The Institute of Directors Jersey has released a comprehensive white paper emphasising the need for a future-ready workforce equipped with both technical and soft skills to navigate the evolving digital landscape.
As businesses increasingly adopt Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other technologies, IoD Jersey calls for strategic education reform and workforce development to ensure Jersey remains competitive.
Key insights of the white paper include:
- AI adoption and scepticism: while AI adoption among directors is rising, concerns about cybersecurity, governance, and transparency persist.
- Education reform: IoD Jersey advocates for embedding AI literacy, cybersecurity, and digital ethics in the curriculum, alongside critical thinking, resilience, and collaboration.
- Public-Private Partnerships: strengthening partnerships between industry and education to enhance work-based learning opportunities.
The proposed actions which arise from these insights are:
- Shared vision: align education, governance, and business strategies for ethical AI integration.
- Curriculum revision: shift from rote memorisation to interdisciplinary, problem-solving approaches.
- Community collaboration: address online harms and safeguarding issues affecting children and young people.
Alex Ruddy (pictured), Chair of the IoD noted: “At IoD Jersey, we believe that preparing our workforce for the future is not just about integrating new technologies, but also about fostering a culture of continuous learning and ethical responsibility. By working together, we can ensure that Jersey remains at the forefront of innovation and sustainability.
“We are delighted that Deputy Ward and his team are engaging with us to discuss this topic and hope to develop a strong partnership over the coming months. I am grateful to my team (especially Ian Webb and Emma Martins) for collaborating with me on a matter that means a great deal to me as a business leader but more importantly as a parent. This is a community issue and IoD Jersey urges all business leaders, organisations, educators and parents to collaborate to ensure the sustainability of our island and future workforce.”
