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Irish Workers Embracing AI Faster Than Employers

Written by Robert McHugh, on 17th Feb 2025. Posted in Technology

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Over two thirds (67%) of Irish GenAI users say it boosts their productivity at work, but less than one in four (24%) say their employer actively encourages use of the technology.

This is according to the latest Deloitte Digital Consumer Trends report which surveyed 1,000 people in Ireland.

The research shows that 90% of Irish companies lack a GenAI policy and that while GenAI users are more likely to use the technology for personal reasons (69%), the percentage using it for work tasks is up from 32% in 2023 to 36%. A total of 48% of respondents have used GenAI, an increase from 33% in 2023. Meanwhile, the percentage of those who are not aware of GenAI is down from 38% in 2023 to 27%.

“Employees in Ireland are racing ahead of their employers when it comes to GenAI," said Deloitte Ireland’s GenAI Leader, Emmanual Adeleke. "This means gains are being left on the table by employers and innovation is being stymied."

Of those using GenAI, 10% are using it daily, 28% are doing so weekly and 15% are using it monthly.

A total of 46% are using it less than monthly, with 24% of this cohort saying they don’t know how to use it well and 18% saying they are dissatisfied with the answers they receive.

Use of GenAI is highest among younger people at 85% for those aged 18 to 24, followed by 69% for the 25 to 34 age group and 56% for those aged 35 to 44. Usage then drops significantly to 34% for those aged 45 to 54, 22% for those between 55 and 64 and 20% for those aged 65 to 75.

Most people use GenAI for personal reasons (69%) ahead of professional or work reasons (36%) and for educational purposes (38%).

ChatGPT remains the most popular GenAI tool among people in Ireland having been used by 49% of GenAI users. This is far ahead of similar products such as Snapchat’s ‘My AI’ (15%), Microsoft Copilot (13%) and Google Gemini (12%).

“It is vital employers take the lead on the use of GenAI," said Adeleke. "They need to invest in initiatives and organisational changes that will drive adoption of GenAI tools and identify successful use cases for their organisations".