The South Belfast MLA said: “AI has stimulated a great deal of public conversation and is increasingly impacting on our lives. Ignoring AI or hoping that it does not change our ways of working is not an option for our Executive, with the pace of change only set to increase in the coming months and years.

“Connecting into the high growth tech and cyber sectors in Northern Ireland, shows a clear potential for significant economic growth arising from the development of AI technologies here. Additionally, as the UK Government has outlined, there is also potential for AI to support the more effective and efficient delivery of public services.

“Nevertheless, we must be mindful of the pitfalls of AI and the need to ensure it is used in a way that is safe and ethical. This must include addressing concerns around data protection, guarding against the outsized influence of large corporations, being mindful of the carbon intensity of AI, and the potential for AI to exacerbate pre-existing biases and safeguarding concerns.

“Alliance believes that it is imperative to engage robustly in the debates and discussions around the use of AI. That is why I have submitted a range of questions to Ministers to better understand how they plan to manage and make use of AI within their departments and beyond.

“Whilst managing and mitigating against the potential negatives impacts of AI, there is clear potential particularly in regards to productivity. Therefore, our Economy and Finance Ministers in particular must now articulate how they intend to manage the use of AI, across both private industry and public life, in Northern Ireland to ensure better government for everyone.”