One in five Irish workers expect AI colleagues soon

Landmark Technologies has published research suggesting one in five office workers in Ireland expect to have AI colleagues within three years. The survey also found that a quarter are worried about losing their jobs to AI co-workers.

The findings are based on a Censuswide survey of 1,000 employees in the Republic of Ireland, conducted on behalf of the Dublin-based IT and cybersecurity services provider.

While concern about job losses featured strongly, the research also pointed to a more positive view among many workers. Some 38% of respondents said they would be excited to work alongside AI co-workers because they believe the technology would make them more efficient.

The figures suggest employees expect AI to move beyond basic administrative support and take on a more active role in office work. Nearly three in 10 respondents, or 29%, said they believe AI assistants will frequently make judgement-based decisions on their behalf over the next three years, including prioritising emails or declining meetings.

That expectation extends to other forms of workplace technology. More than one in 10 workers surveyed, or 12%, said they think remote employees could appear in the office as holograms within the same period.

Shifting expectations

The research also examined what workers think they might gain from wider AI adoption. Better work-life balance was the most commonly cited benefit, named by 29% of respondents.

More time for creative and strategic thinking followed at 27%, while the same share said they expected more flexible hours to fit around family commitments. The responses suggest workers are thinking about automation not only in terms of productivity, but also in relation to how their daily routines and personal schedules may change.

The survey comes as employers across Ireland and elsewhere weigh how quickly to introduce AI tools into office settings. Businesses have been testing software that can draft emails, summarise documents, schedule meetings and support decision-making, while employees and unions continue to raise questions about oversight, accountability and job security.

For Landmark, the data points to a workplace in transition, where enthusiasm and anxiety are developing side by side. Employees increasingly expect AI systems to operate with greater autonomy rather than simply acting as background tools.

Ken Kelleher, Managing Director of Landmark Technologies, said the shift is already changing how people think about digital tools at work.

"AI is rapidly moving from being a productivity tool to becoming a digital colleague that supports employees in their day-to-day work. The next few years will increasingly see organisations adopt AI assistants that can automate routine tasks and help employees make better decisions. However, businesses must ensure these technologies are introduced responsibly, with governance and compliance in mind," he said.

He added that employers would need to address uncertainty among staff as AI becomes more common in the workplace.

"As AI becomes more embedded in the workplace, businesses have an important role in helping employees understand how it can make their jobs easier. By providing the right training, organisations can reduce uncertainty and help employees see AI as a valuable colleague, enabling them to focus on their work instead of worrying about being replaced," Kelleher said.