Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister for Communities to detail any training that has been provided to staff in his Department on the use of Artificial Intelligence, including its limitations and risks, since February 2024.
Minister for Communities: My Department has delivered a structured digital enablement programme to support staff in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The 12-week programme, which began in January 2026, formed part of the Department’s early adoption phase for AI. It provided AI-focused training across the Department, including Copilot Chat training for up to 2,000 staff and more advanced Microsoft 365 Copilot training for approximately 60 licensed users. This included practical use cases, productivity benefits, effective interaction with AI tools, and the limitations and risks associated with their use. Training materials have also been made available to staff through the Department’s Intranet, providing a resource for refresher training and for staff who were unable to attend live sessions. Further training will continue to be rolled out as part of future phases of my Department’s AI adoption programme.
In addition to training, the Department introduced formal guidance on the use of Copilot Chat in June 2025, which sets out clear safeguards and emphasises the importance of understanding the limitations and risks of AI.
This combined approach ensures that staff are equipped to use AI safely, responsibly and effectively.
ENDS
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