The event was organised as part of the ongoing AI Sprint, a collection of AI-linked events which are running over six weeks until mid-November.
As well as various stalls promoting relevant businesses, the day saw several presentations on AI-related subjects, including one which concluded by saying that views on AI need not be ‘gloomy’ and it can be used to take care of dull work and allow smaller companies to punch above their weight.
AI Sprint programme manager Katie Inder said that the aim was to reach as many businesses as possible and to have some flagship events to bring everyone together.
Coincidentally, Vincent Le Gallez, organiser of this event and the founder of cyber security firm Baltimore, had been thinking that it was time for something like this to happen.
‘I thought there was something like this missing from the corporate calendar,’ he said, ‘and I thought back to the days of the Innovation Awards.
‘Then I got involved talking to these guys and realised that it wasn’t only me having that conversation. Lots of Guernsey businesses were having that same thought.’
Utilising people’s existing connections with tech companies like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft and Google, Mr Le Gallez was able to put together a programme of talks and then found Channel Island firms working in the field of AI who would be interested in having a stand at the event. It all came together in about six weeks, he said.
About 300 people signed up to attend and even with Storm Austen meaning the rest of Beau Sejour was closed, schools closures and continuing poor weather conditions, about half of that number actually turned up.
‘It was always going to be some people would just come for the morning, some would come for the afternoon,’ said Mr Le Gallez.
‘So we’re still seeing people coming and going. And I think under the circumstances, that was amazing.’
Among those attending were people from finance companies, medical firms and legal firms and the speakers who were unable to attend still went ahead with their presentations remotely.
‘Guernsey historically has been quite innovative, and we’ve always had to do more with less because of the size of our populace,’ said Mr Le Gallez.
‘And AI is a great tool for us to help box above our weight. But there’s a lot of fear and unknowns around the technology – and that’s what today is all about.’