Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Thank you for the opportunity. As you said, I have had the opportunity to see what is happening in Estonia, and everything is digitalised and they are on a different level as to where they are with that. We have a body of work to do and I think we will be able to do it best if we work to take a collaborative approach. I do not think this Department can do it on its own. You talk specifically about education. As I said, this Department has been engaging with the Department of education, as has the advisory council. There is merit in having conversations with OpenAI and other organisations like it that can assist in making this transition happen. The Department, with the support of Oide Technology in Education, is finalising guidance on the use of AI in teaching and learning. This is for teachers to mediate the use of AI in teaching and learning and will provide information on the opportunities and risks associated with AI and highlight what should be taken into consideration in using AI in a safe, responsible and ethical manner. Is that not the crux of what we are trying to achieve in ensuring that this is done in a safe and ethical manner?