With its unique regulatory framework and environmental credentials, the Isle of Man weighs its future as a leader in ethical and sustainable technology. The Isle of Man’s annual tech conference, Digital Isle, saw leaders from on-island government, business and regulatory bodies look to refine the island's already often unique positions in ethical AI, responsible data governance and environmentally sustainable practice.
The gathering also saw the launch of the island’s Innovation Challenges for 2025, underscoring the event’s focus on refining the tech industry's critical role in the island’s shifting economy.
While warning about the risks of ‘stagnation’ and ‘being left behind’, Chief Minister Hon. Alfred Cannan MHK, stated: ‘As we pursue economic growth, particularly in the digital sector, we do so with a solid commitment to our biosphere. The future that we create must be one that future generations will look upon with pride, knowing that we did not sacrifice our environment for the sake of progress.’
‘Digital transformation is not merely a goal, it is a necessity in every corner of our lives’, said Hon. Tim Johnston MHK, Minister for Enterprise. ‘The digital world is evolving, bringing both opportunities and challenges. And through all of this, we also recognise that our approach must be deeply rooted in sustainability.’
A special environment on many levels
In 2016, the Isle of Man was admitted into UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves. A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is an area designated by UNESCO under its Man and the Biosphere (MAB) programme. These reserves are internationally recognised for their efforts to balance the relationship between people and nature, promoting sustainable development and conservation.
The Isle of Man is the only entire nation designated a UNESCO Biosphere — the others are archipelagos, wetlands, forests and national parks. ‘Biosphere is all about the link between the physical and the digital,’ stated Jason Bissell, Chair of UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man.
Being self-governing, the island also writes its laws, making it unique among Biospheres. Combining the two, the island is positioning itself as one where its regulations and policies can adapt with agility to global technological shifts while also keeping a cast-iron commitment to preserving its environment and remaining sustainable.
Lyle Wraxall, Chief Executive, Digital Isle of Man, was firm that the ability to make its regulations doesn’t mean the island is willing to become a ‘wild west’ for tech companies. ‘People move towards regulation’, he said. ‘They see [regulation] as validation of what they’re doing, and they see value in helping them move towards higher regulatory standards.’
The island is also cautious about which firms it embraces, particularly in the gaming sector — a large contributor to the local economy. Along with regulation, gaming and gambling companies are licensed.
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‘There are really good businesses and bad businesses — those that operate legitimately and those that seek to exploit or act in bad faith — across any industry’, Wraxall said. ‘How do we spot the ones we don’t want here? That’s a very important mechanism, it’s an ongoing debate and one we’re solving quickly.’
Digital Isle is the Isle of Man's annual tech conference. It is hosted by the Isle of Man Department of Enterprise’s executive agency, Digital Isle of Man.
As the digital industry has grown worldwide, tech-based companies on the Isle of Man have followed suit, with the sector now accounting for 30% of the Island’s economy. Digital is a particularly diverse area, spanning eGaming, esports, fintech, blockchain, IoT, technology, payments, media and film.
A focus on AI
Artificial intelligence was a key theme, with many speakers, panels and panellists exploring how the island can nurture skills, build career pathways, support businesses and ultimately capitalise on AI’s growth opportunities.
Critically, the island’s strategy doesn’t focus on building an inward-looking AI industry where only AI engineers and developers benefit. Rather, the strategy is all about how AI can benefit everybody on the island.
Hon. Tim Johnston MHK said that in addition to embracing change, the island needs to be ‘bold’ and — above all — ‘inclusive’.
Against this backdrop, Digital Isle of Man unveiled the first phase of its Activate AI programme in August 2024.
The ambitious programme's headline goal is to boost GDP by 10% by 2030 using AI in both the public and private sectors.
The initial phase focused on dispelling fears about AI, educating the public, and providing upskilling opportunities for all residents. A key component was the launch of Learnai.im, a free training platform offering over 200 hours of online courses with an 'AI for everyone' approach.
Kurt Roosen FBCS, Head of Innovation for Digital Isle of Man, explained that Activate AI is partly about helping people overcome a fear of AI. ‘Fear is often a fear of the unknown… AI is a leap for individuals to take’, he explained. ‘This programme takes technology from something being done to you to something you're participating in. You know about it, and you have that opportunity to become part of it… part of the solution, as opposed to having AI imposed on you.’
For local businesses, Digital Isle of Man introduced an applied AI service, allowing them to collaborate with Activation Partners to explore AI growth opportunities, submit problem statements, and develop AI solutions. This service began with a call for experienced individuals to become activation partners supporting businesses in implementing AI-based solutions and trials.
A focus on data
Of course, AI can’t function without data. Regarding data, conference speakers discussed the island’s ambition to become a leader in data stewardship — where data can be stored, processed and even traded.
This aspiration is underscored by evolving local regulations, ethics, and adherence to international data frameworks like GDPR. Panellists discussed how such a marketplace might work.
Thanks to the historic tech industry — across banking, gaming and insurance — the island is already well served by data centres, deep sea cables and sustainable energy. This means it is already a place where companies choose to store data.
The island hopes to create a regulated market where those firms can sell their data. These could be medical firms that have finished trials on anonymised data or universities that have completed research on datasets. Historically, these sorts of data are abandoned after use but could, if sold correctly, have an onward and valuable life.
Data sharing could also be valuable for eGaming firms. Currently, it’s difficult for firms to share data about cheats with each other. It’s also equally difficult for online gambling companies to prevent players with addictions from jumping from one service to another. A data-unified market could allow for unified protection.
Global Innovation Challenges 2025
The 2025 Innovation Challenge is a global competition inviting participants to present groundbreaking solutions that address real-world challenges and foster innovation in the Isle of Man. The challenge spans three sectors: fintech, cleantech, and data and AI.
By tackling key issues such as sustainable energy, nature-positive capital, data integrity, and more, the Innovation Challenge provides businesses a platform to scale globally. It contributes to the island’s reputation as a UNESCO Biosphere and a hub for innovation.
Lyle Wraxall, Chief Executive, Digital Isle of Man, said: ‘The Innovation Challenge reflects the Isle of Man’s commitment to driving impactful solutions to global and local challenges. We look forward to the outcomes of the 2025 cohort.’
The 2024 programme’s finalist hail from the UK, Denmark, Poland, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore and were selected for their ambition and potential.
