Ken O'Flynn denies using AI to write complaint letter over drag artist to Dublin Zoo

Independent Ken O’Flynn arriving at Leinster House. Photo SAM BOAL/Collins Photos

Cork TD Ken O'Flynn has defended his use of AI after questions arose whether he used tools to generate a letter criticising a Dublin Zoo advertising campaign.

The Independent Ireland TD for Cork North Central said he does not have an issue with individuals in his office using AI tools and that they use Microsoft’s Copilot programme.

“It's helpful. It's a tool, and the office is meant to be as efficient as possible,” Mr O’Flynn said.

Questions over Mr O’Flynn’s use of AI arose over the weekend, when images were posted on social media showing what appeared to be errors stemming from AI use.

An image of the letter, posted online, has a series of errors in the second paragraph, with Mr O’Flynn admitting his office had used AI to format the letter.

However, Mr O’Flynn said he had written the letter itself and that it was not written by AI tools.

The image had originally been posted on Mr O’Flynn’s Facebook page, before being taken down. It was later reposted by People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy on X, questioning the second paragraph’s errors.

“It was a generated photograph that one of the staff put up. It was taken down when we realised there was an error in it,” Mr O’Flynn said.

He said there have been other politicians who have admitted to using AI in their work, citing Cork Lord Mayor Fergal Dennehy who said he used it to help write speeches.

“I don't give a damn who's using AI. If it makes you more efficient, we should be embracing as much technology as possible to make our work faster. That’s it, what’s the big deal?” Mr O’Flynn said.

“It’s like AI is a dirty word. It’s a bit like somebody having the same conversation maybe 200 years ago, ‘do you use the printing press?’. It’s ridiculous.” 

Mr O’Flynn said, alongside the use of Copilot, he uses speech recognition software due to his dyslexia.

The letter to Dublin Zoo from Mr O’Flynn criticised a recent advertising campaign by Dublin Zoo, which saw a drag artist promoting a special offer allowing mothers to visit the zoo for free on Mother’s Day.