NAIO to oversee strategy, guidance and skills development across public and private sectors
The Isle of Man Government has launched a National AI Office (NAIO), backed by £1 million in public funding, to coordinate how artificial intelligence is developed and used across the Island.
The office brings together existing functions from across government and industry, and builds on work already under way through Digital Isle of Man, including its Activate AI programme launched in 2024.
The government says it is intended to act as a central point for policy development, advice and practical support linked to AI adoption.
Funding for the National AI Office has been approved by Treasury and drawn from previously allocated AI funding within the Economic Strategy Fund. The government says the investment will support delivery over the first year, rather than create a new standalone organisation.
According to the Department for Enterprise, the National AI Office will focus on three broad aims: supporting economic growth and competitiveness, improving the delivery and efficiency of public services, and increasing AI literacy across the Island’s community.
Chief Minister Alfred Cannan claims artificial intelligence is already having a significant impact on the economy and society, and that closer coordination between the public and private sectors would be needed to respond to those changes.
He says AI would also play a role in the government’s wider ‘Efficiencies Programme’, which is intended to reform how public services are delivered.
In its first year, NAIO is expected to concentrate on six areas of work.
These include finalising development of a National AI Strategy, delivering an Island-wide AI literacy programme, and supporting businesses to adopt AI tools to improve productivity and competitiveness.
Further priorities include producing guidance on safe and responsible AI use, applying AI to public service reform, and assessing workforce impacts, including reskilling and training needs.
Enterprise Minister Tim Johnston told Manx Radio the £1 million allocation would be focused on delivering these initial priorities over the first 12 months, while making use of existing expertise and partnerships across government and industry.
Digital Isle of Man will continue to lead AI enablement work and oversee development of the National AI Office as it moves into delivery.
The Department for Enterprise told Manx Radio there is no intention to expand the civil service as part of the rollout of NAIO.
The government says the approach builds on the Activate AI programme, which has already delivered training sessions, supported pilot projects across multiple sectors, and recorded productivity gains through trial projects.
The National AI Office is expected to bring forward a National AI Strategy by the end of 2026. Given that this will require Tynwald approval, it is unlikely to be approved within the term of the current administration.
Enterprise Minister Tim Johnston and Digital Isle of Man Chief Executive Lyle Wraxall sat down with Manx Radio's Christian Jones:
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