MISHE PI Dr Paul Greaney recently led a seminar on AI in the Public Sector. Over 60 public sector professionals gathered online for the successful Data2Sustain webinar, co-hosted by ERNACT and Atlantic Technological University (ATU). The engaging session focused on the responsible and effective use of artificial intelligence within the public sector, specifically highlighting the Irish Government’s new Guidelines for the Responsible Use of AI in the Public Service.

The webinar aimed to show how these guidelines can help to deliver better, more reliable public services. The large number of attendees showed a strong interest across the public sector in how AI will help shape future public services.

The initiative focuses on four key pillars, including providing practical guidelines and education through workshops to improve awareness and skills around emerging technologies. ERNACT along ATU plans to continue engaging with professionals to identify key priorities and offer tailored training on integrating AI into daily work.

Webinar highlights included:

• Introduction to Data2Sustain EDIH – Mike Conroy introduced Data2Sustain EDIH, a European Digital Innovation Hub, which helps organisations across Ireland adopt digital technologies for innovation.
• Responsible Use of AI in the Public Service: Guidelines & Examples – Paul Greaney from ATU discussed the Irish Government’s guidelines for responsible AI use in public services. He explained what AI is and how it’s being applied in areas like document analysis and chatbots. He emphasised AI’s limitations, such as generating incorrect information, and stressed the importance of human checking. Paul also warned against using free AI tools for sensitive data due to privacy risks.
• Supporting Digital Transformation in the Public Sector – Jose Manuel San Emeterio from ERNACT opened the webinar, and he explained this was the first of several Data2Sustain EDIH training sessions designed to offer tailored AI support, highlighting also ERNACT’s commitment to public sector digital transformation.

For further information see the ERNACT and Data2Sustain websites.