4190. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures being taken to support the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence tools in publicly funded research; the funding allocated for such measures; the number of projects currently utilising AI technologies under programmes supported by his Department and it's agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55940/26]

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming science by accelerating discovery, automating research tasks, and enabling new paradigms of investigation. The European AI in Science Strategy, launched in October 2025, and the upcoming Resource for AI Science in Europe (Raise, or European AI Research Council), the AI Continent Action Plan, and the mandate of the Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Startups, highlight the EU’s ambition in this area.

To explore how national policies can effectively support the implementation of AI in scientific research, the Horizon Europe Policy Support Facility (PSF) launched a Mutual Learning Exercise (MLE) on National Policies for AI in Science in 2024, to foster mutual learning, assess national capabilities and develop actionable recommendations for policy innovation at national and institutional levels.

This, and participation in a national cross-funder working group, has informed Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland’s policy on generative AI in the preparation of grant applications. Under this policy, the responsibility to abide by the principles of research integrity and accountability while using generative AI lies with the applicants and host institutions. The use of such tools must not, in any way, compromise the originality of the proposed research. Under Research Ireland’s Reviewer Code of Conduct and Confidentiality Statement, generative AI tools are not permissible in the review of grant applications. Reviewers must undertake all activities in their personal capacity and must not use generative AI tools to undertake any such activities or parts thereof and must not input any unpublished material from any programme they are asked to review into any generative AI tools.

My Department, supported by UCD and Taighde Éireann - Research Ireland, will host the 2026 AI in Science Summit (AIS26) on 15-16 October, the annual flagship EU conference driving implementation of the European Strategy on AI in Science, as part of Ireland’s EU Presidency Programme and European AI Innovation Month. The theme is ‘Reaching a New Level of Ambition in Research and Innovation for the public and private sectors'. The event will demonstrate the progress of major EU AI initiatives and inform future development by providing a forum to explore the barriers and enablers to accelerate access and adoption, whilst protecting research excellence, data privacy and fundamental rights.

Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland is not currently funding any projects specifically focussing on how AI tools should be used responsibly to progress research itself, however some adjacent research project themes include an Industry RD&I Fellowship Programme award based at TU Dublin that is examining ‘Responsible AI for Human Resource Decision-Support Systems’, and another based at TCD exploring ‘Adaptive and Integrated AI Safety Mechanisms for Large Language Models’ which directly connects scientific research with its beneficiaries by enhancing the safety and quality of AI-generated outputs, thus ensuring regulatory compliance and boosting public trust.

Under Digital Ireland, the National Digital and AI Strategy 2030, my Department and Taighde Éireann - Research Ireland are committed to establishing an AI in Research transformation programme to continue developing the pipeline of PhD-trained AI researchers to increase the AI literacy of researchers across all disciplines through a national training programme, to build a National AI in Research Platform that leverages AI to amplify the productivity of Irish research, and to leverage investment in research to accelerate the translation of AI technologies into start-up companies. This work is starting, and will be ramping up in 2027 and 2028 as the scheduled strategy actions are progressed.

The AI Act is part of a wider package of policy measures to support the development of trustworthy AI, which also includes the AI Continent Action Plan, the AI Innovation Package and the launch of AI Factories. Together, these measures guarantee safety, fundamental rights and human-centric AI, and strengthen uptake, investment and innovation in AI across the EU.

Ireland’s AI Factory Antenna in Ireland is being implemented by the Irish Centre for High-End Computing (ICHEC) as the lead beneficiary and the national centre for applied AI (CeADAR) as a second beneficiary. AIF IRL Antenna will focus on lowering barriers to AI adoption and support Irish startups, SMEs, large enterprises, and the public sector in developing and scaling AI for real-world impact. The initiative aims to advance AI in critical areas such as the environment and energy, materials and deep tech, and life sciences and health. The initiative will run for three years (2026-2029) at a total cost of €10 million, funded equally by DFHERIS and the European Commission.

Taighde Éireann - Research Ireland and DFHERIS have funded the new Rinn Artificial Intelligence, investing €120m to build Ireland’s AI capability. Rinn Artificial Intelligence is designed to serve as a national hub for research and innovation in data science and AI. The programme has two overarching goals: (i) to advance foundational cutting-edge research in Data Science and AI, and (ii) to pursue open, international, and inter- and transdisciplinary research aimed at studying, designing, and implementing strategies to address societal challenges. The Rinn network of research centres enables a systemic and strategic approach that aims to deliver solutions with real-world impact. Taighde Éireann - Research Ireland, DFHERIS, and DETE will continue working together to ensure coherence across the system of research and technology centres.

Whilst there is not a dedicated research project funded through the North South Research Programme which specifically focuses on research into Artificial Intelligence, two projects included reference and link to artificial intelligence: CYBERUNITE and AIM4HEALTH. CYBERUNITE is undertaking research into AI methodologies as part of the project. AIM4HEALTH incorporated new machine learning methodologies, AI analyses and developed an open-source AI model for use post project.

Measures are being taken to support the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence tools in publicly funded research in our Higher Education Institutions and research funding bodies, who are providing guidance and support in this regard. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s ‘Guidelines for the Responsible Use of AI in the Public Service’s' provides a framework for engagement.

Within the broader research and learning environment, the HEA have undertaken extensive work in relation to teaching and learning. In 2023, €20,000 was awarded to Trinity College Dublin for GenAI in Teaching & Learning: How to Do It Right through the HEA Open Courses call, an initiative for professional learning resources for the higher education sector. €15,700 was awarded to University College Cork for the development of an AI Fluency Suite under the same call. An 18-month secondment for a Teaching and Learning Policy Adviser on generative AI in teaching and learning progressed from September 2024 - February 2026. In 2025, the HEA commissioned Journey BMC Partners Ltd to undertake the report Generative AI in Higher Education Teaching and Learning: Sectoral Perspectives.