AQW 23406/22-27 Written question to the First Minister and deputy First Minister
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on plans to establish an Artificial Intelligence Unit in their Department.
Asked by Kate Nicholl MLA on 26 February 2025
- Answered
- Written
- After due date
- Tabled
- 26 February 2025
- Answer due by
- 13 March 2025
- Answered
- 13 May 202576 days after tabling
- Department
- The Executive Office
- Priority question
- No
Answer
We are creating an AI Unit and we have tasked the Chief Scientific and Technology Adviser with chairing a Task-and-Finish Group comprising representatives from government departments, industry, and academia to scope out the remit of, and requirements for, an Office of AI and Digital for the region, as set out in the PfG. The first meeting took place in March 2025.
The Task-and-Finish Group will consider a number of proposed workstream pillars, including public sector reform; governance; skills; data and infrastructure. Work will then commence on the development of an AI strategy on the basis of what is identified through the Task-and-Finish Group.
A significant part of the work will look at how we integrate and showcase the expertise we already have, and how we progress the areas that need to be developed.