View this email in your browser Business Today Monday, 12 October, 2026 Editor's Note Good morning, reader What is the cost of social awkwardness? Around €600 million each year, according to new research from AIB. Conor Pope reports that Irish consumers are losing €150 on average to a “politeness premium” which sees them overpay on shared bills and fail to collect personal debts. Meanwhile, new research from Pitchbook, the global private capital markets intelligence firm, found that Irish artificial intelligence (AI) companies have raised an additional €256 million across 75 deals so far this year. Deal volumes and values are down from last year; however, this appears to be a case of “normalisation”, with median deal values still well ahead of historic levels. On a related topic, researchers have uncovered a worrying trend around the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in hiring processes. It appears that AI agents have a bias towards CVs and cover letters that seem to be written using generative AI. That is disturbing news at a time when AI is already driving a dismal hiring arms race, writes Pilita Clark in her latest column. Continue Reading Ian Curran   TOP BUSINESS STORIES Business Irish AI firms raise €256m across 75 venture capital deals in 2026 Business Frantic behind-the-scenes talks delivers deal on EU capital markets reform Business ‘Politeness premium’ costing Irish consumers €600m each year, research suggests Business Land Development Agency staff share €2m in bonuses Business Rising fuel costs arising from Middle East conflict hits Eason’s online business Pilita Clark What if AI prefers CVs written by AI? MORE BUSINESS STORIES Business Profits at Denis O’Brien’s Algarve golf resort rise marginally Business Childcare providers face squeeze with fees due to drop further despite funding increase Business McEvaddys clear Bain debt on Dublin Airport lands after sale of Omega Air Business Pepper hikes rates by up to half a point Do you have questions about becoming an Irish Times subscriber, or about your subscription? You'll find handy guides in our FAQs, and you can manage many aspects of your subscription in the My Account section. Never miss a business story Subscribe now for just €1 for your first month SUBSCRIBE