Our new Making AI Work for Ireland report spotlights the growing momentum behind AI adoption but highlights that businesses must be bolder in scaling their ambition.

According to a Digital Business Ireland survey of businesses across Ireland, 65% of companies indicated that they plan to invest in AI in 2026, of which 60% expect to invest €10,000 or less. Considering the scale of costs involved, the DBI report warns that this level of investment will support only limited AI adoption, likely focused on licensing generative AI models.

The DBI survey also found that 68% of businesses identified a lack of skills and training as the single biggest constraint to AI adoption.

The report also cites recent data from the CSO which shows already Ireland is falling behind international competitors when it comes to AI use by business – leaving Ireland only mid-table in the EU rankings for business AI adoption. 

In the context of recent separate reports warning about the risk of job losses as a result of AI, the DBI report is clear that: “The biggest risk to Irish jobs from AI would be Ireland’s failure to adapt, to adopt, and to keep up. Another risk would that business – particularly SMEs – get left behind.”

In response, the report sets out a range of recommendations to support businesses with AI adoption as well as calling on the Government to establish a cross-departmental initiative that identifies emerging roles in the AI economy.

Commenting on the publication of the report, Victor Timon, Chair of Digital Business Ireland, said: “AI represents a transformative opportunity for Irish businesses and the wider economy. It has the potential to drive productivity, support innovation, and create new, high-value jobs. However, the greatest risk facing Ireland is not AI itself, but the possibility of falling behind in its adoption. While it is encouraging to see businesses engaging with AI, the findings of this report show that more ambitious investment and stronger support structures are needed to fully realise its benefits”.

John Mitchell, Member of the Digital Business Advisory Council and CEO of All human, added: “This report makes clear that AI is no longer a future consideration – it is a present-day competitive, and in some sectors an existential necessity. If Irish businesses are to remain competitive, particularly in an increasingly digital global economy with very dominant AI-players, they must be supported to move beyond limited, entry-level adoption, and towards more integrated and strategic use of AI technologies across every function of their organisation. AI is such a paradigm shift that it requires an equally matching structural response from Government, at pace”.

Read the full report here.