Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
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323. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department has taken advice in respect of the use of artificial intelligence, AI, within the Department; if any section of her Department currently makes use of AI; the purposes it is utilised for and costs associated with same; and if she has consulted with any consultancy firms in respect of the use of AI. [4813/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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A proof of concept to examine if AI technologies could support Departmental staff in responding to customer queries was completed. The proof of concept focused on the potential for using AI technologies to analyse large volumes of publicly available information. An external service provider assisted with this at no cost to the Department.

My Department continue to review and follow guidance issued by the National Cyber Security Centre, Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, and the Department of Public Expenditure NDP Delivery and Reform on the use of Artificial Intelligence.

A limited trial is underway by my Communications Department to assess the opportunity for productivity gains of AI services which includes the transcription of public audio recordings to text, grammar and spelling assistance, translation of public information, and editing text in plain English to make it more understandable. All text is reviewed and verified by a human

My Department will continue to assess the suitability of AI on a solution by solution basis.