Interested parties are being asked for their views on the implementation of the EU’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act, which was formally adopted on May 21^st this year.

The rules were introduced to govern AI and are designed to protect people from the possible risks of the technology while also fostering innovation.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is leading the national implementation of the EU Artificial Intelligence Act and is now seeking submissions from interested parties to guide it in this work.

The Act, which is an EU regulation, aims to protect people’s health, safety and fundamental rights. The regulation is designed to reduce the cost of compliance for business, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

“We want views on how the act might operate with existing digital markets, services, and infrastructure, and to consider how it can enhance Ireland’s position as a leading digital economy,” said Dara Calleary, Minister of State responsible for digital.

AI tools deemed to be a danger to humanity will be banned while high-risk AI providers must conduct risk assessments and ensure their products comply with the law before they are made available to the public.

There are strict bans on using AI for predictive policing and systems that use biometric information to infer an individual’s race, religion or sexual orientation.

The rules also ban real-time facial recognition in public spaces but with some exceptions for law enforcement, although police must seek approval from a judicial authority before any AI deployment.

Prohibitions on banned AI systems must come into force within 6 months, while enforcement measures and penalties must be in place within 12 months.

The Minister continued, “Our national AI strategy advocates use of AI through a people-centred, ethical approach to its development, adoption, and use. How can Ireland’s implementation of the AI Act drive support and accelerate progress from each of these perspectives and what should excellence in AI Regulation look like?  We want to hear your views on these key matters to help inform how this Act and AI generally can best serve society in the years ahead.”

The consultation document is available on the Department of Enterprise website.

Interested parties have until 16 July to submit a response.

 

NB – This is a guide for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you have an issue requiring legal advice, please contact any of the team at Nolan Farrell & Goff LLP, whose numbers can be found on our website www.nfg.ie, or email info@nfg.ie.