Almost half of Irish firms not addressing AI skills gap, Learnovate finds

Learnovate’s annual Learning Signals Survey 2026 shows that almost half of Irish organisations are failing to proactively address skills gaps as they adopt artificial intelligence.

The survey gathered responses from roughly 225 professionals across sectors such as education, learning technology and business. It found that the proportion of companies using AI in everyday operations rose to almost three in ten – a 5 per cent increase on the previous year – yet many are not matching this uptake with adequate training.

Among firms that do not address the growing skills gap, nearly one‑quarter are reacting only to short‑term needs, while 15 per cent recognise the gaps but lack direction, and one in ten do not view skills development as strategically important.

Barriers to upskilling

Three‑quarters of respondents cited time and resource constraints as major obstacles, and 60 per cent said competing operational demands take precedence over learning and development. Change fatigue (16 per cent) and a lack of leadership valuing learning (7 per cent) were also noted.

Learnovate’s managing director Nessa McEniff warned that without integrating workforce development into AI strategies, companies risk missing efficiency gains and the wider economy could suffer.

Earlier this year Learnovate announced the Responsible AI for Learning (RAIL) initiative, bringing together educators, the Department of Education and other stakeholders to support skill development in line with AI adoption.

Source: Silicon Republic. Photo: cottonbro studio / Pexels.