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15/01/2025
Alliance Calls For Northern Ireland AI Strategy
Alliance Party spokesperson Kate Nicholl MLA has called on Northern Ireland's Ministers to develop a plan for managing Artificial Intelligence (AI) following the publication of the UK Government's AI Opportunities Action Plan.
"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," the South Belfast MLA said
"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."
Nicholl highlighted the importance of being "mindful of the pitfalls of AI" and the need to ensure it is used in a way that is safe and ethical.
She continued: "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."
The Alliance MLA has submitted questions to Ministers to understand their plans for managing AI across government departments and the wider economy.
"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," the South Belfast MLA said
"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."
Nicholl highlighted the importance of being "mindful of the pitfalls of AI" and the need to ensure it is used in a way that is safe and ethical.
"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."
The Alliance MLA has submitted questions to Ministers to understand their plans for managing AI across government departments and the wider economy.
Latest Northern Ireland News
15 January 2025
Man Sought After Assault At Maternity Hospital
Police investigating an assault on staff at the Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital on Saturday 11th January are making a specific appeal for a man who intervened and stopped the attack, to come forward. Shortly before 8:30pm, it was reported to police that a female nurse aged in her 20s was assaulted and placed in a headlock by a male assailant.
Man Sought After Assault At Maternity Hospital
Police investigating an assault on staff at the Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital on Saturday 11th January are making a specific appeal for a man who intervened and stopped the attack, to come forward. Shortly before 8:30pm, it was reported to police that a female nurse aged in her 20s was assaulted and placed in a headlock by a male assailant.
15 January 2025
Giant Adventure Park Planned For Belfast's Waterfront
An ambitious plan for a giant-themed urban adventure park and nature sanctuary has been unveiled for Belfast. The project, situated on a former landfill site on Dargan Road in north Belfast, is a public-private partnership between Belfast City Council and Giant's Park Belfast Limited.
Giant Adventure Park Planned For Belfast's Waterfront
An ambitious plan for a giant-themed urban adventure park and nature sanctuary has been unveiled for Belfast. The project, situated on a former landfill site on Dargan Road in north Belfast, is a public-private partnership between Belfast City Council and Giant's Park Belfast Limited.
15 January 2025
Alliance Calls For Northern Ireland AI Strategy
Alliance Party spokesperson Kate Nicholl MLA has called on Northern Ireland's Ministers to develop a plan for managing Artificial Intelligence (AI) following the publication of the UK Government's AI Opportunities Action Plan. "AI has stimulated a great deal of public conversation and is increasingly impacting on our lives.
Alliance Calls For Northern Ireland AI Strategy
Alliance Party spokesperson Kate Nicholl MLA has called on Northern Ireland's Ministers to develop a plan for managing Artificial Intelligence (AI) following the publication of the UK Government's AI Opportunities Action Plan. "AI has stimulated a great deal of public conversation and is increasingly impacting on our lives.
15 January 2025
Ambulance Delays Contributing To Healthcare Crisis – SDLP
The SDLP's health spokesperson, Colin McGrath MLA, has highlighted lengthy ambulance response times as a significant factor in the ongoing strain on Northern Ireland's health service. McGrath, who has spoken out about the issue of ambulance delays, particularly in rural areas, made his comments following a recent Assembly debate.
Ambulance Delays Contributing To Healthcare Crisis – SDLP
The SDLP's health spokesperson, Colin McGrath MLA, has highlighted lengthy ambulance response times as a significant factor in the ongoing strain on Northern Ireland's health service. McGrath, who has spoken out about the issue of ambulance delays, particularly in rural areas, made his comments following a recent Assembly debate.
15 January 2025
Man Arrested Following Violent Incident In Newtownards
A 20-year-old man has been arrested following a police operation in the Victoria Avenue area of Newtownards in the early hours of this morning, Wednesday 15th January. Local Policing Team officers conducting patrols in the area detained a man to conduct a drug search.
Man Arrested Following Violent Incident In Newtownards
A 20-year-old man has been arrested following a police operation in the Victoria Avenue area of Newtownards in the early hours of this morning, Wednesday 15th January. Local Policing Team officers conducting patrols in the area detained a man to conduct a drug search.
15 January 2025
Fiona McAteer Appointed Belfast's New High Sheriff
Councillor Fiona McAteer has been sworn in as Belfast's 125th High Sheriff, taking over from Councillor Sammy Douglas. Representing the Titanic area for Alliance, McAteer was elected to council in May 2023. "I am very honoured to be appointed to such a prestigious role," said McAteer.
Fiona McAteer Appointed Belfast's New High Sheriff
Councillor Fiona McAteer has been sworn in as Belfast's 125th High Sheriff, taking over from Councillor Sammy Douglas. Representing the Titanic area for Alliance, McAteer was elected to council in May 2023. "I am very honoured to be appointed to such a prestigious role," said McAteer.
15 January 2025
New International Panel To Address Curriculum Reform
Northern Ireland's Education Minister, Paul Givan, has announced the formation of an international advisory panel on curriculum and assessment. The panel, comprised of education experts from around the world, will provide guidance and recommendations for reforming Northern Ireland's education system.
New International Panel To Address Curriculum Reform
Northern Ireland's Education Minister, Paul Givan, has announced the formation of an international advisory panel on curriculum and assessment. The panel, comprised of education experts from around the world, will provide guidance and recommendations for reforming Northern Ireland's education system.
15 January 2025
Which Business Strategies Are Likely To Become More Popular In The UK?
The way businesses operate in the UK is changing rapidly. Companies are exploring new strategies to stand out in a crowded market and stay connected to their customers. These approaches reflect how businesses aim to remain competitive while addressing shifting consumer expectations.
Which Business Strategies Are Likely To Become More Popular In The UK?
The way businesses operate in the UK is changing rapidly. Companies are exploring new strategies to stand out in a crowded market and stay connected to their customers. These approaches reflect how businesses aim to remain competitive while addressing shifting consumer expectations.
15 January 2025
Newtownabbey Woman Dies After Glengormley Collision
The PSNI have named the woman who died following a road traffic collision in Glengormley on Monday 13th January as Carole Graham, aged 77, from the Newtownabbey area. The collision, involving a female pedestrian and a white Kia Sportage, was reported at approximately 5pm on the Antrim Road.
Newtownabbey Woman Dies After Glengormley Collision
The PSNI have named the woman who died following a road traffic collision in Glengormley on Monday 13th January as Carole Graham, aged 77, from the Newtownabbey area. The collision, involving a female pedestrian and a white Kia Sportage, was reported at approximately 5pm on the Antrim Road.
15 January 2025
Other News In Brief
SF Condemn Those Behind Attack On Nurse Sinn Féin has condemned an attack in a female nurse at the Royal Maternity Hospital on Saturday 11 January as "disgraceful’. The West Belfast MLA.Órlaithí Flynn said: "I am horrified to learn that a young nurse, who had been working at the Royal Maternity Hospital, was assaulted on Saturday evening.
Other News In Brief
SF Condemn Those Behind Attack On Nurse Sinn Féin has condemned an attack in a female nurse at the Royal Maternity Hospital on Saturday 11 January as "disgraceful’. The West Belfast MLA.Órlaithí Flynn said: "I am horrified to learn that a young nurse, who had been working at the Royal Maternity Hospital, was assaulted on Saturday evening.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Staying dry with clear periods at first then cloudier skies edging in overnight with patchy mist and hill fog. Turning chilly where skies remain clear. A light southerly breeze. Minimum temperature 3 °C.
