Tag: #censuswide

One-in-five consumers in Ireland cut back online purchases due to cyber threats

Ekco, one of Europe’s leading security-first managed service providers, today announces the results of new research which reveals that one-in-five (22%) consumers in Ireland are purchasing fewer items online because they fear cyberattacks. For the same reason, 19% say they have started to pay in-person, in cash, when they can.

The research, commissioned by Ekco and carried out by Censuswide, surveyed 1,000 adults in the Republic of Ireland, exploring their attitudes to online spending as the volume of cyberattacks and scams continues to rise. It comes at a time when major fashion retailers are considering a return to the high street after declining footfall, exacerbated by the pandemic, drove both shoppers and retailers online. The research suggests that cyber fears could drive more to physical stores this festive season.

Despite year-on-year growth in online spending, just 30% of those surveyed believe they know how to check if a retailer’s website is safe or not. In fact, in the last 12 months, more than one-in-10 (14%) have entered their payment details on a fraudulent website, thinking it was legitimate, while 26% have found themselves on a fake website which was attempting to mirror a real one.

Ekco’s research suggests that the constant desire for convenience could be making consumers less focused on security. When offered, 31% opt to store payment details on websites to save time during the check-out process, and the same percentage have payment details stored on multiple websites.

However, many consumers are unforgiving when retailers suffer a cyberattack. In the last 12 months, a quarter (25%) of consumers have avoided purchasing from, or using the services of, a retailer because it suffered a cyberattack. Two-thirds (66%) say they would stop shopping with a retailer permanently if their data was stolen in a breach, even if no money was taken.

Conor Scolard, Director of Cyber Resilience at Ekco, said: “Our research shows that while consumers want a hassle-free shopping experience – with conveniences such as having their payment details stored – they are also concerned about the security of their information. It is vital that retailers have the robust infrastructure in place that enables them to assure customers that their data is safe, regardless of how they choose to pay: in-person in cash, or online (with or without stored card details).

“As we have entered the busiest time of the year for shopping, retailers need to ensure that their systems can both stay online and protect customers’ data from cyberattacks. Our research highlights that a cyberattack will not only have a negative impact on operations, but it can also cause lasting damage to a business’s reputation. In addition, shoppers evidently lack confidence in identifying safe websites from compromised or fraudulent ones, which will undoubtedly lead to hesitation. The retail sector must consider this and its own role in providing convenience and confidence.”

370,000 adults in Ireland have a romantic relationship with an AI chatbot

Pure Telecom, Ireland’s high-speed broadband and telecoms provider, today announces the results of its annual Connected Lives survey which reveals 370,000 adults in Ireland have engaged in a romantic relationship with an AI chatbot within the last 12 months. The research indicates a growing interest in AI for romantic connections, with a further 12% of adults – almost half-a-million people – revealing they wouldn’t rule it out in the future.

The nationally representative survey was conducted by Censuswide on behalf of Pure Telecom, surveying 1,001 adults in Ireland. The research examines the evolving relationship between humans and AI, in particular their personal relationships with chatbots such as ChatGPT or Gemini. As the lines between humans and technology become increasingly blurred, chatbots have opened the door for people to explore a new form of emotional connection.

Much like with human partners, AI ‘relationships’ are formed when an individual develops a sense of attachment to an AI chatbot through the sharing of daily experiences and engaging in deep conversations. The bot reciprocates this affection and can recall previous conversations, thus building a rapport and reinforcing the recipient’s perception of a relationship.

Pure Telecom’s research revealed that in the last 12 months, 13% of men have conducted a romantic relationship with an AI chatbot. This is almost double the 7% reported by women. Across age groups, the figure was highest among 25-34-year-olds at 16%.

The survey also indicated an openness among many to conduct a romantic relationship with an AI chatbot at some point in time. Almost half-a-million (12% of adults) wouldn’t rule out a relationship with an AI bot in the future. In keeping with this outlook, 20% believe romantic relationships with AI would be less complicated than humans ones. A further 10% maintain romantic relationships with AI are a good way to practice real life relationships. This belief is higher among men at 16% in comparison to women at just 6%.

