Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent discussions his Department has had with relevant industry bodies in (a) Northern Ireland and (b) the rest of the UK on the potential application the provisions of Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 apart from Articles 103-107 and 109 to Northern Ireland.

The UK is committed to establishing a proportionate Artificial Intelligence (AI) regulatory approach which is grounded in science and supports growth and innovation.

As we develop our approach to regulating AI, we recognise the need to engage with a range of stakeholders. This includes engaging with the European Union (EU) and other international partners to discuss our respective policy and regulatory approaches.

The European Council has published its proposal for a decision to apply the EU AI Act to a limited extent in Northern Ireland under Article 13(4) of the Windsor Framework. The Act would only apply following an agreement at a Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee, which will be subject to the mechanisms in Schedule 6B to the Northern Ireland Act 1998. The EU AI Act is complex and requires further dialogue and consideration as to its interaction with the Windsor Framework. The UK Government is assessing the proposal and will continue to engage closely with the EU on it.