Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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287. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department has a policy on the use of artificial intelligence; and if any Departmental functions are assisted by language model-based chatbots (details supplied). [42813/23]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, 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 on 9 August.

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.

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 developing any new systems, 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.

There are currently no functions in my Department that are actively assisted by language model-based chatbots. A policy document on the use of Generative AI has been issued to all staff setting out the risks of using such technologies and the mitigations they must adopt to avoid those risks. This is based on guidance received from the NCSC.