Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 April 2025
169. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Finance if he will specify the specific policy areas where the Department is examining future use of AI; if he will identify what entities the Department is working with, public or private, in relation to this examination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18411/25]
View answerI can confirm for the Deputy that my department follows the Government approved Interim Guidelines for the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Public Service released in January 2024: www.gov.ie/en/publication/2127d-interim-guidelines-for-use-of-ai/.
In doing so, the Government recognised the opportunities AI presents to help improve the delivery of public services to our citizens. These guidelines also established that AI tools used in the civil and public service must comply with seven key requirements for ethical AI. These fall under the headings of: human agency and oversight, technical robustness and safety, privacy and data governance, transparency, diversity, non-discrimination and fairness, societal and environmental well-being, and accountability. My department recognises the potential of AI and is monitoring developments in this area.
In addition, my department follows advice from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) released in June 2023. The NCSC guidance inter alia recommended that new technology should only be adopted based on a clearly defined business need following an appropriate risk assessment.
With regard to specific policy areas, I can confirm my department is currently conducting a joint research project with the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) to examine the potential impacts of AI adoption on employment, household income, and income inequality in Ireland.
Furthermore, my department, in partnership with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (who are the policyholders of the National AI Strategy) have undertaken analysis to assess the impact of AI on the Irish labour market. In June 2024, the department published an 'AI: Friend or Foe?‘ series, examining this impact. This publication is available online at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/6538e-artificial-intelligence-friend-or-foe/.
