Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 December 2022
86. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the progress or otherwise in the implementation of the National AI Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60486/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National AI Strategy, AI – Here for Good, was launched in July 2021 and sets out how Ireland can be an international leader in the use of artificial intelligence to benefit our economy and society, through a people-centred, ethical approach to its development, adoption and use. Significant progress is being made on the implementation of the Strategy.
In line with the Strategy, Ireland joined the Global Partnership on AI (GPAI) in November 2021. The GPAI is an international initiative to promote responsible AI use that respects human rights and democratic values, and membership is a specific goal of Strand Two of the Strategy (A Governance Ecosystem that Promotes Trustworthy AI).
The Strategy also calls for a robust governance framework to safeguard against risk and to underpin public trust in AI. To that end, my Department has convened a Working Group on Trustworthy AI Principles and Guidelines. This group brings together experts in the area of artificial intelligence and representatives of Government Departments, with a view to agreeing an accessible set of principles and parameters for the deployment of trustworthy and ethical AI in the public sector.
In May of this year, Dr. Patricia Scanlon was appointed Ireland’s first AI Ambassador. The role of the AI Ambassador includes promoting awareness among the public and businesses of the potential offered by AI, serving as a champion of AI as a positive force for the economy and society, and emphasising an ethical approach.
In the same month, the Enterprise Digital Advisory Forum (EDAF) was established to support Government in driving the uptake of digital technologies, including AI, by enterprises across Ireland. This forum brings together representatives of indigenous enterprises, multi-national enterprises, and experts in digital technologies and their adoption by business. Meetings of the forum so far have focused on the topics of the Skills needs for the tech sector and digitalisation of enterprise generally, and on AI in Ireland.
The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) published its report on "AI Skills: A Preliminary Assessment of the Skills Needed for the Deployment, Management and Regulation of Artificial Intelligence" in June of this year. The report sets out the skills needs not only for tech workers, but for citizens more broadly in response to the changes that AI will bring.
In October, my Department convened a National Youth Assembly on AI, in co-operation with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, to gather the views of young people in relation to AI and its implementation in Ireland. Work is under way on the development of a report on the issues and opportunities identified by youth delegates at the assembly and it is expected that this report will be presented to both Departments and published in the coming months. Recommendations from the assembly will be considered in light of the evolving policy direction of AI and its impact across a number of areas of Government.
The Strategy also highlights the role to be played by the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) in the publication of a Standards and Assurance Roadmap for AI. The NSAI is working to finalise this roadmap in the near future.
Another action identified in the Strategy is the launch of a National AI Hub as part of Ireland’s planned programme of European Digital Innovation Hubs. CeADAR, the EI/IDA Technology Centre for Applied Data Analytics and Machine Intelligence will perform this role following an open designation process. The National AI Innovation Hub will provide expertise and guidance to enterprises on their AI adoption journey. Work on the EDIH programme is under way and it is expected that they will launch in the coming months.
The implementation of the National AI Strategy is also being informed and guided by developments taking place on the international stage. For example, the EU Artificial Intelligence Act Regulation (AIA) is being negotiated at European Level. Ireland is fully engaged in the negotiations on the AIA, which sets out harmonised rules for the development, placement on the market and use of AI systems in the Union. The AIA follows a proportionate, risk-based approach, where certain particularly harmful AI practices are prohibited, while specific restrictions and safeguards are proposed in relation to high-risk AI systems in areas such as employment, the use of biometrics, law enforcement, etc.
I am also aware that work on the implementation of the National AI Strategy is ongoing beyond my Department, both in other Government Departments and their agencies. A full report on progress across Government is under preparation.
