JERSEY’S government is exploring the use of artificial intelligence as a way of improving public services, the Chief Minister has confirmed.
Deputy Lyndon Farnham said the government’s first priority was to draw up an AI policy, which he expected to be ready by the end of March next year.
Answering a written question from Deputy Max Andrews, Deputy Farnham said: “AI is being considered to improve public services in a number of areas across departments.
“Before AI technology is implemented, it is essential to adopt a framework and a supporting policy that will ensure secure, ethical and responsible roll-out.”
The Chief Minister said it was too soon to identify areas where using AI could make government more efficient, with the initial focus being to get a policy in place.
Speaking at a Chamber of Commerce event earlier this year, Digital Jersey chief executive Tony Moretta said the Island needed to prepare for and embrace the impact of AI to stay ahead of the curve and prevent well-paid jobs from disappearing. Mr Moretta said that while there were some encouraging signs, there had also been difficulties that showed Jersey “finding out the hard way what happens when we can’t connect our data with an increasingly digital world”.
He also expressed disappointment at the pace of change with the Health Department, saying that things remained “very analogue”.
