WEALTH September 22, 2026 0 Comments

Why Irish Business Leaders Are Suddenly Betting Big on AI—and What It Means for Your Next Move

Isn’t it wild how quickly the mood around artificial intelligence can flip? Just last month, Irish business leaders were sitting firmly on the skeptical side of the fence—now, 72% are practically bursting with excitement over the opportunities AI could bring. But here’s the kicker: more than half are still fretting about what AI might mean for their own jobs. It’s a classic tale of love and fear dancing in the boardroom. Expleo’s latest AI Pulse really pulls back the curtain on this shifting landscape, showing Ireland as the European hotspot for AI enthusiasm, yet also highlighting some serious concerns about cybersecurity and ethical use. So, can Irish businesses keep the momentum going without tripping over their own doubts? The balance of optimism and anxiety has never been more palpable. LEARN MORE

There has been a significant upturn in optimism about artificial intelligence among Irish business leaders, research from technology and consulting company Expleo shows.

Nearly three-quarters (72%) of business leaders said they are excited about the opportunities created by AI, up from 60% in July.

However, a majority of 53% fear the impact AI will have on their job. Expleo’s monthly AI Pulse barometer is carried out among 800 business leaders in Ireland, the UK, Germany and France.

Last month, Ireland emerged as the most pessimistic among its European counterparts across all metrics measured in the AI Pulse.

This month, business leaders in Ireland showed themselves to be the most excited across all countries when considering the opportunities that AI brings to their organisation.

Respondents displayed concerns over how AI is being used in their organisation, with 53% worrying about how AI is transforming their business compared to an average of 38% across other markets.

Additionally, three in five (63%) are concerned about the cybersecurity risks that AI poses to their organisations. Despite this, 70% trust their organisation to use AI ethically, up from 62% in July.

Following the latest transparency provisions of the EU AI Act, businesses must mark and disclose when certain content has been produced by AI.

The AI Pulse shows that this is not only a regulatory issue, but a trust one. Almost one in four (38%) of business leaders in Ireland will lose confidence in a company whose marketing or advertising collateral looks or reads like it was produced by AI.

Overall, while scepticism remains, 61% of business leaders in Ireland see AI being primarily a business benefit, compared to 54% in July. One in five deem AI as a risk to business.

“August’s data shows why it is so important to measure AI sentiment month-on-month. AI adoption is a rapidly changing space, leaving the attitudes of Irish business leaders evolving just as quickly,” said Phil Codd, managing director of Expleo Ireland.

“What stands out in this latest AI Pulse data is the gap between enthusiasm for AI and comfort with what it means in practice.

Phil Codd, managing director of Expleo Ireland.

“Leaders believe that AI will be good for their businesses, but many are still asking what that transformation will mean for them personally, for their people and for the security of their organisations.

“Businesses must bring their leadership teams with them on their AI journeys; they are the ones who will become their greatest AI advocates. If company leadership is having doubts, their teams almost certainly are too.”

(Pic: Getty Images)