Concern among workers about their jobs being taken by artificial intelligence remains high, according to new research from recruitment firm Morgan McKinley.
The report shows that 46% of employees worry that AI could replace their role.
Among employers surveyed, 64% said AI had had no effect on headcount, 7% reported reductions and 13% said it had slowed planned expansion.
According to Morgan McKinley’s 2026 Global AI Report, 47% of Irish employers said they do not currently use AI in recruitment, with 16% not sure, leaving 37% who do use the technology somewhere in the hiring process.
62% of employees surveyed said they use AI daily at work and a further 15% use it weekly.
Chatbots are the most widely used applications, followed by tools for meetings, transcription, and scheduling, and for documents and presentations.
Almost a quarter of respondents said they use AI for coding or data analysis.
“Employees are developing AI skills on their own time and using personal accounts for work, even as employers report operational benefits,” said Trayc Keevans, Global Director, Head of Research & Foreign Direct Investment at Morgan McKinley.
“The next phase of adoption will depend on whether organisations can turn that individual initiative into workforce capability, supported by meaningful training and governance that employees understand and can apply,” Ms Keevans said.
Morgan McKinley’s 2026 Global AI Report is based on a survey 1,962 employees and 144 employers across several countries.
The Irish findings are based on 680 respondents, who were either employees or employers.