Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation Niamh Smyth has announced a major report examining artificial intelligence (AI) adoption across Irish enterprise, highlighting opportunities to improve productivity and competitiveness alongside the barriers businesses face when implementing the technology.
Published on 13 October 2026 by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, A Sectoral Study on Artificial Intelligence in Enterprise in Ireland: Impacts, opportunities, barriers and potential interventions examines AI adoption in manufacturing, construction and tourism. It also considers the distinct role of the ICT sector in developing and supplying the technologies, services and expertise that enable AI adoption across the wider economy.
Prepared independently by Accenture, the report provides an evidence base to inform government policy and enterprise supports, with a particular focus on helping businesses move from initial experimentation to practical implementation and wider use.
The report finds that AI adoption among Irish businesses is growing, but significant opportunities remain to increase both the number of enterprises using the technology and the extent to which it is integrated into their operations.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) may face particular challenges, including limited awareness, skills shortages, data constraints, implementation costs and restricted access to technical expertise. Addressing these barriers will be important if businesses are to use AI effectively and responsibly.
For employers, these findings underline the importance of developing employees’ digital capabilities alongside investment in new technologies. Staff may need training in AI tools, data literacy, process improvement and the responsible use of emerging technologies. Managers may also require additional knowledge to assess potential applications, oversee implementation and understand the implications for business operations.
Announcing the report, Minister Smyth said:
"Artificial intelligence is already changing how businesses operate, innovate and compete. Its impact will continue to grow, creating significant opportunities for Irish enterprises, workers and the economy as a whole."
She added:
“This report gives us a clearer understanding of how AI is being adopted in manufacturing, construction and tourism, the barriers that businesses encounter, and the supports that could help them move from interest and experimentation to implementation and scale.
"It also recognises the distinct and important role of the ICT sector. In addition to adopting AI within its own operations, the sector develops and provides many of the technologies, services and capabilities that enable AI adoption across the rest of the economy."
Rather than recommending a single approach for every business, the study highlights the need to account for sector-specific circumstances and the varying stages of AI adoption across Irish enterprise.
Manufacturing, construction and tourism have different operational requirements and potential applications for AI. The report identifies opportunities for practical interventions that could help businesses overcome barriers, strengthen innovation and achieve sustainable growth.
The findings also emphasise the importance of access to appropriate skills, knowledge, infrastructure and support. Training and professional development can help businesses prepare employees to work with AI systems, evaluate their outputs and integrate new tools into established processes.
For organisations considering AI adoption, identifying existing skills gaps and providing relevant training can form an important part of an implementation strategy. This can help ensure that investment in technology is supported by the knowledge and capabilities needed to use it effectively.
The report forms part of the Government’s wider work under Ireland’s National AI Strategy, which aims to promote the ethical, responsible and effective use of artificial intelligence.
Minister Smyth said:
"Ireland’s National AI Strategy provides the framework for ensuring that we can capture the benefits of AI while approaching its development and use responsibly. For our enterprise base, that means creating the conditions in which businesses of every size can access the skills, knowledge, infrastructure and supports they need to adopt AI with confidence.
"The findings of this study will help inform the next phase of that work. They provide an important evidence base for considering how policy and enterprise supports can respond to the differing needs of sectors and businesses at various stages of their AI journey."
The report will also contribute to discussions at Ireland’s forthcoming AI Summit, bringing together representatives from government, industry, research and education to consider the country’s AI ambitions and the steps required to achieve them.
Minister Smyth said:
"Ireland’s forthcoming AI Summit will bring together leaders from government, industry, research and education to consider how we can realise our national ambition for AI.
"This report will make an important contribution to that conversation. By setting out the opportunities for Irish enterprise, as well as the practical barriers to adoption, it will help ensure that our discussions are grounded in evidence and focused on actions that can deliver the greatest impact."
She also acknowledged the contribution of the report’s Steering Group and the businesses, industry bodies, researchers and other stakeholders who shared their experience during the study.
The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment will consider the findings as part of the continued implementation of Ireland’s National AI Strategy and its broader efforts to build a productive, innovative, resilient and competitive enterprise base.
For businesses, the report reinforces the importance of combining technological investment with workforce development. Identifying the right training opportunities can help employers prepare teams for AI adoption while supporting employees as their roles and responsibilities develop.
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