Microsoft Work Trend Index 2026 reveals rising demand for AI skills, flexible careers and stronger employer support as organisations struggle to keep pace with workforce expectations.
Almost half of Irish workers are reconsidering their career paths as artificial intelligence continues to transform the workplace, according to Microsoft’s Ireland Work Trend Index 2026.
The nationally representative survey of 1,000 workers in Ireland found that 47% of employees say AI is making them rethink their career direction, up from 34% in 2025. At the same time, 48% of workers changed employer over the past year, a significant increase from 38% in 2025 and 19% in 2023.
“Ireland’s workforce is adapting quickly to a changing world of work”
The research points to a workforce that is increasingly focused on acquiring future-ready skills and adapting to a changing employment landscape. Three in four respondents (75%) believe people with broad skills will become more valuable in the years ahead, while 65% expect less emphasis on fixed job roles and greater demand for flexible skills.
There is also strong confidence in AI’s economic potential. More than three-quarters (76%) of workers believe AI represents a major economic opportunity for Ireland.
Importance of AI capabilities – key learnings
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is the Microsoft Ireland Work Trend Index 2026? | A nationally representative survey of 1,000 workers in the Republic of Ireland conducted by 3GEM on behalf of Microsoft Ireland. |
| How many Irish workers are reconsidering their career path because of AI? | 47% of Irish workers say AI is making them reconsider their career path, up from 34% in 2025. |
| How many Irish workers changed employer in the last year? | 48% of workers changed employer in the last year, up from 38% in 2025 and 19% in 2023. |
| Do Irish workers see AI as an economic opportunity? | Yes. 76% of workers believe AI is a major economic opportunity for Ireland. |
| Are AI skills becoming essential in the jobs market? | Yes. 65% of workers say AI skills are now essential to compete in the jobs market, up from 50% in 2025. |
| Do workers believe AI skills support career progression? | Yes. 61% believe developing AI skills will support career progression. |
| Are workers worried about falling behind if they do not adapt to AI? | Yes. 59% worry they will fall behind if they do not adapt quickly. |
| How many workers use AI at work? | 63% of workers use AI tools at work, up from 56% in 2025. |
| How many workers can identify uses for AI agents in their role? | 57% can identify where AI agents could help in their role. |
| How many workers already use AI agents? | 48% of workers use AI agents either regularly or occasionally. |
| Has AI improved work quality? | Yes. 89% of workers say AI has improved the quality of their work. |
| Does AI help employees focus on meaningful work? | 55% say AI helps them focus on meaningful work. |
| Does AI support higher-value work? | 51% believe AI enables them to do higher-value work. |
| Does AI improve wellbeing? | 45% of workers say AI is helping improve their wellbeing. |
| What would workers do with time saved through AI? | 36% would use it to reduce workload or stress, while 32% would spend it learning new skills. |
| Do workers believe broad skills will become more important? | Yes. 75% believe people with broad skills will become more valuable in the future. |
| Do workers expect job roles to become more flexible? | Yes. 65% expect less emphasis on fixed roles and greater demand for flexible skills. |
| Have employees received enough AI training? | Only 40% say they have received enough AI training or guidance. |
| Do employers provide adequate AI tools and resources? | Only 44% say their employer provides the AI tools and resources they need. |
| Are leadership expectations around AI clear? | Only 48% of workers say leadership expectations around AI use are clear. |
| Do workers feel leadership is out of touch? | Yes. 51% say leadership is out of touch with employees. |
| Are workers open to using AI? | Yes. 65% are open to new ideas and ways of working with AI. |
| Are employees curious about AI’s potential? | 61% are curious about what AI could unlock for them or their team. |
| Do workers verify AI-generated outputs? | Yes. 65% say they treat AI output as a starting point and remain responsible for the final work. |
| Would workers switch jobs for better AI tools? | 13% say they would consider changing employer for access to better AI tools. |
| What is shadow AI? | Shadow AI is the use of unauthorised AI tools by employees outside approved company systems and governance frameworks. |
| How many workers would use public AI tools if employers did not provide alternatives? | 47% say they would use free or publicly available AI tools if their employer did not provide a suitable alternative. |
| Do organisations have clear AI data policies? | Only 51% of workers say their organisation has clear rules on what data can be entered into AI tools. |
| What is the burnout rate among Irish workers? | Burnout stands at 44%, up from 39% in 2025. |
| How many workers struggle with work-life balance? | 34% struggle to maintain the right work-life balance. |
| What is Microsoft Ireland’s key message to employers? | Employers need to build AI capability, provide trusted tools and training, strengthen governance, and redesign work to create meaningful business and employee value. |
| Who commented on the findings? | Catherine Doyle, General Manager of Microsoft Ireland. |
| What is the biggest workforce trend identified in the research? | Growing demand for AI skills, broader skillsets, flexible careers, and stronger employer support as AI reshapes the future of work. |
AI adoption rises across Irish workplaces
The importance of AI capabilities in the labour market continues to grow. Nearly two-thirds (65%) say AI skills are now essential to compete for jobs, up from 50% a year ago.
