Sinn Féin spokesperson on Gaeilge, Gaeltacht, Arts, Culture, Tourism and Media, Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, has called for the government to require state services to use Irish artists when producing graphics, ads, and imagery, rather than resorting to AI-generated art.

The Dublin South Central TD said:

“Artificial intelligence presents us with unprecedented opportunities, but it also threatens the livelihoods of those whose work it replaces, including artists who already struggle to make a living in a sector defined by precarity.

“While it is vital that we do not fall behind the pace of advancing technologies where they can improve efficiency and productivity, this does not mean withdrawing the opportunities state bodies have traditionally provided to our artists.

“AI-generated art makes use of the work produced by our artists without rewarding them for that work. Artists are therefore doubly disadvantaged by having their work used in this way while also having opportunities denied to them as AI is chosen to produce new work.

“The state, through its commissions and contracts for public services, should be supporting Irish visual artists, photographers, and graphic designers, investing in and showcasing our nation’s creativity.

“In recent weeks, we have seen a worrying trend of public services opting for AI-generated content rather than making use of the talent and ingenuity of our artists, from Transport for Ireland’s Hallowe’en-themed social media campaign to the generative AI-designed stamps launched by An Post. Clearly a policy is needed from government to curb this trend.

“As part of our recently published 50-point comprehensive plan for the arts, Sinn Féin committed to work to achieve a coordinated response at EU level to the impact of artificial intelligence on the rights of creators and performers in the arts, which the current Government has utterly failed to do.

“We would put people before AI in public services. We would also value Irish artists.”