AQW 20138/22-27 Written question to the Minister for the Economy
To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any strategies in place to increase Ministerial engagement with (i) digital technology; and (ii) artificial intelligence.
Asked by Kate Nicholl MLA on 8 January 2025
- Answered
- Written
- Tabled
- 8 January 2025
- Answer due by
- 23 January 2025
- Answered
- 20 January 202512 days after tabling
- Department
- Department for the Economy
- Priority question
- No
Answer
I have overseen a number of strategic initiatives by my Department and Invest NI to increase engagement with digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) across the North.
These include an investment of £16.3m in the AI Collaboration Centre and the £8m Digital Transformation Flexible Fund. These investments will drive engagement with digital technology and AI and help local businesses to invest in digital infrastructure.
I recently engaged with the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology prior to the publication of the British Government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan. I am keen to maximise the opportunities for the North as this plan is implemented.
A range of planned significant investments will further boost engagement with digital technologies and AI, such as the £15m SMART/Digital City programme in Derry or the £35m Digital Twin Centre in Belfast.