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Seanad
‹ An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

Young scientist awards

Summary

Senator Harmon congratulates the Young Scientist exhibition winners and highlights several Cork students who were recognised for their projects.

This morning, I wish to speak about the young scientist awards. It was my first time attending the Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition this year and it was incredible to see the level of talent and projects from across the country. I congratulate the overall winner, but I also want to specifically mention several awardees from Cork city: Cian Manning and Jonathan Varughese from Coláiste An Spioraid Naoimh, Conall Conroy and Mícheál O Cróinín MacMathúna from Coláiste An Spioraid Naoimh, Holly Forde and Saoirse O'Connor Buckley from Coláiste Muire Réalt na Mara in Crosshaven, and Hannah Collins and Lily Stapleton, whom I met, from Presentation Secondary School in Ballyphehane. I extend my thanks and congratulations to all those whom I met on the day.

I also raise an issue we have all been talking about in recent weeks, that is, artificial intelligence and Grok AI. I call for a debate in this House and for the Minister of State with responsibility for artificial intelligence, Deputy Smyth, to participate in that debate. It is very worrying that the platform X has declined an invitation to address the Oireachtas media committee on this issue. I believe the Taoiseach should intervene here and the platform should be held to account. These companies have huge power and influence and we need to ensure they are fully compliant with our laws. The issue of child abuse and sexual abuse imagery cannot be tolerated in any form and needs to be absolutely clamped down upon. Members of the public also deserve to have answers from X on this.

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