Most Irish companies say AI won’t hit their staff numbers

Just over half of employers in Ireland still believe artificial intelligence will not impact their headcount, according to a new survey by Glandore. Respondents to the company’s 2026 Pulse Survey suggested they may have to hire in new skill sets as a result of rapidly developing technology, but 51.7% said overall numbers would remain largely unchanged. Of the 200 member organizations that participated, 13.4% said AI deployment would lead to job losses, while 7.6% expect staff numbers to increase. The positive assessment extended to business outlook for the next 12 months, with 82.6% expressing confidence in growth. Almost three-quarters (73.8%) operate a blended working model, and 72.7% prioritize flexibility over pay for their staff. The survey also highlighted AI’s growing impact on hiring, referencing data from Greenhouse’s latest Candidate AI Interview Report, which involved over 3,000 job seekers across the US, UK, Germany, Australia, and Ireland. More than a third of Irish respondents had been interviewed by AI, with 21% realizing it was used only after deployment. Sixty percent supported legal transparency requirements for AI use in hiring, though a majority of applicants had not objected to AI’s general use—though they demanded guardrails. Over a quarter (27%) walked away from AI interviews, and another 23% would do so. Among those who experienced AI interviews, 39% never heard further from the employer. Sharawn Tipton, Greenhouse’s chief people officer, criticized employers for failing to disclose AI use, stating that candidates want transparency on what AI measures. She argued AI does not eliminate bias but scales it, harming hiring processes and employer reputations unless accountability is established.