Our approach to AI

Human-first. Explainable. Aligned with EU values.

At Headstarter, we believe that AI should serve people — not mystify them. That’s why Mycroft Ireland is built on a foundation of ethical, transparent, and explainable AI.

We’ve aligned our platform with the EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act (2024/1689), which promotes human-centric innovation, protects fundamental rights, and safeguards against opaque or manipulative AI practices. But we go further than compliance.

How we put ethics into practice

✅ Explainable Answers

Mycroft doesn’t just tell you what the answer is — it shows you why. Every reply is backed by specific references to Irish legislation, tax guidance, or benefit schemes. You’re never left wondering where something came from.

👤 Human-Centric by Design

Our system is designed to empower, not replace. Mycroft helps users understand the law before they seek professional advice — increasing confidence, improving decisions, and lowering barriers to access.

🔍 Transparency, Not Black Boxes

We reject the trend toward black-box AI that hides sources, rationale, or bias. Our retrieval-based approach ensures you can always inspect the logic behind each response. Nothing is hallucinated. Everything is grounded.

🛡️ Bias-Aware and Rights-Aligned

We actively monitor feedback on response , but do not retain any identifying features, in order to maintain privacy. And because Mycroft deals with real-world legal and financial information, we place a high priority on fairness, dignity, and the right to contest and understand decisions — in line with GDPR and EU digital principles.

🌍 Trustworthy AI, Built in Ireland

Ireland is at the forefront of Europe’s digital regulation. We’re proud to be building in West Cork, under the EU’s gold-standard framework for safe, innovative AI — and contributing to a future where small businesses, individuals, and public bodies can trust the tools they use.

Why It Matters

From grant applications to tax advice, the stakes are high. 


Mycroft doesn’t guess — it retrieves.
It doesn’t lecture — it links. 
And it doesn’t generalise — it explains. 

That’s what makes it ethical. That’s what makes it Mycroft.