Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption surged among Irish businesses in 2024, with over 50% of large enterprises leveraging AI-driven solutions to enhance efficiency and decision-making. According to new data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO), 51% of large enterprises integrated AI into their operations, with 30% utilizing AI for automated workflows and 28% for data mining and analytics.
AI and Digital Transformation in Ireland
The digital transformation of businesses in Ireland has accelerated, with AI playing a key role across industries. The CSO report revealed that 15% of all enterprises, regardless of size, implemented AI technologies in 2024. This highlights the growing reliance on AI for automation, data processing, and business intelligence.
In addition to AI adoption, high-speed broadband availability increased among enterprises:
57% of large businesses had broadband speeds of at least 500 Mbps.
25% of enterprises had speeds below 100 Mbps.
27% had connections between 100 and 500 Mbps.
34% benefited from broadband exceeding 500 Mbps.
Rise of E-Commerce and Digital Advertising
As online business operations expand, e-commerce and digital marketing have become essential for growth. The CSO study found that:
38% of small enterprises (10-49 employees) conducted internet sales.
51% of medium enterprises (50-249 employees) engaged in online sales.
54% of large enterprises actively sold products and services online.
43% of businesses invested in paid online advertising.
24% used targeted digital ads based on user searches and webpage content.
ICT Security: A Growing Concern for Irish Businesses
With the increasing reliance on digital technologies, cybersecurity threats have become a major concern for businesses in Ireland. In 2024:
12% of enterprises experienced an ICT service disruption due to cyber incidents.
33% of businesses provided voluntary ICT security training.
25% mandated cybersecurity training for employees.
35% made security training a contractual employment requirement.
The Future of AI and Digital Adoption in Ireland
The Information Society Statistics – Enterprises (ISSE) 2024 report underscores the rapid digitalization of Irish businesses. Commenting on the findings, Devin Zibulsky, a statistician in the enterprise statistics division, emphasized how the survey provides valuable insights into AI adoption, internet accessibility, e-commerce trends, and ICT security.
As businesses continue to embrace AI-driven automation, cybersecurity enhancements, and digital marketing, the Irish economy is set to witness further advancements in technology integration, online commerce, and data-driven decision-making.
With new technological modules being introduced annually, future reports will provide deeper insights into the evolving role of AI, big data, and cloud computing in shaping Ireland’s business landscape.
