By the end of 2023, almost two thirds (64pc) of Irish businesses will be leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning, a new report from Expleo reveals.
A study of 200 business and IT leaders across the island of Ireland has identified that deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) by Irish businesses will have trebled within three years.
The findings from the Expleo survey, carried out by TechPro in October 2020 among 200 business and IT leaders across the island of Ireland, found that 22pc of Irish businesses have already implemented AI/ML solutions within their organisations, with an additional 42pc planning to do so within three years.
“We’re close to reaching a tipping point as the majority of Irish businesses turn to AI and machine learning to enhance service delivery, expedite processes and empower staff”
It forecasts that by the end of 2023 almost two thirds (64pc) of Irish businesses will be leveraging AI and ML.
The research also illustrates how 40pc of companies are automating more processes as a result of the pandemic, with 17pc believing that automation will reduce backlogs caused by COVID-19. Furthermore, almost one-in-five (19pc) of business and IT leaders now view AI and Machine Learning as fundamental to their business success.
Impact of automation on the Irish business landscape
According to the research, the biggest impacts automation will have on organisations in the next three years are: help employees to focus on business-critical tasks (60pc), speed up processes (69pc), and reduce costs (63pc).
“This research clearly signifies that we’re close to reaching a tipping point as the majority of Irish businesses turn to AI and machine learning to enhance service delivery, expedite processes and empower staff in the coming years,” said Rebecca Keenan, Global Head of Process Automation, Expleo.
“They have already embraced automation in a significant way to help overcome many business challenges caused by the pandemic.
“It’s particularly interesting to see how many business and IT leaders view AI and ML as being fundamental to their business success. This mirrors what we are seeing in Ireland and across the group globally today, as more and more businesses harness technology to implement necessary changes to remain competitive and agile.
“These innovations are geared towards helping enterprises innovate at pace – particularly important as companies plan for post-pandemic growth. For example, we are seeing deployments of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) being used as a steppingstone into more advanced solutions.
“Creating an ecosystem of technology, driving cost savings and efficiencies, combining both human and digital talent is becoming more prevalent,” said Keenan.
By John Kennedy (john.kennedy3@boi.com)
Published: 15 February 2021
