Use of artificial intelligence among senior civil servants ‘increasingly common’ – The Irish Times

Almost half (49%) of senior civil servants report using AI in their work at least weekly, with just over a quarter using it daily, according to a union survey.
68% of senior staff who use AI feel they have received inadequate training on its use.
49% indicated that their department lacks clear guidelines on how to use AI, highlighting a gap in policy.
85% of respondents express caution about AI deployment, recognizing both opportunities and risks it presents.
There is pressure from public service unions for better consultation when adopting AI, despite obligations under the last national pay agreement to embrace digitization and modernization.
Association general secretary Ciarán Rohan stresses the importance of robust governance, clear policies, proper training, and ongoing staff engagement for AI’s implementation.
Over a quarter of union members reported working longer hours since the pandemic due to the difficulty in switching off when working from home.
The Dublin conference will discuss unified blended working policies and the prevention of arbitrary changes, referencing the Department of Social Protection’s recent policy requiring remote workers to come in two days a week.

You may have missed