The Government has announced the appointment of Paul Byrne as the first Chief Executive Officer of Oifig IS na hÉireann, the AI Office of Ireland.
Mr Byrne previously served as the Executive Director of Education, Innovation and Artificial Intelligence at the Medical Council of Ireland.
The AI Office of Ireland will be operational by 2 August and will be the central coordinating authority for the implementation of the EU AI Act.
The act came into force in August 2024 and banned artificial intelligence systems considered a clear threat to the safety, livelihoods and rights of people.
The next set of obligations under the EU AI Act come into force from 2 August and will require companies to inform users when they are interacting with AI, and when they are exposed to deepfakes and AI-generated content.
Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke said AI is a transformative technology which offers extraordinary potential but requires appropriate oversight and accountability to ensure people are protected.
"This legislation delivers on that objective, giving effect in domestic law to pioneering AI regulation which provides a high level of protection for people's health, safety, and fundamental rights while promoting the adoption of human-centric, trustworthy AI," Mr Burke said.
Minister of State with responsibility for AI Niamh Smyth welcomed the appointment of Paul Byrne as the first CEO of the AI Office of Ireland.
"The establishment of the AI Office of Ireland gives us an important focal point for AI regulation, innovation, and expertise, further showcasing our absolute commitment to responsible AI development," Ms Smyth said.
Mr Byrne said he will work to ensure that innovative AI development can flourish whilst protecting fundamental rights and public confidence in AI.
"I look forward to working with the public, businesses and regulators to help Ireland harness the benefits of AI in a trusted and responsible way," he added.
