Demand growing among employees for training in AI
A report published today by employers’ group IBEC has said that July 2025, 40% of employees reported using AI in their workplace tasks compared with 19% in August 2024, while use of AI in specific roles rose from 12% in 2024 to 33% in 2025.
The study, published to marke the launch of IBEC’s Work Just Got Smarter campaign and an AI guidance for businesses, found that 80% said AI was improving productivity; 75% said it allowed them to focus more on other aspects of their role; and 81% said they could make better use of AI with additional training.
The research also showed that 27% of respondents had not received formal training, while 65% (up from 54% in 2024) said they likely or very likely will need more AI training.
Erik O’Donovan, head of digital policy at IBEC, said: “As with any major technological shift, there will be periods of rapid progress and moments of hesitation, but it is clear that AI is now a competitive issue and is increasingly being adopted in business processes, particularly in administration, marketing, and sales.
“The readiness of government, sectors, organisations, and individuals to realise the economic opportunities from AI, including net job creation, requires urgent and coordinated action. AI access, literacy, and skills are now a strategic imperative for all.”
Responding to the report, Anne O’Leary, President of IBEC and head of Meta Ireland, added: “At Meta, I have been privileged to see firsthand the potential AI has to revolutionise the way industries operate, creating new opportunities for growth and ambition. It is more important than ever for us to keep pace with the advancement of AI, and we must approach this seismic technology as a collective effort in Ireland and across Europe to ensure we champion innovation… Europe and Ireland share a strong political commitment to a digital and green future, with ambitious targets for 75% enterprise adoption of AI by 2030. To accelerate AI readiness, we must close existing gaps and keep pace with global competition.
“Talent development and skills will be central to achieving this. IBEC’s 2024 HR Update Survey found that 70% of respondents recognise AI’s potential to boost productivity, reflecting its transformative impact. Yet, while AI is a powerful tool, it would be naïve to underestimate the continued importance of talent, business operations, and organisational cultures that depend on human interaction and creativity. Realising the full benefits of AI will only be possible if people remain at the centre of it.”
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