How much, if any, was spent in the 2025/26 financial year in the Minister's departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, on artificial intelligence, including costs on training staff, deploying systems, maintaining subscriptions and any other associated costs?

Answer

I am advised that the Ministry of Social Development (MSD/ the Ministry) does not hold a centrally tracked or discrete budget for MSD use of artificial intelligence (AI) for the 2025/26 financial year. Expenditure relating to AI (including staff training, system deployment, subscriptions, and associated costs) is embedded within a range of existing programmes and operational budgets across the Ministry, rather than being separately identified as a specific budget line. For the Crown entities that MSD monitors, I am advised their artificial intelligence related costs in 2025/26 were: • Children’s Commissioner: Nil • Independent Children's Monitor: spent $40,539 during the 2025/26 financial year on artificial intelligence, including costs on training, privacy and security, certification and licences • New Zealand Artificial Limb Service: Expenditure relating to AI (including staff training, system deployment, subscriptions, and associated costs) was embedded within a range of existing programmes and operational budgets across New Zealand Artificial Limb Service, rather than being separately identified as a specific budget line. The New Zealand Artificial Limb Service has been able to identify $472 of specific AI expenditure. • Social Workers Registration Board: Artificial intelligence expenditure for 2025/26 was $36,790