Debate contribution: Artificial Intelligence Strategy

Debate contribution by Mrs Emma Little-Pengelly on 7 September 2026.

MLA: Mrs Emma Little-Pengelly
Party at the time: Democratic Unionist Party
Date: 7 September 2026
Type: Debate contribution (made as a minister)
Business: Oral Answers to Questions
Heading: Artificial Intelligence Strategy
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5669763

Text

I thank the Member. It is incredibly important that we are aware of not just the potential risks with AI but the potential opportunities that AI and further digitisation might provide and that we seize those opportunities. That is why we need a plan. It is why we moved quickly to establish the office of the Chief Scientific and Technology Adviser and tasked her with bringing the work forward. I am really pleased with the work so far. I thank all of the many people who helped with the strategy and contributed to putting it together, particularly those working in the industry. They did so freely, because they want to see a robust and workable AI strategy for Northern Ireland as well. The Member touched on an incredibly important issue. People want to know that their hard-earned taxpayers' money is being used in the best way across Departments and the public sector. We need to reassure the public that that is the case, but we also need to do everything that we can to root out inefficiency and waste and make sure that the likes of AI and further digitisation improve services and improve the working lives and environments of those who are tasked with delivering and implementing such decisions.

210 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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