News

• A major leap in AI adoption is on the horizon – The percentage of Irish SMBs with some AI adoption is forecast to jump to 80% in the next 12 months according to new research.  

• Barriers are widespread but the rewards are great – A staggering 95% of businesses surveyed by Amárach Research on behalf of Viatel Technology Group identified hurdles to AI implementation, but the overwhelming majority (98%) of those that have deployed AI tools rate them as useful. 

• Irish businesses fear AI inaction – Irish firms are keenly aware of the competitive disadvantage of not adopting AI, but they are also wary of the uncertain return on investment and the potential for financial loss from failed projects. Policies and roadmaps are seen as crucial to avoid pitfalls, but a staggering 87% of businesses don’t have a formal AI policy in place. 

Ireland’s small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are set to double down on AI, but they’re doing so with a clear-eyed understanding of the challenges ahead. A new report from Viatel Technology Group and Amárach Research reveals a promising surge in adoption, alongside a sharp focus on planning, privacy and security. 

The report, “AI Horizons: Insights into AI Adoption, Security and Risk in Irish SMBs”, paints a picture of a market poised for a significant shift. The survey conducted among 150 Irish business decision makers found that while 31% of Irish SMBs report that no AI adoption has taken place to date, 80% expect to be engaged with AI from early trials to extensive use within the next 12 months.  

This shift isn’t just about trying the latest trend; it’s about real, impactful integration. The extensive use of fully integrated AI is set to more than double, rising from 7% to 17% in the same period, indicating a move beyond simple curiosity to genuine, strategic implementation.  

Crucially, the report highlights that for businesses already using AI, the benefits are undeniable. 98% of those organisations using AI find it useful, underscoring its tangible value. 

“This research offers a timely and comprehensive exploration of the current AI landscape, uniquely tailored to the Irish context,” says Lisa Hunt, Microsoft Practice Director at Viatel Technology Group. 

“The report focused on Irish companies with up to 500 employees, who are well aware of the need to unlock the full potential of artificial intelligence but cannot afford failed experiments, and need to demonstrate a worthwhile return on investment. Trusted external support is critical in ensuring that every organisation is equipped to compete in the race to AI.“ 

While the appetite for AI is strong, 95% of Irish SMBs see significant barriers. Leading the charge are concerns over security (38%), a lack of technical expertise (35%), and a missing AI policy or framework (33%). Irish firms are keenly aware of the competitive disadvantage of not adopting AI, but they are also wary of the uncertain return on investment and the potential for financial loss from failed projects.  

Policies and roadmaps are seen as crucial to avoid pitfalls, but a staggering 87% of businesses don’t have a formal AI policy in place, and only 5% have a detailed roadmap with a timeline and budget. The report also highlights a significant knowledge gap, revealing that 35% of SMBs simply don’t know where to start when it comes to implementing proper AI governance. 

“There’s a lot of noise around AI, and a lot of people are talking about it,” said James Finglas, Managing Director of Digital Services at Viatel Technology Group. “Unfortunately, very few are actually doing it. At Viatel, we’re actively partnering with public and private sector organisations on their AI frameworks; getting the policies, people, and processes in place to roll out AI; to truly deliver return on investment and contribute to business goals.” 

About the report
The findings presented in “AI Horizons: Insights into AI Adoption, Security and Risk in Irish SMBs” are based on independent research commissioned by Viatel Technology Group and carried out by Amárach Research.  

Amárach, one of Ireland’s leading market research agencies, conducted an independent survey of 150 Irish business decision makers, on behalf of Viatel.  

The research included companies with up to 500 employees across all sectors to form a representative sample of Irish SMBs to ensure the findings reflect the current challenges, priorities, and aspirations of businesses across the country. Full findings of the “AI Horizons: Insights into AI Adoption, Security and Risk in Irish SMBs” are available on www.viatel.com/ai-horizons-report. 

Ready to get ahead in the AI race? 

Get the full picture on AI adoption in Ireland and take the next step towards a secure, successful implementation. 

Download the report: HERE

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Email us: ai@viatel.com