Channel Island leaders discuss AI at summit

George Thorpe
BBC News
British-Irish Council Political leaders from across Ireland, the UK and Crown Dependencies post for a photograph on a set of carpeted steps inside a building during the British-Irish Council summit. Hoardings are behind them with the British-Irish Council logo on.British-Irish Council
Political leaders from Jersey and Guernsey attended the 43rd British-Irish Council summit

Leaders from Guernsey and Jersey have attended a summit with Irish, UK and other Crown dependency politicians to discuss artificial intelligence (AI).

Jersey Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham and Guernsey's Policy and Resources President Lyndon Trott were among the guests at the 43rd British-Irish Council (BIC), which was held in Newcastle, Northern Ireland.

They were joined by other leading politicians, including the first ministers of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin and representatives from Westminster.

The theme of the meeting involved potential benefits and challenges of using AI in public administration, the States of Guernsey said.

'A vital forum'

The BIC was set up as part of the Good Friday Agreement to promote relationships between the UK, Ireland and Crown dependencies.

Farnham said the summit allowed him and Jersey's External Relations Minister Ian Gorst to have "useful conversations" with other leading politicians which could benefit the island.

He added: "The British-Irish Council remains a vital forum that brings together member administrations to discuss, and address, our many joint challenges and opportunities."

Trott said it was the last BIC summit he would attend before he retired from politics at the end of this month following the election in Guernsey.

"It has been one of the great honours of my public life to represent Guernsey at the British-Irish Council table over the years during my times as chief minister," he said.

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