Nearly half of employees (47%) say they have been expected to use new technology which they haven't been trained on and 39% feel unprepared to work alongside AI tools or systems in their field.

This is according to Accenture’s new report: Generating Impact: Turning frontier AI capabilities into frontline productivity and growth in Ireland. 

'National Ambition'

“Ireland has all the ingredients to lead in the age of AI: a skilled workforce, a public and private sector proven to deliver, deep connections with global technology industry, and genuine national ambition," said  Country Managing Director, Accenture in Ireland, Hilary O’Meara. "Now the question is whether Irish business will play its part. "  

Over three in five (64%) Irish employees expect to reskill as AI changes how they work. Employees are enthusiastic, with 70% saying AI and new technologies make their jobs better.  

Forty four percent  of Irish business leaders say they are investing in reskilling and redeployment pathways (compared with 30% in the UK). However, the report suggests many organisations still lack the basics needed to scale confidently, with 25% of employers reporting that employees don’t have clear guidance on when and how to use AI tools/agents and just 35% of Irish business leaders have conducted a formal AI skills audit. 

'Powerful Tool'

"AI will reshape roles, skills, and career paths across every sector. Leaders must invest in their people as much as they invest in technology, building the confidence and capability that turn AI from a powerful tool into a way of working," said  Hilary O’Meara.

"That makes sustained investment in learning and training essential. The organisations that will thrive are those that embed AI into how they work, not just the tools they use.”