Our Looking Forward to 2026 report finds a population that is both open to the benefits of Artificial Intelligence (AI) while also wary of its potential risks. When it comes to our resolutions for the New Year, we discover that people in Ireland are looking to spend less time in the digital world by cutting back on social media and screen time, while also expressing a want to spend more time outdoors in nature.
Elsewhere, the cost of living remains the top concern for consumers, aligning with intentions towards savings, with over 7 in 10 trying to save regularly or when there is money to spare. The standard of healthcare is a key area to be addressed for 9 in 10, while the importance of climate change has dropped since last year.
Public concern about AI has intensified with 68% of adults believing AI will enable more sophisticated fraud schemes by 2026, up from 62% last year, heightening concerns around online payments, identity theft, impersonation and scams.
Some 47% of respondents say they are very concerned or somewhat concerned about AI’s impact on job security, compared with 44% of respondents who said the same last year. When those who are slightly concerned are included, the total number of respondents concerned rises to 71%, up from 66% in 2024.
The year-on-year increase in concern over AI’s impact on job security is particularly evident among two different age cohorts, where there have been sizeable increases in levels of concern: 18–24 year olds with 80% concerned in 2025, up from 66% in 2024, and among 45-54 year olds with 72% concerned in 2025, up from 64% last year.
Men are significantly more likely to see AI developments as an opportunity, (23% vs 14%) pointing to a potential gender gap emerging in technology adoption in Ireland.
Despite the growth in concern over AI’s impact, the research also suggests AI adoption rates are increasing with 55% of people planning to use AI in 2026, up 5% pts on 2025.
Social Media and Screen Time
With such a high rise in AI-driven frauds, people are becoming more cautious in their digital behaviour, particularly when it comes to clicking on suspicious links, sharing personal information, trusting influencer content and online promotions.
Interestingly, 18-24s list spending less time on social media, losing weight, sorting out finances, eating healthier and spending more time with family and friends, as their top resolutions for 2026.
48% aim to cut back on mobile screen time next year. This view was most commonly held among 18-24s, of whom 59% are looking to reduce the amount of time they spend on their phones in 2026.
Issues of Concern
Cost of living continues to be the country’s top issue at 37%, while 75% report it as one of the top three most important issues followed by price of housing at 43% and homelessness at 42%.
When asked about their biggest spends of the year, 29% reported grocery shopping as the largest share of their outgoings in 2025 and 23% anticipated that it’ll be their biggest spend in 2026.
However, people’s personal priorities remain largely unchanged year-on-year. Standards of healthcare continue to rank highest, cited by 93%, followed by standards of policing (82%) and the availability of housing (81%). Concern around pensions remain strong at 78%.
By contrast, identifying climate change as a key personal issue has declined, falling to 65% from 71% in 2024.
Saving up for the year ahead
People are inclined towards saving up for the year ahead with over 7 in 10 saving on a regular basis, and this behaviour is most prominent with 83% of 25-34 year olds, 77% of 18-24 year olds and 74% of 35-44 year olds. However, 23% have reported that they won’t be able to save money in 2026.
55% are looking to save money for a ‘rainy day’ fund which has increased by 5% pts over the last two years, followed by holidays (42%) and home improvements (25%).
Additionally, under 35s are most likely to save for a mortgage deposit, and over 35s would prefer saving for home improvements.
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