We keep our ear to the ground for the interesting stats, insights and discussion points you need to feel in the know and shape the future with confidence.
1. Risk and reward
Business today isn’t just uncertain, it’s NAVI: nonlinear, accelerated, volatile and interconnected. Shocks like sudden leaps in AI or geopolitical flare-ups spread quickly, catching many firms off guard. A savvy subset of companies, a.k.a. Risk Strategists, are flipping the script. They are half as likely to be blindsided and a third faster at responding, not because of luck but because they treat risk as strategy rather than paperwork. Here’s the twist: In EY’s latest study, six in ten executives say risk management needs a rethink, yet only 14% have actually changed course. In this environment, sticking with the old playbook can cost billions while Risk Strategists are turning volatility into their competitive edge…
How can reimagining risk prepare you for an unpredictable world?
2. AI’s glow up
The public opinion on AI went from “uh-oh” to “oh wow.” People are no longer just cautiously poking at LLM systems, they’re diving in. Nearly 80% of respondents have used AI tools, and attitudes are warming up fast according to the EY European AI Barometer 2025. But it’s not all smooth sailing. While younger folks and managers are charging ahead, older employees and women are trailing behind in training access and enthusiasm. That’s a problem because AI isn’t just a shiny gadget — it’s reshaping how we work, think, and deliver value. The workplace is buzzing with AI-powered upgrades: faster service, fewer errors, and smarter decisions. But with great power comes great… privacy concerns, ethical dilemmas, and the ever-looming fear of job displacement. The public conversation is maturing, shifting from sci-fi panic to real talk about regulation, transparency, and trust…
From concerns to confidence: The workforce’s response to Artificial Intelligence
3. Brains meets brawn
AI used to be the quiet genius behind your screen answering questions, crunching data, and occasionally writing emails better than you. But now it’s got wheels, arms, and a to-do list. Welcome to physical AI, where robots aren’t just smart — they’re mobile. In hospitals, they’re delivering meds, disinfecting rooms and assisting in surgeries. In retail, they’re scanning shelves and restocking overnight (because sleep is for humans). On farms, they’re harvesting crops with more precision than any farmer would like to admit. And yes, they’re even helping land planes with a human still watching, just in case. So, what’s the twist? Trust is everything. Robots need good data, clear rules, and a purpose that actually helps people. Otherwise, it’s just a very expensive Roomba with commitment issues…
AI is here. Physical AI is coming fast
4. Hire power
Hiring has never been more complex: time to shortlist is up 27% and cost per hire up 37% in just two years. To stay ahead, EY redefined sourcing as a skills-first discipline, not a back-office function. By embedding talent attraction specialists early and equipping them with AI-powered insights, we’ve turned sourcing into a strategic engine — cutting interviews per hire by 33%, reducing time to hire by 20%, and lowering agency spend by 80%. The payoff? A streamlined process that surfaces stronger candidates, faster. With AI handling the repetitive work, recruiters can focus on the human side of hiring: building trust, connection and careers.
Can skills-based sourcing help us dive into wider, deeper talent pools?
5. Code switch
AI in Ireland is already off the starting blocks: every organization surveyed has either adopted it or plans to. Yet the sprint to scale is slowed by familiar hurdles — 60% struggle to prioritize use cases and more than half face resource constraints. Still, momentum is building, with 66% investing in employee training to boost AI literacy and awareness. The bigger challenge is trust. Only 43% of Irish executives believe consumers are confident companies will use AI responsibly. Adoption may be universal, but success will hinge on embedding responsible AI frameworks that turn optimism into credibility and innovation into sustainable impact.
How responsible AI practices can foster competitive advantage
If you do one thing:
Tell us what your biggest AI learning has been in the last 12 months.
Don’t miss a must read, find all the issues of the weekly must reads newsletter by EY on LinkedIn here.