Information and Communications Technology

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 May 2023

Tuesday, 9 May 2023

Ceisteanna (171)

Ciarán Cannon

Ceist:

171. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Transport if officials from his Department are using an application (details supplied) to conduct business; if his Department has had official meetings regarding the use of the application by officials; if his Department has assessed the risk of using the application by Department officials and the input of Government-related data into the application; if his Department is using or is considering using other forms of artificial intelligence; if his Department is considering banning the use of the application by Department officials; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21100/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

Chat GPT has been used by one division within my Department in an exploratory manner to trial its capabilities. No commercial, sensitive or non-public information was entered into the platform as part of this evaluation and no decision has yet been made on its utility in the future. Any use of ChatGPT or other AI tools in my Department is governed by existing GDPR, Cloud Computing and Acceptable Usage policies which prohibit entering any commercial, sensitive or non-public information into such services. We remain in regular contact with the OGCIO and NCSC in relation to this topic but at present there is no advice from either body to block access to ChatGPT. My officials will continue to monitor this area and act upon any future guidance received.