The South Belfast MLA said: “The publication of this strategy from the ICO is very welcome and offers an important opportunity to reflect on the development of AI to this point and ensure there are guardrails in place for future innovations.

“The core themes of preventing harm and promoting trust within the strategy should act as a call to action for all public and private organisations who are seeking to utilise AI in their work, especially when this involves the use of public data.

“I recognise that it’s important to allow for the development of AI tools to support economic growth and improve public services, but this must occur within an environment that promotes the safe and ethical use of information.

“Artificial intelligence is already deeply embedded in our everyday lives, and it is leading to significant opportunities for innovation, but this must never be at the expense of safety and trust.

“The strategy marks an important milestone in the development of a more robust regulatory framework for artificial intelligence. It’s important to build public trust and develop frameworks for the ethical use of emerging technologies, and the role of the ICO in supporting government and business to act responsibly is crucial.”