PwC’s Poorneemaa Bethusamy explores Ireland’s technology landscape and the trends she believes are set to impact the space in 2026.
“Ireland’s tech sector is thriving, solidifying its role as a leading technology hub in Europe,” says Poorneemaa Bethusamy, a senior manager of data and AI at PwC Ireland.
She explains that the technology space within the country has experienced robust growth over the course of the last year, solidly reaffirming its status as an ideal location for employers to establish their organisations.
“Factors such as competitive corporate tax policies, seamless access to the EU market, a highly skilled tech workforce, and being the only English-speaking nation within the European Union have firmly positioned Ireland as a strong contender in the tech landscape,” says Bethusamy.
This trend, she says, is set to continue, as major technology companies headquartered in Ireland commit to previously announced plans to expand in 2026. Agreement management provider DocuSign, for example, recently announced a €4.5m investment in Ireland with plans to expand its engineering team in the country.
Australian cryptocurrency platform CoinJar is set to create 30 Irish jobs over the next two years as part of a €5m investment as it establishes its new European hub in Dublin. Supported by IDA Ireland, the asset exchange company will recruit highly-skilled Ireland-based professionals to work with the established London and Melbourne teams.
Also supporting this continued growth, Bethusamy notes, is Ireland’s education sector, in that professionals in this space are closely monitoring evolving market trends.
She says: “Educational programmes are increasingly tailored to meet industry needs, making continuous learning and upskilling essential for professionals aiming to stay relevant in today’s dynamic tech environment.
“While Ireland is rapidly closing the gap with major global tech economies in terms of innovation and skill development, it remains equally important to adapt proactively to the growing demands around regulation, privacy, and security.”
Particularly in the field of data and artificial intelligence (AI), she finds there is significant demand for skilled professionals.
Advanced education
“Today, data is central to both tech and non-tech sectors, creating a rising demand for skilled data analytics professionals”, she says, adding that “companies are seeking talent in advanced fields like AI, machine learning, cloud technologies, and data governance frameworks”.
As the workplace responds to tech-driven transformation, she finds, more and more companies will come to rely on professionals with strong technical abilities, excellent communication skills and domain knowledge, thus making “careers in data, AI and analytics not only stable but also rewarding, offering numerous opportunities for those eager to enhance their skills”.
Bethusamy has also identified what she calls a “fascinating shift in data trends that has both driven and been driven by the AI surge”. She believes agentic AI is prompting a fundamental rethink of AI strategies, as we move away from outdated systems and embrace cloud-based infrastructures.
She thinks this could result in a push to democratise data and a focus on data mesh architecture, which is a concept that ensures data access, governance, federation and interoperability across distributed teams and systems.
“This shift brings a renewed focus on data governance and lineage, areas that are now more critical than ever. At the same time, privacy and GDPR regulations have tightened the reins on real data usage. This has opened exciting new possibilities for synthetic data, which is proving invaluable for building and training models effectively,” says Bethusamy.
“While the landscape continues to evolve, one thing is certain: AI’s rapid ascent and the essential need for robust data support have taken centre stage this past year. It’s a dynamic time, and the opportunities for growth and innovation are immense.”
Ireland, she says, is well positioned to adapt to the changes brought about by modernity. With the growing adoption of AI, cloud and analytics technologies, she finds this lends itself to “an increasingly positive outlook”.
However, for Bethusamy, it is important to remember that there is always room for improvement, especially in a space that is bolstered by strong government support, proactive policies, strategic initiatives and a commitment to continuously upskilling the talent pool.
“Ireland is well-positioned to strengthen its competitive edge in the evolving tech landscape. Nonetheless, challenges remain – particularly for SMEs, talent availability, and regional infrastructure – that require ongoing focus and investment.”
Don’t miss out on the knowledge you need to succeed. Sign up for the Daily Brief, Silicon Republic’s digest of need-to-know sci-tech news.
