Irish chief executives prioritise AI but face challenges on delivery

Irish chief executives are prioritising AI investment at a higher rate than their global peers, according to the newly released KPMG Irish CEO Outlook 2026. However, they are significantly less confident about the pace of adoption, highlighting the importance of turning ambition into implementation.

While 83 per cent see AI as a top investment priority, only 25 per cent of Irish chief executives believe their organisation is moving at the right pace or ahead of the curve, compared with 66 per cent globally.

The contrast is particularly notable because Irish chief executives are not showing less ambition on AI. Their investment intentions are slightly ahead of their global peers, but the difference emerges when they assess the pace of adoption in their own organisations.

The Irish findings provide some indication of what may be contributing to the delivery challenge. More than a third, 38 per cent, identify integrating AI into operating models and workflows as one of the greatest threats to their organisation’s growth over the next three years, making it the most frequently cited threat among Irish chief executives.

Ryan McCarthy, managing partner, KPMG in Ireland, said: “Irish CEOs are backing AI with real investment, but ambition is running ahead of delivery. The challenge is how to embed AI effectively into the business and turn that investment into measurable value.”

The gap with global peers may also point to a more realistic assessment by Irish chief executives of what successful AI transformation requires.

McCarthy said: “Moving from experimentation to implementation requires businesses to get it right on redesigning workflows, building skills and strengthening governance and cybersecurity, while still running the business.”

The focus on AI comes against a backdrop of continued confidence among Irish business leaders, despite wider economic uncertainty.

Almost three-quarters, 73 per cent, of Irish chief executives remain confident about Ireland’s growth prospects. The research also found that 78 per cent expect earnings growth of at least 2.5 per cent per annum over the next three years, while 80 per cent reported revenue growth in their most recent financial year.

According to McCarthy: “Irish CEOs remain confident and continue to plan for growth. But in an increasingly competitive global environment, delivery on energy, infrastructure and skills will be essential to keeping Ireland attractive for investment.”

The delivery challenge is already prompting businesses to reconsider how their organisations and workforces are structured. Some 85 per cent of Irish chief executives are redesigning roles and career paths around collaboration between people and AI. The findings indicate that many chief executives are still working through how to integrate AI effectively into their operations, workflows and workforce.

McCarthy said: “AI transformation is clearly an organisational and workforce issue, as well as a technology investment. The combination of strong overall hiring intentions and widespread redesign of roles shows how AI is changing the shape of work.”

While 93 per cent expect overall headcount to increase, 58 per cent say they are also planning workforce reductions in some areas over the next two to five years.

The findings show businesses preparing simultaneously for growth and significant changes in where and how people work.

Alongside investment in transformation, Irish chief executives are continuing to strengthen their organisations against a more complex risk environment.

Cybersecurity and digital resilience is the leading area for increased investment to mitigate business risk among chief executives in Ireland, cited by 48 per cent.

Cyber risk is also prominent globally. The global KPMG CEO Outlook identifies cyber and data security as the greatest risk to growth, cited by 31 per cent of global chief executives, while 45 per cent say they have increased investment in cybersecurity and digital-risk resilience

The combination of AI investment, organisational change and an increased focus on resilience points to chief executives seeking to capture new opportunities while protecting their organisations’ ability to operate and grow in a more volatile environment.

About the KPMG CEO Outlook: The 12th KPMG CEO Outlook is based on research conducted by Forbes Research on behalf of KPMG among 1,400 chief executives worldwide, including in Ireland, between in August and September 2026