ESRI Report Warns AI Will Cost Irish Jobs — and Highly-Skilled Workers Are Most at Risk
A major new report from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), produced jointly with the Department of Finance, has warned that the adoption of artificial intelligence will lead to significant job losses in Ireland — and, contrary to widespread assumptions, it is highly-skilled and highly-educated workers who face the greatest exposure.
The report, published on 9 April, has been described as a "wake-up call" for the Irish government and business community to begin preparing for a fundamental shift in the labour market. It challenges the conventional wisdom that AI primarily threatens low-skilled, routine jobs, finding instead that many professional and knowledge-based roles are highly susceptible to automation through large language models and other AI tools.
Key Findings
The ESRI analysis found that occupations requiring high levels of education and cognitive skill — including roles in finance, law, administration, and certain areas of technology — are among those most exposed to AI-driven displacement. This is because these roles often involve tasks such as document analysis, data processing, and structured decision-making that current AI systems can perform with increasing competence.
The report also highlighted that 60 per cent of companies surveyed indicated they may consider laying off employees who fail to adopt and utilise AI tools effectively, suggesting that the transition will require significant upskilling across the Irish workforce.
Ireland's Particular Vulnerability
Ireland's economy is particularly exposed to AI disruption given its heavy concentration of multinational technology and financial services companies, many of which are at the forefront of AI adoption. The report notes that while Ireland has benefited enormously from its position as a hub for global tech firms, this same concentration creates specific risks as those firms automate more of their operations.
The findings echo concerns raised by the Central Bank of Ireland, which has previously emphasised the need for economic resilience and diversification in the face of structural shifts driven by technology.
Government Response
The Department of Finance acknowledged the report's findings and indicated that it would inform upcoming policy discussions on workforce development, education, and social protection. Ministers are expected to outline a response to the report's recommendations in the coming weeks.
What's Next
The ESRI has called for urgent investment in reskilling and upskilling programmes, particularly for workers in sectors identified as high-risk. It has also recommended that the government develop a national AI transition strategy to ensure that the benefits of AI adoption are broadly shared and that displaced workers receive adequate support. Read more at RTÉ News.
