Minister for AI and Online Safety visits Belfast to recognise AwakenHubs innovation in delivering Activate AI

L-R Professor Helen Mc Carthy Ni Executive Chief Scientific Officer, Professor Cathy Gormley-Hennan Ulster University, Kanishka Narayan MP Minister for AI and Online Safety, David Crozier Director of AICC, Clare McGee CEO AwakenHub & AwakenAngels

AwakenHub and Artificial Intelligence Collaboration Centre (AICC) were proud to co-host a special visit to Ulster University’s Belfast campus by Kanishka Narayan MP, the UK’s Minister for AI and Online Safety within the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), on Friday 28 November.

Minister Narayan’s visit offered an important platform to explore how diverse and vibrant tech ecosystems, particularly in regions like Northern Ireland, are essential to the UK’s long-term innovation, growth and inclusion goals.

The fireside discussion, hosted in The Gallery at Ulster University, began with a welcome from Ulster University Provost, Professor Cathy Gormley-Heenan, followed by opening remarks from David Crozier CBE, Director of the AICC, and Clare McGee, CEO & Co-Founder of AwakenHub. Both highlighted their organisations’ shared mission to support inclusive innovation and AI adoption across Northern Ireland.

A central moment in the programme was a fireside conversation between Minister Narayan and Professor Helen McCarthy, Chief Scientific Advisor within the Northern Ireland Executive Office, moderated by David Crozier. The dialogue addressed key questions around diversity in the UK tech sector, the role of government in supporting underrepresented founders, and the importance of local leadership in driving systemic cultural and economic change.

Minister Narayan said:
“It’s been great to see how Northern Ireland is embracing the opportunities of AI to build a more inclusive, dynamic tech ecosystem.

"Northern Ireland has a crucial role to play in the UK’s tech-powered future. The innovation we see here, from research institutions to SMEs, is matched by a collaborative culture and shared ambition to ensure AI benefits everyone.

“Diversity in the tech sector isn’t a ‘nice to have’, it’s an economic imperative. If we want AI systems to be fair, trusted and globally competitive, we need every community, every founder and every region represented in their development.”

The Minister also had the opportunity to engage directly with founders, entrepreneurs and stakeholders from Northern Ireland’s expanding innovation ecosystem, including participants in the new Activate AI programme, funded by DSIT and delivered by AwakenHub with support from the AICC.

Clare McGee, CEO & Co-Founder of AwakenHub, stated:
‘At AwakenHub, we’re dedicated to ensuring women and underrepresented founders get equitable access to investment, innovation and the opportunities that drive real productivity gains. That’s why we’re so excited to deliver Activate AI. This pilot is purpose-built to remove barriers, accelerate innovation and close productivity gaps for founders who are too often overlooked.

Today’s discussion highlights just how vital it is to build strong bridges between all businesses and the tech sector, where diverse perspectives aren’t just welcomed, they’re essential. When more voices are heard, we see better ideas, better products and better outcomes. Activate AI is here to make that a reality.’

David Crozier, AICC Director, added:
“At the AICC we are building an ecosystem where AI is developed responsibly, deployed practically and adopted widely, and that can only be achieved when the sector is open, inclusive and connected. We’re proud to collaborate with partners like AwakenHub to ensure that innovation, and the economic value it drives, is accessible to founders and organisations from every background. Today’s conversation with Minister Narayan and Professor McCarthy reflects the strength, momentum and potential of Northern Ireland’s AI and tech community.”

The event underlined Northern Ireland’s growing reputation as a centre of excellence for AI and emerging technology, united in the mission to build a tech ecosystem that is ambitious, inclusive and globally competitive.

Thank you to the participants of Activate AI who joined us this morning, to ask questions of the Minister.