‘If we don’t embrace AI, we risk being left behind’

Alice Gill, executive director of the Guernsey Chamber of Commerce, sat down with Amanda Eulenkamp from  The Guernsey Press to discuss the thinking behind Guernsey’s AI Sprint, why productivity matters to the island and how artificial intelligence could help local businesses remain competitive. 

What was the inspiration behind the AI Sprint?

It started with a conversation about what we could do to support Chamber members when it comes to AI.

Around 80% of our membership is made up of SMEs, and Chamber itself is a small business. We were already using AI, so we wondered whether the wider SME community was doing the same. What were businesses using it for, and could we help them use it more effectively?

Initially, we thought about running a survey. But PwC had recently surveyed chief executives and the indication was that AI usage was relatively low. Rather than gather more data that might tell us something we probably already knew, we thought: why don't we provide a solution?

The idea of an island-wide AI education programme almost started as a joke around the table. We said: ‘Why don't we try to get 1,000 people using AI?’ But it quickly blossomed from there.

We took the idea to the G8 business groups and there was huge enthusiasm. When we opened it up to the wider business community, we were inundated with people wanting to participate. We now have around 55 to 60 events, but we probably could have had twice that number.

Who is the Sprint aimed at?

There is a real mix.

There are sessions for people who have never opened an AI platform before, covering the basics of the different platforms and what you can use them for. There are business-focused events, sessions for the general public and more technical events for people interested in areas such as building apps or software for their businesses.

There are also panel discussions looking beyond the technology. We need to talk about the opportunities, but also about people and culture. How do business leaders need to adapt if their organisations begin using AI significantly and working in very different ways?

We also know people have concerns about AI, which is why responsible use is important. Experts will discuss the risks and help people understand how to use these tools safely. Businesses need to approach AI sensibly, train their staff properly and have appropriate policies in place.

What are you hoping to achieve?

Ultimately, we want to get as many people as possible being creative with AI.

Our target was 1,000 people, but really, the more the merrier. We want people to become comfortable using the technology, while making sure they do so safely and creatively.

There is potentially a much bigger economic opportunity too.

Guernsey has a significant number of vacancies, and we can't simply keep bringing more people into the island, particularly with the pressures around housing. Could AI help businesses fill some of those gaps? Could it free up the people we already have to do more interesting and higher-value work?

If businesses can become more productive, perhaps they can grow without needing the same increase in headcount. That could help build our economy without creating additional pressure elsewhere.

And who knows what else could come from it? Perhaps somebody taking part in the Sprint will use AI to create an exciting new business.

Where do you think AI will take Guernsey over the next six to 12 months?

That's difficult to answer because it is moving so fast.

Think about how much we were using AI a year ago compared with how much we're using it today. Then imagine where we could be another year from now. It's very difficult to predict.

As more people adopt it, their training needs will change too. What people need to learn today could look completely different in a year's time.

That's also why I don't necessarily see the AI Sprint as a one-off. We've only really scratched the surface. It has been so popular that I think there's a strong case for continuing that education and potentially running another Sprint.

For Guernsey, there is also the question of competitiveness. We need to compete on a global stage and AI could be one way of doing that. If we don't engage with it while businesses elsewhere are embracing it, we risk being left behind.

If AI can help our businesses become 5%, 10% or even 20% more productive, why wouldn't we explore that opportunity?

The important thing is that people don't use AI simply for the sake of it. We want them to understand it, experiment with it responsibly and think creatively about what it could enable them and their businesses to achieve.

Six months from now, I hope we'll see many more people across Guernsey comfortable with AI and actively experimenting with it. Twelve months from now is harder to predict, but given the speed at which the technology is developing, I think we'll have moved on significantly.

That's what makes it exciting. We're starting the conversation, bringing people with us and seeing where it can take the island.