Northern Ireland has long been recognised for its resilience, creativity, and ability to adapt in the face of change. Today, another shift is underway - one driven by artificial intelligence (AI).
Done well, AI innovation has the potential to tackle one of our most persistent economic challenges: low productivity. This was a subject that was explored in-depth at the recent Productivity Summit, hosted by Belfast Chamber in collaboration with Queen’s University Belfast, Danske Bank and Sumer Northern Ireland, at whichEconomy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald outlined that some of Northern Ireland’s strongest sectors are "at the cutting edge of the AI revolution".
Productivity here is, on average, 12% lower than the UK, and nearly 20% below the Republic of Ireland. Compared to the EU27, we lag 11%, and against the G7, 15%. These gaps are not new;they have stubbornly persisted over the past decade. Yet, history shows that significant leaps in productivity often coincide with the adoption of new ideas and technologies.
READ MORE: Danske Bank: Leveraging AI to enhance colleague and customer experience
AI offers us a chance to take that leap - if we approach it with focus, responsibility, and ambition.
The debate around AI is oftentoo focused on the technology itself, whether it’s the latest language model or the pace of machine learning breakthroughs. However, business leaders should perhaps simplyask “how can AI help bring efficiencies?” and“isthe company ready to embed it?”
AI is already reshaping industries across Northern Ireland, and globally. In financial services, AI-driven fraud detection and risk modelling are reducinglosses and building consumer confidence. In healthcare, diagnostic AI tools are helping clinicians analyse scans faster and more accurately, freeing time for patient care. In manufacturing, predictive maintenance and smart robotics are reducing downtime and boosting efficiency. Retailers are also using AI to personalise customer journeys, while, in the public sector, AI can streamline services, reduce waiting times, and improve engagement.
It is important to remember that AI is a tool to unlock value, not the end goal. Real gains appear only when applied to real bottlenecks, simply replicating what others are doing rarely translates to competitive advantage.
Organisations in Northern Ireland should start by examining their unique workflows and goals, before applying AI as a catalyst for redesigning processes, not just automating tasks.
Of course, innovation comes with responsibility. Trust is the currency of the digital economy and, without it, adoption falters. AI’s ability to process vast amounts of data brings benefits but also raises critical questions about ethics, privacy, and accountability.It’s also important to only analyse the specific data sets required to make AI deployment itsel
For Northern Ireland businesses, especially SMEs, the challenge is twofold: first, to understand and navigate the evolving regulatory environment–from the EU’s AI Act to UK frameworks–and, secondly, to embed ethical practices into how AI is designedand deployed. That means being transparent with customers and staff about when and how AI is used, ensuring fairness by guarding against bias that could entrench inequality, and maintaining accountability so that ultimate responsibility always lies with human decision-makers.
The prize for getting this right is significant. Firms that can demonstrate responsible AI can successfully build stronger customer trust, secure investment, and open doors to cross-border trade where compliance is key.
Northern Ireland is well placed to seize the AI opportunity. We already have an innovation ecosystem that punches above its weight, anchored by world-class universities, specialist research centres, and a growing tech sector.
Belfast has been recognised as one of Europe’s most vibrant tech hubs, with global firms establishing AI and big data teams here. Indigenous companies are also carving out niches in sectors from cyber security to health tech. The combination of academic expertise, entrepreneurial spirit, and supportive business networks creates an optimum environment for AI innovation.
Crucially, Northern Ireland’srelatively compact economy can be an advantage. The ability for academia, business, and government to collaborate quickly and at scale makes us an ideal testbed for AI solutions. By positioning ourselves as a trusted region for ethical and impactful AI, we can attract investment, create high-value jobs, and bridge the productivity gap with our neighbours.
Many businesses may be somewhat daunted at the prospect of AI integration, with employees expressing concerns about their roles being filled by ‘robots’. However, it is crucial to bear in mind that technology on its own does not transform economies–people do. AI can certainly remove the “drudgery” in business processes.
To truly harness AI, Northern Ireland must prepare its workforce for change.
This begins with reskilling and upskilling. Many tasks will be automated, but far more roles will be augmented by AI. Employees will need to learn how to work alongside these tools, interpreting outputs, providing oversight, and using freed-up time for higher-value activities.
Our education and training systems will be pivotal. Universities and colleges should seize the opportunity to integrate AI literacy across disciplines–not just in computer science, but in business, healthcare, engineering, and the creative industries. Employers, meanwhile, must invest in continuous learning, ensuring that teams remain adaptable.
Equally important is rethinking how we measure productivity. Traditional metrics may miss the value created when AI enables employees to focus on innovation, problem-solving, and customer relationships.
Business leaders should resist the temptation to see AI purely as a headcount reduction tool. The greatest long-term gains will come when AI augments human creativity and judgment, rather than replacing it. The human is very much required to be “in the loop”.
So how can Northern Ireland make the most of this opportunity? Success will depend on three strategic shifts. First, businesses must be willing to redesign workflows and processes. It is not enough to automate inefficient systems; we must reimagine them. That means asking where value is lost– whether in paperwork, bottlenecks, or poor data flows–and using AI to unlock new ways of working.
Secondly, adoption must go hand-in-hand with investment in people. Reskilling teams and rethinking what productivity means in the age of AI is essential. Productivity should not be viewed solely in terms of output per hour but in the quality, creativity, and impact of the work delivered.
And, thirdly, AI should be seen as a catalyst, not just a tool. The firms that thrive will be those that treat AI as a spark for broader transformation–helping to redefine business models, customer experiences, and even whole sectors.
READ MORE: Building Trust in Technology: Why Responsible AI Matters for Everyone
Northern Ireland has faced the productivity challenge for decades. But with AI, we have a genuine chance to change the story. This will require leadership, investment, and collaboration across business, government, and academia.
We should aim not only to adopt AI, but to shape how it is used by placing ethics, trust, and human potential at the heart of innovation. By doing so, we can close the productivity gap with the rest of the UK, match the dynamism of our European neighbours, and build a more sustainable and inclusive economy.
The question for every leader today is not whether AI will reshape our industries, because it already is. The real question is: will Northern Ireland seize the opportunity to harness it, or will we let others take the lead?
Sync NI's Autumn 2025 magazine explores how Northern Ireland is moving AI from pilot to production
This issue features exclusive insights from industry leaders on real-world AI implementation, responsible adoption, enterprise infrastructure, and how data-driven innovation is transforming businesses across the region.
Read the Big Data Special Edition free online →
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