Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister, given recent developments in advanced Artificial Intelligence systems capable of undertaking complex tasks with limited human supervision, to detail (i) any work undertaken across Executive departments to assess the implications of such technologies for (a) public service delivery; (b) employment; (c) cybersecurity; (d) procurement; and (v) data protection; and (ii) whether they will publish a cross-departmental strategy setting out how Executive Ministers intend to respond to these developments.
First Minister and deputy First Minister: The Executive recognises the rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies and the opportunities and risks these present across public services. Departments are actively considering the implications of AI within their respective areas of responsibility and are undertaking work to assess its potential impact on service delivery, workforce practices, cybersecurity, procurement and data protection.
The Executive is committed to the safe, ethical and responsible use of AI and has launched a public consultation on the draft Northern Ireland Artificial Intelligence Strategy, which opened on 12 August 2026 and will run until 7 October 2026.
ENDS
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