New research shows strong trust in workplace AI, but concerns remain around skills development as EU AI Act transparency rules take effect.
A majority of Irish employees (60%) remain confident about their career prospects despite the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace.
New research from payroll and HR solutions provider SD Worx found that this majority feel secure in their jobs, even as AI continues to change workplace roles and tasks.
“The greatest impact from AI will come when organisations use it to enhance and evolve human capability, not simply to automate existing processes”
The findings come as new transparency obligations under Article 50 of the EU AI Act came into effect on 2 August, requiring people to be informed when they are interacting directly with certain AI systems and mandating disclosure of specific forms of AI-generated or manipulated content.
The human touch will always matter
The research, conducted by iVOX on behalf of SD Worx, revealed that employees in Ireland are generally optimistic about the role of AI at work. Seven in 10 employees (69%) believe their unique human capabilities cannot be replaced by artificial intelligence, while just 7% expect AI to take over the majority of tasks within their current role.
Employees in Ireland also place a strong emphasis on transparency. Three-quarters (75%) believe AI systems should be open about how they make decisions, significantly higher than the European average of 64%.
The survey found that AI adoption is increasing across Irish workplaces, particularly among people managers. Almost half (47%) of employees with supervisory responsibilities said they are using AI tools more frequently in their day-to-day work. Among employees who do not manage others, that figure drops to 26%. Overall, 37% of Irish employees reported increasing use of AI in the workplace.
Trust in employers’ use of AI also remains relatively strong. Six in 10 employees said they trust their organisation to use AI fairly and ethically, compared with 52% across Europe.
However, the research highlights a gap between AI adoption and workforce development. Fewer than one in three employees (31%) believe their organisation is helping them develop the skills needed for an AI-driven future.
“AI is influencing high-impact decisions and this is particularly important for those working in HR and payroll to consider,” said Eimear Byrne, managing director of SD Worx Ireland.
“Whether screening candidates, identifying payroll anomalies, or analysing workforce data, it is shaping real outcomes for real people. The new EU legislation means it is no longer enough for these systems to simply deliver results: organisations must be able to explain those results, justify them, and demonstrate that they are fair. This isn’t just a legislative obligation, however. Our research shows that employees seek this clarity, too.
“Despite relative levels of comfort with AI among employees, it is important that they understand their evolving roles as AI becomes more integrated in the workplace,” Byrne continued. “Under the AI Act, European employers are required to take measures to ensure that employees possess sufficient AI literacy. That doesn’t mean they need to be experts, but anyone working with AI must be able to use the technology responsibly and recognise the risks.
“The greatest impact from AI will come when organisations use it to enhance and evolve human capability, not simply to automate existing processes. Irish businesses are well placed to lead in this area, but only if they combine strong talent and adaptability with clear governance, transparency and investment in AI literacy.”
Image at top: Eimear Byrne, managing director of SD Worx Ireland
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