Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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I welcome the establishment of the committee. It is important. From a health sector point of view, I have a background in biomedical science. I have worked with large data sets, gene sequencing for targeted therapies, bioinformatics and the potential opportunity in diagnostics and patient management. Examining the potential of AI in health services, hopefully in an ethical way, is something we need to consider. It is on the work programme.

I am my party's education spokesperson. We hear there is an opportunity with AI to bring education to the four corners of the world in an efficient way. At the same time, in Ireland, there are concerns about the impact of AI on the integrity of our leaving certificate, for example.

We must consider the opportunities, challenges and risks associated with AI in all of those areas in a fair way. I have significant concerns when it comes to the energy demand and potential environmental impact of AI. We also must consider the economic impacts, such as jobs and displacement. We have seen bad actors in the technology space, some of whom are close to people of power at the minute. We need to have our eyes open in that regard. I hope we, as a committee, can focus on the issue of AI for the public good and see where it takes us.