The Actions We Will Take
Scotland can approach the future with confidence. We have a long history of AI research and development, a strong academic base and a successful tech business sector that uses AI to improve people’s lives and power our economy.
However, we know that to realise our vision and remain competitive on the global stage, we must continue to strengthen our AI ecosystem.
This means taking action in three areas – our three parallel tracks:
Track 1 – Establish collective leadership through the Scottish AI Alliance
Track 2 – Create the foundations for success
Track 3 – Build an AI Powerhouse
Each track has specific objectives and key actions to achieve them. These actions will form part of a detailed roadmap, setting out three timeframes starting from the launch of the Strategy:
Initiation – First 100 days
Commence delivery and engagement – Year 1
Sustain and grow – Year 2 and beyond
These actions are complemented by those of other strategic programmes and are part of the bigger picture. Scotland’s Digital Strategy, published in March 2021, will establish the digital and data infrastructure foundations for our AI Ecosystem. It also commits us to incorporating green thinking into all our digital solutions and to taking action to establish Scotland as an attractive location for green data centres. Our AI Strategy builds on these actions, contributing to solving these complex challenges, as exemplified in our recent AI Challenge to Tackle the Climate Emergency.
In parallel, the recommendations of Mark Logan’s Scottish Technology Ecosystem Review will see the creation of an innovation ecosystem in which AI can thrive. This was approved in our 2020-2021 Programme for Government.
Because data powers AI, we recognise that our data infrastructure is crucial to Scotland’s future. The Infrastructure Investment Plan committed £110m to boost funding in this key area, helping to build the foundations of an AI ecosystem which will power our public services. Also, we know that AI only creates value when it’s based on the right high-quality data. The creation of Research Data Scotland is a major step forward in advancing ethical AI and securing access to data for the public good.
Unlocking AI’s considerable potential will also help to realise wider ambitions for Scotland. For example, because our world-class research attracts global talent, AI is acknowledged to be a key driver of inward investment. With significant investment in the development of AI from industry and research, we will develop a plan and support mechanisms to access research and development funding aligned to our vision.
To take one example, healthcare is the fastest-growing global market for AI and with our existing strengths and global trade links Scotland is well placed to become a ‘go to’ location for the sector, creating new jobs and transforming health and social care delivery. We will accelerate AI development to prepare validated and regulated technologies for this market. A Scottish Life Science AI Investment Ecosystem, facilitated by the Scottish National Investment Bank, will support access to infrastructure, business capital and supply chains. Also, The Scottish Government’s Health Industry Partnership will put in place the enabling policies and set up a Life Science AI Cluster Working Group to deliver an inception plan by autumn 2021.
AI also creates opportunities in diverse areas including secure by design cyber resilience, planning and the future of Scotland’s islands. We will ensure that work to deliver the Strategy actively complements these and other initiatives.