Debate contribution: Artificial Intelligence Strategy
Debate contribution by Mr Stewart Dickson on .
- MLA
- Mr Stewart Dickson
- Party at the time
- Alliance Party
- Date
- 14 September 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Opposition Business
- Heading
- Artificial Intelligence Strategy
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5686070
Read the official Assembly record
Text
It is a somewhat curious debate: we want it; we do not want it. I will start with a quote that might put people off. Donald Trump said:
"The only control or 'guardrails' that AI needs is a STRONG AND SMART (High IQ!) PRESIDENT, and the U.S.A. has that, in spades!"
He said that on Air Force One when leaving Ireland last night. As an Alliance member of the Executive Office Committee, I am pleased to be able to speak on the motion. Artificial intelligence is here, and it is already having a significant impact on our economy, society and public services. Members will be aware that I have a passion for health, particularly life-saving outcomes for cancer patients. There are important lessons to be learned about how AI and data can lead to better health outcomes. A couple of weeks ago, in an interview on 'Good Morning Ulster', Michelle Mitchell, the chief executive of Cancer Research (UK), said that we are in a "golden age" of cancer research. She also noted that data and AI will be able to accelerate our understanding, identify drug targets more quickly, deliver better diagnostic tools and help us in clinical trials more effectively. That research is also happening in Northern Ireland. Just one example is the work of Professor Iain Styles and his colleagues at Queen's University Belfast. They are undertaking pioneering research that is already having an impact on their work, which includes developing AI-powered diagnostics to improve detection. Within our own health service, AI is being used in a specific circumstance to enhance delivery, including through fracture clinics in Northern Ireland. Indeed, in response to a question from my colleague Kate Nicholl, the Health Minister noted that, between January and March 2025, pilot tools of AI increased diagnostic accuracy, reducing missed fractures from 6·7 to 1·2 compared with the pre-go live evaluation stage, potentially saving up to three days for specialist radiology staff performing second readings of X-rays. However, safeguarding guard rails and transparency are crucial. Our healthcare is deeply personal. Our data has to be protected and privacy maintained throughout. That is what will give people confidence and build trust in AI. It must never replace the human in our healthcare system, and that is the clear message that needs to go out from the Chamber today. While we can work to deliver all the benefits of artificial intelligence, what we must never do when it comes to healthcare is to take the human out of it.
417 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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