NAIO brings together government, industry, and the community under one framework, providing leadership and standards to ensure AI is deployed safely, productively, and with public trust.
The Isle of Man Government has officially launched its National AI Office (NAIO) digitalisleofman.com/naio, a new function designed to help the Island harness AI in a practical, sustainable and responsible way. This marks a significant step in establishing a clear, coordinated national approach to the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence.
Backed by a £1 million government investment, NAIO will serve as the Island’s single point of national coordination for AI adoption across government, industry, and the wider economy. This builds on the success of the Isle of Man’s Activate AI initiative,a programme supporting businesses with tools and training on AI.
In 2025 alone, the Activate AI programme generated an estimated £2 million in productivity savings, demonstrating the value of a coordinated approach to AI adoption across the Government, economy, and society.
NAIO brings together existing functions and expertise, led by Digital Isle of Man, an executive agency in the Department for Enterprise supporting tech businesses, which will be centred on advancing economic growth, improving public sector efficiency through AI-enabled services, and building AI literacy across society.
The National AI Office will focus on six key deliverables in the first year:
- Developing a national AI strategy, shaped by government, industry and community input.
- Delivering a coordinated AI literacy programme, supporting people and businesses to use AI responsibly, build capability and understand risk.
- Accelerating practical AI adoption across the economy to help businesses improve productivity, scale and competitiveness.
- Providing clear guidance for safe and responsible AI use, supporting ethical, secure deployment and building public trust.
- Driving AI-enabled improvement in public services,
delivering services that are faster, simpler and more cost-effective. - Supporting a future-ready workforce through reskilling opportunities and expanded access to AI training and expertise.
Chief Minister, Alfred Cannan MHK, commented:
“There is no doubt that artificial intelligence is already transforming our economy and society. The National AI Office will enable us to respond to that change in collaboration with industry, recognising that public and private sectors must work in lockstep if we are to realise the full benefits of this rapid technological change.
That same principle is central to our wider Efficiencies Programme. We are serious about reform, and AI must be part of how we deliver faster, simpler and more cost-effective services for our community.”
According to the Minister for Enterprise, Tim Johnston MHK, the National AI Office brings together existing functions, resources, skills and expertise into a focused operating model that builds on strong foundations already in place.
“Digital Isle of Man has already delivered free AI training and AI solutions support to thousands of people through its Activate AI programme, and this is a natural next step, taking a more coordinated, strategic approach to harnessing AI for the benefit of our community, our economy and the way government operates.
Our initial £1 million investment will be focused on delivering the six priority areas over the first 12 months, making best use of the resources, partnerships and capability we already have, while laying the groundwork for long-term impact and productivity gains felt right across the economy.”