To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any consideration she has given to the development of a regional strategy for Artificial Intelligence for Northern Ireland.

I recognise the growing importance of AI for the economy with the technology’s potential to boost productivity, innovation and economic growth when safely and responsibly deployed.

My officials are considering the whole AI landscape and the opportunities that exist to grow the region’s economy, building on the work that is already being undertaken by the AI Collaboration Centre; as well as considering the ambitious targets set out in the AI Action Plan recently launched by the British government.