Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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857. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress made on the creation of an artificial intelligence observatory to monitor the development and impact of AI and provide policy advice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40761/25]

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The AI Advisory Council submitted a report entitled Ireland’s AI Advisory Council Recommendations – Helping to Shape Ireland’s AI Future to the Government in February of this year.

The report outlines the Council’s position on key opportunities and strategic policy recommendations to accelerate AI adoption in Ireland while safeguarding our economy, competitiveness, workforce, and society.

One recommendation of the Council is for Ireland to establish an AI Observatory.

I fully agree with the Council that an Irish AI Observatory would greatly assist government to develop and implement national AI priorities in the years ahead.

AI is evolving rapidly, and its impacts are difficult to predict. An AI Observatory could deliver invaluable real-time data and insights on a wide range of AI metrics in Ireland, including labour market dynamics, skills needs and public attitudes.

It is planned to include this in the Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity which is currently being developed.

The proposal for an AI Observatory is in the very early stages of initial scoping and it will take some time to fully develop a plan.