Irish companies are rapidly integrating artificial intelligence across industries, highlighting a balanced approach that combines technological advancement with strong governance and human insight, positioning Ireland as a European leader in responsible AI adoption.
Businesses across Ireland are rapidly embracing artificial intelligence (AI), with recent research showing a striking 91% adoption rate, nearly doubling within a year. This surge reflects a growing recogniti...
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on of AI’s potential across industries to drive operational efficiency, especially under tightening budget constraints. However, the ways in which Irish companies are leveraging AI in practice reveal the importance of focused application, strong governance, and a blend of technology with human insight.
According to Gillian Whelan, Managing Director of emagine Ireland, the sheer breadth of AI’s possibilities can be daunting. She highlights three critical areas where AI is currently transforming business functions, particularly benefiting HR teams. Firstly, legal processes, such as reviewing contracts, have seen significant efficiency gains. AI tools can scan lengthy contracts to flag potential issues or key points around payments and liabilities, accelerating negotiations while still relying on human expertise for final validation and risk mitigation.
Secondly, in talent sourcing, especially for industries reliant on project-based consultants with specialised skills, AI excels at rapidly analysing and ranking thousands of professional profiles. This intelligent screening streamlines shortlisting, though Whelan stresses that human judgment remains indispensable for ensuring cultural and technical fit during collaboration.
Thirdly, AI is enhancing project delivery by analysing historical and real-time data related to timelines, budgets, and resource allocation to predict risks and optimise plans. AI-driven forecasting supports better resource sequencing, while natural language processing captures lessons learned to fuel continuous improvement. Yet, as with other areas, successful project management balances AI’s analytical power with the relational and leadership skills of humans.
These examples underscore that embedded, responsibly governed AI usage, not isolated or “shadow AI” tools, delivers the greatest value. Whelan warns that without clear policies and oversight, unregulated AI use can pose compliance and security risks, especially during complex processes like mergers and acquisitions, where data analysis and document scanning are increasingly handled by AI.
Broader studies corroborate Ireland’s advanced AI maturity. A SAS report found that 28% of Irish firms are at a transformative AI adoption stage, nearly triple the global average, with 44% integrated at a high level, far exceeding global counterparts. Ireland topped global rankings for business value realised from AI investments and governance practices, pointing to a proactive national approach to responsible AI use.
PwC Ireland’s GenAI Business Leaders Survey aligns with this picture, revealing that 98% of organisations have begun their AI journey, with over 60% already seeing value. However, only a small fraction, about 6%, have scaled AI solutions fully, and governance remains a work in progress for many, with nearly 80% yet to implement comprehensive AI policies. Notably, a majority of business leaders support regulatory frameworks like the EU AI Act, indicating a desire for clear standards.
Startups are also spearheading AI adoption, with AWS reporting that 63% have integrated AI, and 36% placing it at the core of their business models, significantly higher than the European average. This dynamic integration positions Irish startups as leaders in Europe’s AI ecosystem.
Despite strong enthusiasm, challenges remain in translating AI adoption into broad operational benefit. Another PwC survey highlighted that while 70% of Irish firms plan to increase AI budgets, only 9% have broadly embraced AI agents. While productivity gains are reported by over half, tangible cost savings are less prevalent, illustrating the complexity of embedding AI for enterprise-wide impact.
Economically, AI’s potential for Ireland is significant. A collaborative report by Microsoft and Trinity College Dublin projects AI could contribute €250 billion to the nation’s economy by 2035. The report also notes disparities in AI adoption across sectors, with the public realm lagging and SMEs facing hurdles such as limited AI expertise and costs, underscoring the need for supportive policies and education.
In summary, Ireland’s AI landscape is characterised by rapid adoption, innovative application, and strong governance aspirations. Industry leaders emphasise cautious balancing of AI’s efficiencies with indispensable human judgment and ethical oversight. As firms embed AI more deeply, establishing robust frameworks will be key to realising its full potential across legal, HR, project management, and beyond, ensuring sustainable and responsible growth in the digital age.
Source: Noah Wire Services
