The Department of Enterprise’s digital agency is proceeding with plans for a national office for AI development and regulation without any specific budget or dedicated staff.
Enterprise Minister Tim Johnston confirmed the position in Keys this week.
Answering a question from Lawrie Hooper, Mr Johnston said: “No specific budget or staffing has been allocated by digital Isle of Man at this stage for the development of the proposed national office for AI development [and] regulation.”
He added that work is being progressed by reallocating existing resources, specifically those previously focused on preparing a national AI strategy. The Chief Minister has previously stated the new office is to be established by January 2026.
Conflict
The announcement prompted questions from MHKs. Lawrie Hooper highlighted conflicting written answers from the Chief Minister and Mr Johnston in October over which body held responsibility for AI regulation.
Mr Johnston described the situation as “a very fast moving and evolving area,” saying the digital agency is leading the work but that the “final positioning of this office is still to be determined”.
When asked by Julie Edge if the new entity would be a statutory board, the Minister did not provide specifics, stating he had already answered the core question on budget and staffing.