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21 Nov 2023

One year after the launch of ChatGPT over 300,000 people in Ireland have used AI at work

23 November 2023

  • Over 60% of people in Ireland have heard of Generative AI, with 33% having used the technology 
  • Over one in ten respondents (11%) – the equivalent of over 300,000 people in Ireland – report having used Generative AI tools for work
  • Of those who have used Generative AI in Ireland, 35% believe that it always produced factually accurate answers and a similar proportion (31%) believe the answers generated are unbiased

Thursday 23 Nov 2023 New research conducted by Deloitte in Ireland shows that a little under 2 in 5 respondents (38%) were not aware of Generative AI. For those who were aware of the technology 49% of them were aware of ChatGPT. Over half of (51%) respondents who have used the technology used it “once or twice to try” or less than monthly, while 6% of respondents use it daily.

“As we approach the first anniversary of ChatGPT’s launch, it is interesting that Deloitte research finds that over 300,000 people in Ireland have used the technology for work purposes. By far the most popular purpose of using Generative AI is for personal purposes while 34% of respondents use it for education. It is clear from these responses that the use of Generative AI will only increase with time and greater adoption. It is imperative that we prepare for increased adoption.”

Speaking today on the publication of research undertaken with 1,000 Irish respondents on their awareness and use of Generative Artificial Intelligence, Colm McDonnell, Partner Risk Advisory with Deloitte said:

Deloitte’s research also found that from those who have used Generative AI more than one in three (35%) believe it always produces factually accurate responses, and 31% agree that its responses are unbiased.

“From our work we believe that Generative AI adoption is still at the early stages. As it is increasingly utilised, we as a society need to balance the requirements for trust and safety along with the need to harness the potential of technology. In our work with clients, we view trustworthy AI through six dimensions – impartial, transparent, accountable, secure, respectful of privacy and reliable. At Deloitte we believe the new regulations on the way from the European Union will be a crucial element in striking the balance between trust, safety, and the potential opportunities.”

Colm McDonnell continued:

 

Generative AI in the workplace

“We know from the Deloitte Digital Consumer trends research that 11% of Irish workers have used Generative AI in the workplace. This is despite the fact that amongst those respondents who were aware of these tools, 37% believed their employer would not approve of them using Generative AI for work purposes. It is fair to conclude that employers and employees would benefit from clarity around the acceptable and appropriate use of Generative AI. Furthermore, businesses will also have to look at how they engage with their customers, suppliers and regulators on these technologies. Like all transformative changes a certain lag-time between innovation and response is to be expected but it is vital that those managing businesses are proactive, open and accurate in all conversations on Generative AI. Deloitte’s research shows that AI is here to stay in the workplace, and that is unlikely to change.”

Emmanuel Adeleke, Partner, AI & Data, Deloitte said:

The impact of Generative AI on the workforce is also an issue that is front of mind for a lot of employees. Among those who were aware of the technology over 3 in 5 (62%) believed that Generative AI will reduce the number of jobs available in the future and almost half of respondents (46%) are concerned that Generative AI will replace some of their role in the workforce in the future.

“Generative AI presents a wide range of possibilities, such as freeing up time for employees to focus on tasks that matter most to their organisations. Our research shows that some of the workforce are already beginning to experiment to see how they can use, so it is important that employers and their employees communicate effectively about how and where the technology will be introduced, and what benefits it will bring. In Deloitte we believe that far more open and substantive engagement needs to take place about the implications of this new technology on tasks within the firm, both now and into the future.”

Emmanuel Adeleke continued;

“While there is increasing industry awareness that Global AI regulations (e.g. the European Union AI Act) will eventually address ethics concerns, some organisations are hesitant to move beyond ad hoc AI experiments until they have regulatory clarity. Additionally, divergence in international approaches to regulation, while not a new phenomenon, will add complexity to the Al agendas in global institutions. We believe that Ireland can play an important role in this process. ”

Ends

Issued by Murray on behalf of Deloitte  

For Further Information Please Contact

Olwyn Flanagan
Deloitte
oflanagan@deloitte.ie 
083 173 7585

About the Global Digital Consumer Trends survey

The Ireland data cut is part of Deloitte’s Global Digital Consumer Trends survey, a multi-country survey of digital service users worldwide. The 2023 global study comprises 28,350 respondents across 18 countries and three continents. Data cited in this report is based on a nationally representative sample of consumers aged 18-75 in Ireland (1,000) weighted for demographics
such as age, gender, region, and working status. The survey took place during September 2023.

About Deloitte

At Deloitte, we make an impact that matters for our clients, our people, our profession, and in the wider society by delivering the solutions and insights they need to address their most complex business challenges.

As the largest global professional services and consulting network, with approximately 457,000 professionals in more than 150 countries, we bring world-class capabilities and high-quality services to our clients.

In Ireland, Deloitte has approximately 3,000 people providing audit, tax, consulting, and financial advisory services to public and private clients spanning multiple industries. Our people have the leadership capabilities, experience and insight to collaborate with clients so they can move forward with confidence.

In this press release references to Deloitte are references to Deloitte Ireland LLP. The information contained in this press release is correct at the time of going to press. Deloitte Ireland LLP is the Ireland affiliate of Deloitte NSE LLP, a member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee (“DTTL”). DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL and Deloitte NSE LLP do not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more about our global network of member firms.

Media Contact(s):

Declan Jackson
Deloitte Ireland Communications
dejackson@deloitte.ie
+353 1417 3522

Georgina Francis
Deloitte Ireland Communications
gefrancis@deloitte.ie
+353 1584 5459

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