Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming a defining element of the Isle of Man’s economic and digital strategy. Over the past two years, the Manx Government has invested in a structured and inclusive programme of AI training, awareness, and adoption initiatives designed to ensure that the island’s workforce, businesses, and public services are equipped to benefit from emerging technologies.
At the centre of this effort is Activate AI, a government-backed programme coordinated by Digital Isle of Man under the Department for Enterprise. Activate AI provides free access to AI education, workshops, and proof-of-concept projects for residents and local organisations. The initiative is part of the Isle of Man Government’s long-term objective to raise productivity, attract digital investment, and establish the Isle of Man as a leading jurisdiction for ethical and practical AI adoption.
Archit3ct Ltd, led by our CEO Dan Thomas, is an official Activation Partner of the programme and has played a significant role in both its curriculum design and delivery.
Overview of the Activate AI Programme
Activate AI launched in 2024 as a cornerstone of the Isle of Man’s digital strategy. The programme was developed by Digital Isle of Man and funded through the Economic Strategy Board as part of the Island Plan’s commitment to digital transformation.
Its objectives are to:
- Improve the overall AI literacy of the Manx population.
- Support the adoption of AI within local businesses and government departments.
- Create an ecosystem where ethical and responsible AI can be implemented with confidence.
- Deliver measurable economic outcomes, including an estimated ten percent uplift in GDP by 2030.
Training is delivered in two main formats:
- Online learning through LearnAI.im, providing over 200 hours of structured courses across beginner, intermediate, and expert levels. Topics range from AI fundamentals to applied machine learning and prompt engineering.
- In-person workshops and seminars, run by the network of Activation Partners, covering industry-specific and cross-sector topics.
This blended model ensures accessibility and progression. Participants can begin with foundational self-study online, then build on that knowledge through practical instructor-led sessions held across the island.
Government Involvement and Strategic Direction
The Department for Enterprise and Digital Isle of Man oversee Activate AI as part of the national economic strategy. The programme forms one strand of a broader effort to encourage innovation, improve digital capability, and increase productivity across the economy.
In 2024, the Government established the AI Activation Centre in Douglas as a dedicated hub for training delivery, networking, and experimentation. This facility allows Manx businesses and Activation Partners to meet, prototype, and test AI applications in a supported environment.
International collaboration has also been prioritised. The Isle of Man signed a Memorandum of Understanding with AI Singapore to facilitate knowledge exchange and access to global expertise. In parallel, the Government announced plans to publish a National AI Strategy by the end of 2025, which will formalise its policy on AI governance, ethics, and regulation.
The Role of Archit3ct and Our CEO Dan Thomas
Archit3ct Ltd has been involved in Activate AI since its inception. Our CEO Dan Thomas was among the first local experts invited by Digital Isle of Man to design and deliver training under the government’s partnership framework.
As a technology consultant specialising in AI strategy and implementation, Dan Thomas has been responsible for creating and presenting a range of professional development courses across multiple “seasons” of Activate AI. By mid-2025, he had personally delivered over 36 seminars and workshops across the island.
These events have included:
- AI for Business Leaders – an introductory session outlining how Manx executives can identify and apply AI opportunities within their organisations.
- AI Governance for Executives – a seminar exploring risk management, accountability, and regulatory considerations in the use of Artificial Intelligence.
- From Beginner to Expert: Prompt Engineering – a structured six-hour workshop introducing the FIYRD Framework, developed by Dan Thomas, for improving prompt quality and AI output reliability.
- AI Life Hacks for Business – an accessible overview of practical AI tools to improve productivity for small enterprises.
- Learn AI – a number of short-form video courses in the official Learn AI platform.
Each course is designed to balance strategic understanding with practical application. The workshops typically include live demonstrations, structured exercises, and real-world case examples drawn from Manx organisations.
Dan Thomas has also contributed to the programme’s online materials and curriculum design, helping to ensure that content remains relevant and evidence-based. His focus on human-led, ethical AI adoption aligns closely with the Isle of Man Government’s broader digital ethics framework.
Target Audiences and Participation
Activate AI has been structured to reach the widest possible audience. The programme is open to all residents of the Isle of Man, with no prior technical knowledge required. Participants have included:
- Private-sector professionals and business owners seeking to integrate AI into operations.
- Public-sector employees learning to apply AI within government services.
- Students and educators exploring emerging digital skills.
- Retirees and lifelong learners interested in understanding the societal implications of Artificial Intelligence.
Sessions are held across multiple venues, including the AI Activation Centre in Douglas, regional community centres, and local educational facilities. Each course typically accommodates around 20-40 attendees. High demand has resulted in many sessions reaching capacity, with repeat events scheduled to meet additional interest.
Outcomes and Impact
Since the start of the programme, over 1,000 Manx residents have participated in AI workshops, with more than 200 hours of formal training delivered both online and in person. The Government’s target for 2025 is to engage at least 2,500 participants across the island.
The programme has also supported practical AI implementation through the Applied AI Solution Service, which connects local businesses with Activation Partners for short proof-of-concept projects. These collaborations have included the deployment of AI chatbots for customer service, data-driven analytics tools for financial and operational decision-making, and automation systems designed to reduce manual administrative workloads.
Feedback from participants and partners indicates that the programme has improved both confidence and understanding of Artificial Intelligence across the community. Many businesses have since undertaken their own internal AI initiatives following their involvement in Activate AI training.
Future Direction
The Isle of Man Government has confirmed its intention to continue expanding the Activate AI programme through 2026, with additional sector-specific modules and advanced technical workshops in development. Plans are in place to introduce AI certifications and structured learning pathways aligned with international standards.
Archit3ct will continue to support this effort through new courses and executive-level sessions focusing on AI strategy, prompt engineering, and governance. Our CEO Dan Thomas, is currently offering his AI Governance for Executives sessions through the programme, aimed at senior leaders across both public and private sectors.
As the Isle of Man advances its digital transformation agenda, AI education and awareness will remain essential to sustaining innovation, productivity, and competitiveness. The Government’s commitment to a free and inclusive approach, combined with local expertise from Activation Partners such as Archit3ct, is positioning the island as a practical example of how a small nation can successfully integrate Artificial Intelligence into its economic and social fabric.
Artificial Intelligence on the Isle of Man is progressing from concept to capability. Through Activate AI, the Government has established a clear and measurable framework for upskilling the population, supporting local enterprise, and promoting responsible AI adoption.
Archit3ct and our CEO Dan Thomas are proud to contribute to this national effort by providing structured, evidence-based training that equips individuals and organisations with the knowledge and confidence to apply Artificial Intelligence effectively.
The Isle of Man’s proactive and collaborative approach demonstrates how a modern economy can embrace AI while maintaining its focus on ethical governance, practical outcomes, and community benefit.