DIGITAL Jersey is “developing an AI plan” for the Island, the organisation’s chief executive has revealed – citing “big opportunities” for the public sector and financial services industry.
Tony Moretta also said that Jersey should look to attract artificial intelligence experts and businesses that could help Islanders learn to harness the technology.
He made the comments just days after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer outlined plans for the UK to become an AI “superpower”.
Mr Moretta said: “We are developing an AI plan for Jersey.”
He continued: “We are working with the Jersey AI Forum, we are working with Professor Alan Brown, from the University of Exeter Business School, and Professor Dame Wendy Hall, who is on our board and was a co-author of the UK’s previous AI strategy.
“What we’ve been looking at is where it applies in Jersey. Some of the stuff that’s in the UK plan is absolutely correct – we need to look at how we teach AI usage in terms of [for the benefit of] the workforce.”
Digital Jersey hosted a series of events for local primary- and secondary-school teachers and educational leaders last year, aimed at supporting the adoption of artificial intelligence in schools across the Island.
“When we’re talking about using AI, this is not about the stuff that people think is magic – like putting a question in and having it answer like a tech version of the ‘Magic 8 Ball’ – this is about using AI to automate processes,” Mr Moretta explained.
“It’s how you use AI tools, rather than just using ChatGPT.
“Running courses in the Digital Jersey Academy is going to be a big part of that, [as well as] companies upskilling their workforce.”
Mr Moretta said the “two big opportunities” for Jersey to harness the technology – to improve outcomes without increasing the size of the workforce – lay within the public sector and the financial services industry.
“What AI helps you to do is have fewer people [but with them] doing more interesting things. They can be more productive – they are not having to work harder because the more mundane tasks can be automated,” he added.
Mr Moretta also highlighted the importance of attracting AI “talent” to the Island.
“That talent can get involved; they can teach – most of our courses in Digital Jersey are taught by industry professionals.”
Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel said: “Improving productivity across all industries is a key focus of our Future Economy Programme, and our Better Business Support Package encourages businesses to innovate.”
He continued: “The use of technology – including AI – will become increasingly important. We will continue to investigate potential solutions to increase productivity.”
