Cáit Caden: Pressure is on Ireland to appoint AI regulator as EU passes AI Act

The far-reaching law on artificial intelligence is expected to come into force in May, but as yet there is no indication of who will be responsible for regulating AI in Ireland

On Wednesday, the European Parliament approved the new AI Act, which has become world’s most extensive set of rules around AI. Picture: Jean-Francois Badias/AP

Ireland is up against the clock to outline clear domestic regulation around the use of artificial intelligence after a landmark new law was approved with an overwhelming majority in the EU parliament earlier this week.

The long-awaited AI Act, which has become the world’s most extensive set of rules around artificial intelligence, was created to protect consumer rights and democracy from high-risk uses of AI in a changing tech environment, while also keeping Europe attractive as a place to do business for tech companies.