
Gardaí restrict use of AI across garda network
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) has been restricted across the garda network, gardaí have confirmed.
In a statement, gardaí said the restriction relates to publicly available free-of-charge AI software.
This would include popular chatbot tools like ChatGPT and DeepSeek.
Gardaí said they do not have any AI solutions on the garda network to "produce files/reports".
Any use of AI by gardaí is in line with the Government 'Guidelines for the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Public Service', gardaí added, and also adheres to any applicable legislative basis such as under the planned Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) (Amendment) Bill.
Last month, the Government published new guidelines for the responsible use of AI in the public service.
The framework advises against the use of free generative AI (GenAI) models.
"Free GenAI tools are very accessible but because they lack suitable management and oversight pose significant risks for use in the Irish public sector," the guidelines state.
"Any information given to a public GenAI tool could be used in training the model. Thus, we advise against their use in the public service," it adds.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

The Journal
6 hours ago
- The Journal
Political parties scramble to introduce policies around AI use after Swedish House Mafia-gate
IRISH POLITICAL PARTIES are beginning to develop policies around the use of artificial intelligence (AI) after MEP Ciaran Mullooly revealed he used it to write a letter to the President of the European Commission. In the letter, which urged the EU to deliver more aid to Gaza, the Independent Ireland MEP inadvertently quoted the house music group Swedish House Mafia and recounted a fictional story of a girl in Rafah without indicating that she was not real. Following this, The Journal contacted all political parties represented in Dáil Éireann to see if they have policies or guidelines in place around the use of AI for public representatives. No party currently does. While the Labour Party said it has been working on guidelines since earlier this year, other parties were left scrambling after Mullooly's AI-assisted letter made headlines. The Social Democrats, Fine Gael and Independent Ireland all said they are currently working on developing policies, while the Green Party is also examining the idea as part of a strategic plan. A Sinn Féin source admitted that the Mullooly story was sent around to TDs as a 'cautionary tale' but said the party does not currently have any guidelines around the use of AI. Despite the slow uptake from political HQs on the issue, many TDs were more vocal about their feelings on the use of the technology in public life. When asked if they use AI to assist their work as a TD, just four current members of the Dáil admitted that they do. Independent TD Barry Heneghan used AI to create a song as part of his election campaign and said he uses a mix of programmes now as a TD, such as ChatGPT and Microsoft 365 Co-pilot, depending on the work he wants to streamline. Fianna Fáil's Paul McAuliffe, Fine Gael's John Paul O'Shea and Labour's Conor Sheehan all said they use programmes like ChatGPT and Co-pilot on occasion to help with admin tasks, but all were of the view that it shouldn't be used for drafting speeches or public statements. Advertisement 'I think transparency is important in this job. It's still up to TDs to stand over what they say and do, and AI can make mistakes and add things in that you would never say,' Heneghan said. He added: 'If you trusted it for your whole speech, it doesn't sound human in my opinion.' Independent Ireland TD Ken O'Flynn compared AI to the printing press and said his party supports the 'responsible use' of the emerging technology. 'Whether to improve communication or streamline workflows, like the printing press or the personal computer, artificial intelligence may face scepticism in its early stages but if history has shown us anything, it is that new tools often begin with controversy and end with positive transformation.' Most other TDs we contacted said they do not use AI to assist with their work, although many parties said staff sometimes use it for research purposes or admin. When asked if politicians should have to disclose when they have used AI to draft a speech or statement, most TDs we contacted said yes. A spokesperson for Independent Ireland said it 'would not be a bad idea in the interests of transparency', while Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman went further and said it should also be disclosed when politicians use it to alter images of themselves. A number of TDs said it came down to being honest with constituents, while others, like People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy, said he was against its use on environmental grounds. Labour TD Duncan Smith argued that it is lazy for TDs to use AI. The Dublin Fingal East TD said he doesn't use it because he has 'no interest in selling my constituents short'. 'When people elect you to represent them, it should actually be you and the team you put together to work with you, representing your constituents. 'I think TDs using AI are displaying laziness at best and I think it shows a lack of respect to the people who have elected you to the Dáil, who rightfully expect you to be putting in the work,' he said. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal


Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Gen Z Student: Completing my essays without AI will benefit me — knowing they will be graded against it is disheartening
I went into my first year of college in September 2022. Two months later, in November, ChatGPT was launched. And from the moment of its introduction, artificial intelligence (AI) like ChatGPT has totally changed the college landscape. Research that would have previously taken weeks or months to read and understand, can now be interpreted and summarised in seconds. Complete essays can be produced instantly. As a student, I have real concerns about the ubiquitous use of AI on our university campuses. Because the reality is, assignments written by AI often pass, or achieve high grades. AI is getting university degrees. Now, I'm heading into the final year of my degree. And I can honestly say that I've never used artificial intelligence to do my work. But that puts me into a minority. I study English Literature. And I find my degree difficult. Waking up early to go to the library to get my reading done; preparing notes on novels to discuss in class; spending weeks researching and thinking about complex essay topics; late nights while I struggle to meet deadlines. Sometimes, you can put in so much effort, and still walk away with a result you're not too happy with. That's the harsh reality of university. It's bloody difficult. The feeling that 'you'd be stupid not to use artificial intelligence' is very real, particularly when you see people walking away from modules with high grades that they didn't really work for. I'm not saying that universities are openly allowing AI usage. The problem is that, while universities may have strict policies around the use of AI, implementing those policies is another issue. It seems to me that universities are outpaced by AI. As students, we are told that the university is using software that will detect AI use. And professors say that they can spot an essay written by AI with ease. Maybe that's true. But proving that someone has used AI is another thing. Because if it is so easy to detect AI, why then, do I know so many people that have never been reprimanded for it? In the earlier years of my degree, some of my exams were held online. They were always 'open book' style, meaning that I could use my notes or do research during the exam. During those exams, I know that many students used AI to generate their answers. And I am sure that our university was also aware of that. I totally get the appeal. When the opportunity to achieve highly in an exam presents itself, it's difficult to resist that. Of course, people will resort to AI. But when the results of those exams are released, and you see that people are achieving the same grade or higher than you, without attending lectures or completing the reading, it can be difficult to reconcile. I know that from personal experience. Logically, I understand that completing my essays and assignments without AI will benefit me in the long run. But the knowledge that my work will be graded against the work of AI is disheartening. Professors can't give everyone a first class honours. So, if they can't prove with certainty who has used AI, I'm often competing with AI to get the grades I want. When I recently received my university results for my third year of college, I couldn't help but think about how much easier my year would have been if I had used AI, or if I would have achieved more with the help of ChatGPT. I'm not some kooky hippie longing for academia before technology. The ability to access almost any piece of research from my laptop expands the scope of what students can do and learn significantly. But what I am saying is that AI is changing our universities. As a student that is trying to do well, that concerns me. AI is not going anywhere, anytime soon. And I'm not naïve enough to believe that universities can or should attempt to eliminate AI usage on campuses. If AI can increase students' levels of understanding and knowledge, we should take advantage of that. But problems emerge when students are earning degrees from work that is not their own. I don't know what the answer to this issue is. Maybe it's more in-person exams, or improved AI detection software. Because right now, AI is not improving the levels of knowledge among our students. It's providing students with a free pass to a university degree, while the work for that degree becomes increasingly optional.


Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Irish Independent
I let ChatGPT be my personal trainer for a week, but can it do better than a human fitness coach?
As millions turn to ChatGPT to experiment with it, a trend in using its generative AI in place of a personal assistant, therapist and even doctor has emerged. Another role the platform is vying for is a personal trainer.