Soc Dems call for tighter regulations around AI

The Social Democrats have launched their digital and online safety policy, with the party calling for stronger regulation surrounding AI.

They said that a domestic framework is needed for the emerging technology, with particular attention given to what large technology companies are doing with the technology.

The party called for a Joint Oireachtas Committee on AI, specifically focusing on how it interacts with Irish democracy, as well as individual and community rights.

In addition, the party also called for online platforms to be more tightly regulated, with extra safeguards needed to protect children online.

The policy was launched by Dublin Central TD Gary Gannon and their general election candidate Sinead Gibney, who is running in Dublin Rathdown.

Gibney was the party’s European nominee in June, and prior to politics held high-ranking positions at Google and the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission.

Speaking at the launch, Gannon said “misinformation, disinformation and mal-information are arguably the biggest threats to our democracy and to the rule of law. To combat this, we would establish a unit in the Department of the Taoiseach and appoint a Chief Information Security Officer.”

“There is a clear need for legislation to strengthen the legal framework around the publishing responsibilities and obligations of online platforms. We believe that social media and other internet platforms should be transparent about their content moderation decisions, and do what they can to prevent dangerous disinformation from going viral and muddying the media landscape.

“We must also do more to ensure the online safety of our citizens, particularly children and young people. Our policy sets out in detail how, in government, we would achieve this.”

Gibney said “artificial Intelligence presents us with challenges but also many opportunities. It has the power to make our lives more convenient, our work faster and more efficient, and to bring huge benefits.”

“However, technological progress of this kind also brings with it potential difficulties, including labour displacement and the risk of discrimination when machines are used to make decisions that affect people’s lives.”

“We will conduct a cross-government analysis of the potential labour displacement that automation will cause in the Irish economy, and implement policy solutions for these issues.

“In launching this policy, I believe our proposal for a domestic framework for stronger regulation of the development of AI strikes the right balance between progress and prudence.”