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Written question asked by Caroline Voaden (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 26 June 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 2 July 2026 (named day). It was answered by Hilary Benn (Labour) on Thursday, 2 July 2026 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Northern Ireland Office: Artificial Intelligence

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what artificial intelligence services or tools are used by their department; and whether the department has a contract with each provider of those services.

Answer

The Government is committed to adopting artificial intelligence in a way that is transparent, responsible and accountable to the public. The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) provides officials, Ministers and special advisers with access to a secure, enterprise-grade generative AI tool that has been assured to the appropriate security standards and approved for official use.

Information about algorithmic and AI tools used by government departments to support decisions that affect members of the public, or that have a significant influence on a decision-making process with public effect, is published through the Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard (ATRS). The ATRS has been mandatory for central government departments since 2024, and records are published on GOV.UK at www.gov.uk/algorithmic-transparency-records. In addition, departments may use other internal tools which do not fall within the scope of the Standard.

In line with public procurement transparency requirements, departments publish contractual information for AI services and tools on Contracts Finder and, where above the relevant threshold, on the Find a Tender Service.

AI services and tools are accessed across government through a range of commercial routes. Departments may contract directly with AI providers, access AI products via intermediated routes such as reseller arrangements where the contractual relationship sits with a partner rather than the underlying provider, or use AI capabilities delivered as features within existing enterprise software and platform contracts (for example productivity, HR or service management tools).

Departments remain responsible in all cases for ensuring compliance with procurement legislation, securing value for money, and publishing relevant contractual information in line with transparency requirements.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
13684
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Northern Ireland Office Artificial intelligence
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk