Niamh Smyth has been appointed as a junior minister at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Announced on January 30, 2025, her new role as Minister of State with responsibility for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence & Digital Transformation marks a significant step in her political career. Despite her admission of never having used ChatGPT or being familiar with the technology, Smyth expressed confidence in her ability to handle the responsibilities that lie ahead.
Smyth's appointment was made public through an announcement on Twitter by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Her role focuses on developing international trade, digital transformation, and overseeing artificial intelligence. Although AI is a new frontier for Smyth, she emphasized her readiness to learn and adapt to the demands of the position.
"It's all a new learning curve, but I will learn fast and apply myself to the new role," Smyth told the Irish Independent.
Smyth's background includes leading briefings on AI during the last term, which she believes has prepared her for this new challenge. Her responsibilities will involve supporting businesses and facilitating education around AI’s benefits. During discussions, she highlighted the importance of demystifying AI to create efficiencies.
"We discussed the importance of supporting businesses and providing education around the benefits of artificial intelligence to create efficiencies to demystify the use of AI," Smyth remarked.
As she steps into her new position, Smyth acknowledges the steep learning curve but remains optimistic about her ability to contribute effectively. Her focus will be on fostering a robust digital transformation and promoting international trade while ensuring AI technologies are accessible and beneficial for all.
