Scottish Government Social Research Five Year Plan 2026-31 Summary Edition

Goal 4: Social research will champion safe, ethical and appropriate use of AI and digital tools

Artificial Intelligence and digital technologies are already changing research. They have the potential to help us work more efficiently, analyse information at speed, support new forms of engagement and increase responsiveness. Used well, they can strengthen the quality and reach of research and release time for higher value, more meaningful work. Used badly, they can create serious risks: poor interpretation, hidden bias, weak validation, misinformation, privacy concerns and loss of trust.

Scottish Government social researchers have a vital role in setting the right approach. We want to be ambitious about innovation, but equally clear that technology must be used safely, ethically and proportionately. Human judgement remains essential. AI can assist research and support professional judgement; it cannot replace researchers or reduce accountability for the quality and integrity of evidence.

This goal is therefore about more than tools and providing access to appropriate technologies across the research pipeline. It is also about standards, skills and governance. Researchers need confidence in when and how to use digital methods. Setting clear expectations and providing training will help researchers make appropriate decisions about AI use and help them validate AI-generated evidence proportionately and in line with organisational standards. We will champion safe, transparent and ethically sound use of AI by embedding clear standards, transparent processes and proportionate oversight.

The profession has already made strong progress, including through the development of our pioneering AI learning offers, practical guidance and availability of bespoke tools for research purposes. The next phase is to move from early adoption of AI to consistent, confident and well-governed use of AI across the research pipeline.

By leading on this agenda, social researchers can help Scottish Government innovate responsibly. We can support better organisational decisions about evidence, provide quality assurance and build public trust in our decision making and use of AI, while making sure research participants are treated fairly and transparently throughout the process.

What we will do

• Set clear, risk-based standards for the ethical, safe and appropriate use of AI in social research, developed with internal and external partners, and compliant with data protection, information security and research ethics requirements.
• Strengthen awareness of mis- and disinformation risks and put in place practical safeguards to protect the quality and trustworthiness of evidence.
• Support a cross-analytical community of practice so that staff can share learning, avoid duplication and spread good practice.
• Equip researchers with the skills and judgement to use AI and digital tools well, from initial adoption through to sustained and optimised use.
• Provide a trusted digital toolkit of safe, high-quality tools that support the research process.
• Set expectations for contractors, participants and the public about the appropriate use of AI in government-commissioned research.
• Embed scrutiny and validation standards so that AI-assisted outputs are proportionately checked, documented and quality assured by professionals.
• Contribute research insight and ethical expertise to wider Scottish Government thinking on AI policy.
• Support the development of a trusted repository of assured government data that will support safe, ethical and appropriate interrogation using AI and digital tools.