FOREWORD

Ivan McKee MSP, Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise

We are now two years into the delivery of Scotland’s AI strategy. I am very pleased that while the global landscape of AI continues to evolve at a rapid pace, our focus on trustworthy, ethical and inclusive AI proves to be as relevant as ever. As more people try out AI for themselves, such as chatGPT, it becomes clear to everyone how large the impact AI is going to have on our lives, and how important it is to do AI right. 

The Scottish AI Alliance has just welcomed a new Chair and new Leadership Group members. I am very grateful to them for giving their time to help ensure that Scotland realises all the potential benefits of AI. It is truly a world-class team, which reflects our ambition and growing recognition and influence both in the UK and internationally. 

This year has demonstrated the Alliance’s commitment to openness, transparency and collaboration, with the launch of both the Scottish AI Playbook and the Scottish AI Register. Those unique assets will support our businesses and public sector to innovate, while providing the public with visibility, and a voice, over how AI is used to improve public services. This reflects our conviction that earning the public’s trust and encouraging best practice within businesses and civil society is the key to delivering the benefits we want for Scotland. 

As a Minister, I have been particularly pleased to see the Scottish Government initiate work to use AI to improve accessibility to public services for disabled people. This is an outstanding example of what we mean by making AI inclusive. 

I wish the Alliance the best of success for their endeavours in the coming years, and I hope that they will work in the knowledge that they have my full support. 

Gillian Docherty OBE, Outgoing Chair of the Scottish AI Alliance

Welcome to Scotland’s second State of AI report.

Powered by the AI Alliance and many volunteers, the momentum continues to grow in Scotland to realise the exciting potential of AI, and unlock its economic, social and environmental value. We have achieved much to be proud of, and there is more in the pipeline.

I would like to thank the many volunteers who have supported and contributed to the AI Alliance’s work this year. From our AI Playbook editors to our podcast and event contributors, they have played a vital role in delivering on the commitments made in the AI Strategy.

Some of this year’s highlights include for me not only the launch of foundational tools such as the Playbook and the Register, but also our engagement with children and their teachers, and our work to use AI to make public services more accessible to people with disabilities. For the Alliance, inclusive AI is a priority not a buzzword, and these activities will continue in 2023 and beyond.

It has been my honour to be the inaugural Chair of the AI Alliance Leadership Group, and I have relished this unique opportunity to lead and drive forward the delivery of Scotland’s AI Strategy. I would like to thank all members of the Leadership Group for their contribution over the last two years, and to welcome the new members who will join in April.

I am delighted to hand over the Chair to Catriona Campbell who I am certain will lead the AI Alliance with outstanding passion and drive to help Scotland deliver on our ambitious goal of becoming a leader in the development and use of trustworthy, ethical and inclusive AI.

My final words of thanks go to the great team at the Data Lab and the Scottish Government who have been delivering the lion’s share of the work required to get us ever closer to our goal. It has been a privilege working with you and I wish you the best for the next stage in our AI journey.

Catriona Campbell, Incoming Chair of the Scottish AI Alliance

Welcome to Scotland’s second State of AI report. This is my first report as the new Chair and I want to warmly thank our outgoing Chair, Gillian Docherty, for setting and driving the AI agenda for the first year of the new Scottish AI Alliance. Leading a start-up to get things moving is always the toughest job, so thank you Gillian for your friendship, persistence and vision.

I look forward to the opportunity to help shape AI in Scotland for good and take us further on the journey. In the next two years we will move from a start-up phase into one of delivery and scaling of our activity to benefit society in Scotland. I hope you will continue to support our efforts and help us shape the AI Alliance. We have made a great start in delivering the exciting actions set out the Strategy, and I look forward to our further progress.  

I hope that our success so far will inspire you to join us.