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Publication - Strategy/plan

Scotland's Artificial Intelligence strategy 2026-2031

Published
20 March 2026
From
Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic, +3 more … Director of Economic Development, Director-General Economy, Minister for Business and Employment
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate, +6 more … Chief Economist Directorate, Digital Directorate, Digital Health and Care Directorate, International Trade and Investment Directorate, Jobs and Wellbeing Economy Directorate, Lifelong Learning and Skills Directorate
Topic
Business, industry and innovation, Economy, Programme for Government, +2 more … Public sector, Work and skills
ISBN
9781807750046

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping economies, industries and public services around the world. This is our five-year strategy to harness the potential of AI to drive responsible and inclusive growth across our economy and make a positive difference at every level of society.

View supporting documents Supporting documents

Purpose & Outcomes

Based on the Case for Change, the Scottish Government has defined a clear and ambitious purpose for this Strategy: to harness the potential of AI to drive responsible and inclusive growth across our economy and make a positive difference at every level of society.

This purpose statement provides a single, coherent objective for the work included in this Strategy. It demands an ethical approach to the development and application of AI and a relentless focus on ensuring that we harness the potential to improve lives, transform productivity, stimulate economic opportunity and improve the quality and efficiency of services.

We have done this by thinking about what we intend to achieve under four headings: People and Skills, Companies and Innovation, Infrastructure, and Data and Regulation.

In each case, we have considered ‘what success looks like’ to form simple, clear statements of the things we expect to see by the end of this Strategy’s life cycle in 2031. These are shown in the diagram below. Later in this document, we will break these outcomes down further as part of our delivery approach.

Outcomes

Plain text for this graphic can be found below

People & Skills

Equality of access based on widespread literacy, trust and confidence in engaging with AI.

Skilled and adaptable workforce enabled by accessible learning pathways.

Data & Regulation

Collective data stewardship and data sharing leadership enables safe, accessible use of data for good.

Best practice in responsible AI governance aligned with OECD principles.

Infrastructure

Investment in Scotland’s data centre, energy and water infrastructure maximises benefits for the wider good.

AI is embedded as critical national infrastructure, supporting innovative and trusted public service delivery.

Companies & Innovation

An AI ecosystem that ensures research leadership and enables cross sectoral innovation and collaboration.

Strong technology clusters and a pipeline of start-ups and scale-ups in national and international markets.

Contact

Email: aiscotland@gov.scot

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