How is AI affecting jobs for graduates in Ireland?


A diverse group of recent graduates in caps and gowns stands in an urban street, looking towards a prominent female figure in a business blazer. Behind them, a glowing, networked digital map of Ireland hovers in the sky, interconnected with arrows representing data flow and opportunities. The scene symbolizes AI's impact on Irish graduate jobs. Generated by Nano Banana.
As AI reshapes the global job market, Irish graduates navigate a new landscape of opportunities and challenges. This image captures the intersection of traditional academic achievement with the digital transformation, illustrating how artificial intelligence is influencing career paths across Ireland. Image generated by Nano Banana.

Source

The Irish Times

Summary

Irish graduates are facing a shifting job market due to AI and automation, but the impact is more nuanced than dramatic headlines suggest. While graduate hiring — especially in accountancy and related fields — is already being affected, broader forces (offshoring, economic conditions) also play a big part. Experts say AI is more reshaping tasks than replacing entire jobs: automating routine tasks, meaning graduates must adapt by emphasising creativity, human judgement, decision-making and transparency. Those who succeed will be ones who treat career development as lifelong learning, stay technically literate, and stand out in how they communicate, think, and add value beyond what a machine can do.

Key Points

  • Graduate roles in fields like accountancy are being reduced, partly due to AI/automation.
  • Media coverage tends toward exaggeration; many effects are emerging but not yet fully realised.
  • Tasks that require creativity, human interaction, or decision-making are harder for AI to replicate; these are where graduates can differentiate themselves.
  • Familiarity with AI tools and continuous learning are becoming essential parts of employability.
  • Graduates who write well, show personality, judgement, and can work with newer technologies have an advantage.

Keywords

URL

https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/education/2025/09/20/how-is-ai-affecting-jobs-for-graduates-in-ireland/

Summary generated by ChatGPT 5


Students’ complicated relationship with AI: ‘It’s inherently going against what college is’


A student stands in a grand, traditional library, looking conflicted between two glowing holographic displays. To the left, a blue 'AI: EFFICIENCY' display shows data and code. To the right, an orange 'COLLEGE: UNDERSTANDING' display hovers over an open book and desk lamp. The image symbolizes the internal conflict students face regarding AI in academia. Generated by Nano Banana.
Navigating the academic world with new AI tools presents a complex dilemma for students. This image illustrates the tension between the efficiency offered by AI and the foundational pursuit of deep understanding inherent to college education. It captures the internal debate students face as technology challenges traditional learning. Image generated by and typos courtesy of Nano Banana.

Source

The Irish Times

Summary

Many students express tension between using generative AI (GenAI) tools like ChatGPT and the traditional values of university education. Some avoid AI because they feel it undermines academic integrity or the effort they invested; others see benefit in using it for organising study, generating ideas, or off-loading mundane parts of coursework. Concerns include fairness (getting better grades for less effort), accuracy of chatbot-generated content, and environmental impact. Students also worry about loss of critical thinking and the changing nature of assignments as AI becomes more common. There is a call for clearer institutional guidelines, more awareness of policies, and equitable access and use.

Key Points

  • Using GenAI can feel like “offloading work,” conflicting with the idea of self-learning which many students believe defines college life.
  • Students worry about fairness: those who use AI may gain advantage over those who do not.
  • Accuracy is a concern: ChatGPT sometimes provides false information; students are aware of this risk.
  • Some students avoid using AI to avoid suspicion or accusation of cheating, even when not using it.
  • Others find helpful uses: organising references, creating study timetables, acting as a “second pair of eyes” or “study companion.”

Keywords

URL

https://www.irishtimes.com/life-style/people/2025/09/20/students-complicated-relationship-with-ai-chatbots-its-inherently-going-against-what-college-is/

Summary generated by ChatGPT 5