In this special episode of the AI Ireland podcast, AI Ireland Founder Mark Kelly unveils the latest insights from our comprehensive survey of 130 AI leaders throughout Ireland. In the first couple of months of 2026, the landscape of AI adoption in Irish businesses is becoming increasingly clear. In this podcast, we will cut through the hype to examine the real numbers, uncover what’s working, identify what’s hindering progress, and provide a roadmap for the next 90 days.

Our survey tapped into the minds of decision-makers, with a third of respondents being C-suite executives or VPs, with 27% directors or heads of departments. Interestingly, 43% of participants come from large enterprises with 1,000 to 5,000 employees, offering a big business perspective. However, AI isn’t just for the giants anymore; 14% of our respondents are from smaller companies with teams of just one to 10 people. This diversity highlights that while the scale may differ, the path to AI integration presents common challenges and opportunities.

The headline finding from our survey is striking: 74% of organizations have moved beyond experimentation and are actively using AI in production. Within this group, 41% are in early production stages, and 33% have achieved broad adoption across multiple teams or departments. Only 24% are still piloting AI initiatives, while just 2% have yet to start.

The dominant question for Irish leaders is not whether to use AI, but how to effectively integrate it into existing systems, ensure proper governance and arm teams with the right skills to harness these tools. While the transition from curiosity to execution is apparent, quick progress is fraught with challenges.

In the current AI landscape, cost optimisation reigns supreme, with 28% of leaders focusing on spending smarter – be it through lead generation, process efficiency or cutting operational waste. Engineering assistance, cited by 19%, highlights that generative AI is seen as a major productivity booster for co-generation and app modernisation. Other strategic goals include predictive maintenance, aiming to shift operations from reactive to proactive.

However, success is not without obstacles. Integration challenges are the biggest hurdle, affecting nearly 25% of leaders. The complexity of connecting new AI tools with legacy systems slows progress. Additionally, a lack of skilled personnel and AI literacy at leadership levels poses significant challenges.

On the positive side, generative AI tools like Microsoft’s Copilot are widely used for tasks such as meeting preparation and contract management. Yet, the path to successful AI adoption demands teams willing to navigate the learning curve and handle friction. Especially in sensitive sectors like healthcare, a “wait and see” approach is adopted due to ongoing EU AI policy developments.

What lies ahead in the next 90 days? Predictive alerts are on top of leaders’ agendas, with about 25% focusing on this future-proofing tactic. Cost optimisation remains a short-term goal, accompanied by aspirations to automate admin tasks through instant support and contract intelligence.

A critical question arises: how do leaders feel about using generative AI with company data? While 56% are cautiously optimistic, preferring controlled environments for testing, only 15% are production-ready. This measured approach aligns with concerns over data security, a significant blocker to AI progress.

Despite high adoption rates, a readiness gap remains – as infrastructure and skills lag behind ambition. Our survey reveals three strategic recommendations:

1. Prioritise technical integrations to ensure systems can effectively adopt new tools.
2. Initially focus projects on cost and efficiency to demonstrate clear ROI.
3. Adopt a controlled use model, ensuring robust security measures before scaling up.

In summary, AI in Ireland has moved from experimental to operational. Leaders are not just adopting AI, they are optimising costs, enhancing efficiency and prioritising responsible governance. 

If you’re eager to deepen your understanding and bridge the readiness gap, AI Ireland provides workshops designed to empower your leadership team with essential AI literacy, strategic integration insights and actionable governance frameworks.

Download the full AI Ireland Leaders Survey here.