OpenSky launches managed AI framework for public bodies

OpenSky has launched a Managed AI Framework for public sector organisations, aimed at moving artificial intelligence projects from pilot schemes into live use.

The Irish data and governance specialist said the service is designed to address a common problem in government and other public bodies, where AI trials can stall during security, governance and regulatory reviews. It combines deployment, oversight and ongoing management in a single service.

Public sector organisations face growing pressure to use automation and AI as applications, claims and enquiries rise, even as scrutiny of risk and accountability intensifies. OpenSky's approach focuses on operational controls, human oversight and audit records intended to support use in regulated environments.

Built on Microsoft Foundry, the framework is intended to connect with existing operational systems rather than sit apart as a standalone application. It is structured around four areas: scale, integration, adoption, and risk, safety and oversight.

Each deployment includes continuous monitoring, human-in-the-loop review and evidence trails for audit and scrutiny. The framework also includes compliance measures aligned with the EU AI Act, GDPR and NIS2 from the outset.

Public sector focus

OpenSky has positioned the service squarely at public bodies, where decisions around AI often carry legal, reputational and political consequences. The company argues that while failed or poorly governed AI can damage trust, delays in adoption can also create problems as public services struggle to process growing caseloads with limited staff.

That leaves suppliers under pressure to show not only that AI systems work, but that they can be managed within established rules and oversight processes. In practice, that means proving how decisions are reviewed, how systems are monitored and how organisations can document compliance when challenged by auditors, regulators or the public.

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless said the move from experimentation to live use would be important to the wider development of AI in public services.

"Ireland has an opportunity to lead in developing artificial intelligence and demonstrating how AI can be responsibly deployed to improve the public services people rely on every day. The transition from AI experimentation to trusted, real-world deployment will be critical to achieving that ambition.

"OpenSky's Managed AI Framework is a strong example of Irish innovation addressing that challenge. By bringing together research, technology, governance and practical implementation, initiatives such as this can help public bodies harness the benefits of AI while maintaining the high standards of accountability and trust that people rightly expect," Lawless said.

Company position

Michael Cronin, Managing Director of OpenSky, said the company built the service to manage the full path from pilot to operational use.

"The next phase of AI adoption is about moving beyond pilot projects and rolling out proven solutions that work reliably, safely and at scale. Public bodies are under enormous pressure to deliver faster with finite resources, but they cannot afford the reputational or legal risks of unmanaged AI.

"We built the Managed AI Framework to take responsibility for that entire journey. We bridge the gap between initial pilot success and dependable, long-term public value, integrating into core systems while managing performance, costs, safety and regulatory compliance on an ongoing basis," Cronin said.

OpenSky said it has worked for more than two decades on digital systems in government, healthcare and pharmaceuticals in Ireland and overseas. Founded in Naas in 2004, the company employs 87 people.

It is also a member of the EU AI Pact and holds ISO 42001 certification for AI management systems, as well as ISO 27001 for information security. Those credentials are likely to matter as public bodies and their suppliers face closer scrutiny over how AI tools are introduced into administrative and frontline services.

Enterprise Ireland also backed the launch, with Amanda Ward, Manager, Digital Technologies & International Education at Enterprise Ireland, pointing to the export potential of specialist services built for regulated sectors.

"Enterprise Ireland is proud to support ambitious Irish companies that invest in research and innovation to deliver commercially focused solutions to real-world challenges. The launch of OpenSky's Managed AI Framework highlights how Irish SMEs can leverage deep expertise in regulated sectors to create cutting-edge services with significant international export potential," Ward said.