AI-related employment has soared by 79% in Northern Ireland over the past year, a new study by Ulster University suggests.
Research published on Tuesday as part of the second annual AI Capability Census found 400 firms in the north are now commercially engaged with artificial intelligence (AI), double the 198 from last year’s inaugural study.
The report estimates AI-related employment has increased to around 2,402 roles this year, generating £214 million in gross value added (GVA) terms, up from £82m in 2025.
The Artificial Intelligence Collaboration Centre (AICC) last year forecast it would be 2028 before the north surpassed 2,000 AI professionals and £200m in AI-related GVA, in a moderate growth scenario.
Founded at Ulster University two years ago with a £16.3m grant from government, the AICC is a collaboration between the north’s two main universities aimed at harnessing AI for the benefit of businesses.
Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald with Sam Donaldson (centre), who authored the new AI report, and AICC director David Crozier. (@Matt Mackey)
Dr David Crozier, who leads the AICC project, said the study shows Northern Ireland is no longer an emerging AI economy.
“It is one where AI adoption, diffusion and economic impact is accelerating at pace across every postcode,” he said.
“The significance of these findings is not simply that Northern Ireland has more AI companies or more AI-related jobs.
“It is that AI is becoming a more meaningful part of our economy, with businesses increasingly building capability, creating value and applying the technology in real-world settings.”
The study found job advertisements requesting an AI or machine learning skill increased by 161% on a rolling twelve-month basis, while median advertised salaries for AI roles stood at approximately £61,000 in the first half of 2026.
Firms included in the census have raised approximately £158m in equity investment since 2024, although Northern Ireland still accounted for less than 1% of UK AI equity investment by value in 2025.
Sam Donaldson of Perspective Economics, who authored the report for the AICC, said: “One of the most interesting findings is the breadth of the growth. It is not being driven by one type of company or one part of the market.
“We are seeing new dedicated AI firms emerging, established technology and professional services businesses expanding their AI teams, and companies in more traditional sectors adding AI to existing products and services.
“That points to an ecosystem that is becoming broader and more embedded across the economy.”
Meanwhile, a separate report published by Deloitte on Tuesday found 61% working adults in Northern Ireland have used generative AI (GenAI) for work.
The survey, which included 600 respondents working in the north, found 38% said they used GenAI so at least once weekly, with 21% utilising it at least once every day.