Stormont ministers look to Artificial Intelligence to help answer Assembly questions amid cost queries
Two Stormont departments are working with Artificial Intelligence (AI) companies to develop a system to help officials answer questions posed by MLAs – amid a dispute over how much scrutiny of ministers costs the taxpayer.
Both the health and economy departments have confirmed to the News Letter that they are engaged in talks about possible changes to how Assembly Questions (AQWs) are answered.
The news has been welcomed by Ulster Unionist MLA Diana Armstrong – if it makes the process quicker and more efficient.
Mike Nesbitt’s health department says “to support digital modernisation” it is currently working with an AI firm – but the work “is at an early stage, and no decisions have been made”. Caoimhe Archinald’s economy ministry says it is also working with an AI company on AQWs, “as the public sector seeks to keep pace with emerging technologies” – adding that the project “is at an early stage”.
Officials have given assurances that all responses to AQs would still be subject to normal approval process with full ministerial oversight, and no changes to the approval process.
Mrs Armstrong said: “The role of any public representative is to ask questions and scrutinise departments on behalf of constituents. I will use every appropriate opportunity and method to raise issues affecting Fermanagh and South Tyrone, and Northern Ireland more widely with the relevant Ministers.
“I see no problem with using AI for responses in this process, provided the answers are fact checked and Ministers remain fully accountable for them. If it makes the AQW process quicker, and more efficient, that strengthens accountability. It may also help streamline work for departments and deliver savings in an area that has faced criticism over unclear or speculative cost estimates.
“Some news outlets, it seems, would prefer questions weren’t asked at all.”
Her comments come after party leader Jon Burrows faced claims by the BBC that he had asked 250 AQWs at a cost of “£700 per question”. The broadcaster attributed that figure to justice minister Naomi Long, but a report by the NI Assembly last year said the cost of answering a question “varies significantly” and said there is “scarce information” on the matter. It cited an upper threshold of £750.