Sarah Walker of Enterprise Ireland and Network Ireland President Karen Ronan pictured ahead of this Saturday’s International Women’s Day event. Photograph: Patrick Browne.
ARTIFICIAL intelligence is increasingly becoming a routine part of how women‑led businesses operate, according to new data from Network Ireland released ahead of its national International Women’s Day event at the Limerick Strand Hotel this Saturday.
The survey of 1,400 members of the country’s largest business networking organisation for women shows that 68% of respondents now use AI in some form, most commonly in marketing, finance or HR. The trend is set to continue, with 72% planning to increase their use of the technology this year, despite two out of three respondents saying they are worried about regulatory or ethical issues linked to AI.
Rising operational pressures are also evident. 76% say costs have increased this year, driven primarily by labour (32%), energy (17%), taxation/compliance (15%), supply‑chain input (13%), insurance (4%) and commercial rates (3%).
Inflation pressures (38%) remain the biggest risk for 2026, followed by a domestic economic slowdown (29%), global instability (21%) and access to finance (5%). Customer demand trends are mixed, with 47% reporting stronger customer demand than in 2025, 31% saying it is unchanged and 22% reporting weaker demand.
LinkedIn and Instagram remain the most important platforms for business growth, with eight in ten business owners posting regularly. The main objectives for social media use are brand awareness (42%), lead generation (30%), community building (14%), direct sales (12%) and recruitment (2%).
Network Ireland’s International Women’s Day event will be headlined by entrepreneur and social innovator Sonya Lennon, who will join speakers from fashion, global sport and enterprise to discuss what it takes to build resilient brands in competitive markets. The programme will also explore the concept of brand wellness, ensuring that as organisations scale, the people behind them remain supported.
The event is supported by AIB, Limerick City and County Council and Enterprise Ireland. Down Syndrome Limerick, the President’s chosen charity partner, will be represented by speaker Annie Conway.
Karen Ronan, Network Ireland President and CEO of Galway Chamber, said the survey findings underline the importance of this year’s International Women’s Day theme. “Building bridges is about creating access to opportunity, to confidence and to leadership. Women are adapting to new technologies and new market realities at pace. Our role is to make sure they have the networks and support to grow with confidence”.
Mayor of Limerick, John Moran, commented, “International Women’s Day urges us to turn celebration into action, ensuring that equality, respect and opportunity are not aspirations, but realities for all. Network Ireland continues to champion women who lead, innovate and uplift others”.
Geraldine Casey, Managing Director of Retail Banking at AIB, said, “At AIB, we believe that when women in business thrive, our communities and our economy thrive with them. International Women’s Day is a powerful reminder that progress happens when ambition is supported by access to finance, to networks and to opportunity”.
Sarah Walker, Senior Executive, Enterprise Ireland, said, “When women succeed in business, the benefits are felt across communities and the wider economy.”
Established in 1983, Network Ireland supports more than 1,400 female entrepreneurs, SME owners and senior professionals across sectors ranging from multinational business to non-profits, the arts and the public sector. Visit networkireland.ie for more.
