The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has opened a public consultation on how it will implement EU legislation on artificial intelligence (AI).

The call for submissions comes after EU governments gave the final go-ahead to the landmark AI Act last week.

The department says that it is currently assessing, along with other Government departments and public authorities, alternative possible approaches to implementation to determine the best structure for enforcing the act in Ireland.

Member states must supervise and enforce the AI legislation at a national level, and the department describes the timetable as “demanding”.

Notifying authority

Some of the key measures include:

• Bans on some AI systems to come into effect within six months,
• Member states must designate a notifying authority and a market-surveillance authority within 12 months,
• Enforcement measures and penalties must be in place within 12 months,
• At least one operational ‘regulatory sandbox’ must be established in each member state to support innovation, within 24 months, and
• All competent authorities must be fully operational within 24 months.

“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).

Interested parties are invited to submit responses by 5pm on Tuesday 16 July.