Minister admits artists' AI concerns are 'legitimate'
Calls for stronger copyright protections
The Government has acknowledged that artists' concerns over the impact of artificial intelligence on copyright are "legitimate", as Sinn Féin called for urgent action to protect Irish creatives from having their work exploited by AI.
Responding to a Sinn Féin motion in the Dáil, Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Niamh Smyth said the Government is committed to ensuring creators' rights are protected while also embracing the opportunities presented by artificial intelligence.
"The concerns being raised by artists are legitimate," she said, adding that innovation must not come "at the expense of creativity". She said the Government has introduced supports to help ensure the transition to AI is fair and inclusive and pledged that Ireland will use its forthcoming EU Presidency to advance key issues around AI regulation.
"Ultimately, we want Ireland to be a leader in the development and deployment of trustworthy AI," the minister said.
The debate followed a briefing at Leinster House where Irish musicians, songwriters and composers highlighted the growing impact of AI on their livelihoods and warned that existing copyright protections are failing to keep pace with rapidly developing technology.
Introducing the motion, Sinn Féin arts spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh said artists were being robbed of their creative work, describing the rise of AI as "the greatest art heist in history". He warned that while artificial intelligence cannot be stopped, stronger safeguards are needed to prevent Irish artists from being left behind.
His party colleague Rose Conway Walsh said Irish artists were being "ripped off" and called for stronger protections to ensure creators are fairly rewarded for their work.
The motion received support from across the Opposition, with Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney warning that unchecked AI could threaten the future of artistic creation, particularly in Ireland's music industry.
Labour's Ciarán Ahern criticised what he described as a lack of urgency from Government, while People Before Profit's Paul Murphy rejected claims that AI's impact is inevitable, arguing that the interests of artists should take precedence over those of major technology companies.