David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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It might be a recommendation. I would like to hear what our guests think of that.

As always, Deputy O'Reilly, being out first, has covered a lot of the issues we might have raised, but there you go. However, I have a few issues. I read the OECD report when it came out in March 2023 which Dr. Bambrick quoted. It talks about threats to fundamental rights and democracy. We had this discussion previously at this committee and at other committees with respect to fake news - I know this is this business committee - and how something can be put there. The Pope and Donald Trump being arrested, the Pope wearing a puffer jacket and so on was mentioned. What is real and what is not real? This technology can be used to put out what has been termed "fake news" in more ways than one. The threat that can pose to democracy and freedom is fundamental here. Will Mr. Lupton comment on that side of it?

There is also a risk of misuse of data by AI systems via nefarious piracy and so on. What can we do to safeguard against that and to ensure what is out there is the truth and is not mathwashed, which is a new term to me? Some of the findings from OECD report indicate there is a certain amount of negativity towards health and safety. Will Dr. Bambrick talk about health and safety with respect to AI? There has been a change in the nature of work. Repetitive work could be taken up by AI. Financial institutions across the world seem to be using AI more than others, which is quite interesting.

It has been mentioned that people with disabilities can be positively impacted by the use of AI, and we have had some hearings on that. Will somebody comment on that? I know I am asking a lot of questions.

Employers use AI to reduce staff costs and improve workers' performance. It was also stated in the report that male workers use AI now. We know the gender pay is there and why it is there but AI seems to be preferred by male workers, maybe because they hold positions of responsibility in greater numbers than female workers. We have had that debate on the gender pay gap and so on.

I refer to the impact on wages. It has been said that AI could decrease wages. I am sure Dr. Bambrick will be quite concerned about that. It is something I picked up from the report also. Those are some general comments and questions to start off with.