The humanisation of chatbots doesn’t end there. Almost one in five (19%) of adults speak to AI like it’s a friend, while 36% admit to saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ to their AI chatbot. Furthermore, 18% use it to research health symptoms and treatments, while one-in-10 use it as a form of therapy and to get life advice. The same proportion use it to prepare for difficult conversations, like a break-up or confrontation.

Paul Connell, CEO, Pure Telecom, said: “This research highlights the pivotal role that AI is beginning to play not just in our professional lives, but our personal ones also. As people and technology become increasingly integrated, and AI becomes progressively more advanced, adults in Ireland have found it to be an unexpected source of emotional connection. The recent AI boom means that these bots are now readily accessible to all of us – and there’s no agony of waiting around for a reply!

“While relationships with bots may seem unconventional, it underscores the remarkable capacity of artificial intelligence to foster connections as it becomes increasingly responsive to our needs. The use of these large language models (LLMs) requires fast, reliable internet access and as a provider of this, we at Pure Telecom are excited by the possibilities that AI unlocks. However, it is no replacement for the rewarding spontaneity and depth of human connection.”

45% of Irish commuters stressed by their daily journey

KINTO Join – a provider of sustainable mobility applications – today reveals the findings of its survey which found that 45% of commuters in Ireland find their journey to work or university stressful.

The research – conducted by Censuswide and involving 1,000 people who commute to work or university in the Republic of Ireland – found that more than half (51%) have considered changing their commute method. However, 48% have never tried a different mode of transport for their commute.

Traffic delays and congestion were cited by 44% of commuters as one of their biggest frustrations. The other leading frustrations were fuel costs (30%), the time lost having to commute (30%), the weather (29%), and delays with services (15%).

Driving by car is the most popular primary mode of transport (51%) among commuters. However, only 16% prefer to travel this way. If available, the bus was the most preferred means of commuting (25%), followed by the train (24%) and walking (23%). One in ten (10%) respondents said they would prefer a company or university shuttle.

In urban areas, driving by car and getting the bus were tied for the top spot as the most popular primary mode of transport (at 32% respectively). In terms of generations, almost twice as many Generation X commuters drive by car (63%) than Generation Z commuters (32%).

Of those who commute by car, 91% always or mostly do so alone. Their top reasons for travelling to work or university by car are that it is more time-efficient (48%), it is the only option (43%), and inadequate public transport accessibility (34%).

The study found that the average daily commute time is around 1 hour and 10 minutes, whilst the average daily cost is €10. Train commuters have the most expensive journey to work or university (€13.14). At the other end of the scale, (excluding walkers) eBike commuters have the least expensive commute (€4.71).

As for the average distance of a one-way commute, this is just shy of 17km, with those in Roscommon (30.56km), Wicklow (24.97km), and Westmeath (23.76km) travelling furthest. Meanwhile, respondents in Longford (6.13km), Waterford (9.58km), and Donegal (11km) have the shortest distances to travel.

Patrizia Niehaus, CEO, KINTO Join Ltd, said: “It’s ironic that while so many commuters in Ireland drive alone out of necessity, a significant number would actually prefer not to. They’re frustrated – by traffic, rising fuel costs, and the stress of it all – but don’t feel they have another choice. Of course, large-scale infrastructure upgrades are vital, but they take time. In the meantime, the congestion worsens, and emissions reduction targets slip further out of reach. That’s why action at the micro-level is so critical.

“A large share of short-distance travel happens for work and education. Employers and institutions are uniquely positioned to support more sustainable commuting through initiatives like shared transport schemes, carpooling platforms, or incentives for walking and cycling. When organisations take the lead, they not only support their own sustainability goals, but also drive behavioural change that benefits entire communities — cutting emissions, easing traffic, and giving people what they clearly want: the freedom not to drive alone.”

Almost a third of businesses in Ireland using unapproved AI tools daily

Datapac, Ireland’s leading ICT solutions and services provider, today announces the results of a new survey which explores the use of AI tools and applications within Irish-based organisations. The survey of IT decision-makers in Ireland found that a significant majority (84%) of businesses are already using AI tools in their day-to-day operations. However, nearly a third (30%) reported that employees within their organisations are independently sourcing and using unapproved AI tools.*

The independent survey, commissioned by Datapac and carried out by Censuswide, gathered insights from 200 IT decision-makers across various industries in the Republic of Ireland and reveals that individual employee interest in AI capabilities is outpacing organisations’ planned technology strategies.

