Recent research reveals that Irish consumers are increasingly looking to AI to help manage daily tasks and free up time. The survey, conducted by 3Gem on behalf of Samsung Ireland, highlights how life admin and household chores consume significant time and energy. On average, people in Ireland lose three hours per week to managing personal admin, with over half (56%) saying they never have enough time to get everything done.
A notable 30% admit to using annual leave just to catch up on personal admin—a figure that rises to 43% among millennials. The findings reflect a widespread desire to reclaim personal time, with AI-enabled tools seen as a potential solution.
Who Feels the Most Overwhelmed?
The data shows that time spent on chores and personal admin is a growing burden across age groups. Millennials and Gen Xers lead in terms of time lost, with 29% and 25% respectively reporting significant weekly struggles. Parents with children under 18 are also heavily impacted, with 32% saying they rarely have leisure time and 14% spending up to seven hours a week on life admin.
In terms of stress levels, Gen Z and parents share the top spot, with half (50%) of both groups feeling overwhelmed by their busy schedules. In contrast, Baby Boomers report the lowest stress levels (27%). Gender disparities also emerge, with 62% of women feeling they lack time, compared to 49% of men, raising questions about the division of household responsibilities.
AI as a Solution: Easing the Burden
Two-thirds (66%) of survey respondents expressed interest in reducing the time spent on household chores and admin tasks, with many turning to AI-enabled solutions for help. Key areas where consumers hope AI can make a difference include:
- Housework: 39%
- Life admin: 37%
- Grocery shopping: 32%
- Physical and mental health management: 31% and 29%, respectively
- Scheduling appointments: 27%
- Managing smart home devices: 26%
AI-Enabled Smartphones: How Useful Are They?
AI tools built into the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 and Z Flip6 are among the features consumers hope will help simplify their lives. Popular AI-powered functions include:
- Health and fitness tracking: 33%
- Live Interpreter for real-time translation: 33%
- Chat Assist for smarter messaging: 29%
- Circle to Search with Google: 28%
- Note Assist and Transcript Assist: 27% and 26%
While AI shows promise, most Irish consumers are cautious about fully relying on it. Only 5% say they would trust AI recommendations completely, while 59% prefer to use AI as a tool to complement their own knowledge.
What Would We Do With More Free Time?
If AI could save just two hours a week, 39% of respondents said they would use the extra time to spend with family. Others would devote it to exercise or sports (31%), sleeping more (25%), or pursuing hobbies (21%). Activities like mindfulness, meeting friends, and reading also ranked highly among desired ways to spend regained time.
Familiarity With AI: A Generational Divide
The survey indicates that while 53% of Irish consumers are at least somewhat familiar with AI, familiarity is strongly linked to age. Gen Z (72%) and millennials (57%) report higher levels of familiarity compared to Gen X (40%) and Boomers (43%). Common uses of AI include drafting messages (25%), generating images and designs (20%), and planning travel or finding entertainment options.
Balancing Optimism and Skepticism
The research highlights that while there is growing interest in AI as a tool to improve daily life, consumers remain cautious. Most prefer a hybrid approach, where AI enhances personal decisions rather than replaces them entirely. The findings suggest a gradual but steady shift toward integrating AI tools into everyday routines, particularly among younger generations.
As AI-enabled devices become more prevalent, it will be interesting to see how they reshape personal time management and whether they deliver on the promise of freeing people from the demands of household and life admin.
