’s transformational potential as a driver of national growth.
On a human level, that appears to be good news too, as The Work Trend Index 2025 research by Edelman Data x Intelligence concluded that 80 per cent of us don’t have enough time to do our jobs properly. As a result, Microsoft Ireland is working with organisations across all sectors – financial services, healthcare, SMEs – to “unlock their productivity and growth through AI and the cloud”.
Catherine added that AI is not just for business, but for everybody. Microsoft’s Skill Up Ireland initiative is a national programme providing people of all ages, experiences and ambitions with the opportunity to upskill in AI. Aadoption of this technology has seen a remarkable uptake in 12 months – almost double last year’s figures – as AI helps people to work more efficiently. Striking examples of its practical application range from busy families using AI companion Microsoft Copilot to reclaim some hours in the week, assisting Irish start-ups such as Food Cloud or Prodensus to scale globally, or modernising St James’ Hospital’s operations in Dublin to free up more time for patient care.
But what about AI making certain roles redundant? Catherine was pragmatic, stating; “As AI systems evolve, some jobs will change and new jobs will be created. Jobs shift and move on a regular basis in a technology company, so people move with it. This shift requires new ways of thinking about skills and training to ensure that workers are prepared for the future, and that there is enough talent for critical jobs”.
Cyber Safety
We talked about the increasing sophistication of cyber criminals, particularly circulating deepfakes. Catherine stressed that; “Safety is built into our product structure and we ensure our ethical AI is completely transparent” because “responsible AI culture is what builds trust with our customers”. They work closely with regulators to uphold the highest standards, sharing threat intelligence through their annual Microsoft Digital Defence Report (MDDR) to ensure everyone is informed about the latest trends and risks.
Catherine is optimistic about the future, saying; “Global IT spending is projected to rise significantly, with strong momentum in cloud computing, cybersecurity and AI. Generative AI is moving from experimentation to scaled deployment, transforming industries and creating new business models. The next few years will be defined by balancing all of that innovation with all-important trust – ensuring technology is inclusive, secure and sustainable”. Microsoft is investing heavily in AI and cybersecurity with new engineering roles, and research and development hubs, including in Ireland. She expects that we will continue to see rapidly increasing demand for digital transformation, compliance technologies and sustainability solutions. And while AI dominates headlines, other frontier technologies like quantum computing will shape the next wave of innovation.
Given Catherine’s warm and relaxed demeanour, I wondered how she reacts in a crisis? “I like to think I’m calm, transparent and learning-oriented”, she answered. “I believe in ‘first facts fast, then full context’. In practice, the focus is on people’s safety first and foremost, and communicating clearly – internally and externally”.
As technology is a 24/7, always-on world, she tries to find work-life balance, saying; “I’m disciplined about boundaries, taking short digital breaks to spend time with family and friends. They keep me grounded and give me energy. I read widely and love a good podcast. All help me to reset perspective and I protect weekends when I can. I believe it makes me more present for the team on Monday”.
She loves hiking to the Slieve Bloom Mountains in Co Offaly when she can or, if she wants a quicker hike, her favourite is Spinc in Glendalough, Co Wicklow. What does having fun mean to her? “I love nothing more than laughter at the dinner table or a rugby game with friends … simple stuff.” The perfect antidote to the dizzying day job running Microsoft Ireland.
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