Fianna Fáil Senator and Spokesperson on Higher Education, Innovation and Science, Malcolm Byrne, has called for the development of a framework for how the Government can collaborate better with academia and industry to guide AI research and the ethical application of the technology.
Senator Byrne will table a motion on Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies in the Seanad today. The motion also calls for a national awareness campaign on AI and technological change and its impact and a strategy to be formulated by the Electoral Commission to tackle the misuse of AI in elections and political campaigning.
Senator Byrne said: “AI and emerging technologies present enormous challenges and opportunities for all sectors of society. It is likely that it will be embedded in almost every aspect of life in the future and it could lead to significant positive improvements in delivery of services such as healthcare or in transport.
“However, it could also have seriously negative impacts, in particular on elections and the democratic process and how it can contribute to the spread of misinformation and disinformation. In the same way social media has impacted positively and negatively on the democratic process, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are going to intensify that impact.
“It is hugely welcome that the government has established an AI Advisory Council, appointed of an AI Ambassador and plans to establish an AI cluster to support enterprise development in this sector.
“Today’s motion stresses the importance of doing everything we can to understand AI and emerging technologies in order to both minimise their potential negative impacts on our society and ensure we can capitalise on the potential positive impacts they can have.”
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