Events
AI as Gaeilge | In Irish, Developing Use Cases for Improved Public Services
Date: 25/03/2025
Venue: Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Golden Lane, Dublin 8
Speaker(s): Tomás Ó Siocháin, CEO | Príomhfheidhmeannach at Údarás na Gaeltachta
At this event, ACESA Member (and Board Member) Tomás Ó Siocháin, CEO | Príomhfheidhmeannach at Údarás na Gaeltachta, discussed the National Plan for Irish Language Public Services, and what it means for the work of ACESA members and their agencies.
Tomás gave a presentation (which can be downloaded below) and then moderated a discussion with both members who were in attendance in person and a number of members who joined online.
Among the key learnings and discussion at the event were:
- Údáras na Gaeltachta are looking into how agencies can transition to new AI technology. The aim is to develop use cases of AI as Gaeilge for improved public services.
- Other countries such as Iceland and New Zealand are also looking at AI and their indigenous languages.
- Claude 3.5 Sonnet and Abair were shown as AI tool examples. Abair has a speech-to-speech function and can tailor to different dialects.
- Údáras wants to develop an approved tool with a speech-to-speech function that accesses all LLM programmes by Q4 2026.
- Údaras na Gaeltachta identified three opportunities: Public Services, EdTech and Upskilling.
- Setting up a self-funding DAC mechanism to officiate the tool was discussed.
- Members asked questions on topics including the quality of translation, security issues and standards, recruitment and upskilling.
- Údáras na Gaeltachta will host a pilot on 8th May where agencies can send someone with Gaeilge and IT knowledge to take the tool back to the organisation to test it.
You can download Tomás’s presentation here: Tomás presentation ACESA event AI as GAeilge
You can download the National Plan for Irish Public Services here: National Plan for Irish Public Services.