15/01/2025
Alliance Calls For Northern Ireland AI Strategy
Alliance Party spokesperson Kate Nicholl MLA has called on Northern Ireland's Ministers to develop a plan for managing Artificial Intelligence (AI) following the publication of the UK Government's AI Opportunities Action Plan.
"AI has stimulated a great deal of public conversation and is increasingly impacting on our lives. Ignoring AI or hoping that it does not change our ways of working is not an option for our Executive, with the pace of change only set to increase in the coming months and years," the South Belfast MLA said
"Connecting into the high growth tech and cyber sectors in Northern Ireland, shows a clear potential for significant economic growth arising from the development of AI technologies here. Additionally, as the UK Government has outlined, there is also potential for AI to support the more effective and efficient delivery of public services."
Nicholl highlighted the importance of being "mindful of the pitfalls of AI" and the need to ensure it is used in a way that is safe and ethical.
She continued: "This must include addressing concerns around data protection, guarding against the outsized influence of large corporations, being mindful of the carbon intensity of AI, and the potential for AI to exacerbate pre-existing biases and safeguarding concerns.
"Alliance believes that it is imperative to engage robustly in the debates and discussions around the use of AI. That is why I have submitted a range of questions to Ministers to better understand how they plan to manage and make use of AI within their departments and beyond.
"Whilst managing and mitigating against the potential negatives impacts of AI, there is clear potential particularly in regards to productivity. Therefore, our Economy and Finance Ministers in particular must now articulate how they intend to manage the use of AI, across both private industry and public life, in Northern Ireland to ensure better government for everyone."
The Alliance MLA has submitted questions to Ministers to understand their plans for managing AI across government departments and the wider economy.
"AI has stimulated a great deal of public conversation and is increasingly impacting on our lives. Ignoring AI or hoping that it does not change our ways of working is not an option for our Executive, with the pace of change only set to increase in the coming months and years," the South Belfast MLA said
"Connecting into the high growth tech and cyber sectors in Northern Ireland, shows a clear potential for significant economic growth arising from the development of AI technologies here. Additionally, as the UK Government has outlined, there is also potential for AI to support the more effective and efficient delivery of public services."
Nicholl highlighted the importance of being "mindful of the pitfalls of AI" and the need to ensure it is used in a way that is safe and ethical.
She continued: "This must include addressing concerns around data protection, guarding against the outsized influence of large corporations, being mindful of the carbon intensity of AI, and the potential for AI to exacerbate pre-existing biases and safeguarding concerns.
"Alliance believes that it is imperative to engage robustly in the debates and discussions around the use of AI. That is why I have submitted a range of questions to Ministers to better understand how they plan to manage and make use of AI within their departments and beyond.
"Whilst managing and mitigating against the potential negatives impacts of AI, there is clear potential particularly in regards to productivity. Therefore, our Economy and Finance Ministers in particular must now articulate how they intend to manage the use of AI, across both private industry and public life, in Northern Ireland to ensure better government for everyone."
The Alliance MLA has submitted questions to Ministers to understand their plans for managing AI across government departments and the wider economy.
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
02 April 2024
£16.3m Investment Announced In New AICC
A £16.3 million investment in a new state of the art Artificial Intelligence Collaboration Centre (AICC) at Ulster University in partnership with Queen's University Belfast has been announced.
£16.3m Investment Announced In New AICC
A £16.3 million investment in a new state of the art Artificial Intelligence Collaboration Centre (AICC) at Ulster University in partnership with Queen's University Belfast has been announced.
29 May 2025
AI Has Potential To Transform NI – UU Think Tank
A new report from Ulster University's Strategic Policy Unit (SPU) warns that Northern Ireland stands at a pivotal moment regarding Artificial Intelligence (AI), urging swift government action to unlock its transformative potential and mitigate risks.
AI Has Potential To Transform NI – UU Think Tank
A new report from Ulster University's Strategic Policy Unit (SPU) warns that Northern Ireland stands at a pivotal moment regarding Artificial Intelligence (AI), urging swift government action to unlock its transformative potential and mitigate risks.
12 June 2025
New Office Of AI And Digital To Transform NI's Public Services
A new Office of AI and Digital has been established in Northern Ireland with the objective of transforming and reforming the delivery of public services. The creation of this office is a key component of the Programme for Government, designed to enhance efficiency and effectiveness within the public sector.
New Office Of AI And Digital To Transform NI's Public Services
A new Office of AI and Digital has been established in Northern Ireland with the objective of transforming and reforming the delivery of public services. The creation of this office is a key component of the Programme for Government, designed to enhance efficiency and effectiveness within the public sector.
27 October 2023
NI Companies Urged To Invest In New AI Skills Development
Northern Ireland companies need to invest in developing new skills and capabilities if they want to be at the forefront of AI deployment. This was the key message at the 9th annual Big Data Belfast conference, held on Thursday, 26 October, at ICC Belfast.
NI Companies Urged To Invest In New AI Skills Development
Northern Ireland companies need to invest in developing new skills and capabilities if they want to be at the forefront of AI deployment. This was the key message at the 9th annual Big Data Belfast conference, held on Thursday, 26 October, at ICC Belfast.
20 June 2024
GenAIEdu 2024 To Welcome International Experts
GenAIEdu 2024 will gather global experts to discuss the future of AI in education and to prepare the region for its effective implementation.
GenAIEdu 2024 To Welcome International Experts
GenAIEdu 2024 will gather global experts to discuss the future of AI in education and to prepare the region for its effective implementation.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.