Top Official Appointed to Oversee AI Admits She's Never Used ChatGPT, Isn't Familiar with DeepSeek: 'It's All a New Learning Curve'

Niamh Smyth, a newly appointed junior minister at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, said she has never used ChatGPT before and was not familiar with DeepSeek. (Credit: X)

The Republic of Ireland's top official appointed to oversee artificial intelligence (AI) admitted she has never used ChatGPT and is not familiar with recently released DeepSeek.

"It's all a new learning curve, but I will learn fast and apply myself to the new role," Niamh Smyth told the Irish Independent.

As the newly appointed junior minister at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Smyth will be responsible for developing international trade, digital transformation and AI.

Niamh Smyth @NiamhSmythTD has been appointed Minister of State with responsibility for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence & Digital Transformation and Alan Dillon TD @Alan_Dillon has been appointed as Minister of State with responsibility for Small Businesses & Retail… pic.twitter.com/sFKddQP6LI

— Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (@DeptEnterprise) January 30, 2025

Although she said she is not familiar with the technology, she said she feels qualified because she led briefings on AI "at various points at committee during the last term."

"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 told the outlet.

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