Irish directors adopt AI fast but lag on governance

Most Irish directors are already using mainstream AI tools, but many say they do not understand how forthcoming national rules will affect their organisations, according to a new survey from the Institute of Directors Ireland.

The snap poll of 378 directors and senior business leaders found that 85% classify themselves as beginner-to-intermediate users of digital and AI tools such as ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot. Half described themselves as intermediate users and 35% as beginners.

Readiness for the Government's proposed Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Bill 2026 also appears weak. Some 65% said they do not understand what the new rules will mean for their organisation, while 64% said they and their organisations are not equipped to implement the Bill.

Strategic pressure

Despite that, respondents still rated AI as strategically important. In the poll, 78% said AI is important or critical for competitiveness in their sector. Among them, 46% cited operational efficiency as the most immediate benefit, while 32% said AI will be essential to staying ahead of competitors.

Adoption is already widespread: 61% said their organisations have implemented AI to some or a high degree, and another 34% said they are evaluating future use.

Formal planning and oversight, however, lag behind experimentation and deployment. Only 33% said their organisation has a formal AI strategy. Another 43% said they are beginning to develop one, while 24% said they do not have a strategy.

Board-level attention to governance also appears uneven. Fewer than half (48%) said their boards have discussed AI governance at a formal meeting in the past year.

The poll also tested attitudes to using AI in board processes, such as summarising lengthy documents. When asked about relying on AI-generated summaries for board papers, 76% said they should only supplement personal review. Only 6% said AI summaries can be relied on as a primary tool.

Governance toolkit

The Institute of Directors Ireland plans to launch an AI Governance Toolkit for members, offering practical resources to help directors strengthen AI governance.

The findings reflect a pattern seen internationally: access to general-purpose AI has grown faster than governance frameworks. In many organisations, employees and managers now use AI through productivity tools that require little technical setup. This has raised board-level questions about accountability, risk controls, procurement discipline, and the documentation of decision-making when AI influences outputs.

For Irish directors, the prospect of domestic legislation adds to those concerns. The Government has published an overview of the Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Bill 2026, and the poll suggests many directors want clearer guidance on obligations and practical compliance steps, particularly where AI is already embedded in operations.

Respondents came from a mix of business types, including state and semi-state bodies, not-for-profit organisations, SMEs, and listed and multinational groups. The institute's membership spans all sectors, with financial services the largest segment at 31%.

The results also highlight a gap between individual familiarity with AI and organisation-wide readiness. While most participants reported some direct use, many said their organisations lack strategies and board-level governance discussions. That gap can complicate decisions on where AI is acceptable, how to validate outputs, and how to assign responsibility for oversight.

Caroline Spillane, chief executive of the Institute of Directors Ireland, said adoption is outpacing governance, skills and regulatory preparedness.

"This research provides a clear message: Irish leaders recognise the transformative potential of AI, but the pace of adoption is outstripping the development of governance, skills, and regulatory preparedness. With more than half of organisations already using AI tools, boards must now ensure they have the literacy, guardrails, and oversight mechanisms required to deploy AI responsibly. However, just one-third of respondents have a formal strategy in place that incorporates the effective use of AI, while 43% are only now beginning to develop one."

She added that directors will have a critical role as new rules approach.

"As Ireland prepares for new legislative frameworks, directors have a critical role to play. Strong AI governance is no longer optional - it is central to safeguarding competitiveness, public trust, and organisational resilience," Spillane said.

Spillane said the forthcoming toolkit will provide practical resources to help directors strengthen AI governance capabilities and will launch on Wednesday.