A new report highlights Ireland’s robust AI ecosystem and the trends impacting the sector.

The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN), has today (6 November) published a new report examining how artificial intelligence (AI) is impacting the Irish market. What was discovered is that Ireland, across several metrics, ranks close to the top globally in areas related to professional AI skills and the availability of quality careers in this field. 

Signalling a positive upwards trajectory for Ireland’s AI ecosystem and market, the report found that since 2023, AI usage and jobs in the field have doubled and there is increasing demand for professionals with skills in AI. Ireland also ranked third in the EU for percentage of people with “basic or above” levels of digital skills, just behind the Netherlands and Finland. 

The report, titled ‘How AI is transforming the Irish Labour Market’, was produced by EGFSN, authored by Diarmaid Smyth and issued by the chair of the EGFSN, Tony Donohoe.

The most common forms of AI activity were found to be the analysis of written or spoken language, data analysis and automating certain workflows.

Welcoming the findings, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke, TD, said the report indicates that Ireland’s enterprise sector and labour force are “adjusting to the AI revolution at a rapid pace”. 

“This highlights the inherent dynamism and robustness within our economy – it shows our policies are working to create jobs, incomes and ultimately to raise living standards,” he said. Burke also noted the importance of future-proofing the Irish economy, noting it is imperative that Ireland continues to “invest in the jobs of tomorrow in areas such as AI”. 

The report also noted that because Ireland currently has the highest level of STEM graduates per capita in the EU, the country could be well positioned for high levels of AI adoption. 

“The Irish labour market continues to perform remarkably well,” said Minister of State for Trade Promotion, AI and Digital Transformation Niamh Smyth, TD. “This insightful research shows that AI has genuine potential to address our productivity gaps and labour shortages, while confirming Ireland’s position among the leading EU countries in AI adoption.”

Don’t miss out on the knowledge you need to succeed. Sign up for the Daily Brief, Silicon Republic’s digest of need-to-know sci-tech news.