Irish parliament's AI committee calls for independent testing of high-risk AI and default-off recommendations for children

The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Artificial Intelligence published its third interim report, which examines AI, truth and democracy, and AI-generated non-consensual sexual imagery. The report cites misuse involving adults and children, as well as deepfakes during Ireland's 2025 presidential election.

The committee recommends independent testing, audits and possible certification before deploying AI applications that pose significant risks to health, safety or fundamental rights. It also calls for strict regulation of AI in public services, human oversight and training for public servants who use the systems.

For services used by children, the report recommends independent safety assessments before deployment and continued monitoring. It also proposes disabling personalized content recommendations on child accounts, including young people and their advocates on the National AI Office board, and applying obligations under the proposed EU KIDS Act to all AI services for minors.

The committee also recommends stronger enforcement of copyright and intellectual property laws, including protections for creators' economic rights and journalists' control over the use of their work.