Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 October 2023
54. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on the establishment of the artificial intelligence advisory council; the level of expression of interest to date; and if the council will contain worker representatives from the trade union movement. [44312/23]
View answerTo support the implementation of the National AI Strategy, I have proposed the creation of an AI Advisory Council.
The Council’s role will be to provide independent expert advice to Government on artificial intelligence policy, with a specific focus on building public trust and promoting the development of trustworthy, person-centred AI.
Its first role will be providing expert guidance, insights, and recommendations in response to specific requests from government. Its second role will be developing and delivering its own workplan of advice to government on issues in artificial intelligence policy, providing insights on trends, opportunities, and challenges. Its third role will be engaging in public communications aimed at demystifying and promoting trustworthy, ethical and person-centred AI.
The AI Advisory Council will be a mechanism for expert advice and not a consultative or a representative forum. Therefore, its members will represent themselves as individuals with relevant experience and expertise and not their employers or organisations of which they may be members. Experience and expertise from the perspective of workers is one of the elements that I will ensure is reflected. Several hundred expressions of interest have been received, which is a testament to the level of expertise in this overall area Ireland enjoys.
The establishment of this Council will further support the implementation of our National AI Strategy, “AI – Here for Good.” I published a progress report on this on 9 August 2023. It highlighted many of the achievements so far. These include the appointment of an AI Ambassador, Dr. Patricia Scanlon and the completion of her first year in the role, establishing an Enterprise Digital Advisory Forum, publishing the NSAI’s AI Standards and Assurance Roadmap, and establishing Ireland’s European Digital Innovation Hub for AI – CeADAR.
Priorities for the year ahead include supporting businesses, enterprise, and workers on AI adoption as well as upskilling, reskilling and adapting, including through this AI Innovation Hub. My Department will work closely with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform on principles and guidelines for the use of AI in the public sector. Regulation is an enormous part of our approach and influencing the regulation of AI in Ireland and internationally, in particular, the development of the EU AI Act is another of my priorities.
