ChatGPT Shortcuts to be Banned in Government Departments

The Irish government department of agriculture has issued a directive banning its employees from using artificial intelligence (AI) apps such as ChatGPT and other generative AI technologies, citing concerns that workers could use the AI technology to bypass work or receive assistance in writing policy. The memo specifically names ChatGPT and warns staff not to rely on GenAI to assist in designing or drafting Government policy. The directive also includes a warning to staff not to use the AI to answer queries from members of the public. Government officials received suspicions that departmental staff may have been using AI to answer questions from TDs. The new circular to staff said, Do not create accounts with corporate email addresses, do not rely on GenAI to assist in designing or drafting Government policy, do not use GenAI to generate responses to correspondence such as Parliamentary Questions (PQs) or public representations. The circular was issued last week by the National Cyber Security Centre. A department spokesperson stated that the department didn’t ban ChatGPT but took a risk-based approach to the installation of any application used in the department, and all applications must be used in line with departmental policies and in line with advice provided by the National Cyber Security Centre.