Eight in ten Irish parents continue to encourage schoolchildren to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and maths, according to research published by STEM South West in late October 2026. The nationwide survey of 1,000 adults found that 81 per cent of parents would support a child entering STEM fields at least as much as they would have before recent artificial intelligence developments, with 27 per cent now even more likely to recommend such pathways.
STEM South West, an industry-led initiative uniting Ireland’s leading technology, pharmaceutical, science and engineering organisations, commissioned the research to gauge public sentiment on career prospects in technical sectors amid rapid AI advancement. The findings show widespread confidence across the general population, with 80 per cent of all respondents willing to encourage young people toward STEM careers at the same or greater level than previously.
Key facts
- Just 8 per cent of survey respondents said they would be less likely to encourage a child into STEM, while 12 per cent would not recommend these fields at all
- Among frequent or daily AI users, 36 per cent said they would encourage STEM careers more than before, compared with 23 per cent of the total adult population
- 94 per cent of ICT workers said they would encourage children toward STEM at least as much as before AI advances, with 41 per cent more likely to do so
- Among respondents who never use AI, 25 per cent said they would not encourage STEM careers, compared with just 7 per cent of frequent AI users
AI Familiarity Shapes Career Outlook
The research reveals a striking correlation between artificial intelligence usage and confidence in technology sector careers. Adults who engage with AI tools on a daily or frequent basis demonstrated markedly higher enthusiasm for guiding young people into technical fields, suggesting that direct experience with emerging technologies builds rather than diminishes faith in future employment opportunities.
Those working in information and communication technology roles showed particularly strong support, with 94 per cent prepared to recommend STEM pathways at least as enthusiastically as before. Gender analysis showed men slightly more likely than women to increase their encouragement of STEM careers, at 28 per cent versus 19 per cent, though overall support levels remained nearly identical at 79 per cent for men and 80 per cent for women.
Aine McCarthy, Chair of STEM South West, said greater familiarity with artificial intelligence appears associated with a more positive outlook on technical careers. “What is particularly interesting is the difference we see among people who use AI regularly,” McCarthy stated. “That reinforces the importance of giving young people opportunities not simply to use AI, but to understand it and develop the skills to work alongside it.”
Labour Market Signals and Educational Pathways
The survey findings align with recent Government research indicating Ireland’s labour market leads globally in AI job creation, with positions emerging at two to three times the rate of comparable economies. This growth trajectory occurs despite broader workplace concerns about automation, with a recent global survey by recruitment firm Morgan McKinley revealing that 46 per cent of employees worry artificial intelligence could replace their roles.
However, research from Technology Ireland DIGITAL Skillnet suggests AI implementation has primarily altered how tasks are performed rather than eliminated positions entirely. McCarthy emphasised that young people selecting subjects today will enter a substantially transformed workplace, requiring strong foundations in science, technology, engineering and mathematics alongside creativity and critical thinking.
STEM South West plans to host its annual Careers and Pathways Expo at Cork City Hall on 18 November 2026, with free public sessions running from 3pm to 7.30pm. The organisation describes the event as an opportunity for students to explore varied and non-traditional routes into technical fields. McCarthy highlighted the South West region’s concentration of STEM employers and educators as an asset for connecting young people with the expanding ecosystem of career opportunities in these sectors.
Reporting based on original coverage by Irish Tech News.