Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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239. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department has a policy, or has issued guidance to staff on the use of artificial intelligence, large language model, natural language processing, generative or otherwise, or products based thereon in the course of their duties; if this has been communicated to staff; if he will publish same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36138/24]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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My Department led the development of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy - “AI – Here for Good”, and published a progress report on its implementation in August 2023. As part of this Strategy, the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) play a key role in providing advice and guidance on the deployment of AI tools across the public sector including to my Department. Specifically, Strand 4 AI Serving the Public focuses on driving the use of A.I. across Government, which is overseen by the GovTech Delivery Board with supporting workstreams in relation to data (as a foundational enabler for the deployment of A.I.), security, ethical considerations and future skills.

The National AI Strategy and this cross-government engagement will continue to inform my Department's future approach in seeking to leverage A.I. in relation to the work and functions of the Department. When considering the use of new technologies, my Department assesses the risks and benefits of appropriate technologies, including A.I., on a case by case basis. When implementing these technologies, advice is sought from all appropriate sources. Suitable policies and safeguards are then put in place and issued to all staff.

A policy document on the use of Generative AI was issued to all staff setting out the risks of using such technologies and the mitigation they must adopt to avoid those risks. This is based on guidance received from the NCSC. The policy document is available to all staff in my Department on the Departments intranet and to members of the public on request.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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240. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department, or any agency under his auspices, has ever used any artificial intelligence software in the preparation of response to parliamentary questions, or in responses to any correspondence from outside the organisation; the details of same if applicable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36157/24]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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My Department does not use any artificial intelligence software in the preparation of response to parliamentary questions or in responses to any correspondence from outside the organisation.

An internal policy document regarding the use of Generative AI was developed in 2023 and issued to all staff in my Department. This policy document sets out the risks of using A.I. and related technologies and the mitigation that staff must adopt to avoid those risks. This policy position was informed by guidance received from the National Cyber Security Centre.

When considering the use of new technologies, my Department assesses the risks and benefits of appropriate technologies, including A.I., on a case by case basis. When implementing these technologies, advice is sought from all appropriate sources. Suitable policies and safeguards are then put in place and issued to all staff.

My officials continue to keep the potential to leverage A.I. technologies to deliver efficiencies in all areas of the Department’s work under review, including considering opportunities for process improvements and efficiencies specifically within the areas of engagement with the parliamentary system and with other external stakeholders. A new ICT strategy for the Department is due to be developed and published in 2025 as a successor to the current ICT strategy - enterprise.gov.ie/en/publications/dete-ict-strategy-2020-2025.html.

In respect of the agencies that come within my remit, they are statutorily independent in their functions and this is an operational matter for them. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the agencies for direct reply.