Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 April 2025
250. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if he will outline the steps his Department is taking to improve data collection and database construction in anticipation of the increased data processing capacity that artificial intelligence adoption entails; if he will outline the logic behind their approach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18368/25]
View answerMy Department is guided by relevant legislation, policies and the National Cyber Security Centre in respect of all matters related to the use or operation of AI. All applications and platforms used or operated by my Department must be in line with relevant policies and be consistent with advice provided by the National Cyber Security Centre.
At present my Department has not adopted the use of any Artificial Intelligence systems to assist with the processing of applications or the data that it holds.
The EU Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act, which recently entered into force on 01 August 2024 has direct effect in all Member States. Future central Government guidance supporting the implementation of the Act, policies and cross-government engagement will continue to inform the Department’s approach to the use of AI. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is the lead Department for Government policy in relation to AI and its National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, AI Here for Good (refreshed in November 2024), sets out the ambition for Ireland to be an international leader in using AI to benefit our economy and society, through a people-centered, ethical approach to its development, adoption and use.
