Minister's speech - Queen's University Belfast Economic Forum on the impact of AI - 15 July 2025

Note: this publication may not reflect verbatim delivery by Minister Archibald

Good afternoon, everyone.

In March earlier this year I was in Boston and New York to meet potential investors.

The future of Artificial Intelligence was a hot topic of conversation.

The companies I met were already using AI and they expected it to rapidly transform their entire industry with new business models, new processes and services, new ways of analysing data, and new job roles.

So, I’m grateful to Queen’s for bringing together leaders from different fields to share their experiences and to help us take advantage of this fast-emerging technology.

Adopting AI is not just necessary for our businesses to stay globally competitive.

AI also has the potential to address our historically low level of productivity - by automating routine tasks, optimising processes, improving analytics, and quickening product development.

Many of our specialisms - software, cybersecurity, big data, and analytics – will be at the forefront of this revolution.

So, adopting AI isn’t just about keeping step with our international neighbours, rather it’s a real opportunity to improve our economic performance.

Many local businesses are of course already embracing this change, and we will hear some case studies later today.

Startups and SMEs can now access powerful AI tools through open-source platforms and cloud services, allowing them to build advanced solutions without vast capital or infrastructure.

Our job in government is to assist and enable that organic adoption of AI.

Our universities’ track record in research and innovation provide strong foundations to build upon.

Last year my Department, in partnership with Invest NI, launched the Artificial Intelligence Collaboration Centre, delivered by Queen’s and Ulster University.

This £16m initiative is now delivering postgraduate scholarships, professional training, and hands-on support for SMEs; ensuring businesses of all sizes can adopt AI.

This is important given that our economy is overwhelmingly made up of small and micro businesses.

Led by Queen’s University and supported by my Department through City and Growth Deals, the £70 million Momentum One Zero project also aims to transform our digital economy.

It will not only substantially increase the volume of digital and AI innovations, but also the range of new approaches to digitalisation in industries across the North. 

This will include translating research into real-world applications, and driving digital innovation across the four themes you will discuss today.

A key task for my Department is to equip workers with the skills needed for an AI economy.

My Department is now focused on reskilling workers and creating new career paths through our Digital Skills Action Plan, Software and Cyber sectoral action plans, and funding 390 postgraduate scholarships in AI related fields.

The work of MATRIX - an industry led panel convened to advise government on the economic potential of science & technology - will also be invaluable in terms of how we plan for and capture the economic benefits of the AI revolution.

Matrix has already published a report on AI ethics and safety, as well as the potential scope for a Global AI Ethics and Safety Centre in the North.

And under the leadership of Robert Hill, the panel is currently preparing a report on, ‘AI and the Future of Work’, which I have no doubt will help inform our thinking on this emotive issue.

As ever, collaboration will continue to be key as we navigate our way through this period of change.

And we must lead by example; by ensuring the benefits of AI are also realised in the delivery of our public services, for better outcomes.

That is why my Department is working closely with Helen McCarthy, the Executive’s Chief Scientific and Technology Adviser.

Together we will drive the adoption of AI within the public sector and in particular, as part of my Department’s approach to our priority sector action plans.

So, thank you again to Queen’s for organising this discussion.

I have to go to another engagement but I’ve asked my officials here to provide me with a readout of the conference.

I hope you have a productive discussion and I look forward to taking the lessons from today into the work of my Department. 

Thank you.