In the world of technology, there is a distinct difference between a “wow” moment and a “wealth” moment. Over the last two years, we lived through the spectacle: chatbots writing poetry and generators creating photorealistic video. As we move through 2026, the industry is undergoing a profound shift from experimental “toys” to Practical AI applications that deliver measurable business value.
While the chase for Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) continues in labs, the corporate boardroom has moved it to the back burner. In its place is a more lucrative focus: Business Transformation.
The $15 Trillion Opportunity
Industry leaders now agree that we don’t need AGI to unlock trillions in global economic value. Over $15 trillion is waiting to be claimed by applying existing AI technologies to “messy,” real-world industries.
AGI vs. Practical AI: At a Glance
Feature | AGI (The Spectacle) | Practical AI (The Substance) |
Focus | Human-level intelligence across all domains | Industry-specific solutions with clear ROI |
Timeline | Unknown (potentially decades away) | Deployable today |
Data Goal | Thinking like a human | Solving specific business bottlenecks |
From “Chatbots” to “Workhorses”: 3 Sector Transformations
By 2026, the “unsexy” scaffolding of AI – auditability, workflow integration and edge deployment – is where the real innovation happens.
1. Healthcare: Clinical Accountability
The focus has shifted from “experimental diagnostics” to tools like Dragon Co-Pilot, which reduce administrative burdens in real-time. We are seeing a rise in Small Language Models (SLMs) – point-of-care devices that provide auditable insights without needing the cloud.
2. Retail & Logistics: Predictive Power
Mid-sized Irish retailers are winning by using AI to unify fragmented data. As Gavlia CEO John Clancy noted in our recent podcast, these businesses aren’t waiting for AGI; they are using AI to fix supply chains.
Key Impact: Demand forecasting with 30-40% improved accuracy.
3. Finance: Automating the “Boring”
Practical AI in 2026 handles high-frequency, low-complexity tasks that drain morale.
Key Impact: An 80% reduction in manual bookkeeping time for firms using autonomous background processes.
The “Human-in-the-Loop” Challenge
We are shifting from being operators of tools to orchestrators of systems. However, Ireland faces a significant implementation gap.
The Adoption Gap
While 70% of Irish businesses plan to boost AI budgets by 2026, only 9% report widespread use of AI agents.
The Primary Barrier: Data Quality
40% of Irish business leaders cite poor data infrastructure as their main hurdle. The winners of 2026 won’t be those chasing the “AGI ghost,” but those fixing their data foundations today.
Bring These Insights to Your Leadership Team
Is your organisation ready to move from the “Spectacle” to the “Substance”? Mark Kelly is available for keynote speaking, executive workshops and strategic advisory to help Irish businesses navigate the 2026 AI landscape.
Book Mark Kelly for Your 2026 Event
- Keynote Topics: The Future of Work, AI Readiness and Navigating the EU AI Act.
- Target Audience: CEOs, Board Members, and Innovation Leaders.
- Impact: Move past the hype with a validated 90-day AI implementation plan.
Ready to lead the AI revolution? Enquire About Booking Mark Kelly
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Practical AI?
AI designed to solve specific business problems with measurable ROI.
2. Do I need to wait for AGI?
No. Current technology is already capable of automating up to 80% of routine tasks.
Call to Action
If you’d like to delve deeper into how these trends can reshape your organisation, we would be delighted to discuss them in more detail. Invite Mark Kelly, Founder of AI Ireland, to speak at your next team meeting, conference or strategy session. We can explore practical ways to harness AI responsibly, meet sustainability goals, and navigate the evolving consumer landscape. Let’s work together to ensure Ireland remains at the vanguard of innovation in 2026 – and beyond.
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