Rose Conway-Walsh presses government on AI regulation and energy risks
Rose Conway-Walsh criticised the government's pace on AI regulation and urged clarity on who will enforce rules and penalties. She warned that AI poses risks to data privacy, human rights and national security and questioned the climate impact of expanding data centres.
AI regulation and governance
She cited CSO data showing that in 2023 AI was used by 8% of Irish enterprises with 10 or more employees and said the benefits are clear but the risks are real. She asked why the regulation of artificial intelligence bill has not been listed as priority legislation and noted that the Department of Enterprise held a public consultation almost a year ago. There remains no clarity on who the competent authorities will be or what penalties for non-compliance will look like - people need reassurance that their data, privacy and human rights will be protected.
Data centres and energy impact
She raised concerns about the effect of AI growth on electricity demand and emissions, asking what the government is doing to ensure data centres do not place further strain on the grid. She referred to February guidelines from the Commission for Regulation of Utilities that any new development must generate or store as much electricity as they use, but noted there is no requirement that this energy come from renewable sources. That gap, she warned, could lead to multiple new gas and oil power plants built to run electricity-hungry operations and place Ireland's climate targets in jeopardy.
Education and young people
She outlined work on AI in schools, saying the Department of Education with the support of IDA and the support service for teachers and school leavers is developing guidance on the use of AI in teaching and learning. That guidance, she said, will be published and circulated to schools shortly, and current information can be found on the IDA Technology and Education website. She observed that many entrants at the Young Scientists event in January submitted AI projects and argued that young people are already engaging with AI - the student should be put first in policy decisions.
State examinations guidance
She explained that the State Examination Commission's AI guidance currently being finalised does not apply to assessment for the purpose of certification by the State Examination Commission, including the junior certificate or the leaving certificate. She said further work is under way by the State Examination Commission on general and subject-specific documentation to address assessment and AI.
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CSO data shows that in 2023 AI was used by 8% of Irish enterprises with 10 or more employees. The benefits of AI are well rehearsed and have no doubt it will revolutionise the way in which business operates in this country and in the global market. Now it's a very exciting time obviously of innovation but it also carries risks and it has the potential to significantly impact both human rights and equality and national security of the state. So why has the government not listed the regulation of artificial intelligence bill as priority legislation? The Department of Enterprise held a public consultation almost a year ago yet there's still no clarity on who the competent authorities responsible for implementing the regulation and penalties for non-compliance will be. People need to know that their data, privacy and human rights will be protected as we navigate the new digital reality. And as our use of AI grows, what is the government doing to ensure that data centres are not placing further strain on the grid and contributing to emissions? In February the Commission for Regulation of Utilities produced guidelines stating that any new development must generate or store as much electricity as they use but there's no requirement that this energy comes from renewable sources. Now this could see a multiple of new gas and oil power plants built to run their electricity-hungry operations placing Ireland's climate targets in jeopardy. I really think it's something we have to look at and we can do it properly. We can set the scene so this works for businesses, so it works for the economy, works for society. But we need to add that. On education, again, the Department of Education with the support of IDA, the support service for teachers and school leavers, is currently developing guidance on the use of AI in teaching and learning. And this guidance will be published and circulated to schools shortly. Currently information for schools on AI in education can be found on the IDA Technology and Education website. And I would make the point, I was at the Young Scientists at the beginning of January. Many of the projects submitted, many of the young people, it was on the subject of AI. Like, young people are ahead of this place, as far as I can see so far, in terms of where they see and perceive AI, and they're dealing with it. And I think we have to put the student first in all of our considerations on this. And in terms of senior cycle redevelopment, the State's Examination Commission, the AI guidance currently being finalised, does not apply to assessment for the purpose of certification by the State Examination Commission, the junior certificate or the leaving certificate. But there will be, and there is further work being undertaken by the State's Examination, in terms of general and subject-specific documentation. Thank you.
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