Jersey Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham says AI could improve public services and productivity, and hopes its use will not put existing public-sector jobs at risk. He told business leaders ministers would help firms adopt AI and islanders build needed skills.
Farnham said the government’s digital team had already begun rolling out AI in public services. He also said a recruitment freeze introduced in August 2024 had prevented about 500 new positions, saving tens of millions of pounds; his government had since removed 1,000 vacancies and restricted consultancy and agency staffing.
Former Jersey Homes Trust head Michael Van Neste argued that the recruitment cap showed the civil service was not really under control and questioned whether ministers could deliver their goals. Recruitment consultant Shelley Kendrick said AI was changing private-sector work and she saw people made redundant weekly; she said skills shortages affected half of Jersey businesses. Farnham called for stronger links between schools, Highlands College and employers to develop future skills.
