AQW 20138/22-27

Ms Kate Nicholl
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 08/01/2025
Answered On Date: 20/01/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any strategies in place to increase Ministerial engagement with (i) digital technology; and (ii) artificial intelligence.

Answer:

I have overseen a number of strategic initiatives by my Department and Invest NI to increase engagement with digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) across the North.

These include an investment of £16.3m in the AI Collaboration Centre and the £8m Digital Transformation Flexible Fund. These investments will drive engagement with digital technology and AI and help local businesses to invest in digital infrastructure.

I recently engaged with the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology prior to the publication of the British Government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan. I am keen to maximise the opportunities for the North as this plan is implemented.

A range of planned significant investments will further boost engagement with digital technologies and AI, such as the £15m SMART/Digital City programme in Derry or the £35m Digital Twin Centre in Belfast.