Artificial Intelligence

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 February 2025

Tuesday, 18 February 2025

Ceisteanna (275)

Aidan Farrelly

Ceist:

275. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Finance if his Department has taken advice in respect of the use of artificial intelligence, AI, within his Department in 2024 and to date in 2025; if any section of his Department currently makes use of artificial intelligence; if he will outline the purposes it is utilised for and costs associated with same; if he has consulted with any consultancy firms in respect of the use of AI; if he will provide a schedule of consultants engaged and costs of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6337/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Finance

I can confirm for the Deputy that the government approved Interim Guidelines for the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Public Service in January 2024. I can confirm that my department follows these guidelines and that these guidelines were circulated to all staff within my department.

My department also follows guidance from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) released in June 2023, entitled “Cyber Security Guidance on Generative AI for Public Sector Bodies”. This guidance inter alia recommends that GenAI should not be used to generate responses to correspondence such as Parliamentary Questions or public representations; or to assist in designing or drafting Government policy. The NCSC guidance also recommended that new technology should only be adopted based on a clearly defined business need following an appropriate risk assessment.

I can confirm that my department does not currently use artificial intelligence tools or programs and has not consulted with any consultancy firms in respect of the use of A.I.