Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein)

I thank the witnesses. It has been a really informative session. It is worrying, too. A lot of questions have been asked but I took down a few notes. Obviously, there is inequality built into the system. Someone mentioned the costs and we know the costs are going up and up. Smartphones are now €500, €600 and €1,000 each.

What pensioner can afford that, when the pension is €250? It is ridiculous. Something will have to be changed. Apart from the Government side, we definitely have to do something on that. The data is another thing that frightens me. Beyond the age of 75, there is no information whatsoever. That is frightening. If you have an AI system developing code and programmes, how can it develop a programme if it has no data on that particular age group? You cannot do it and that is frightening. There is a gap there.

Legislation was also mentioned. That is probably the only thing we actually can do. Having listened to the witnesses, clearer consent processes are needed so that you press a button for age, consent or whatever. That definitely has to be built into the system. How can we do that? I am not sure. As Mr. Mellon said about the individual owners of these massive companies, I looked at a thing where they were talking about their profits the other day. It is now in the quadrillions. It went from billions to trillions and now they are talking about profits of quadrillions. Their profits are not based on looking after people, particularly older people. That is an issue we have.

Digital literacy is an issue we have as well. Could Mr. Carroll speak on that and how older people are engaging with AI in the programmes Age Action is running itself? Age-related bias was actually included in the system for what was probably the first time ever. As far as I can see, it is not included when you look at all the other stuff. That is very important. Maybe I could get answers on some of those issue.