The share of job postings referencing generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) has soared across Europe over the past year, with Ireland emerging as the continent’s clear front-runner in embracing the technology, according to new data released by global hiring platform Indeed.
Figures from March 2025 show that more than 0.7% of job listings in Ireland mentioned GenAI — more than tripling year-on-year, with a 204% rise compared to the same period in 2024. That figure stood at just 0.02% in 2023, signalling an extraordinary two-year growth rate and solidifying Ireland’s position as a European hub for digital innovation.
The surge in demand is not limited to Ireland. Countries including the UK, Germany and France have all reported significant increases in GenAI-related job postings, though none come close to matching Ireland’s growth. The UK recorded the highest share among the EU’s largest economies, with GenAI mentions in 0.33% of job ads — a 120% rise from last year. Germany followed with 0.23% (up 109%) and France at 0.21% (up 91%).
“Nearly every job will be impacted by AI at some point,” said Pawel Adrjan, Director of Economic Research at Indeed. “But what we’re seeing is that Ireland’s strong tech ecosystem, supported by the presence of global multinationals and a growing start-up scene, is giving it a lead in preparing for that shift.”
Ireland’s deep concentration of technology employers — including major firms such as Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Salesforce, and Intel — has helped drive adoption of GenAI tools in software, life sciences, financial services, and other data-heavy industries.
Indeed’s report highlights that GenAI roles are spreading across a wide range of sectors. In Ireland, the highest concentration is in mathematics, where 14.7% of listings referenced GenAI as of March. Other top sectors include software development (4.9%), media and communications (3.9%), architecture (2.4%) and scientific R&D (2.1%).
Despite the rapid rise in GenAI adoption, experts caution that artificial intelligence is not a substitute for human expertise. “GenAI tools can enhance efficiency, but they are still no match for human intelligence, particularly when it comes to judgment, creativity, and soft skills,” Adrjan said.
Recent joint research from Indeed and the World Economic Forum found that approximately 69% of work-related skills are unlikely to be replaced by GenAI. Ageing populations and persistent skills gaps across advanced economies are also driving employers to adopt a “skills-first” approach, where technology augments — rather than replaces — the human workforce.
With AI’s role in the workplace expected to grow, Adrjan believes the priority must be in equipping workers to thrive alongside these tools. “The future of work won’t be AI or humans — it will be AI and humans, working together.”
