Scotland’s public sector is ready for the AI Challenge – and the webinars proved it
Last week, Futurescot and Storm ID wrapped up a series of three information and guidance webinars for organisations considering an entry to the 2026 AI Challenge. The sessions covered Scottish Local Government,…
Public sector needs to be ‘rewired’ says minister ahead of crunch debate
Scotland’s public sector needs to be ‘rewired’ to drive improvements and protect services for future generations, a Scottish Government minister has said. Ivan McKee, cabinet secretary for public service reform,…
Public sector leaders gather to hear from new ‘reform’ minister at event in Glasgow
Public sector leaders gathered in Glasgow on Monday to hear from the new cabinet secretary charged with reforming public services. Ivan McKee, formerly public finance minister and now the Public…
Falkirk could be site of one of largest datacentres in the UK – with plans for development submitted to council
Falkirk could be the host of one of the largest datacentres in the UK with plans submitted for a 300 megawatt facility on a disused commercial site on the outskirts…
Tech giants to face new law if they fail to act on protecting children from sexual imagery, says PM
Tech giants will face a new law if they fail to act on protecting children from explicit imagery online, the prime minister said today. Keir Starmer called for tech firms…
Tech giants to face new law if they fail to act on protecting children from sexual imagery, says PM
Tech giants will face a new law if they fail to act on protecting children from explicit imagery online, the prime minister said today. Keir Starmer called for tech firms…
From safe experiments to scaled impact: bridging the AI delivery gap
Across public services, AI activity is everywhere. Pilots are running, prototypes are being built and teams are exploring what’s possible. Importantly, this isn’t about replacing people, it’s about supporting them, helping teams work more efficiently, make better decisions, and focus on higher-value work. …
Data and AI skills should be part of national industrial strategy, per new University of Edinburgh report
Data and AI skills should be part of a ‘sustained’ national industrial strategy according to a new report published by the University of Edinburgh. Academic experts have urged ministers not…
Edinburgh legal AI startup raises £52 million in series B funding round
An Edinburgh-headquartered legal AI startup firm has raised £52 million in a series B funding round – in one of Scotland’s largest tech deals in recent years. Wordsmith AI is…
GovTech
Public sector needs to be ‘rewired’ says minister ahead of crunch debate
Scotland’s public sector needs to be ‘rewired’ to drive improvements and protect services for future generations, a Scottish Government minister has said. Ivan McKee, cabinet secretary for public service reform,...
Public sector leaders gather to hear from new ‘reform’ minister at event in Glasgow
Public sector leaders gathered in Glasgow on Monday to hear from the new cabinet secretary charged with reforming public services. Ivan McKee, formerly public finance minister and now the Public...
Public sector needs to be ‘rewired’ says minister ahead of crunch debate
Scotland’s public sector needs to be ‘rewired’ to drive improvements and protect services for future generations, a Scottish Government minister has said. Ivan McKee, cabinet secretary for public service reform,...
Public sector leaders gather to hear from new ‘reform’ minister at event in Glasgow
Public sector leaders gathered in Glasgow on Monday to hear from the new cabinet secretary charged with reforming public services. Ivan McKee, formerly public finance minister and now the Public...
Health & care
New blueprint for smart homes could help people in rural Scotland live healthier lives
A new blueprint for smart homes could help people in rural Scotland live healthier lives, whilst tackling fuel poverty and cutting carbon emissions. Developed by the Digital Health & Care...
Glasgow hospital doctor develops virtual reality training tool to help child kidney dialysis patients
A doctor in Glasgow has worked with an academic to develop a virtual reality training tool to help children and their parents manage better manage kidney dialysis at home. Dr...
New blueprint for smart homes could help people in rural Scotland live healthier lives
A new blueprint for smart homes could help people in rural Scotland live healthier lives, whilst tackling fuel poverty and cutting carbon emissions. Developed by the Digital Health & Care...
