To ask the Minister of Finance to provide an update on the use of Artificial Intelligence across the Northern Ireland Civil Service and other public bodies.

Mr O'Dowd

The pace of technological change is rapid. It is crucial that we understand the transformative power of AI and how it can be harnessed to benefit our society but in a responsible and controlled manner. AI presents many opportunities for the public sector to automate routine tasks, streamline processes and improve the management of public resources. My Department has been taking forward a number of small-scale proof-of-value projects to examine the use of AI in a measured way in order to understand how the technology can deliver value in the public sector. I am aware that other Departments are utilising AI to assist with the delivery of their services and that others are beginning to pilot and test the value of AI adoption. My Department has established an AI working group that is made up of digital leaders from across Departments to share emerging findings and take on board learnings, including those from other jurisdictions.

Mr O'Dowd

I can imagine the headlines in some of tomorrow's newspapers as they report that the Assembly has discussed artificial intelligence, and what the suggestions might be. A working group is a sufficient and effective response to where we are at this stage. As I said, technology is rapidly changing. Developments in AI can and will help to deliver public services, but we have to do that in an ethical way. We have to ensure that data and human dignity, for instance, are protected and that all service users are comfortable interacting with the AI if it is a front-facing service or a service that we use behind the scenes for reading and interrogating documents. I have already discussed the matter with officials. At this stage, I am satisfied that we are on the right path. However, it is an area that deserves careful monitoring by me, which it will have.

Ms Ferguson

What measures have been implemented to ensure the ethical use of artificial intelligence?

Mr O'Dowd

As I say, we have started a number of pilots in my Department. I know that other Departments and government agencies are using AI. We have set up a working group to take an initial view of it and to learn from other state providers and states that are at a much more advanced stage than we are. As I said to the previous questioner, the most important things are to protect people's personal data, ensure that everyone who interfaces with the system, if it is public-facing, feels comfortable doing so, and do not simply replace staff with AI because it is cost-efficient. You cannot simply measure the contribution of staff on the basis of pounds, shillings and pence. Greater measures have to be taken into account rather than simply using a mathematical equation. It cannot be a mathematical equation. There are too many elements to understand before decisions are made.

Mr McNulty

It is reassuring to hear your position on that, Minister. Given the concerns that there are in the Civil Service, what safeguards and guarantees will you put in place to ensure that any AI that is adopted in the Civil Service will be used to support employees and not replace them?

Mr O'Dowd

I have given my commitment to the House that I will take careful, personal consideration and oversight of the matter as that area of technological advancement increases and increases rapidly. We have all witnessed significant technological advancement in our own lifetime, which has, in many ways, provided and improved public services, making them more efficient and ensuring that we are able to deliver them to as many people as possible in constrained budgetary times. However, as I said, it is not simply a case of pounds, shillings and pence. You cannot carry out that equation on the basis of simple costs alone. Many elements have to be taken on board. I assure the Member that the fullest examination of that will be taken forward before any radical decisions are made.