Minister of State Dara Calleary TD: ‘State’s national AI strategy to be reviewed’
Speaking in late October 2024, Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital Transformation and Company, Dara Calleary TD announced that the State’s national AI strategy, AI: Here for Good, will be reviewed.
“The advances in AI technology in the two years that I have been Digital Minister have accelerated policy developments,” Calleary says, emphasising the influence of these advances on European regulations, intensified competition, the changed aspect of our daily lives. “I am determined that these changes to our lives must be for the good,” he adds.
Ireland’s first National AI Strategy was published in 2021 with the stated intention of leveraging AI for societal and economic good, establishing an enabling environment for AI, and building public trust. However, given the pace of technological advances, this context has changed.
“Over the coming weeks, I will launch a refresh of Ireland’s national AI strategy to take account of the very significant developments in AI technology and in regulation since the original national strategy was published.”
Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital Transformation and Company, Dara Calleary TD
“In 2024, we are clearly very much in a new phase. Over the coming weeks, I will launch a refresh of Ireland’s national AI strategy to take account of the very significant developments in AI technology and in regulation since the original national strategy was published.
“The refresh builds on the solid foundations in place, continuing to emphasise the importance of trustworthy, person-centred AI development and use, while positioning Ireland as a leader in seizing AI’s economic and societal benefits. To achieve these goals, the full engagement and participation of all parts of the public sector is absolutely crucial,” he asserts.
Suggesting that “AI hold enormous promise for the delivery of better public services”, Calleary praises the “strong ambition across the public service to harness trustworthy AI” as an element of public sector digital transformation.
“Our strategic approach is to create the framework and the conditions for successful AI adoption in skills, guidelines, procurement frameworks, sharing best practice, and building awareness, which in turn will equip public service bodies with the tools they need to maximise their use of AI,” he says.
The Minister of State highlights the role of the four European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) in Dublin, Mullingar, Sligo, and Cork in supporting public sector digital transformation and upskilling “at no cost to your organisation”.
“Also, completely free of charge and funded by the European Union through Enterprise Ireland, you can access digital maturity assessments, skills and training, test-before-invest services, and other supports,” he elaborates.
Addressing the public service specifically, the Minister of State pays tribute to those who are making “a positive and ambitious vision for Ireland”. “With your contributions, I have no doubt that Ireland as a nation will reap the many benefits of the AI transformation.”
Insisting that Ireland’s AI opportunity is not a hypothetical proposition to be explored at an undefined point of time in the future, Calleary stresses the need for immediate action.
“The opportunity is real, and it is now. But we need to act to grasp this opportunity… I encourage all leaders, managers, learners, and workers to seize on the supports and the opportunities that are available to embrace AI technology,” he concludes.
