To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail how Artificial Intelligence is being used by, and within (i) her Department; and (ii) the arm's length bodies sponsored by her Department.

The Department for Infrastructure has made available Microsoft Copilot Chat, an enterprise level secure AI assistant, to all staff and a more advanced separately licensed Microsoft Copilot for 365 AI assistant to just over 100 staff.

The Department has also commenced several proof-of-concept exercises using AI technology using departmental data and information to train AI Agents to assist staff in responding to queries or providing advice. Evaluation of these exercises are ongoing. Driver and Vehicle Agency are currently trialling an AI solution to capture, record and analyse customer queries.

The Department is also working closely with other areas of the NICS to develop NICS wide uses for AI to deliver economies of scale and shared learning in this area.

Within Arm’s Length Bodies, NI Water and Translink have also deployed Microsoft Copilot and are using commercial off the shelf products such as chatbots, cyber security tools and data analytics solutions that have embedded AI functions. Waterways Ireland does not currently use AI tools but is expecting to start a deployment in 2026.

While these AI tools may be used to support productivity by helping officials to find, analyse and summarise information, and to improve efficiency in daily tasks, responsibility for policy development and advice remain with officials.

All written material within the Department is subject to review, refinement and final approval in line with established governance processes.