Track 2: Create the foundations for success

Objectives

We believe the long-term future of AI in Scotland can be assured if we act now to build strong foundations. This means reinforcing our existing AI ecosystem: developing a skilled and diverse workforce, supporting organisations to be innovative and providing the right investment. Partnership working can make this happen by creating the necessary skills, data infrastructure and access to funding, and influencing national and international policy and regulation to enable AI technologies to thrive in Scotland. At the same time, we must work to raise awareness of AI and tell the world about our success stories.

Key actions

First 100 days

  • Begin work on the Scottish Playbook for AI

  • In collaboration with Research Data Scotland, initiate a programme to unlock the value of data through trustworthy innovation for the benefit of everyone

  • Work with partners to align the AI Strategy with other national technology initiatives and programmes

Year 1

We will build strong foundations, create a sustainable infrastructure and promote Scotland as a global leader – a great place to work and invest in AI. This will include a national and international engagement plan targeting future talent, businesses and potential investors. In parallel, we will:

  • Develop a plan to better leverage investment, research and development funding

  • Encourage the public to develop their understanding of AI using open online resources

  • Determine the steps we will take to make sure everyone in Scotland benefits from AI and exercises their rights

  • Develop Framework proposals to unlock the value of data, which will be informed by public and stakeholder engagement

  • Develop a plan to influence global AI standards and regulations through international partnerships

  • Expand international collaboration on AI and children

Year 2 and beyond

We know that to enhance our AI capability, we must continue to improve our skills and infrastructure. We will lead a skills plan to ensure everyone has access to AI learning opportunities in our education system and improve the way businesses use, develop and adopt AI. Related activity will:

  • Support upskilling and reskilling displaced workers and people vulnerable to exclusion

  • Specify data and wider digital infrastructure requirements

  • Scale the development of data platforms to meet the needs of the public sector, academic and third sector analysts (led by the Scottish Government and delivered in partnership)

  • Secure safe, proportionate and privacy-preserving access to data for research and innovation in the public interest, including Open Data and Research Data Scotland

  • As part of the Digital Strategy, accelerate the use of common digital and data standards across the public sector

  • Implement the Framework for unlocking the value of data