Monday, 20 October 2025
Irish Business Confidence Grows as Leaders Adapt to Uncertainty – Huawei Outlook 2026 Irish business leaders are increasingly optimistic about the year ahead, according to Huawei’s Outlook 2026 Report, developed in partnership with Amárach Research. The report, based on a survey of nearly 500 senior business decision-makers in Ireland, reveals that 70% of leaders feel […]
Irish business leaders are increasingly optimistic about the year ahead, according to Huawei’s Outlook 2026 Report, developed in partnership with Amárach Research. The report, based on a survey of nearly 500 senior business decision-makers in Ireland, reveals that 70% of leaders feel confident in their ability to manage ongoing economic volatility, technological disruption, and geopolitical tensions.
This marks a striking change from the start of 2025, when many business leaders expressed pessimism amid rising costs and global instability. Now, a shift in mindset has taken root.
“It’s almost as if business leaders and decision-makers have got used to the uncertainty and are now actually quite comfortable navigating it,” said Gerard O’Neill, Chair of Amárach Research.
Compared to last year’s report, which highlighted concern about cost pressures and limited revenue growth, the 2026 edition paints a picture of businesses more prepared to embrace disruption, particularly in the areas of AI, energy pricing, and trade tensions between the EU and US.
While challenges like inflation, staff retention, regulatory change, and cyber threats remain, the report suggests companies are better equipped to face them.
Though AI and innovation are prominent topics in global business, just 11% of respondents view AI as a top driver of growth in 2026. Instead, 27% of leaders see the biggest opportunities in expanding their employee base and customer reach.
“Businesses are trying to upskill their staff…to use AI to work more efficiently to improve productivity,” said O’Neill. “But at the moment, few of the organisations we’ve interacted with are planning to use AI to reduce headcount.”
This trend reflects how Irish companies are integrating AI internally to support their workforce and boost productivity, rather than viewing it as a cost-cutting tool.
The Outlook 2026 report shows strong business appetite for technology investment. About half of the respondents plan to maintain their current tech spending levels, while the rest anticipate increased investment, particularly in areas like digital infrastructure, smart systems, and quantum computing.
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Peter Burke, TD, speaking at the Huawei Ireland Innovation Day 2025 in Dublin, acknowledged the importance of this momentum:
“The pace of change in digital technologies from AI to quantum computing, 5G, to smart infrastructure, demands that we continue to adapt and invest. We’re making a quarter of a billion euro available over five years to help innovative Irish companies to grow and scale.”
An overwhelming 90% of businesses surveyed said they believe businesses should play a greater role in shaping Ireland’s enterprise policy. However, more than 50% also expressed satisfaction with the State’s current policy direction in areas such as broadband, skills development, R&D, and employment regulation.
Ireland’s updated National Development Plan, which includes €275bn in investments from 2026 to 2035, is boosting business confidence, with nearly 30% of companies saying it gives them “a lot more confidence” to invest.
Ireland’s emphasis on sustainability isn’t occurring in isolation, it reflects a broader European and global trend. As the EU moves forward with its Green Deal and Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), Irish companies will need to keep pace with increasing regulatory expectations around carbon accounting, biodiversity impact, and supply chain transparency.
This means that early investment in green technologies, such as solar and battery storage, isn’t just about reducing operational costs, it’s about future-proofing businesses in a climate-constrained, compliance-heavy world.
As more multinational corporations require sustainable suppliers and partners, Irish SMEs will need to demonstrate meaningful environmental performance, not just intention
Sustainability and green technology are also growing priorities for Irish businesses. According to the report, more than 60% of firms believe green tech can improve operational efficiency and competitiveness.
Huawei Ireland CEO Calvin Lan highlighted this at the report launch, stating that Irish businesses are “pushing a lot” in the sustainability space.
“In a fast-changing world, technology has a vital role to play in helping [businesses] meet sustainability goals. As Ireland moves toward a low-carbon future, solar power is key,” he said.
The Huawei Outlook 2026 Report presents a cautiously optimistic future for Irish business. While challenges remain, business leaders are showing a remarkable shift in mindset, adapting to uncertainty, investing in talent and technology, and leaning into sustainability as a competitive advantage.
With support from industry partners and Government initiatives, Irish firms are positioning themselves to thrive amid disruption, and lead confidently into 2026.
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