To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail (i) any engagement they have had with the UK Government in relation to the AI Accelerator Programme; and (ii) whether any representatives from the Northern Ireland Executive will be involved in this programme.

An introductory meeting took place on 2nd May 2025 between representatives of The Executive Office, Department of Finance (NI) and the UK Government in relation to the AI Accelerator Programme. The focus of the meeting was on information sharing and to outline the steps required to include NICS staff in the second cohort of the AI Accelerator Programme, which will launch in September 2025.

No representatives of the Northern Ireland Executive are involved in the first cohort of the AI Accelerator Programme which launched on 28 March 2025.

The recently established AI Task-and-Finish Group will consider the issue of AI and digital skills across the NICS workforce as part of the scoping work to establish the Office of AI and Digital. Members of the Task-and-Finish Group will liaise with other administrations to determine useful programmes and interventions for possible adoption as part of the Office of AI and Digital’s future work.