Author: Sam Allcock

Irish businesses have more AI tools to choose from than ever, but the most useful option is rarely simply the tool with the longest feature list. For most companies, the better choice depends on the software they already use, the task they want to improve, the sensitivity of their data and whether employees can use AI safely. That matters because 20.2% of Irish enterprises used AI in 2025, according to the Central Statistics Office, but adoption was only 17.2% among small enterprises compared with 57.7% among large enterprises. The market is therefore moving beyond the question of whether businesses should…

A practical guide to comparing costs, protecting your budget and using digital tools responsibly. A difficult credit history can make an unexpected expense feel urgent. A boiler fails, a car is needed for work, or a household bill arrives at the wrong time, and the search for an answer can quickly move online. Digital lending makes it easy to compare products, but speed should not replace careful judgement. The safest decision is usually the one that is understood in full before an application is submitted. This is especially important when a borrower has previously missed payments, used a high proportion…

Artificial intelligence is no longer a future technology for Ireland. It is already being used by businesses, workers, consumers and public institutions, while the Government is building a new national framework for AI adoption and regulation. The latest Central Statistics Office data shows that 20.2% of enterprises in Ireland used artificial intelligence in 2025, compared with 8.1% in 2023. Adoption was substantially higher among large enterprises, at 57.7%. At the same time, Ireland has entered a new phase of AI policy. The Government published its updated Digital and AI Strategy in February 2026, while the AI Office of Ireland was…

Published: 15 September 2026 Artificial intelligence is changing Ireland’s jobs market faster than many workers expected. AI-related hiring has accelerated, demand for AI skills is rising and workers are increasingly reconsidering the skills and careers they will need for the next stage of the economy. But the Irish AI jobs story is not simply about machines replacing people. The latest evidence points to a more complicated transition. AI-related roles are growing, existing occupations are absorbing new AI skills and some highly exposed jobs face genuine displacement risks. For many workers, the immediate change is likely to be what they do…

Permanent TSB (PTSB) has announced plans to reduce its workforce by approximately 300 employees throughout 2025 after receiving a strong response to its voluntary redundancy scheme. The scheme, which was launched two months ago, has been heavily oversubscribed, according to sources familiar with the matter. A spokesperson for the bank confirmed on Friday that Permanent TSB will facilitate the departure of around 300 employees on a phased basis next year. “Following receipt of applications to its voluntary severance scheme, the bank envisages that it could accommodate around 300 employees from across the bank, exiting on a phased basis over 2025,”…

Beijing-controlled BOC Aviation, Japanese-owned SMBC Aviation Capital, and Nordic Aviation Capital have joined Avolon in settling lawsuits against insurers over multimillion-euro losses when planes were seized by Russian airlines three years ago. The companies were among a group of lessors that brought claims exceeding €2.5 billion to the High Court in Dublin, where Ms Justice Eileen Roberts opened hearings last June. The financial terms of the settlements remain undisclosed. The large-scale litigation involved approximately 180 lawyers and was expected to generate legal fees amounting to hundreds of millions of euros. A spokesman for Singapore-headquartered BOC Aviation confirmed that the company…

Bord na Móna has announced the selection of nine innovative green businesses to participate in its 2025 Accelerate Green Grow programme. These companies, spanning multiple industries, will engage in comprehensive workshops, mentorship, and networking opportunities with key industry leaders to drive sustainability-focused advancements in Ireland. The nine selected businesses are The Planted Way, Novelplast, Circular Food Co, BioSense, Easydry, JTM Energy, Watt Footprint, Pulse Market, and Plaswire. Each of these firms is dedicated to pioneering solutions within the energy, food-tech, circular economy, biodiversity, and artificial intelligence sectors. Launched in 2022 in collaboration with Resolve Partners, the Accelerate Green Grow programme…

Last week, a staggering $1 trillion was wiped off global stock markets, triggered by the launch of an AI model from the Chinese start-up DeepSeek. The R1 model has made waves by challenging the assumption that the US dominates AI development. It can solve complex scientific problems and perform at a level on par with leading US AI models, yet it was developed at a fraction of the cost. DeepSeek’s breakthrough has caused concern in Silicon Valley. R1 quickly became the most-downloaded free app on the US iOS App Store, displacing ChatGPT. The success raises a key question: Has China…

Apple has been positioning itself as an advocate for user privacy for many years. However, the UK government has now submitted a covert order requesting access to iCloud’s encrypted data. This extraordinary action raises grave worries about digital security and may set a risky worldwide precedent. Key Facts About Apple’s Encryption Battle CategoryDetailsIssueUK Government demands access to encrypted iCloud dataLaw InvolvedInvestigatory Powers Act (IPA)Affected UsersApple users globally, not just in the UKData at RiskiCloud backups, Photos, Notes, Messages, and moreApple’s StanceOpposes backdoors, may pull encryption services from UKGlobal ImpactOther governments (U.S., China) may follow suitPotential RiskLoss of trust, increased cyber…

SciFest, Ireland’s largest STEM fair (STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), is now calling for entries for its 2025 regional events. This prestigious competition celebrates innovation and creativity in the sciences, offering students the chance to showcase their scientific projects in front of a large audience. With events held across the country, SciFest allows young minds to explore and engage in various scientific disciplines, ranging from physical sciences to life sciences and technology. The 2025 regional events will take place across 16 different locations throughout Ireland, and two of these events will be held in the Midlands. The first…