Tom Rylatt has submitted an amendment for next week’s Government Work Plan debate which, if successful, would require Policy & Resources to look into how best to co-ordinate and govern AI developments in the Bailiwick.
The senior committee would have to take into account similar work being carried out in other jurisdictions, such as the Isle of Man, which launched a dedicated AI Office only last week.
‘AI is likely to boost productivity and innovation in Guernsey considerably,’ said Deputy Rylatt.
‘At the same time, our reliance on the finance sector and its supporting industries means Guernsey’s labour market is particularly exposed to AI-driven automation and disruption.
‘This amendment is intended to ensure P&R considers how the States can best plan for and manage these impacts.’
His amendment will be seconded by Forward Guernsey colleague Deputy Rhona Humphreys.
He said politicians made ‘considerable strides’ during the last States term strengthening digital foundations, but the next step was to develop a government-wide approach. ‘AI should be seen positively where it can support better ways of working across the States,’ said Deputy Rylatt.
‘It has the potential to improve efficiency, reduce administration and allow for greater focus on priority work.
‘That’s one of the reasons I’ve supported my Forward Guernsey colleague Deputy Humphreys’ amendment on reducing baseline government spending, as I believe this can be supported through the responsible integration of AI within the public service.’
The amendment does not direct P&R to establish or implement a full AI strategy, but to bring forward recommendations for the strategic coordination and governance of AI, and the appropriate corresponding operating model, such as an AI Office.
It would support a progression from understanding AI’s impact to identifying how government should organise itself to respond in a co-ordinated and proactive way.
Deputy Rylatt provided several examples of States committees’ areas of work where AI was expected to have an impact in Guernsey. They included diagnosing disease, exploitative crime, literacy, and the displacement of jobs and creation of new jobs.
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