Almost half of organisations across the public and private sectors in Ireland have started to adopt generative AI, according to a new study from Microsoft and Trinity College Dublin’s Business School.
The report entitled “Generative AI in Ireland 2024” shows that multinational companies claim to use 30% more generative AI than indigenous organisations.
Generative AI is a technology that can create new content such as text, imagery and audio using natural language prompts.
The survey showed that the sectors with the highest planned adoption rates are technology, science, and media, while the agriculture, transport, and utilities sectors appear to be further behind in their generative AI adoption journey.
The research points to the emergence of a “shadow” AI workplace culture, where employees are using publicly available AI tools, sometimes in contravention of the policies of organisations.
Just 2% of firms said there is an organisation-wide AI-first policy in place, meaning a company-wide approach to generative AI.
“While the research indicates that indigenous organisations might be falling behind, this is only the start, there’s still time to be early adopters and harness the innovative potential of AI,” Anne Sheehan, General Manager at Microsoft Ireland.
“Irish organisations also have a unique opportunity to tap into our status as a multinational hub and become leaders in generative AI to deliver local economic growth,” Ms Sheehan said.
The report was produced by Trinity College Dublin’s Business School, on behalf of Microsoft Ireland and it involved a survey of 400 senior managers across both the public and private sectors in Ireland.
“Generative AI tools are the biggest disruptive innovation enablers of our era and Irish firms are lagging in adoption or planned adoption of these tools,” said Ashish Jha, Director of Trinity Centre for Digital Business and Analytics.
“By embracing disruptive AI technologies, organisations can leapfrog competitors, tap into new markets, and redefine industry standards,” Mr Jha said.
