David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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68. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to report on Ireland’s national artificial intelligence strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23264/24]

Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent)
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69. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will acknowledge the continuing momentum around artificial intelligence generation has the potential to create seismic challenges for both the public and private business sectors; if he is considering any developments around specific agency development to support public and private sector navigation of these challenges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23238/24]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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78. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has assessed the opportunities, constraints and challenges for Ireland to take a leadership position in the development of artificial intelligence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23312/24]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 68, 69 and 78 together.

Ireland’s National AI Strategy AI – Here for Good was published in 2021 and a progress report was published last year, which highlighted many of the achievements under the Strategy so far.

These achievements include the appointment of an AI Ambassador, Dr. Patricia Scanlon; the establishment of the Enterprise Digital Advisory Forum; publishing the NSAI’s AI Standards and Assurance Roadmap; and establishing Ireland’s European Digital Innovation Hub for AI, CeADAR, which has a particular focus on services to SMEs and public sector organisations.

We have also accelerated the adoption of AI in the public service, including through the publication of guidance, as well as training and upskilling.

AI technology continues to advance at a rapid pace. It is important therefore, that our policy frameworks are agile and adaptive and can respond to developments, in order to seize the opportunities of AI for good. To address this challenge, and to further the implementation of the National AI Strategy, an AI Advisory Council has been appointed, chaired by Dr. Patricia Scanlon, to act as an agile sounding board for Government.

The Council’s role is to provide independent expert advice to Government on artificial intelligence policy, with a specific focus on building public trust and promoting the development of trustworthy, person-centred AI.

Guardrails are extremely important for trustworthy AI. The EU AI Act, which was adopted by the European Council on Tuesday, is designed to promote the adoption of trustworthy, human-centric AI and also promote investment and innovation in AI. I believe that the risk-based approach adopted by the AI Act is the right one as it will ensure that the measures in the Act are balanced, proportionate and targeted.

The EU AI Act comes into force in June this year, and my Department is leading on the national implementation of this regulation.

The Department is currently assessing, in conjunction with other Government Departments and public authorities, alternative possible approaches to national implementation to determine the optimal national structure for efficient and effective enforcement of the provisions of the Act.

On Tuesday, my Department launched a public consultation on the implementation of the EU AI Act in Ireland. I would encourage all interested parties to submit their views. A consultation document has been published on the Department's website and responses are sought by 19th July.