6th November 2024
“We are all responsible for responsible AI”
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Peter Burke TD, and Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation Dara Calleary TD, today launched a refresh of the National AI Strategy. This refresh takes account of the significant developments in AI technology and regulation since the original Strategy was published in 2021. Firstly, the launch of ChatGPT in late 2022 precipitated a massive acceleration in the AI technologies that are available to consumers and businesses. Secondly, the EU AI Act has now entered into force over the summer, so the parameters of the regulation of the use of AI in the EU are now clear.
The refresh builds on the solid foundations in place and aims to balance innovation with proportionate regulation and trust-building measures. Some of the new measures include:
- establishing an AI regulatory sandbox to foster innovation in AI
- creating a National AI Research Nexus with a unified identity
- creating a safe space where civil and public servants are encouraged to experiment with AI tools
- commissioning a landmark study on the potential impacts of AI (including generative AI) and other advanced technologies on key sectors of the Irish economy
- updating the 2022 study on AI skills of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs
- expanding the range of digital upskilling and reskilling initiatives
Presenting the refreshed strategy at a Cabinet meeting this week, both Ministers agreed that in many cases, AI is more likely to complement workers roles than to substitute them. However, this complementarity will not happen automatically, and it will require the development of new capabilities and capacities in the workforce. The range of digital upskilling and reskilling initiatives will be expanded as part of the refreshed Strategy, including those available via Skillnet Ireland, Springboard+, and future human capital initiatives.
Launching the strategy, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Burke set out his ambition on how AI technology will improve business:
“AI presents opportunities completely unlike those we have experienced before with previous technological advancements, in terms of their potentially transformative impact for our collective good. There are clear economic opportunities for both our international competitiveness and also at individual business level.
“Firstly, government must keep evolving its offering with technology and raising our game, to boost Ireland as an attractive environment for investment in AI – for both our homegrown companies and foreign multinationals.
“Secondly, this is a huge productivity opportunity for Irish firms. If we can encourage more AI adoption it will help save business owners time, money and make them more competitive. Targeted grant funding and advice is available for our smaller businesses with up to 50 staff investing in AI through the Local Enterprise Offices and Enterprise Ireland, and I am urging companies to look into this as a very practical and valuable option.”
Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation Dara Calleary TD explained the government’s approach:
““We have a huge opportunity for Ireland to harness AI for our greater good, in business, in the economy and in wider society. We are all responsible for responsible AI. Building public trust is a huge part of our approach. We are implementing the regulatory structure to provide for the supervision and enforcement of the EU AI Act in Ireland.
Businesses know that AI skills are a critical growth area, and the education system is expanding its services in response to this increased interest. To build cohesion and coherence, a National AI Research Nexus will be created to increase the potential of Ireland’s research community to deliver serious and significant impact in the global AI landscape.
In the public sector, alongside various new AI pilot initiatives we will also create a safe space where civil and public servants are encouraged to experiment with AI technology.”
The new refresh of the National AI Strategy is available here: National AI Strategy Refresh 2024
Notes for Editors
Ireland's first National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy, 'AI – Here for Good' was launched in July 2021. The strategy serves as a roadmap for how Ireland can leverage the potential of AI for unlocking productivity, for addressing societal challenges, and for delivering public services. It envisions a future for Ireland as an international leader in using AI to the benefit of business, public services, and - most importantly - for people, through a people-centred, ethical approach to AI development, adoption and use.
This refresh of Ireland’s National AI Strategy takes account of the significant developments in AI technology and regulation since the original Strategy was published in 2021. Firstly, the launch of ChatGPT in late 2022 precipitated a massive acceleration in the AI technologies that are available to consumers and businesses. Secondly, the EU AI Act has now entered into force over the summer, so the parameters of the regulation of the use of AI in the EU are now clear.
The continuous adoption and deployment of new AI technologies is critical for Irish businesses competing in international markets. Many cutting-edge AI-driven Irish businesses are scaling globally, with a new wave of excellent start-ups following in their tracks. Enterprise Ireland sees a major opportunity for Irish entrepreneurs to be trailblazers in this ever-changing revolutionary field.
IDA Ireland also sees significant opportunities. Global companies at the forefront of AI development have set up in Ireland, and a number of world-beating businesses have established AI Research and Innovation hubs in Ireland. Just last week, Microsoft announced 550 new Irish based engineering and R&D roles to pioneer the development of new AI technologies.
The strategy set out a whole of government approach to putting the necessary enablers in place to underpin AI adoption in enterprise and public services, including a supportive innovation ecosystem, a secure data and connectivity infrastructure, and policies to ensure that the workforce is prepared for the impact of AI.The use and application of AI technology has great potential to help solve challenges in healthcare, scientific discovery, sustainability, agriculture, transport, and mobility.
'Narrow' AI applications are being used in many areas of the public service, for example weather forecasting, prediction of disease outbreaks in animal herds, and in smart automated document handling. The emerging suite of generative AI tools have significant potential to augment the work of public servants in areas such as policy research, service delivery and administration. A number of central pilot projects to test proofs of concept and use cases are currently underway.
The refresh builds on the solid foundations in place and aims to balance innovation with proportionate regulation and trust-building measures. A key part of ensuring AI is widely adopted in the economy and society more broadly is building public trust.
Often what it comes down to is the need to preserve transparency and accountability, some of the key principles of trustworthy AI. Ireland is currently implementing the regulatory structure to provide for the supervision and enforcement of the EU Artificial Intelligence Act at a National level. The government believes that the proportionate, risk-based approach taken in the EU AI Act is the right one, and it will protect individuals’ safety and fundamental rights while promoting innovation.
The AI Advisory Council is providing independent, expert advice to government on artificial intelligence policy. Its mandate also includes public engagement to continue to build confidence in the use of trustworthy AI. Since January 2024, the Council members have participated in hundreds of events, interviews, panels and other engagements.
Highlighted strategic actions in this refresh include:
- ensuring Ireland is a leader in the effective implementation of the EU AI Act, including through constructive participation in the EU AI Board and its working groups and rolling out AI standards and certification
- commissioning a landmark study on the potential impacts of AI (including generative AI) and other advanced technologies on key sectors of the Irish economy
- developing a national campaign to raise awareness among SMEs of the benefits of AI adoption and the supports available
- establishing an AI regulatory sandbox to foster innovation in AI
- creating a National AI Research Nexus with a unified identity
- continuing to develop high calibre AI talent through the Research Ireland Research Centres
- creating a safe space where civil and public servants are encouraged to experiment with AI tools
- updating the 2022 study on AI skills of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs
- expanding the range of digital upskilling and reskilling initiatives, including those available via Skillnet Ireland, Springboard+, and future human capital initiatives
- promoting increased use of and access to advanced AI computing services
- supporting the establishment of infrastructure, including data centres, to underpin rollout of the next waves of AI technologies
ENDS
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