AI adoption across Ireland's technology, media and telecoms sector has overtaken the EU average, with 43% of private sector organisations and 36% of public bodies now using AI tools in active workflows, according to new analysis from Bank of Ireland's latest sectoral report.

The findings, reported by Think Business, show adoption rates are broadly consistent across company sizes, suggesting the technology has become embedded across the wider Irish business ecosystem rather than confined to large enterprises.

Paul Swift, Head of Tech, Media and Telecoms Sector at Bank of Ireland and author of the report, said: "It is clear from the survey findings that AI adoption has moved from intention to execution."

However, the pace of adoption is not being matched by governance, with fewer than half of organisations having a formal AI policy in place. This is a gap the report identifies as likely to become more pressing as use cases expand beyond pilot projects into core operational processes.

Workforce impact is emerging as a defining theme. Some 60% of organisations have already adjusted graduate hiring strategies to prioritise AI-related skills, reflecting a structural rebalancing of roles rather than widespread job displacement. Swift noted that productivity gains are increasingly tied to how broadly AI tools are adopted across organisations rather than within specialist teams alone.

AI is also reshaping digital discovery. The report identifies a shift from traditional search engine optimisation toward generative engine optimisation, where content must be structured to be understood directly by AI systems. Swift said this presents a significant opportunity for Irish media and content firms able to adapt quickly to AI-driven discovery models.

Energy costs and cyber risk are weighing on the sector's outlook. Rising electricity prices are eroding margins for data centres, telecoms networks and digital infrastructure providers, while 38% of Irish organisations are reassessing the location of critical infrastructure and 41% have increased cyber insurance coverage in response to a more complex geopolitical threat environment.

Access the full report for comprehensive analysis of AI adoption trends and investment activity across Ireland's technology sector.