A new report by Morgan McKinley, released today, has highlighted the growing impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the Irish labour market—particularly in graduate, administrative, and financial roles. As AI technologies evolve rapidly, Irish employers are beginning to replace entry-level positions with automation, causing concern for jobseekers and graduates across the country.

According to Trayc Keevans, Global Director at Morgan McKinley Ireland, “a notable reduction in graduate hiring by major firms” has been observed. Firms that once recruited hundreds of new graduates annually are now automating early-career tasks. The Q2 2025 Employment Monitor shows professional vacancies rising 10% compared to Q1, but with manual and trade sectors accounting for most of the increase. Clerical and back-office roles are clearly under pressure.

Finance and Accounting Jobs Under Threat

Sectors like finance and accounting are particularly vulnerable. Traditional roles such as accounts payable, credit control and payroll are being overtaken by software systems and generative AI platforms. At the same time, employers are shifting resources into data engineering, seeking specialists who can build, clean and manage large datasets to power these new AI systems.

Recruitment Goes Digital—but Human Touch Still Needed

AI is also transforming recruitment in Ireland. Automated systems are now handling CV screening, candidate matching, and even early-stage interviews. However, Morgan McKinley stresses that final hiring decisions still require human involvement. Only 2% of employers globally use AI alone to make hires—highlighting the enduring value of empathy and human judgment in recruitment.

Bias and Regulation: A Growing Challenge

With AI comes risk. Algorithms trained on biased data can lead to discriminatory outcomes, a growing concern in Ireland’s increasingly diverse workforce. The EU AI Act, due to be enforced later this year, will regulate AI used in hiring, demanding transparency, fairness, and human oversight. Irish employers must begin preparing for these changes now.

Upskilling: Ireland’s Key to Competing

While some roles are vanishing, new opportunities are emerging in AI engineering, cloud computing, digital transformation, and human-AI collaboration. Companies in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick are investing in retraining and upskilling programmes to help Irish workers transition into these in-demand areas. Government support in this space will be crucial to avoid long-term displacement.

Hybrid Work, Lower Mobility

Despite the shift, the Irish professional jobs market remains relatively stable, with hiring up in areas like healthcare tech, construction, and supply chain. However, candidate activity has declined, and many workers are adopting a “wait and see” attitude amid ongoing change. Employers are continuing to offer hybrid and remote working options to retain top talent.

Back 4 Good – Your Future in Ireland

At Back 4 Good – Talent for Ireland, we are actively working with employers who are embracing AI responsibly—by upskilling teams rather than downsizing, and by investing in ethical recruitment practices. If you are an Irish professional abroad or a recent graduate seeking your next opportunity in a future-facing role, we want to hear from you.

Apply now at www.back4good.ie or send your CV to info@back4good.ie.

Back 4 Good is an equal opportunity organisation. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries.