The United Arab Emirates (UAE) recently revealed plans to use generative AI for legislative drafting. Generative artificial intelligence (AI...
 |
| The United Arab Emirates (UAE) recently revealed plans to use generative AI for legislative drafting. |
“Artificial intelligence is already in use in many parts of the public service,” the Minister stated, “but this marks a strategic shift toward broader implementation.”
The initiative comes as the global conversation around AI governance intensifies. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) recently revealed plans to use generative AI for legislative drafting, setting a precedent that is influencing governments around the world. In Ireland, the Department of Enterprise’s July 2023 guidance focused on AI’s potential for streamlining administrative tasks, while emphasizing the importance of data protection and ethical standards, based on input from the National Cyber Security Centre.
Minister Burke explained that the updated internal policy now promotes the use of AI tools in areas such as research, drafting templates, policy layout, and internal reports. He emphasized, however, that AI will function strictly as an assistant to human experts—not a replacement.
In a statement to the Dáil, Fianna Fáil TD Malcolm Byrne, chair of the newly formed Oireachtas Committee on AI, expressed support for the initiative. “We are witnessing a fundamental shift in how governments can work smarter,” he said. “Using AI for early drafts or summaries is no different than using software for data analysis. It’s a tool—not a policymaker.”
The potential uses of AI in government are vast. In the private sector, tools like OpenAI’s GPT models and Google's Gemini are already assisting with legal summaries, corporate governance documentation, and content generation. Public-sector adoption of similar tools in the EU has been cautious, mainly due to regulatory concerns. However, with the EU AI Act nearing implementation, governments now have a clearer framework to follow.
According to internal sources, upcoming pilot projects will evaluate AI integration for use cases such as economic trend analysis, strategic planning, and automated responses to public inquiries. Departments are encouraged to document all AI-assisted processes and ensure that multiple levels of human review are maintained. “Staff remain 100 percent responsible for all outputs,” Minister Burke reiterated. “Generated content must be vetted, verified, and approved through proper channels.”
Legal and policy experts have welcomed the cautious but optimistic approach. Dr. Aisling Kennedy, an AI policy consultant, said, “What we are seeing is a turning point in public sector digital transformation. When done right, AI can significantly reduce bureaucratic delays and increase responsiveness to citizens.”
While the Department has not yet committed to using AI for actual legislative drafting, any such application would require oversight from the Attorney General’s Office and formal drafting by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. This ensures that legal integrity and democratic accountability remain intact.
As governments around the world explore AI’s potential in public administration, Ireland’s step forward signals an intention to remain competitive, ethical, and innovative in the digital age. The real challenge will be to strike the right balance between innovation and responsibility—a balance that will define how future laws are created and administered.