Meanwhile, 61% believe developing AI skills will support career progression and 59% are concerned they could fall behind if they do not adapt quickly.
The technology is increasingly influencing career decisions. The study found that 13% of workers would consider changing employer to gain access to better AI tools.
The survey highlights growing AI adoption among employees. Nearly two-thirds of workers (63%) now use AI tools in their jobs, up from 56% in 2025. More than half (57%) can identify areas where AI agents could assist in their role, while 48% already use AI agents either regularly or occasionally.
Employees are reporting positive outcomes from the technology. Nine in 10 workers (89%) say AI has improved the quality of their work. Some 55% believe it helps them focus on more meaningful work, 51% say it enables higher-value work and 45% report improvements in their wellbeing through AI use.
Workers also see opportunities to use productivity gains generated by AI more effectively. More than a third (36%) say they would use time saved through AI to reduce workload or stress, while 32% would devote that time to learning new skills.
Despite the growing use of AI, many workers feel employers are not providing sufficient support. Only 40% say they have received enough AI training or guidance and 44% believe their organisation provides the AI tools and resources they need. Fewer than half (48%) say leadership expectations around AI use are clearly communicated.
Leadership challenge emerges
The report suggests employers face an important challenge in translating employee enthusiasm into practical adoption and business value.
Almost two-thirds of workers (65%) say they are open to new ideas and ways of working with AI, while 61% are curious about what the technology could unlock for them and their teams. Another 65% say they treat AI-generated output as a starting point and remain responsible for the final result.
However, 51% of workers believe leadership is out of touch with employees. Fewer than half say their manager actively uses AI, encourages AI adoption or supports experimentation with the technology.
The findings indicate that leadership engagement could play a significant role in helping organisations build confidence in AI adoption while creating clear expectations around its use.
Governance concerns grow
The research also identifies emerging governance and security concerns as AI usage expands.
Nearly half of workers (47%) say they would use free or publicly available AI tools if their employer did not provide a suitable alternative. At the same time, only 51% say their organisation has clear rules governing what data can be entered into AI systems.
The findings suggest many organisations may need to strengthen policies, training and governance frameworks to ensure employees can use AI tools confidently and securely.
Burnout remains a concern
The study comes against a backdrop of growing workplace pressure.
Burnout levels have increased to 44%, up from 39% in 2025, while 34% of workers say they struggle to maintain an appropriate work-life balance.
Microsoft Ireland believes organisations have an opportunity to rethink how work is structured and delivered. The report suggests that without broader organisational changes, productivity gains from AI may simply be absorbed into existing workloads rather than improving employee experience, service delivery and overall organisational performance.
Building capability for the next phase
“Ireland’s workforce is adapting quickly to a changing world of work,” said Catherine Doyle, General Manager of Microsoft Ireland. “People are thinking differently about the skills they need, the career paths they want and the opportunities they expect from their employers. At the same time, there is strong recognition of AI’s potential, both for individual careers and for Ireland’s future competitiveness.”
She added: “What is particularly encouraging is that workers are not waiting on the sidelines. They’re developing new future-ready skills and exploring how AI can help them in their current and future roles. The challenge now is whether organisations can keep pace with this momentum.”
Doyle said the focus must now shift towards embedding AI effectively within organisations.
“The next phase is about turning AI adoption into meaningful value by building organisational capability and trust, strengthening governance and security, and redesigning work around better outcomes. The organisations that get this right will be better placed to create meaningful value for their people, customers and the wider economy.”
Image at top: Catherine Doyle of Microsoft Ireland
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