The prevalence of unapproved AI usage is raising alarm amongst IT leaders whose organisations regularly use AI tools and applications. As these unapproved tools have not been subject to due diligence, many are concerned about the impact of such practices, with 39% highlighting worries over the quality and integrity of data produced. Additionally, more than a third (36%) of IT leaders expressed fears that such tools could disrupt established workflows by reducing operational efficiency, while 40% pointed to the lack of formal processes as a critical issue hindering consistent and reliable AI use.

Despite these challenges, AI adoption remains a top priority for Irish organisations, with 89% planning to invest in AI tools and applications over the next year. However, as businesses look to harness AI’s potential, the intersection of AI and cybersecurity is becoming increasingly significant. While nearly a quarter (23%) of IT decision-makers believe the internal use of unapproved AI tools poses security risks, a broader threat remains. Some 62% believe that AI will increase the volume of cybersecurity attacks over the next year, while 67% believe that it will heighten the severity of these attacks.

Kevin Hall, Senior Systems Engineer, Datapac: “AI represents one of the most exciting technological advancements in decades—arguably since the widespread adoption of the internet. It’s no surprise that forward-thinking innovators are experimenting with AI to improve efficiency and quality in their work. However, in the rush to capitalise on AI’s potential, organisations must not overlook best-practice due diligence. We strongly encourage businesses to adopt AI-powered tools from trusted, reputable providers—such as Microsoft Co-Pilot—that seamlessly integrate into existing technology ecosystems.

“Even with reputable providers, it’s vitally important that organisations are prepared for AI integration to help mitigate potential cybersecurity and compliance risks. If an organisation lacks the capacity to thoroughly assess their own performance, partnering with an expert IT provider can offer strategic support and guidance. As AI adoption accelerates, our survey underscores the importance of balancing innovation with robust governance. By addressing the risks associated with unapproved AI usage, Irish organisations can unlock the full potential of AI while safeguarding data integrity, operational efficiency, and cybersecurity.”

Pure Telecom survey identifies that 28% of Irish people want career as online influencer. #Influencers

Pure Telecom, Ireland’s high-speed broadband and telecoms provider, today announced findings of a survey, highlighting that 28% of respondents would like to have a job as an online influencer as their main source of income. The survey of 1,000 consumers was carried out by Censuswide on behalf of Pure Telecom.

Pure’s survey also found that 50% of respondents feel they can earn more than the average national salary of €39,000 if they were an online influencer. Younger respondents are more convinced of the monetary gains, as 58% of respondents in the 18-23 age bracket surveyed believe they can earn more than the average wage as an online influencer. The figure lowers to 52% for the 24-39 segment.

Moreover, 67% of respondents admitted they had made purchases that were inspired by an online influencer over the last 12 months. In recent months, the Irish Government has considered the prospect of potentially leveraging online influencers to disseminate key COVID-19 messaging to younger demographics.

The rapid expansion in the number of online influencers making a living through their social media accounts has inspired many aspiring influencers to enter the space in recent years. Last year’s report by inzpire.me noted that attaining 42,575 Instagram followers is enough for an influencer to earn the average UK salary – underlining the greatly enhanced career viability of online influencers in recent times. Typically, prospective influencers try to organically build their own network of followers, before ultimately inking lucrative partnership deals with brands across fashion, beauty, health, and culinary verticals.

Paul Connell, CEO, Pure Telecom, said: “For many, the viability of a career as an online influencer has now become undeniable, with the potential monetary gains associated with this new line of work continuing to turn heads. After a prolonged period of lockdown-induced reflection, I would imagine a sizable amount of the population are weighing up their career options, their life plans, and pouring more time and energy into passion projects. Having access to super-fast, reliable broadband is a fundamental part of helping people chart new paths forward.

 

“With more and more major brands now factoring influencers into their budgetary plans, the potential to make a living as an influencer has never been higher. Pure is proud to support new swathes of aspiring online influencers, connecting customers to the best value broadband based on their speed and bandwidth needs.”

 

Earlier this month, Pure Telecom signed a deal with BT Ireland worth up to €10 million, granting Pure Telecom access to SIRO’s nationwide high-speed fibre broadband network.