IBM’s 800 New AI Jobs in Ireland Defy Industry Downsizing Trends

IBM has announced plans to create 800 new AI-related jobs in Ireland this year.  

Reuters reports the new roles will span various aspects of AI development — including research, software engineering, and data analysis.  

This initiative not only shows IBM’s commitment to advancing AI technology but also highlights Ireland’s growing importance as a hub for international tech talent. 

The expansion is part of IBM’s broader global strategy to improve its technological capabilities and drive innovation within the field of artificial intelligence (AI). 

Last month, IBM joined Cisco, Eightfold, Google, Indeed, Intel, Microsoft, and SAP in launching the AI-Enabled Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Workforce Consortium. The group has set ambitious targets to positively affect over 95 million people globally through skill development and educational programs over the next decade. 

IBM’s decision to expand its already 3,000-strong workforce in Ireland also aligns with global trends of the increasing prevalence of AI across the broader workforce — not just in the technology sector.  

The rise in popularity of AI has also led numerous companies to buy up domain names ending in “.AI”, which has been financially beneficial for the island of Anguilla.  

According to a report published by The International Monetary Fund, “Since the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022, registrations of .ai domain names have skyrocketed — surging from 144,000 registrations in 2022 to 354,000 in 2023.” 

Foreign multinational companies, like IBM, also significantly contribute to job creation within Ireland’s economy. Reuters reports that these multinationals have nearly doubled their workforce over the past decade, now representing approximately 11% of the entire labor market.  

The addition 800 jobs to IBM’s team in Ireland also goes against what have otherwise been a dramatic period of downsizing across the entire technology industry. Recently, online job search website Indeed announced it is laying off around 1,000 employees, or about 8%, of its global workforce.