Analysis: AI is now commonplace in our homes and everyday lives, but there are trust issues over how government agencies will deploy the technology
We have all heard of AI, but how well could you explain it to someone? Gerry Reilly is a senior statistician with the Central Statistics Office and he tells us what CSO surveys show about our understanding of AI, how we compare with other countries and how we are using it.
How familiar are people in Ireland with AI?
Well, the good news is that most people in Ireland are not only familiar with the term but understand it well enough to explain it others. The survey results from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD’s) Trust Survey 2025, which was carried out by the CSO for Ireland, shows that 56% of respondents understood the term well enough to explain it to others and 42% had a general idea of what it means, even if they might struggle to describe it. In fact, just 2% of respondents said they were not familiar with the term at all
How do we compare with other countries?
Out of the 38 countries that took part in the survey, only those living in Luxembourg and Norway reported higher levels of understanding of the term AI. Around 67% of respondents in both countries said they understood the term well enough to explain it to others, compared with 56% in Ireland.
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From RTÉ Radio 1’s Drivetime, what does AI know about you?
Is age a factor when it comes to knowing about AI?
Yes, the survey shows clear differences across age, education, and other demographic factors. As might be expected, more than 80% of people aged 18 to 29 said they understood AI well enough to explain it, around double the percentage of those aged 50 and over who could do so. Respondents with a third-level qualification were also more likely to understand AI than those without one.
There were also differences between men and women. Men were more likely to say they understand AI well enough to explain it (64% compared with 49% of women). Women were more likely to say they were familiar with the term but would struggle to explain it. There were also differences across the regions with the understanding of AI strongest in the Eastern & Midland region.
Do people trust Government with AI?
Respondents were asked to rate their confidence levels in government agencies’ abilities to use AI to deliver more personalised services or deliver cost reductions on a scale of 0 to 10. Around half said they were not, giving a confidence level of less than five, while a third were confident, giving a rating of six or more.
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From RTÉ Radio 1’s Drivetime, should we be worried about AI going rogue?
Concerns were strongest around data protection. Almost three-quarters of respondents were not confident that government agencies will be able to use AI while protecting individuals’ personal information from unauthorised access or misuse. Indeed, only 15% expressed confidence in government agencies’ ability to manage this risk.
What do we know about AI use in Ireland?
Many of us are choosing to use more smart technology in our homes and everyday lives, such as robot lawnmowers or smart fridges, and more than four in 10 internet users have virtual assistants like Alexa or Siri. These items use AI to map, adapt and predict.
In 2024, 28% of internet users had smart solutions such as thermostats, smart meters and light controls for energy management in their homes, up from 22% in 2022. Around 15% used smart home appliances, many of which use AI, up from 6% in 2022. Devices used inside the home included robot vacuum cleaners, home security systems or AI ovens which can recognise what you are cooking and adjust temperature and timing accordingly. Outside use included such as internet-connected lawn mowers or garden irrigation systems.
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Over half of internet users who took part in the survey said they wore smart devices such as a smart watch or fitness band/activity tracker. Some 11% used smart solutions for monitoring such health issues as blood pressure, sugar levels or body weight, with many of these devices using AI.
What about businesses?
The use of AI is growing rapidly among all types of businesses operating here. A CSO survey on technology showed that use of AI among enterprises with 10 or more people in manufacturing, construction, or selected services sectors, has grown sharply over the past three years.
In 2023, around 8% of all enterprises reported using AI. By 2024 this had almost doubled to 15%, and by 2025 it had risen again to more than 20%. Growth has been fastest among larger enterprises with 250 or more employees. The percentage of larger enterprises using AI increased from around 36% in 2023 to almost 60% in 2025.
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From RTÉ Radio 1’s Drivetime, AI will mean less jobs so what will all of us humans do with our oodles of free time?
While the adoption of AI by enterprises in Ireland was on a par with the EU average of 20%, we were behind EU leaders such as Denmark (42%) and Finland (38%).
Our data shows that not only are Irish people familiar with AI, but we are increasingly using it both in our everyday lives and as part of our way of doing business.
The CSO publishes a wealth of data on housing, food, transport and much more. More information can be found online or on various social media channels.
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The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ
