The Irish Government has introduced new national guidelines to steer the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across the public sector, as part of its broader digital transformation agenda. Released by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, the Guidelines for the Responsible Use of AI in the Public Service aim to balance innovation with ethical standards, accountability, and public trust.
This initiative forms a key component of the Government’s Better Public Services strategy, which seeks to modernise service delivery through digital technologies while addressing critical societal challenges.
Empowering Ethical AI Adoption
The AI Guidelines are framed around seven internationally recognised principles for responsible AI:
- Human agency and oversight
- Technical robustness and safety
- Privacy and data governance
- Transparency
- Diversity, non-discrimination, and fairness
- Societal and environmental well-being
- Accountability
These principles aim to ensure that AI systems used in the public service are not only effective but also aligned with public values. A core message within the guidelines is the importance of human oversight in AI processes—placing people at the heart of decision-making to preserve transparency and trust.
Practical Tools for Public Servants
To facilitate implementation, the Government has also released a suite of practical resources and planning aids. These include:
- A Decision Framework: to evaluate whether AI is the appropriate solution for a given challenge.
- Responsible AI Canvas: a planning-stage tool designed to embed ethical considerations from the outset.
- AI Lifecycle Guidance: support for every phase of AI deployment—from development through to potential decommissioning.
These tools are intended to provide public servants with structured, accessible methods for assessing and deploying AI in ways that are both legally compliant and ethically sound.
Strategic Context
This move reflects Ireland’s growing focus on AI governance, aligning national policy with the European Union’s efforts to regulate AI through frameworks like the upcoming EU AI Act. The Irish Government’s proactive stance places emphasis not just on technical capability, but on ensuring that AI serves the public good.
More information on the guidelines and resources is available via the official portal of the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (gov.ie).
Ireland Launches National Guidelines to Drive Ethical AI Use in Public Service
The Irish Government has introduced new national guidelines to steer the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across the public sector, as part of its broader digital transformation agenda. Released by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, the Guidelines for the Responsible Use of AI in the Public Service aim to balance innovation with ethical standards, accountability, and public trust.
This initiative forms a key component of the Government’s Better Public Services strategy, which seeks to modernise service delivery through digital technologies while addressing critical societal challenges.
Empowering Ethical AI Adoption
The AI Guidelines are framed around seven internationally recognised principles for responsible AI:
- Human agency and oversight
- Technical robustness and safety
- Privacy and data governance
- Transparency
- Diversity, non-discrimination, and fairness
- Societal and environmental well-being
- Accountability
These principles aim to ensure that AI systems used in the public service are not only effective but also aligned with public values. A core message within the guidelines is the importance of human oversight in AI processes—placing people at the heart of decision-making to preserve transparency and trust.
Practical Tools for Public Servants
To facilitate implementation, the Government has also released a suite of practical resources and planning aids. These include:
- A Decision Framework: to evaluate whether AI is the appropriate solution for a given challenge.
- Responsible AI Canvas: a planning-stage tool designed to embed ethical considerations from the outset.
- AI Lifecycle Guidance: support for every phase of AI deployment—from development through to potential decommissioning.
These tools are intended to provide public servants with structured, accessible methods for assessing and deploying AI in ways that are both legally compliant and ethically sound.
Strategic Context
This move reflects Ireland’s growing focus on AI governance, aligning national policy with the European Union’s efforts to regulate AI through frameworks like the upcoming EU AI Act. The Irish Government’s proactive stance places emphasis not just on technical capability, but on ensuring that AI serves the public good.
More information on the guidelines and resources is available via the official portal of the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (gov.ie).
Ireland-Guidelines-for-the-Responsible-Use-of-AI-Infograph-from-gov.ie
