Debate contribution: Artificial Intelligence Strategy
Debate contribution by Mrs Emma Little-Pengelly on .
- 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 5669783
Read the official Assembly record
Text
It is important that we do not prematurely fall into a position of opposition or of creating fears and apprehensions about something. That is why we have set up the process. At this stage, there is not extensive use of AI across the public sector. Inevitably, however, as AI develops, it will be used in all sectors, including the public sector. That is clear to us and is why we moved quickly to put in place an ethical framework that, as I indicated, has at its heart safeguards to make sure that some of the fears that are being discussed will not be realised. No system is perfect. The Member asked about the team in the Executive Office, but AI is not just an Executive Office issue: the teams that have been working on it are cross-departmental, and there are AI leads in each Department. Indeed, it goes much wider than that and into our agencies. For example, it has huge potential in Health, and that engages the health trusts and others. It is much wider than the Executive Office. It is led by the Executive Office through our Chief Scientific and Technology Adviser, and I have no doubt that she would be more than happy to engage with you on the detail of the process.
216 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Assessment
Awaiting analysis
This record has not been analysed yet. It is not counted in any total until it has been assessed.
Disagree with this assessment?
Classifications can be challenged. A person reviews every challenge, and any change is recorded publicly above with its reason.