Information and Communications Technology

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 May 2023

Tuesday, 9 May 2023

Ceisteanna (251)

Ciarán Cannon

Ceist:

251. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment 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. [21089/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

An advice note recently issued to all staff in my Department concerning the use of the application in question. Staff members were advised to use caution when using this and similar services, and were instructed that they should not input any sensitive corporate data into such applications.

These technologies have significant implications for many aspects of my Department's remit. It is important that public servants gain an understanding of these technologies, and this is only possible if they have access to them. There are no plans to ban their use at this time. The staff of my Department have been advised that these services are still at a very early stage, and it is important that they exercise caution with regard to the their interaction with them.

My Department uses other machine learning technologies in a small number of cases, and in a manner which does not expose sensitive data.