Glasgow hospital doctor develops virtual reality training tool to help child kidney dialysis patients
A doctor in Glasgow has worked with an academic to develop a virtual reality training tool to help children and their parents manage better manage kidney dialysis at home. Dr...
Cyber
Former NHS Scotland digital leader joins leading cyber firm
A former NHS Scotland digital leader who helped deliver emergency online services during the Covid pandemic has joined a leading cybersecurity firm. Deryck Mitchelson takes up a new role as...
UK Government to target Russia-linked crypto exchanges in bid to prevent sanctions evasion
The UK Government today announced a series of new technical measures targeting Russia-linked cryptocurrency exchanges – in a bid to prevent sanctions evasion. Ministers said they would go after the...
Former NHS Scotland digital leader joins leading cyber firm
A former NHS Scotland digital leader who helped deliver emergency online services during the Covid pandemic has joined a leading cybersecurity firm. Deryck Mitchelson takes up a new role as...
UK Government to target Russia-linked crypto exchanges in bid to prevent sanctions evasion
The UK Government today announced a series of new technical measures targeting Russia-linked cryptocurrency exchanges – in a bid to prevent sanctions evasion. Ministers said they would go after the...
Education & Skills
Digital Poverty Alliance urges Scottish and Welsh election candidates to ‘keep public sector devices out of landfill’
The Digital Poverty Alliance is urging Scottish and Welsh election candidates to support its call for no public sector device to end up as waste. The charity said nine per...
Technology helps humans and animals ‘share experiences’, Glasgow-led research shows
Technology can help humans and animals ‘share experiences’ according to a new study by researchers at the University of Glasgow. Lemurs and people at Blair Drummond safari park near Stirling...
Digital Poverty Alliance urges Scottish and Welsh election candidates to ‘keep public sector devices out of landfill’
The Digital Poverty Alliance is urging Scottish and Welsh election candidates to support its call for no public sector device to end up as waste. The charity said nine per...
Technology helps humans and animals ‘share experiences’, Glasgow-led research shows
Technology can help humans and animals ‘share experiences’ according to a new study by researchers at the University of Glasgow. Lemurs and people at Blair Drummond safari park near Stirling...
IoT
Wearable diagnostic brain sensors to medtech implants among ‘deep tech’ ventures emerging from Glasgow accelerator
Fourteen promising startups including wearable diagnostic brain sensors and medtech implants have benefited from a 13-week venture-building programme in Glasgow. A raft of young companies developing ‘deep tech’ applications with the...
Glasgow IoT cluster bolstered by appointment of former Volvo chief executive
A Glasgow-based internet of things (IoT) cluster has been bolstered by the appointment of a former chief executive of car giant Volvo. Jim Rowan, who led the Swedish auto manufacturer...
Wearable diagnostic brain sensors to medtech implants among ‘deep tech’ ventures emerging from Glasgow accelerator
Fourteen promising startups including wearable diagnostic brain sensors and medtech implants have benefited from a 13-week venture-building programme in Glasgow. A raft of young companies developing ‘deep tech’ applications with the...
Glasgow IoT cluster bolstered by appointment of former Volvo chief executive
A Glasgow-based internet of things (IoT) cluster has been bolstered by the appointment of a former chief executive of car giant Volvo. Jim Rowan, who led the Swedish auto manufacturer...
Justice & Policing
Scotland’s top cop outlines vision for fully digitised justice system after rollout of body-worn video cameras
Scotland’s top cop has outlined a vision for a fully digitised justice system following the national rollout of body-worn video cameras for frontline police officers. Chief constable Jo Farrell pointed...
Ministers urged to introduce ‘primary legislation’ governing live facial recognition technology in Scotland
Ministers are being urged to consider introducing ‘primary legislation’ governing the use of controversial live facial recognition (LFR) technology in Scotland. Dr Brian Plastow, the Scottish Biometrics Commissioner, has written...
