Last month, the Oireachtas cross-party Committee on Artificial Intelligence published its first interim report, setting out 85 recommendations that read like a clear wake-up call on how Ireland is preparing for AI.
The Joint Committee on Artificial Intelligence was established to review and recommend how Ireland should develop, deploy, and regulate AI, including the ethical issues, so the country can drive growth and innovation, build public trust, and deliver real public benefit while protecting rights and reducing risks.
Speaking to LMFM radio, Chair of the Committee, Deputy Malcolm Byrne, says the Committee will continue to publish interim reports along with a final report at the conclusion of its work.
This report pulls together evidence from seven public hearings and has 85 recommendations that, if implemented, would reshape how AI is governed across Irish society.
They’ve held seven public meetings so far, hearing from Research Ireland, the AI Advisory Council, Minister of State Niamh Smyth, and representatives from groups including young people, older people, and disabled people.
It occurs to me that this report is governance-heavy more than it is about driving innovation. It’s a signal of how Ireland will adopt AI: governance-first, highly compliant and inclusive innovation, highly regulated. If you want to learn more about Ireland’s economic ambitions, you need to refer to the National AI Strategy for Good and refer to our Minister’s commentary in the Dáil
In February of 2025 Minister Smyth said,
“We want at least 75% of enterprises in Ireland to be using the cloud, AI, and data analytics by 2030. According to the statistics published by the CSO last Friday, AI adaptation in Ireland rose from 8% of enterprises in 2023 to 14.9% in 2024. While these figures are promising and growing, it is not enough. We need to encourage more businesses to adopt AI by ensuring the necessary enablers are in place.”
Key Takeaways
Regulation & Governance
- National AI Office to be operational by August 2026
- EU AI Act treated as minimum baseline, not maximum standard
- Nine fundamental rights authorities need dedicated, ring-fenced funding
- Regulatory sandboxes to be established by August 2026
- Call for a permanent Joint Committee on AI and a Citizens’ Assembly
AI Literacy & Education
- Coordinated national effort from primary school to workplace
- AI literacy programmes for policymakers and public servants
- Public awareness campaigns on rights, consent, bias, scams and how to opt out
- Soft skills (critical thinking, communication, and emotional intelligence) should not be sacrificed
- Finland cited as a model for nationwide AI education
Accountability Requirements
- Mandatory algorithmic impact assessments for high-risk public sector AI
- Public register of all government AI systems (developer, vendor, costs, assessments)
- Annual public reports from all bodies using AI in public services
- Public Sector Human Rights and Equality Duty as a core framework
- Risk assessment and bias testing are required before deployment
Protecting People
- Human support options must remain legally available
- Recommender systems are off by default; banned for children’s accounts
- Co-design with young people, older people, and disabled people is built in
- Plain English communication is required from operators
- Users must easily control features and data access
Gaps Identified
- EU Copyright Directive needs strengthening for AI training data
- Energy consumption concerns (dedicated module coming)
- Harmful content in recommender systems is inadequately addressed in the EU AI Act
About the Podcast Host
AI and Communications Specialist | Author | Podcaster | International Speaker
Joanne Sweeney is a recognised leader in digital marketing and digital transformation, specialising in the practical application of AI to enhance communication strategies. The founder of Digital Training Institute, Joanne, empowers leaders and communications professionals to leverage AI responsibly and effectively, ensuring transparency, trust, and tangible results.
She completed the Harvard Kennedy School Executive Programme in AI and Public Policy this summer before launching her fourth book AI Playbook, in September. Joanne has also published two editions of Public Sector Marketing Pro, which were preceded by her first title, Social Media Under Investigation Law Enforcement and the Social Web.
Her books have become go-to resources for governments, public sector and policing agencies, as well as marketing and communications professionals, all navigating the challenges of the changing Internet.
Joanne is the host of the AI SIX Podcast, a daily six-minute podcast which provides actionable insights, expert interviews, and practical advice to help professionals navigate the new world of work.
