Details of that AHCPS survey are reported in the Irish Times. The Indo reports a motion debated at the Association of Higher Civil and Public Servants (AHCPS) annual conference last Friday seeks to ensure a “human in the loop” guarantee and stronger safeguards around the use of AI across the ­public service. This would mean a guarantee to ensure "no final decision regarding public policy, allocating resources, or citizen rights is made solely by an automated system."

AHCPS general secretary Ciarán Rohan told delegates that the next public sector pay deal must reflect that the cost of fuel, food and other daily expenses have all increased significantly while tax changes have not kept pace. Delegates at Friday's conference debated a motion "in which it was suggested spikes in inflation had undermined the benefits of the last national pay deal. It also called for senior managers’ pay in the public sector to remain competitive so that recruitment does not become a problem."

Meanwhile, a correspondent to the Irish Times letters page asks if young people are being left out of the cost-of-living debate.

Siptu and Unite members in the National Ambulance Service (NAS) are to begin work-to-rule action today in a pay dispute. The HSE has warned the service will experience delays in responding to non-life-threatening calls due to the industrial action.

Elsewhere, on the topic of AI, the Derry Journal reports that Derry City and Strabane District Council will invite representatives of ICTU to discuss potential council AI policies. The focus appears to be very much on worker protection.

On housing, the Irish Times reports that More than 30 vacant and derelict properties bought by Dublin City Council for social housing since 2017 remain unused, and may no longer be viable for refurbishment, because of their extreme state of dilapidation.

Elsewhere, a whistleblower has sent a legal letter to Tusla stating that a Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) agreement reached between him and the child and family agency may be void.

Your Zen this this morning is something new from Boards of Canada.

Have a great week, and a safe journey to Killarney if you're attending conference this week.

NS