Significant number of Kilkenny workers believe AI will impact or replace their jobs

NEW data has shown that a significant number of workers in Kilkenny believe AI will replace their job in the future.

This is according to new research undertaken by leading Irish recruitment agency, FRS Recruitment, in the FRS Recruitment Employment Insights Report.

The report found that nine out of 10 people (93%) in Kilkenny say they have used Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the workplace.

While almost half (48%) also believe that AI will impact or replace their job in the future. This is up on last year when 32% of people in Kilkenny were worried about the impact AI may have on their jobs.  

On a national level, eight out of 10 people say they have used AI in the workplace and 47% believe it will impact or replace their job in the future.

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Those most likely to be using AI in the workplace were in the Education and Training (84%), Hospitality and Tourism (84%) or Agriculture, Farming and Agri-Food (83%) sectors. The lowest usage of AI in the workplace was reported amongst those working in IT (72%), Professional Services (69%) or Pharma and Medical Devices (61%).

When it comes the future job impact of AI, those in the IT sector expressed the most concern (64%), followed by Pharma and Medical Devices (52%) and Education and Training (51%). Least worried about AI impacting or replacing their jobs were in Professional Services (43%), Hospitality and Tourism (44%) or Retail as well as Manufacturing and Supply Chain (45%). 

Speaking about the research, Lynne McCormack, General Manager with FRS Recruitment said: “AI is also making a mark in Kilkenny, with more than 9 in 10 people saying they have used it in the workplace. Almost 1 in every 2 people in Kilkenny also fear that AI will impact or replace their jobs in the future, a figure which almost matches the 47% national average of those who are concerned about how this technology will affect their jobs. With the increased use of AI in many professional environments, it will be interesting to see how attitudes around this technology develop, both in Kilkenny and across the country.”

A total of 1,886 people took part in the survey for this year’s FRS Recruitment Employment Insights Report, which was conducted in April and May.

FRS Recruitment has been undertaking this research on an annual basis since 2009 to provide statistics on the changing trends and perspectives of Irish employees and their employers.