By Caitroina McCusker, Regional Market Leader, PwC UK
Artificial Intelligence (AI) isreshaping how we live, work, and learn. For Northern Ireland, this isn’t just a technological shift -it’s a generational opportunity to redefine our economic future, close the skills gapand build a society that thrives on innovation and inclusion.
At PwC, we see AI as a catalyst for transformation across every sector. From healthcare and manufacturing to education and public services, AI is unlocking new efficiencies, enabling smarter decision-making, and creating entirely new business models. But the real power of AI lies not just in the technology itself - it’s in how we choose to apply it.
READ MORE: Big Data Belfast – Speaker Spotlight – Cat McCusker, Regional Market Leader, PwC
Northern Ireland has the talent, ambitionand resilience to lead in this space. We have phenomenal thinkers and doers – from scientists spearheading world leading medical research to directors creating films for the big screen. Our universities are producing world-class research, our start-ups are pushing boundariesand our communities are hungry for new opportunities. What we need now is a bold, coordinated strategy that puts people at the heart of AI adoption.
That starts with skills. The pace of change demands a workforce that’s agile, digitally fluentand ready to adapt. Yet we know the skills gap remains one of our biggest challenges here in Northern Ireland. Our recent PwC Good Growth for Cities report highlighted that although Belfast is improving, we are continue to lack in skills, particularly for those aged 25 and over.
These skills are really setting the tone of the workforce for the jobs of tomorrow. AI won’t just replace tasks - it will redefine roles. That means reskilling and upskilling must become part of our everyday business strategy. At PwC, we’re embedding AI literacy across our teams, helping people understand not just how to use AI, but how to lead with it. For myself, that has meant using AI to help me collaborate, lead my team and organise my day to day – giving me more headspace to think about the problems that really need solved for businesses here in Northern Ireland.
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To truly harness AI, Northern Ireland must invest in the digital foundations that support innovation - high-speed connectivity, secure data environmentsand ethical governance frameworks. We must create spaces where public and private sectors can collaborate, experiment, and scale solutions that work for our unique context.
But perhaps most importantly, we need vision. AI is not just a tool - it’s a mindset. It challenges us to think differently, to solve problems creativelyand to build systems that serve everyone.That’s why I believe Northern Ireland can be more than a fast follower - we can be a global leader in adoption for this new technology.
At Big Data Belfast 2025, I’ll be sharing how we can make that vision a reality. I’ll explore the practical steps businesses can take to integrate AI, the policy levers that can accelerate adoption, and the partnerships that will drive inclusive growth. Because when we get this right, AI won’t just transform our economy - it will transform lives.
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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