New insights from Microsoft Ireland reveal Ireland’s workforce is navigating a period of transformation. The Microsoft Ireland Work Trend Index 2025 is based on a nationally representative survey of 1,000 Irish workers, conducted annually as part of a general population study, ensuring a demographic balance year-on-year. The results show that AI is emerging as a career catalyst, while job turnover hits a record? 38%, according to the respondents who took part in the survey,?while workplace satisfaction trends marginally downward.
With AI adoption up 27% year-on-year, 41% of workers say it helps them work smarter. Half (50%) believe AI skills are critically important to remain competitive in the job market, while 54% say having these skills will broaden their job opportunities. Additionally, 40% believe knowing how to use AI at work will help them get promoted faster, and 34% say AI has made them consider other career paths. Yet, this optimism is tempered by uneven access and training gaps, with over half of workers calling for structured or employer-led AI training to help speed adoption.
A Workforce in Flux and Under Pressure – Employees call for Balance
Despite 57% of workers seeing opportunities for growth within their current roles, Ireland’s labour market is in motion. Based on the survey results, turnover has surged from 19% in 2023 to 38% in 2025, positioning Ireland as a market with significant talent volatility. This churn underscores the importance of investing in retention strategies that empower employees to thrive by supporting their well-being, balance, and growth, which in turn help organisations to remain resilient in a rapidly changing workplace.
Ireland’s workforce trends align with global insights that highlight how emotional strains are compounded by the realities of today’s workday, where digital overload and constant interruptions challenge even the most flexible environments. Linking this workforce feedback to Microsoft’s global telemetry, a picture emerges showing the modern workday is increasingly distracted. Workers are interrupted every two minutes or 275 times per day, receive 117 emails daily, and spend 57% of meetings in unscheduled sessions.
AI Eases Employee Strain – But Wider Access and Training is Required
AI offers a practical remedy, helping employees manage their workload, reduce stress, and focus on higher-value tasks. It is increasingly seen as a solution to workplace pressure, with 91% of users in Ireland saying it improves the quality of their work. Additionally, 34% of workers say AI has made them reconsider their career path, highlighting its influence on professional ambition and future career opportunities.
However, AI use remains uneven:
· Board-level executives: 91% use AI at work
· Non-managers: Only 39% use AI at work (versus 66% of managers)
· Gender imbalance: 63% of men versus 47% of women use AI at work
· Generational usage: 55% of Gen Z (18-24) use AI at work, compared with 62% of younger millennials (25–34), 59% of older millennials (35–44), 47% of Gen X (45-54), and 48% of Boomers (55-64).
These disparities raise concerns about who has access to AI tools and benefits from them, and who risks being left behind. Lower engagement with AI could limit opportunities for efficiency and relief from routine tasks, potentially exacerbating stress levels for employees under pressure.
It’s perhaps no surprise, therefore, that over half (61%) of Irish workers are calling for structured AI training, saying their employer could support adoption by offering more training either in-house or through external providers, and 47% believe they should be given more time to research AI independently.
Commenting on the alignment between Irish trends and the broader global perspective, Microsoft Ireland General Manager, Catherine Doyle said: “Ireland is at a turning point. As AI transforms the world of work, Irish employees and employers are navigating rapid change and new opportunities. The message from workers is urgent and clear: they want the tools, support and skills to adapt. Organisations that embrace AI and invest in inclusive training will be best placed to lead in productivity, innovation, and resilience.
“As leaders, we must respond with empathy and action, making AI training accessible to all workers, at every level, so everyone can enjoy the many benefits and productivity gains that this transformative technology offers. At Microsoft Ireland, we’re committed to ensuring no one is left behind. Through Skill Up Ireland, our education and training programme, we’re widening access to AI skills for all. Now is the time to act to support equal access in the AI era, so together we can unlock new opportunities for our workforce and our economy.”
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