Dublin, Ireland’s capital and Europe’s de facto tech hub, is witnessing a significant rise in unionization among tech workers amid widespread layoffs driven by artificial intelligence. The Digital and Techworker Alliance (DATA), Ireland’s dedicated tech union founded in 2023, has seen its membership grow from around 270 to over 1,350 in just 18 months, with spikes coinciding with major layoffs at companies like Meta and TikTok. Meta has reduced its Irish workforce by more than 1,000 roles since the pandemic, while TikTok cut approximately 300 Irish jobs, primarily in trust and safety teams. The IMF has warned that Ireland’s labor market is ‘relatively more exposed’ to AI disruption due to its high concentration of tech workers. Despite government claims of job growth in the tech sector—total employment surpassed 177,000 in Q2 2026, up from 144,000 in 2021—workers report declining conditions, increased competition for fewer roles, and a growing awareness of their vulnerability to automation. Union organizer John Bohan notes that the tech industry was historically built on the assumption it would never need unions, but post-pandemic layoffs and shifting work conditions have spurred organizing efforts. The Communications Workers’ Union (DATA’s parent union) highlighted the lack of worker representation at Ireland’s recent International AI Summit, where 36 industry executives spoke but only one union representative was included. DATA is pushing for stronger legal protections, including mandatory union recognition during collective bargaining and bans on cooling-off clauses that prevent laid-off workers from moving between Big Tech subcontractors. While the Irish government claims it is committed to strengthening collective bargaining through an action plan to 2030, workers remain skeptical about whether policies will protect them from AI-driven job losses. The union’s counter-AI summit emphasized putting ‘workers at the center of the debate about power, AI, technology and the future of work,’ contrasting with the industry-focused summit that prioritized corporate voices over labor concerns.