Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

My excitement is about the innovation of the technology itself. It has been such an eye-opener since I have come into this role what companies like Microsoft and others are doing. I have tried to engage with as many of them as possible. We have eight of the nine companies developing AI here in Ireland, which is fantastic to see, and I think we are the envy of the 26 other member states in that regard. I think there are huge positives in healthcare particularly as regards the development of AI technology.

My concerns are similar to those Deputies Gibney and Murphy raised about the creative sector and how it is impacted most. I come from that background. I was a student in NCAD before I was ever in politics and I did curatorial studies in IADT. I am not sure what this means for the creative industries. As one of my officials said to me this morning, there is an exciting piece in that regard as to how the technology can develop within the creative industries, but I am also mindful of the fact that we do not want artists' work stolen, used, scraped or any of those things either. We therefore have a balancing act to achieve here such that we allow the right environment and ecosystem for the development of innovation and ensure we protect our citizens and the creative industries alongside that.