Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister for the Economy, pursuant to AQW 12283/22-27, to detail the progress to date by the Artificial Intelligence Collaboration Centre.
Minister for the Economy: The Artificial Intelligence Collaboration Centre (AICC) was launched in March 2024. It has since recruited a Director who commenced in August 2024. Its industry led Advisory Board, representing the views of industry stakeholders, has been established, and met formally in December 2024 as has its Technology and Skills Advisory Board which also features industry representatives. AICC has recruited 10 new staff since October 2024 and a new branding and website launched in December 2024.
Since March, AICC has held 15 regional events and 160 industry meetings and engagements. The AICC’s Business Transformer Programme, offering up to 20 days of fully funded AI, machine learning, and data science consultancy, has engaged its first 10 businesses with work in progress, and a further 7 are at engagement contract and statement of work negotiation phase.
AICC has just opened its regional AI Acceleration Tour series for registrations, empowering SMEs and professionals to get ready to embrace AI innovation in their business, through expert led modules and interactive live sessions. There are currently 6 workshops live for registration on the AICC website, with each workshop serving up to 30 participants.
A total of 142 students have matriculated on AICC Post Graduate scholarships across Ulster University and the Queen’s University.
ENDS
Your MLA 