Survey finds 70% of Irish employees use artificial intelligence regularly, far ahead of US and UK.
Ireland has emerged as the global leader in workplace adoption of artificial intelligence, with 70% of workers using the technology regularly, according to new research that highlights a growing divide between countries embracing AI and those lagging behind.
The findings, from Indeed’s Workforce Insights Report surveying 80,000 workers across eight countries, show Ireland significantly outpacing other developed economies. Just 43% of US workers and 41% of UK workers report regular AI use, while Japan trails at 18%.
“Waiting for workers to adapt on their own risks leaving some behind”
The research suggests employer attitudes play a crucial role in driving adoption rates. In Ireland, 37% of workers say their employers actively encourage AI use, compared with only 12% in Japan. Workers whose employers support AI adoption are substantially more likely to use the technology, with gaps ranging from 28 percentage points in Ireland to 54 percentage points in Japan.
AI training gap risks progress
Irish workers report substantial time savings from AI tools, with 43% saving one to two hours daily and 44% saving three to five hours per day – the highest proportion in this category among surveyed countries. The time freed up is being invested differently in Ireland than elsewhere, with workers prioritising work-life balance improvements (34%), professional development (26%), and creative work (25%).
However, the research reveals a training gap even among active users. Nearly six in ten Irish AI users say they lack adequate training on the technology, compared with 49% of non-users. This suggests those actively using AI are more aware of their skill deficits.
The study also identifies a small but concentrated group of workers disengaged from AI. Around 16% of Irish workers rarely use the technology and see no need for training – the lowest disengagement rate among surveyed countries, but one that increases with age and is most common in manual and care roles.
These disengaged workers report weaker workplace experiences, being 35 to 49 percentage points less likely to believe AI improves efficiency and significantly less likely to report positive workplace culture or sense of purpose.
“Ireland’s high level of AI adoption shows the country is well positioned to benefit from the technology, but the findings make clear that uptake alone isn’t enough,” said Jack Kennedy, senior economist at Indeed. “Waiting for workers to adapt on their own risks leaving some behind.”
Kennedy warned that as AI becomes central to everyday work, comprehensive training programmes will be essential. “Even among regular AI users, many say they are not receiving enough support at work, showing that one-off introductions or informal learning won’t be sufficient as AI tools continue to evolve,” he said.
The research found personal AI use slightly exceeds workplace adoption across all countries, with 72% of Irish respondents using AI personally compared with 70% professionally, suggesting workers are experimenting independently with the technology.
Top image: Jack Kennedy, senior economist at Indeed
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