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.

The report, "AI for NI: A Strategic Overview for the Adoption of Artificial Intelligence in Northern Ireland" presented by Professors Stephen Farry and Jodie Carson, offers 46 recommendations for the Executive, advocating for an overarching and cross-cutting approach to AI to reflect its wide socio-economic significance and address policy dependencies. The SPU's report outlines five key policy recommendations for the responsible and effective adoption of AI. These include harnessing AI to boost economic potential and address productivity challenges through strategic policymaking, placing AI at the core of public service transformation for more efficient and effective services, and ensuring robust governance and transparency through a strong ethical framework. The report also stresses the need to address the evolving skills landscape with coordinated policy support across education and training, and to develop a bespoke AI strategy for Northern Ireland that guides implementation, drives innovation, and ensures inclusive benefits.

Professor Jodie Carson emphasised that NI "cannot afford not to exploit the opportunities that AI offers," highlighting its potential for a new economic model and improvements in public services like health, education, and transport. Professor Stephen Farry added that building public trust through strong governance, transparency, and engagement, alongside understanding the changing skills landscape, will be crucial. Both professors stressed that timely and pre-emptive policymaking is essential for the future of local public services and public finances.