By Laoise Mullane,  Director and AI Adoption Lead, PwC Ireland.

Workers who used AI over the last year report being more productive at work (Ireland: 67%; Global: 74%), see greater quality of work (Ireland: 64%; Global: 75%) and see their creativity increase (Ireland: 55%; Global: 69%), according to PwC’s 2025 Irish & Global Workforce Hopes & Fears Survey, released today.  This press release deals with the Irish results of the survey.

The survey, which interviewed nearly 50,000 workers globally across 48 major economies and 28 sectors, including Ireland, finds that daily use of GenAI tools (Ireland: 10%; Global: 14%) and AI agents (Ireland: 3%; Global: 6%) is low. 

However, the survey finds that organisations can do more to help workers develop skills and thrive amidst a challenging economy. Just 57% have access to the learning and development resources they need at work (Global: 59%). 

The future of work is already being shaped by AI, and the biggest gains are going to those who are embracing it now. We’re seeing teams become faster and more creative, but the real opportunity isn’t just about making existing processes more efficient—it’s about rethinking how work gets done altogether. To truly unlock AI’s potential, organisations need to move beyond pilots and process improvements, and most importantly, invest in upskilling all of their people.

But while 43% of Irish workers say they have used AI for their role in the past 12 month – frequent utilisation rates remain low, suggesting ample opportunity for growth and access to the tangible benefits. Only 10% of Irish respondents are using AI daily at work (Global: 14%), but this is up from the 3% in 2024 (Global 2024: 12%). An even smaller proportion (3%) say they are using agentic AI daily at work (Global: 6%).  

The upskilling divide: employer upskilling efforts are uneven 

While organisations are investing in their upskilling programmes to contend with new and emerging technologies, the survey finds employer upskilling efforts are uneven. Just 57% of Irish respondents reported to have access to the resources they need for learning and development at work, compared to 59% globally.   

There are also marked differences in the extent to which workers feel part of a culture that supports learning. Overall, half (49%) of Irish workers say their team treats failure as an opportunity to learn and grow (Global: 54%).   

Over half of Irish workforce continue to experience financial strain – mounting pressure on employee motivation  

While 64% of Irish respondents say they feel satisfied with their work at least once a week (Global: 70%), there are also signs of stress. Only 45% of the Irish workforce feels strongly optimistic about the future of their roles (Global: 53%). Trust in top management is also divided – with only 58% noting they understand their organisation’s goals (Global: 64%).  

59% of the Irish workforce is experiencing financial strain, slightly down from 60% last year (Global 2025: 56%). Just over one-third (36%) feel overwhelmed at work at least once a week (Global: 35%). Fewer than half (45%) received a pay rise in the last year (Global: 43%), with just over one in ten (11%) receiving a promotion (Global: 17%). Perhaps reflecting a tougher economic context, 34% will ask for a pay rise in the next 12 months (Global: 37%) and 24% will seek a promotion (Global: 32%).   

However, organisations that do secure the buy-in of their teams stand to gain significantly.  Global survey findings indicate that workers who feel strongly aligned with leadership goals are 78% more motivated than those who report the least alignment.  

AI is already paying off for those who use it every day – with workers reporting significant boosts to productivity, quality of work and creativity - yet only 10% are using GenAI tools daily. This isn’t just a technology story; it’s a people story. Workers thrive when they understand the plan – alignment with leadership sees motivation rise by 78%. In a year of continued financial strain and many workers feeling overwhelmed, leaders must redesign work and provide clarity and confidence: simple everyday use cases, strong guardrails, and the skills, trust and support that turn AI from hype into real help.