16th January 2026
The independent AI Advisory Council has made recommendations to Government regarding alleged creation and public dissemination of AI-generated non-consensual intimate images, including child sexual abuse material (“CSAM”).
In a Report submitted this week to Niamh Smyth, Minister for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence & Digital Transformation, the Council cautioned that some users who are using AI systems to create intimate images of people which are immediately and automatically shared on platforms may not be aware that such activities are potentially illegal. To address this, the AI Advisory Council recommends that the Government should run an information campaign similar to the successful campaign on the sharing of intimate images, to drive awareness among the public.
Minister Smyth commented that:
"I very much appreciate the work and expertise of the AI Advisory Council. We will carefully consider their recommendations and engage with a broad range of stakeholders on them as we progress our work in this important area."
The AI Advisory Council’s role is to provide independent expert advice on artificial intelligence policy, with a specific focus on building public trust and promoting the development and use of trustworthy, person-centred AI. The Council was established in January 2024, and comprises leading experts from academia, business, law, security, social sciences, economics, and civil society. Members serve in a voluntary capacity.
The AI Advisory Council is of the view that;
- Irish law is sufficiently robust to address the non-consensual sharing of AI generated intimate images and the production and/or sharing of AI generated child sexual abuse material. Whether AI generated or not, these actions are illegal in Ireland.
- The most effective response is a harmonised EU-wide approach. The EU AI Act does not address AI technologies being used in this way. The generation of non-consensual intimate images and CSAM should be prohibited across the EU, as a prohibited practice pursuant to Article 5 of the EU AI Act.
The advice is available here Artificial Intelligence (AI) Advisory Council: Publications
ENDS
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