AI adoption is having its most pronounced impacts on entry-level and junior employees in highly digitalised sectors, Department of Finance says. Ireland’s labour market is “particularly exposed” to artificial intelligence (AI), and younger workers in highly digitised sectors are the most at risk group, the Department of Finance has warned. Due to the make-up of the Irish economy, it may be “among the first” advanced economies where early AI labour market impacts become measurable. At the same time, the rate of growth in AI skills demand in Ireland “has been striking”. “AI-related labour market adjustments have occurred mainly through changes in hiring and entry, rather than through the displacement of existing workers,” the department said.

Source: The Irish Times February 18, 2026 19:37 UTC