Ms Clare Daly:

Yes as regards the little dopamine loops that were identified in Frances Haugen’s commentary, and the risk that this posed to children with additional educational needs. The question was around education, the different categories of children and the different impacts the algorithms might have. I do not have any details of any such educational thesis in front of me but the question has very much identified these emerging risks and challenges that are only coming to the fore now. These AI technologies are continually evolving and presenting these new challenges and risks.

Another difficulty is that AI systems can be highly complex and it makes it challenging to assess and mitigate the potential risks they pose to children with regard to their safety, particularly children who have additional needs and might be more prone to the more addictive nature of the algorithm. Perhaps Ms Cooney may have something further to add to this issue.