James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

So often with technology and advancements and innovation of any kind, we see potential conflicts between private interests and the public good. In some cases, corporations are racing ahead with their developments and laboratories. We also see some founding fathers of the technology taking a step back from it. It was well documented over the summer that a couple of early AI adopters and researchers stood back and were concerned about the pace of AI's development.

We should embrace AI. It is very positive and the direction of travel is good. Change is positive, keeps us on our toes and helps us to advance as a society, but with checks and balances in place. The public good has to be front and centre in this regard. Could the Minister of State advise us whether the budget we just had contained new measures in this space or new forms of assistance or resources for meeting our goals?

The Minister of State mentioned the EU AI Act and said he is working closely with colleagues in Europe on it. When does he expect it to be adopted? What is the position on the regulation? If the Minister of State has time, he might advise me on that as well.

See this speech in context