He said: "I think some people are afraid of AI. They think of robots replacing humans, but it’s not like that. I think of it as automated intelligence, rather than artificial intelligence. This is about software doing processes that workers are currently employed to do.

"A harsh reality facing Jersey right now is the island’s brain drain. As a small island community without a university, there's a constant flow of talented people leaving to go to university and often not coming back. We need more degree education and other upskilling options on-island. It’s why Digital Jersey is working tirelessly to create a year-round calendar of events focused on equipping people with those skills."

The Digital Jersey Hub has, so far this year, run a series of conferences, classes and other events to offer options that suit people whether in work, or out of a job and looking to re-skill. More than 3,000 people have attended in the first half of the year.

"We’ve had a paint-sprayer and somebody working in a fish and chip shop sign up," added Mr Moretta. "The result is they come out with a skillset that allows them a route into Jersey’s tech sector. They, in turn, are earning more, and that means more tax for government. It’s a win win."

Pictured: Tony Moretta says that Sandbox Jersey is an "an incredibly attractive proposition."

The Digital Jersey CEO highlighted the skills issues while presenting Digital Jersey’s half-year review. 

Mr Moretta said: "Sandbox is a classic example of Jersey’s ability to compete on a global platform. The Sandbox name has gone down well. When we meet people off-island, they understand it. We talk about our fibre network, our physical infrastructure including our airport, harbours, incinerator and desalination plant. The things we take for granted are the very things that attract people here to try new things. We have our own met office, we control our own air space, and there’s much more besides. It’s an incredibly attractive proposition."

Pictured: Earlier this year, Digital Jersey worked with Meteomatics to help improve Jersey’s weather forecast.

Other highlights mentioned during the half-year review included the support Digital Jersey offered to four firms who relocated to Jersey as part of a campaign to promote the island as the go-to choice for digital entrepreneurs. 

Earlier this year, Digital Jersey also worked with Meteomatics, a Swiss company, to help drone technology experts forecast Jersey’s weather. DJ say that this "innovative new drone-led technology" tested in Jersey could deliver benefits for all islanders, as well as provide a rich data source for Internet of Things companies. "In the future, we hope this could be a valuable addition to our ambition to be the first whole-country sandbox testing environment," they added.

Mr Moretta concluded: "When we explain to people what we have here in Jersey, they are always shocked and wonder why we don’t shout about it more! We are working hard to change that through our own communications strategy and by encouraging our members and partners to better promote the digital initiatives in the Island."