Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party) | Oireachtas source

I rise to welcome the Minister of State to her new role. I worked with her previously with some county councillors when we were councillors together. I know she is a lady of integrity and decency. I wish her the very best of success.

I have to admit that, unlike others in the House, I am not a techie, but I am very fortunate that an eight-year-old member of my family – her name is Alissia O'Flynn – who is able to turn on my television and fix my phone for me at every opportunity. Unlike the Member who is able to hide her stuff online and what she has done a deep dive into, as mentioned earlier, I do not have the talents.

Having listened to this debate – I have been here for the majority of it – and to the concerns of the Members, I realise there are genuine concerns over jobs, but I regard AI as a benefit with massive potential. This was brought to my attention. I do not believe John McCarthy, who coined the phrase "artificial intelligence" at the Dartmouth conference in 1952, ever imagined AI would be at its current level. I recently visited the Jiao Tong medical hospice in Shanghai and saw the works and training of AI, its benefits, how it can improve people's studies, the amazing way the people work, and technology.

Equally, we have to accept that AI has its challenges, including for jobs. Jobs will change. The Government has to start training young people to code from a very early age and making moneys available. People from five years up should be learning coding. We have seen many coding clubs in my constituency, Cork North-Central. I am very proud of the one that works in Blackpool and of seeing innovative young people able to do things.

I welcome AI. It has to be regulated and smartly approached, but there is great potential for us in government, particularly in the Department of Social Protection. Decision-making in that Department takes so long. Constituents ring me asking me whether I have any news or update on whether forms they have filled out have been checked. Of course, there has to be a human being double-checking and human judgment, but there is great potential for us in government to work far more efficiently and give value for money.

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