Scotland’s top cop outlines vision for fully digitised justice system after rollout of body-worn video cameras
Scotland’s top cop has outlined a vision for a fully digitised justice system following the national rollout of body-worn video cameras for frontline police officers. Chief constable Jo Farrell pointed...
Ministers urged to introduce ‘primary legislation’ governing live facial recognition technology in Scotland
Ministers are being urged to consider introducing ‘primary legislation’ governing the use of controversial live facial recognition (LFR) technology in Scotland. Dr Brian Plastow, the Scottish Biometrics Commissioner, has written...
Infrastructure, Connectivity & Built Environment
Smarter Infrastructure for Justice: Empowering Digital Transformation with LapSafe®
How can frontline justice services become more responsive, more efficient, and more secure, without overloading stretched teams or budgets? That’s the core challenge facing justice organisations in 2025, and exactly...
Scottish electric vehicle infrastructure provider installs 54 charging points at ferry terminal in Sweden
A Scottish electric vehicle infrastructure provider has installed 54 charging points at a ferry terminal in Sweden. FOR EV, an Edinburgh-based company, has worked in partnership with Stena Line to...
Achieve ‘smart’ asset management with these three steps
Managing public infrastructure assets is one of the most complex yet crucial responsibilities that local government decision-makers have to make. Roads, drainage systems, street lighting, public buildings and numerous other...
Data & AI
Scotland’s public sector is ready for the AI Challenge – and the webinars proved it
Last week, Futurescot and Storm ID wrapped up a series of three information and guidance webinars for organisations considering an entry to the 2026 AI Challenge. The sessions covered Scottish Local Government,...
Falkirk could be site of one of largest datacentres in the UK – with plans for development submitted to council
Falkirk could be the host of one of the largest datacentres in the UK with plans submitted for a 300 megawatt facility on a disused commercial site on the outskirts...
Tech giants to face new law if they fail to act on protecting children from sexual imagery, says PM
Tech giants will face a new law if they fail to act on protecting children from explicit imagery online, the prime minister said today. Keir Starmer called for tech firms...
From safe experiments to scaled impact: bridging the AI delivery gap
Across public services, AI activity is everywhere. Pilots are running, prototypes are being built and teams are exploring what’s possible. Importantly, this isn’t about replacing people, it’s about supporting them, helping teams work more efficiently, make better decisions, and focus on higher-value work. ...
Business & Economy
Fintech
New research ‘lab’ aims to address growing link between people’s financial situation and their health in later life
A new research ‘lab’ in Edinburgh will aim to address the growing link between people’s financial situations and their health in later life. The Finance and Health Lab, based at...
First decentralised finance summit to take place in Edinburgh next month
Scotland’s financial technology sector takes another step forward this August with the country’s first dedicated decentralized finance summit. The event, at the John McIntyre conference centre, University of Edinburgh, on...
New research ‘lab’ aims to address growing link between people’s financial situation and their health in later life
A new research ‘lab’ in Edinburgh will aim to address the growing link between people’s financial situations and their health in later life. The Finance and Health Lab, based at...
First decentralised finance summit to take place in Edinburgh next month
Scotland’s financial technology sector takes another step forward this August with the country’s first dedicated decentralized finance summit. The event, at the John McIntyre conference centre, University of Edinburgh, on...
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Glasgow hospital doctor develops virtual reality training tool to help child kidney dialysis patients
A doctor in Glasgow has worked with an academic to develop a virtual reality training tool to help children and their parents manage better manage kidney dialysis at home. Dr...
AI pilot for chest x-rays in Glasgow helped clinicians redesign patient pathway
An AI pilot for chest x-rays in Glasgow helped clinical staff redesign the pathway for patients – leading to quicker follow-ups and a more efficient process, according to a senior...
Robotic-assisted surgery surpasses 5,000 operations milestone as Renfrewshire man latest to benefit from tech
A Scottish health board has now completed over 5,000 operations using robotic-assisted surgery – with an 83-year-old Renfrewshire man one of the latest to benefit from the continued rollout of...
