Creating an AI-focused office aims to “balance the opportunities” of the technology while “making sure it’s used appropriately,” the project manager said.
The government has launched the National Office for Artificial Intelligence (AI), which aims to educate people about the tool and enable businesses and individuals to use it.
The creation of the office saw £1 million withdrawn from the Economic Strategy Fund, which would be used for training, awareness raising, literacy and engagement with industry.
Digital Isle of Man chief executive Lyle Wraxall said it was important to “ensure people know how to use AI responsibly and ethically”.
The office would see Digital Isle of Man’s three existing staff serve as a focal point for national coordination and policy development.
It would also provide advice on the adoption of AI, the risks associated with this technology and the opportunities it offers the island.
“It’s about balancing the opportunity and the need for us as a country to accept it in order to move forward and remain competitive, but ensuring that we do it in the appropriate way,” Wraxall said.
The office will also work to improve the delivery and efficiency of public services, the government said.
Business Minister Tim Johnston said people were often concerned about what technology was going to mean for the future of the workforce and the availability of jobs in the future.
“The way companies deploy their human resources and their productivity will change,” he said, “but it won’t necessarily lead to job losses, as it would likely lead to redeployments.”
However, he said it was important to “understand and recognize this potential challenge”.
“Education is the key to all of this, people are afraid of AI, they are not sure about it, but through education they can understand it and also see the opportunities,” he added.
Launching the office, Chief Minister Alfred Cannan said there was “no doubt that artificial intelligence is already transforming our economy and society”.
“The National AI Office will enable us to respond to this change in collaboration with industry, recognizing that the public and private sectors need to work closely together if we are to take full advantage of this rapid technological change,” he added.