Three tech workers at multinationals based in Dublin's 'Googletown' hub explain exactly how AI is threatening their futures - and why your job could be the next to go

Published: 14:45, 5 June 2026 | Updated: 14:50, 5 June 2026 Fears are growing that AI developments are threatening the future of Ireland’s lucrative tech sector and Dublin’s ‘Googletown’ social media hub. The Government is even planning to upskill 100,000 'white-collar' workers across the country after AI minister Niamh Smyth warned that the State is facing the biggest employment shake-up since the Industrial Revolution. The move comes amid the loss of 1,000 jobs in the tech sector - and growing nervousness around Ireland's overreliance on corporation tax coming from multinational tech giants. Here, three tech workers from different multinationals operating in Ireland share their experience and concerns around AI. Tech worker 1: 'We're helping to build the tech that will replace us'  ‘A lot of the jobs I've had recently and that my co-workers have had, there's this theme of us helping build or support the technology that's being built to replace us. ‘So it's this very awkward thing where we are being asked to contribute to maximizing all opportunities for AI solutions, so that people just like us – and probably including us – can actually be replaced by those same AI solutions as soon as possible, which is really weird. **‘**At the beginning of last year, maybe even before that, there started to be regular layoffs, and a lot of uncertainty.  'That was a pattern, and it was clear it was going to continue to be a pattern. ‘And so early last year, I started a side hustle in a house cleaning service.  AI minister Niamh Smyth has warned that the State is facing the biggest employment shake-up since the Industrial Revolution 'I’m hedging my bets, so that if and when my time in this job ends, instead of having to stress about becoming re-employed in tech I have another option.  'I’ve already developed a modest customer base and a situation where I could push the gas a little bit and really grow the business. Fears are growing that AI developments are threatening the future of Ireland’s lucrative tech sector and Dublin’s ‘Googletown’ social media hub ‘My prediction is there's going to be a big shift in talent going from tech and from corporate to trades and services, and I think people will also probably have to adjust the amount of money they're used to making.’ Tech worker 2: 'I know I could be next... the clock is ticking' ‘I had planned to become a web designer, but with AI, you can create websites in an hour. ‘Every single meeting we have now is about AI. The official speech when they train us about AI is that it’s to make our lives easier. It's like, “Don't be afraid, AI is not going to take your job.” ‘This is the way of the American company – everything is “great”. They don't tell the truth. ‘Everyone knows AI is going to be the new customer service in the end. One tech worker told the Mail: 'A lot of the jobs I've had recently and that my co-workers have had, there's this theme of us helping build or support the technology that's being built to replace us' ‘My team is now using an AI system to tell me I need to start at nine and have my break at 10.30. Before I was free to pick up the case I wanted, because I know my clients, I know this request, I have to prioritise it. That's my job. That's why they’re paying me every month. ‘But now we are using a system which gives me the case, and says: “Oh, no worries. I know better than you what you need to prioritise.” ‘I'm not delusional. I could be next. The clock is ticking. ‘Tech companies have to promise benefits to their investors, and right now that means AI. That's the trend of every big company.’ ‘It’s going to be an issue not for the business, but for the employees.’ Tech worker 3: It can be hard to see what we're aiming at' ‘It feels like a bit of an arms race at the moment, where all the companies are rushing towards investing in AI and training their new models.  'And I think, as an individual contributor, it's hard to see what we're aiming at sometimes.  One of the many restaurants at Google's sprawling Dublin offices 'I just feel like the companies have an agenda that we're not necessarily aware of, so it feels like an arms race where you're not really knowing what you're running towards. ‘A lot of smaller companies who are implementing AI are trying to figure out what it looks like for them, but I feel like the big ones know, and a lot of the tech companies probably have an idea of how they want to dominate the market, thanks to AI. ‘But it's always pitched to employees as “It's making life easier for you guys,” which it is, but ultimately I think the end goal is going to be to win the market. ‘I think there's still going to be roles you won't be able to get rid of it. There's only so much I think that AI can replace and do at the moment.  'I think some roles, like customer support, for example, are more at risk of being made redundant because of the investments in AI.’ Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.