A new study led by Professor Taha Yasseri, Workday Professor of Technology and Society at Trinity College Dublin’s School of Social Sciences & Philosophy, explores how artificial intelligence (AI) is changing workplaces in Ireland. The study, titled "Right-Sizing AI at Work," was commissioned by Technology Ireland DIGITAL Skillnet and conducted by the Centre for Sociology of Humans and Machines (SOHAM), a joint research center between Trinity College Dublin and Technological University Dublin. The report was launched at Workday’s Dublin headquarters and emphasizes that the real competitive advantage comes not from the technology itself, but from how organizations incorporate AI into their jobs, workflows, and workforce development. The research shows that AI is increasingly supporting workers across various occupations, with the most noticeable changes occurring at the task and workflow levels rather than leading to widespread job loss. Employees are now more frequently required to review, verify, and coordinate AI-generated outputs, underscoring the importance of collaboration between humans and machines. Professor Yasseri explained that AI’s impact in Ireland is best understood as a transformation of tasks and workflows, not an immediate threat to jobs. He emphasized that the challenge lies in creating effective human-machine partnerships that boost productivity while maintaining job quality and expertise. The study reveals that AI is already a common part of many workers' daily lives. Nearly half of the respondents use AI tools regularly in their work, and over half of those surveyed feel confident using AI. However, despite this widespread use, many workers still see AI as a helpful tool rather than an essential part of their jobs. For instance, 41.5% of workers believe AI is unlikely to replace significant parts of their roles in the future, and 40.9% report no dependency on AI tools. These findings suggest that while AI is becoming more integrated into the workplace, the perception of its necessity varies. Despite the confidence workers have in using AI, the study found a gap in participation in formal training. Many workers are confident in AI use but have not engaged in structured or role-specific training. This suggests a need for more practical and targeted skills development programs. Mark Jordan, CEO of Skillnet Ireland, noted that AI offers a major opportunity for Ireland’s future competitiveness, but its success depends on how well people and organizations are prepared to use it effectively. Similar sentiments were echoed by leaders from Technology Ireland and Workday, who emphasized that AI’s true value comes from investing in skills, governance, and practical implementation. The report concludes that Ireland’s main challenge is to shift from scattered AI tool use to intentional human-machine partnerships. This involves making informed decisions about what tasks should be automated, supported, or left to humans, while ensuring accountability and inclusion remain central. The study also highlights the importance of enterprise-led workforce development and notes Ireland’s strong focus on digital skills, lifelong learning, and workforce capability as key strengths in this transition.