Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein)

The witnesses are very welcome. I look forward to working with them. I wish them well in their work. It will be daunting at some stages, but it will have to be managed.

For the Joe Soap out there, I understand that the AI advisory council comprises 15 independent experts. What process was applied in choosing the candidates? Who did the processing? Is there a mechanism for the public to directly contact the council itself? Dr. Scanlon said in her opening statement that "Ireland’s window to lead this transformation rather than be shaped by it is [limited]." What timeline was she referring to here? How urgent is it?

The EU artificial intelligence law was introduced in 2021. Is there anything she feels strongly about that should be added or included since then as we now see the advancements in AI are accelerating at a phenomenal rate? For example, three or four weeks ago, Google's 3D video platform was launched, which can basically put a person at any part of the world at any time. Whether the ensuing videos are true or false we will not know. We know all the countries are racing to become AI hubs. Is there a danger that big tech companies' interests will be put before the interests of the common good? For example, Deputy Murphy referred to the use of countries' energy supplies. It also includes environmental and human rights issues, and the fundamental ability to create inequalities in society.