34123 (2026). Francisco Hernandez to the Minister for Social Investment

Written Question

Published date: 19 Aug 2026

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	34123 (2026)
Question asked:	30 Jul 2026
Member asking:	Francisco Hernandez
Portfolio:	Minister for Social Investment
Minister replying:	Hon Nicola Willis
Answer received:	13 Aug 2026
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_34123_2026
Document guid:	6ae4d6b7-2f66-4a49-9ffe-2ac1d41ef69d

34123 (2026). Francisco Hernandez to the Minister for Social Investment: What procurement process, if any, was used for purchasing artificial intelligence tools, if any, currently being used within the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any?

Hon Nicola Willis: I am advised that the Social Investment Agency (SIA) has not undertaken any procurement processes for the purchase of artificial intelligence (AI) tools currently used by the agency. SIA accesses AI-enabled tools through its shared services arrangement with the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) and reimburses MSD for associated licensing costs. Any procurement processes relating to those tools were undertaken by MSD. SIA also uses certain open-source AI models for evaluation and research purposes, which have not been subject to a procurement process.