AI in the Workplace: The Future of Work in Ireland
Artificial intelligence is transforming how Irish businesses operate, creating new opportunities to improve productivity, streamline processes and rethink traditional ways of working. As AI adoption accelerates, its impact extends beyond technology, reshaping workforce planning, office requirements and the role of the physical workplace. For businesses navigating this shift, adaptability is becoming essential to building a future-ready organisation and preparing for the evolving world of work in Ireland.
Key Takeaways
AI adoption is accelerating in Ireland, with 20.2% of enterprises using AI technologies in 2025, up from 15.2% in 2024.
AI is changing workforce planning, but greater automation does not necessarily mean smaller teams. New roles, specialist functions and different working structures are also emerging.
Business growth and office requirements are becoming less closely linked, making it harder to forecast future workspace needs.
Flexible workspace is becoming a strategic business decision, helping organisations balance growth, operational efficiency and changing workforce requirements.
How Are Irish Businesses Using AI Today?
According to the Central Statistics Office's Information Society Statistics 2025, 20.2% of Irish enterprises used AI in 2025, compared with 15.2% in 2024. Adoption is particularly widespread among larger organisations, with 57.7% of large enterprises using AI technologies. While applications vary across industries, Irish businesses are incorporating AI into several key areas:
Business function | How AI is being used |
Administration | Automating repetitive tasks, organising documents, summarising meetings and streamlining workflows. |
Marketing and sales | Generating content, personalising customer communications, analysing campaign performance and identifying sales opportunities. |
Data analysis | Processing large datasets, identifying trends and generating insights to support business decisions. |
Finance and accounting | Supporting financial reporting, forecasting, invoice processing and expense management. |
Customer service | Using AI-powered chatbots to answer common queries, assist customers and reduce response times. |
The CSO identifies business administration as the most common purpose for AI adoption in Ireland, with 7.8% of enterprises using AI for administrative processes in 2025. Marketing and sales, ICT services, and research and development followed at 5.4% each, highlighting how businesses are exploring applications across multiple departments.
For organisations looking to introduce these technologies, choosing the right solutions is an important first step. Our guide to the best AI tools for businesses in Ireland explores practical tools that can help teams automate everyday tasks, improve productivity and make more effective use of their resources.
What Does AI Mean for the Future of Work in Ireland?
AI is reshaping workforce planning, but not necessarily by reducing employee numbers. As highlighted in The Irish Times' feature on the AI-proof office, JLL's 2026 Future of Work Survey found that 60% of surveyed C-suite leaders expect AI adoption to redesign roles and increase headcount rather than reduce it. While some businesses may use automation to increase output without significantly expanding their workforce, others may create specialist roles and recruit new talent to support innovation.
At the same time, hybrid working is changing how businesses use their offices. With employees splitting their time between home and the workplace, headcount no longer directly determines how much office space a company needs. Organisations must increasingly consider how often teams come together, what activities require in-person collaboration and how their workspace can support evolving working patterns.
Together, these shifts are making long-term office requirements harder to predict. For business leaders, the challenge is no longer simply planning for a larger workforce, but creating a workplace strategy that can adapt as technology, team structures and business needs evolve.
How Can Flexible Offices Support an AI-Driven Workforce?
AI is changing the relationship between business growth and office space. As automation reshapes roles and team structures, organisations may find that traditional office arrangements no longer reflect how their employees work. Long-term commercial leases can make it difficult to adjust space as these requirements evolve, encouraging businesses to consider more flexible alternatives.
This shift is reflected in wider market trends. According to Savills, corporate businesses accounted for 47% of global flexible office occupancy in 2025, up from 13% in 2020. While AI is not the sole driver, the figures highlight how flexible workspace has become an increasingly established option for larger organisations. For businesses integrating AI into their operations, flexible offices offer three practical advantages:
Accommodating new team structures. AI adoption may lead businesses to establish specialist departments, form project-based teams or redistribute responsibilities across existing roles. Flexible workspace gives organisations greater freedom to adjust their office footprint as these changes take shape. Our guide to scaling your Dublin workspace explores this in more detail.
Prioritising collaboration over desk capacity. As AI takes on more routine tasks, employees may spend more time on activities requiring discussion, creativity and shared expertise. Workspaces that combine private offices with meeting rooms and collaborative areas can accommodate these different activities without relying on a traditional desk-focused layout.
Redirecting resources towards innovation. Adopting AI requires investment in technology, training and organisational development. Serviced office spaces can reduce facilities management responsibilities and upfront fit-out costs, allowing businesses to focus more resources on these priorities.
The experience of Iconic Offices member Vialto Partners illustrates the commercial value of this approach. When establishing its Dublin headquarters in 2024, the organisation prioritised scalability and reduced facilities management responsibilities, enabling its team to concentrate on its core business. Its decision, highlighted in The Irish Times' feature on the AI-proof office, demonstrates how workspace flexibility can support operational efficiency without compromising the professional environment a growing organisation needs.
What Role Will the Physical Office Play in an AI-Driven Future?
As AI automates routine tasks, the physical office has an increasingly important role in fostering human connection, collaboration and creativity. Workplaces that combine thoughtful design, quality office amenities and dedicated support can help businesses create an environment where employees thrive.
For Iconic Offices member Vialto Partners, the value also lies in operational efficiency. As Keith Connaghton explained in The Irish Times, a flexible workspace model supported the company's strategy of "reducing the operational burden of managing facilities", allowing its team to focus on delivering value to clients.
Preparing Your Business for the Future of Work
As AI reshapes the future of work in Ireland, businesses need more than the right technology. They need workplaces that support their people, accommodate changing priorities and provide room for growth without unnecessary long-term commitments.
At Iconic Offices, our premium flexible office spaces in Dublin combine thoughtfully designed environments, professional amenities and dedicated on-site support to help established businesses thrive. Whether you're expanding your team, embracing hybrid working or rethinking your office strategy, we'll help you find a workspace that works for your business today and evolves with you tomorrow.
Explore our Iconic Offices locations and discover the right space for your next stage of growth.
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