The Irish Government has stepped in with a clear set of rules on how Artificial Intelligence should be used in public services. The goal? To make sure AI is used in a safe, responsible and people-first way.
One major point in the new guidelines is a warning against using free AI tools like ChatGPT and DeepSeek. While these tools are easy to access, they come with big risks – mainly because they don’t have enough controls in place to protect sensitive information. Any data entered could potentially be used to train the AI itself, which is a serious concern when it comes to public sector work.
The Government’s framework calls for strong safeguards and human oversight whenever AI is in use. Public bodies are encouraged to be upfront with users – letting them know when they’re dealing with an AI system, like a chatbot or a computer-generated report. It also emphasises the need for transparency, security and privacy protections.
Fairness is another big theme. The guidelines stress that AI systems must be inclusive and free from bias. Any signs of unfair treatment need to be spotted and fixed early on. To help public service staff make good decisions about using AI, the Government is also rolling out free training and resources.
We’re already seeing some public services exploring the power of AI. St Vincent’s University Hospital in Dublin is testing AI to help with heart scans and cut patient wait times. The tax office is using large language models to direct taxpayer questions more efficiently. The Department of Agriculture is building an AI tool to speed up grant application reviews.
Mark Kelly, Founder of AI Ireland, praised the Irish Government for its leadership in establishing clear, people-focused AI guidelines for public services. “By setting out clear, people-first guidelines for AI in public services, the Irish Government has shown real leadership,” he said.
“These rules strike the right balance between innovation and responsibility, ensuring that AI tools enhance our public sector without compromising privacy, fairness or human oversight. At AI Ireland, we’re excited to partner with government and public bodies to build on this framework – delivering smarter, more inclusive services while keeping citizens firmly at the heart of every decision.”
Minister Jack Chambers, who leads public service reform and digitalisation, said these new rules are designed to help public bodies innovate responsibly. “AI can really improve how we deliver services,” he said. “These guidelines make it practical and easy for people to use it the right way.”
Public sector unions have responded positively overall, though they’ve raised concerns about how AI might affect jobs. Fórsa, Ireland’s largest public service union, warned that as AI becomes more powerful, it could threaten various types of work – including skilled roles. They called for a “worker dividend,” suggesting that tools saving time and money should also benefit staff, such as through a shorter workweek.
The AHCPS union echoed concerns about job displacement and said they wished they had been consulted before the guidelines were released. “People everywhere are worried about AI replacing jobs,” said AHCPS General Secretary Ciaran Rohan. “That’s something the guidelines didn’t fully address.”
As AI becomes more common in our daily lives, the Government’s new approach is a reminder that technology should serve people – not the other way around. With the right safeguards in place, the public sector has a real chance to lead the way in using AI wisely.
Call to Action
If you’d like to delve deeper into how these trends can reshape your organisation, we would be delighted to discuss them in more detail. Invite Mark Kelly, Founder of AI Ireland, to speak at your next team meeting, conference or strategy session. We can explore practical ways to harness AI responsibly, meet sustainability goals, and navigate the evolving consumer landscape. Let’s work together to ensure Ireland remains at the vanguard of innovation in 2025 – and beyond.
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