AI in Northern Ireland: Ambition, momentum and a future we can shape together

I hadn’t planned on delivering the speech at the launch of the All-Party Group on Artificial Intelligence - but Storm Bram had other ideas. My colleague, Russell Goodenough, was meant to be the one standing at the podium, but when his plane attempted to land twice and ended up diverted back to Heathrow, I found myself stepping in with very little warning.

Thankfully, if there’s one thing you learn working in digital transformation, it’s how to move quickly and adapt. In an odd way, it felt fitting. AI is evolving at a pace none of us can entirely predict, and flexibility is becoming one of the most important qualities any organisation can have.

The power of political engagement

What impressed me most about the evening was the depth of political interest and the willingness to engage openly with a subject that can feel daunting. Despite the weather, the Long Gallery was packed. People genuinely wanted to be part of the conversation.

Kate Nicholl MLA deserves enormous credit for establishing the group and setting the tone for a thoughtful, inclusive and forward-looking discussion. It was great to see Diane Forsythe MLA and Steve Aiken MLA open the event and reaffirm cross-party support. When political leaders are aligned, it gives organisations like CGI the confidence to invest, collaborate and contribute at scale. For AI to work well for society, government, academia and industry need to speak to one another more than ever. The APG launch was a powerful demonstration of that.

A young voice that grounded the conversation

Hearing from Katie Russell, a student who shared her concerns about AI’s environmental footprint and wider societal impacts, was one of the highlights of the evening. She spoke with honesty, clarity and courage.

It is impossible to meaningfully shape the future of AI without young people at the centre. They will live with the long-term consequences of the decisions made now. Katie captured this perfectly. Her contribution reminded us that innovation must be grounded in real human experience, not just technical capability.

CGI’s role in supporting Northern Ireland’s AI journey

One of the reasons CGI was so pleased to sponsor the launch is because we see enormous potential for Northern Ireland in this space. Our work here already spans digital transformation, data strategy, AI adoption and major public-sector change programmes. We have the privilege of seeing how advanced technologies, when implemented responsibly, can unlock real, measurable improvements in services and outcomes.

In the speech, I spoke about how thousands of CGI colleagues now use AI every day and how this has transformed productivity, accuracy and collaboration across our delivery teams. More importantly, AI is enhancing inclusion, giving colleagues new ways to process information and reducing the pressure of repetitive tasks. These are the kinds of benefits that can be replicated across Northern Ireland’s public services and industries with the right skills, governance and ambition.

We also discussed examples such as CGI’s work in healthcare, where AI-supported imaging is helping clinicians make better-informed decisions without replacing their expertise. These are powerful illustrations of what responsible, human-centred AI looks like in practice. Northern Ireland is well positioned to become a centre of excellence in this type of applied, ethical innovation.

Building an ecosystem that works

The panel brought together people who are all trying to solve the same challenges from different perspectives. Experts such as Helen McCarthy, Nigel Cunningham and Andrew Gough offered grounded insights from lived experience. Stephen Farry and Tadgh Hickey provided a valuable overview of public attitudes, reminding us that public trust is essential for AI to succeed. CGI believes strongly in the value of open collaboration, and we were proud to help create a space where that could flourish.

Northern Ireland’s moment

As I spoke, I found myself thinking about the direction Northern Ireland can take. The region has strengths that many others envy. Universities producing world-class research. A thriving cyber security and engineering talent base. A scale that allows for experimentation and rapid deployment. And a growing appetite across government and industry to use AI to improve productivity, streamline public services and grow the economy.

At CGI, we want to play a central and long-term role in this journey. Our proximity model means we invest in local teams and local expertise. Our global network gives Northern Ireland immediate access to proven AI solutions, governance frameworks and delivery experience. We are already supporting key public-sector programmes that are laying the foundations for a more digital, more responsive and more resilient future.

Northern Ireland has all the ingredients to lead in responsible AI adoption. The challenge now is harnessing that potential in a way that delivers real value for people, communities and businesses.

Looking ahead with confidence

The launch of the All-Party Group felt like more than an event. It felt like a signal that Northern Ireland is ready to take AI seriously, to embrace its opportunities and to confront its challenges with maturity and intention. Political leaders showed commitment. Young people showed bravery and insight. Experts brought clarity. 

CGI will continue supporting this direction of travel, investing in skills, partnering across sectors and ensuring that AI is used responsibly and transparently in every project we deliver.

Storm Bram may have caused some disruption, but it did nothing to dampen the sense of possibility in the room. In fact, it made the evening feel more memorable. Northern Ireland is ready to move forward with confidence, and we are excited to help shape what comes next.
 

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