Debate on AI to feature at Fine Gael ard fheis in UCC this weekend

Fine Gael’s annual ard fheis will take place at University College Cork (UCC) this weekend, with a special session on the advancement of artificial intelligence.

The two-day conference, taking place across Saturday and Sunday, will have sessions on numerous issues. However, a group of Fine Gael TDs and senators will discuss the risk of Ireland creating a two-tier economy unless students and workers are given the skills to keep pace with AI. Ahead of the conference in Cork this weekend, vice-chair of the Oireachtas joint committee on AI, James Geoghegan, published an opening discussion paper, alongside three Oireachtas colleagues.

The paper proposes an AI skills guarantee for every worker, a national AI and digital skills qualification for secondary school students, and a personal training account that would follow people throughout their careers.

It sets out a proposal to prepare the workforce, schools, and the wider economy for the changes being driven by AI.

These ideas will be debated and discussed with Fine Gael members this weekend, with the outcomes helping to form part of considerations towards an agreed Government policy in the future.

Mr Geoghegan said he does not want to see an Ireland where a graduate in a technology company can benefit from AI, but a 45-year-old office worker, a small business owner, or somebody returning to the workforce, is left wondering whether their skills will still be relevant in five years’ time.

“People should have the opportunity to retrain throughout their lives, not just when they lose their jobs,”

he said.

With regard to education, Mr Geoghegan said children are taught to read, write, and use computers in school. But there is a need to introduce specialised classes on identifying and using AI.

“Every child should leave secondary school knowing how to use AI safely and intelligently,” said Mr Geoghegan.

“That should not depend on what school they attend or whether their parents can afford the latest technology.”

The paper also raises questions about how Ireland’s tax system may need to adapt if AI increases company profits while reducing demand for certain types of work.

Mr Geoghegan said the ard fheis will give members the chance to examine proposals, challenge assumptions, and contribute their own ideas.