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The EU’s AI Act, passed in 2024, is being rolled out on a phased basis until August 2027, overlapping somewhat with Ireland’s EU Presidency.
At an event hosted by European Movement Ireland in Dublin last month, Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on EU Affairs, Barry Ward TD, called for responsible AI innovation, and said that Ireland’s thriving tech sectors and academic excellence make the country uniquely placed to lead the conversation, and ensure AI development in Europe is ethical, innovative and inclusive.
The call from Ward comes just weeks after the formation of an Oireachtas Committee on Artificial Intelligence, established to develop public policy guidance on Ireland’s approach to AI development, deployment and regulation. The Committee will focus on how AI can support economic development, innovation, enhance public trust, and provide societal benefits while safeguarding rights and mitigating risk. It’s work programme is currently under development.
Meanwhile, AI adoption continues apace, with a new report from AWS launched last week by Minister of State for Trade Promotion, AI and Digital Transformation, Niamh Smyth TD finding that 36% of Irish startups have embedded AI at the core of their business models, surpassing the European average of 29%. Notably, 94% of these startups report significant revenue increases attributed to AI integration.
With policymakers lagging behind the speed of developments and adoption in the AI space, it makes for interesting times ahead as the Irish Government formulates its updated National Digital and AI Strategy – with opportunities aplenty for engagement.