Accenture’s Tech Vision report reveals AI is top of the agenda for Irish businesses

86% of Irish executives say that artificial intelligence is inspiring their organisation’s vision or long-term strategy, according to Accenture’s annual Technology Vision Report for 2023. The report explores how generative AI and other emerging technologies are resulting in major changes for several industries and businesses as physical and digital worlds become inextricably linked, with 97% of Irish executives believing the convergence of digital and physical worlds over the next decade will transform their industry.??

The Accenture report, which is run in 34 countries and across 25 industries, identified the four key trends coming down the line for businesses, with generative AI, digital identity, data transparency, and the link between science and technology, set to make waves in the coming years. According to the research, Irish businesses firmly recognise that keeping pace with emerging technology is critical, with 95% agreeing that investment in technology will help their organisations remain resilient globally, echoing the wider European sentiment (98%).   

With the potential of generative AI currently captivating the world’s attention, thanks to the popularity of ChatGPT, Irish businesses are excited by the new capabilities offered by these AI foundation models. 95% of respondents are either ‘very’ or ‘extremely’ inspired by the possibilities it creates. Almost all, (99%) of Irish executives agree advancements in generative AI such as GPT-3, are ushering in a new era of intelligence.    

60% of Irish organisations look set to make significant increases in the resources they dedicate to AI in the next three to five years. Organisations expect accelerated innovation (63%) and enhanced employee capabilities (57%) to be two major benefits from the use of AI foundation models. They plan to experiment in the areas of customer support (53%), content creation (51%) and product design (48%).  

As well as artificial intelligence (86%), digital twins (80%) and next generation computing (78%) and robotics (76%) are inspiring long-term strategies at Irish organisations.  

David Kirwan, Head of Technology at Accenture in Ireland commented on the findings: “Our latest Technology Vision report identifies the key technology trends that will impact business and society and the steps that organisations need to take to thrive. With generative AI, digital identity, sci-tech, and data transparency firmly in focus, it’s encouraging to see that Irish businesses recognise that investments in emerging technologies will help them remain competitive.”  

“Advances in language-based AI – the technology that powers applications like ChatGPT – are set to be transformative so Irish businesses are right to be optimistic about the potential of generative AI. Radically rethinking how work gets done, and helping people keep up with technology-driven change, will be two of the most important factors in realising the full potential of this step-change in AI technology.”  

Under the four trends from Accenture’s Technology Vision Report 2023, additional key findings were: 

• Generative AI: ?82% are ‘astonished’ by the unprecedented pace of AI innovation.

• Digital identity: 73%? of Irish executives see digital identity as no longer just a “technical issue”; and see it as becoming a strategic business imperative for their organisations.

• Data: AI cannot reach its full potential until companies figure out data. 86% of Irish executives believe that data transparency is becoming a competitive differentiator for their organisations.

• Science Technology: 56%? of Ireland executives agree the disruptive impact of science technology will be felt by all industries.

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