Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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115. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for a report on the role and work of the AI Advisory Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23104/24]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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To support the implementation of the National AI Strategy, an AI Advisory Council has been established, chaired by Dr. Patricia Scanlon. The Council’s function 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.

Its first role is providing expert guidance, insights, and recommendations in response to specific requests from government.

Its second role is developing and delivering its own workplan of advice to government on issues in artificial intelligence policy, providing insights on trends, opportunities, and challenges.

Its third role is engaging in public communications aimed at demystifying and promoting trustworthy, person-centred AI.

The AI Advisory Council is a mechanism for expert advice and not a consultative or a representative forum. Therefore, its members represent themselves as individuals with relevant experience and expertise and not their employers or organisations of which they may be members.

The Council and its Chair are appointed for an initial period of two years from 2024-25.

The Council has met on three occasions so far in 2024 and has established a number of subgroups in line with its Terms of Reference.

The Council has established six subgroups with the intention of preparing papers on important topics related to the use of AI:

1. Biometrics in the Public Service in Ireland,
2. Electoral Integrity in Ireland and AI,
3. AI in Ireland's Creative Sectors,
4. AI and the Future of Skills and Work in Ireland,
5. Ireland's AI Ecosystem,
6. AI and Education in Ireland.