Irish Govt concerned over advances in AI - Taoiseach

The Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said the Irish Government is concerned generally about advances in technology and how it can be used in a negative way after an AI agent hacked an Australian governmnt website.

When asked about the hacking, Mr Martin said that cyber security is a significant issue for governments and companies all over the world.

"We had a worst experience during COVID, when the health service was attacked and really undermined in the middle of COVID. On that occasion, we have built up our defenses on the cyber security front very significantly.

"But AI does represent an even greater challenge in terms of the capacities that will emanate from AI in terms of penetrating government systems and so forth," he said.

Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee said the hacking highlights the absolute need for the Irish government to work internationally to put AI safeguards in place.

Speaking to reporters, Minister McEntee said that AI is coming up in every single discussion that she is having at the UN General Assembly.

"It's coming up in the business meetings that I've had over the last few days. It's coming up when we talk about weaponry, but it's also coming up in terms of the opportunities and the possibilities that AI can provide for all of us," she said.

"What's clear is that we need robust measures in place if there are breaches of measures and oversight mechanisms.

"We need those who are responsible for developing this to be at the table and responding when there are breaches," the minister said.

Minister McEntee added that there also needs to be room for innovation and growth too.

"You'll be aware that there was legislation introduced at an EU level, and that obviously at a local level in Ireland, we're putting measures in place. We have an AI office that has been established and specifically set up to make sure that we have those appropriate oversight mechanisms in place," Minister McEntee said.

Minister of State with responsibility for artificial intelligence Niamh Smyth was asked if the Government is concerned that a similar hack could happen in Ireland given that both OpenAI and Anthropic are in the process of establishing large European headquarters in Dublin.

"We're always concerned, and that's why we have been forging ahead with the development of our national AI office Oifig IS na hÉireann," Ms Smyth said.

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"The implementation of the EU AI Act has been incredibly important, and Ireland has certainly been leading the way right across Europe."

"The European Union was the first to establish an AI Act and a framework that demands that while we are striving for innovation and creativity, we strike a balance ensuring that it protects citizens."

"And that's incredibly important to us here in Ireland and the Irish Government," she added.