Robert Troy: Ireland must seize AI opportunities as they spiral

The world is changing. Digital technologies are transforming our lives and our economy, and artificial intelligence (AI) will be at the forefront of this transformation. These changes have been accelerated since the onset of the Covid-19 crisis. Overnight, businesses and workers had to adapt to a new reality, embracing new technologies and new ways of working.

Globally, it is estimated that the application of AI could double economic growth by 2035. This represents a huge opportunity for Irish businesses, large and small, because importantly, AI is not just for leading-edge companies. My department is seeing a growing number of SMEs adopting AI into their existing business models and operations to give them a competitive edge in areas such as manufacturing efficiencies, customer services, supply chain optimisation and risk management.

The benefits of AI are not solely economic, and it is helping us to tackle some of the biggest social challenges we are facing now – from climate action to healthcare. With its significant potential to improve and enhance our lives, if we are to really embrace the opportunities AI presents, we must be prepared for it.

The Government’s recently published national AI strategy (AI: Here for Good) sets out a vision for Ireland as a leading country in using AI to the benefit of our citizens, through a people-centred and ethical approach to AI adoption and use.

Digital hubs

Under the strategy, Government will drive a phased approach to AI adoption by Irish businesses; from awareness-raising through opportunities to connect, explore and experiment with AI, to assistance for implementation, including through a network of digital innovation hubs which will be established to provide upskilling, innovation and advisory services to SMEs, as well as offering access to technical expertise, research facilities and experimentation.

AI also offers the potential for better public services by improving citizen-Government interaction, enabling smarter analytical capabilities, and increasing efficiency. The Government’s ambition is for the public service to embrace the opportunities of AI in the coming years, acting as an exemplar of responsible AI innovation, and building trust through the delivery of quality public services.

The growth in the capabilities and applicability of AI and other technological changes has raised some public concerns about potential job losses as well as a possible downwards impact on the wages of the workers most at risk of being displaced. However, as with previous technological advances over the past century, it is likely that much of the disruption caused by AI will result in changes to job roles rather than actual job losses. AI can also augment and enable the work we do, creating new job opportunities. Skills policies will need to be combined with other interventions, including social protection and social dialogue, in order to protect workers’ interests and as identified in our strategy.

Regulatory framework

Human rights and ethical principles are at the heart of the Government’s approach to AI. To harness the full potential of AI, we must ensure that appropriate governance is in place to underpin public trust in AI. At EU level,development of a horizontal European regulatory framework for AI is well under way. Ireland is playing an active part in shaping this work, to develop a framework that ensures the protection of fundamental rights, while fostering innovation and benefiting from the opportunities presented by AI.

An ethical approach will be at the forefront of Government’s work to drive AI adoption in the private and public sectors, and we will provide a range of tools to help in assessing the trustworthiness of AI systems.Compliance tools such as standards and certification will also play a role.

I’m confident that by preparing now for tomorrow’s economy and society, we will chart a course of recovery that is open, collaborative and responsive to new developments on the horizon.

The national AI strategy, AI: Here for Good, can be found at enterprise.gov.ie/AI