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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

AI Scotland

Delivery of this strategy will be driven by AI Scotland, a new national transformation programme led by the Scottish Government and a consortium of partners, including The Data Lab, ScotlandIS and Enterprise agencies. The creation of AI Scotland fulfils a commitment set out in the Programme for Government 2025–2026.

Working across the triple helix of business, academia, and the public sector, AI Scotland will coordinate and amplify Scotland’s collective efforts to implement the actions outlined in this strategy.

An early action will be the launch of a renewed and expanded AI Adoption Programme aimed at Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). The first iteration of this programme, launched in 2025 by the Minister for Business and Employment, Richard Lochhead MSP, was supported by nearly £1 million of public funding and delivered practical, hands-on guidance to businesses seeking to adopt AI. The refreshed programme will build on this foundation, offering enhanced support tailored to the evolving needs and capabilities of Scottish SMEs.

All programmes and interventions delivered under the AI Scotland banner will reflect the Scottish Government’s commitment to responsible and ethical AI. This includes promoting trustworthy deployment of AI technologies, addressing adoption barriers, supporting high-potential AI companies to scale, and improving access to high-quality data that can unlock growth and innovation.

To ensure accountability and help shape future priorities, the Scottish Government will establish an Expert Advisory Board. This board will evaluate AI Scotland’s activities, provide strategic advice, and guide the development of future programmes and interventions. Membership will include AI champions from key sectors and regions, alongside business leaders and technical experts who can help ensure that Scotland fully realises the opportunities set out in this strategy.

In the first year of this strategy, the Expert Advisory Board will also advise on the development of a comprehensive business case that sets out the preferred long-term organisational model for AI Scotland. Potential models under consideration include a cluster management organisation (CMO) or a non-profit company (NPC).

Contact

Email: aiscotland@gov.scot

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