Wicklow-Wexford chair of AI committee wants it to ‘lead public debate' on new tech
Led by Wicklow-Wexford TD Malcolm Byrne, the AI committee – like other Oireachtas committees – will advise the Houses of the Oireachtas, receive submissions and presentations from members of the public, interest groups and government departments, while scrutinising government expenditure and debating proposed legislation.
Encouraging individuals and interested organisations to submit views on issues they would like to see investigated, Deputy Byrne said the groundbreaking technology could make the delivery of public services more efficient, improve healthcare outcomes and 'speed up many of the mundane tasks in many jobs', but cautioned there will be challenges, and 'guardrails must be in place to ensure AI is designed and used safely'.
'The first public meeting of the committee took place last week, and the 14-member body will be examining issues in modular form from the autumn, looking at themes such as AI and healthcare, AI and education and AI and Energy,' the Fianna Fáil deputy said.
'I was honoured to be asked to Chair this Committee as how technology affects our lives really interests me, and I had been pushing to get such a committee established during the last Oireachtas
'There are a number of organisations and companies in Wicklow and Wexford already using AI in their processes, and it will soon be essential that everyone has some knowledge of this new tech.'
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