Irish employers are putting real money into artificial intelligence, but many still face a basic problem: they cannot find enough skilled people to deliver it. That is the clearest message from new EY Ireland research, and it matters well beyond the tech sector. For readers tracking Irish startups and funding trends, SME Ireland, business news and career development, the findings point to a market where demand for AI capability is growing faster than supply.
EY’s latest survey of 150 CTOs and CIOs found that 82% of Irish organisations are now investing in AI, up sharply from 44% a year earlier. But 36% said a shortage of skilled employees is the biggest obstacle to delivering their technology plans. In simple terms, the appetite is there; the talent pipeline is not keeping up.
Business news ireland: AI plans are moving ahead, but skills are the constraint
The survey suggests Irish companies have moved past the question of whether to invest in AI. The issue now is execution.
- 82% are investing in AI
- 36% cite skills shortages as the top barrier
- 16% say internal capacity to drive change is lacking, up from 6%
- 84% do not expect AI to reduce recruitment levels
That last point is important for jobseekers and founders alike. Despite anxiety around automation, most firms are not planning major hiring cuts. Instead, they are using AI to improve productivity, support staff and strengthen customer-facing tools.
For startups, employers and anyone looking for small business advice or entrepreneur tips, the takeaway is practical: invest in training as seriously as software. Businesses that build internal capability may be better placed for business growth than those that simply buy new tools.
What it means for hiring, risk and innovation
There is another pressure point here: cybersecurity. One-third of respondents said cyber risk is a major challenge, and almost half highlighted data leakage from generative AI tools as their biggest concern. That helps explain why many firms are taking a measured approach rather than pushing aggressive company-wide change.
For innovation Ireland, workplace culture and Irish companies trying to scale, this is a reminder that AI success depends on people, process and trust. In the months ahead, business news ireland will likely focus less on AI hype and more on skills, governance and execution. For employers, professionals and founders, the next smart move is clear: build talent now, because the shortage may be the real competitive gap.
