Atos has published its latest Digital Vision for Scotland opinion paper which “highlights the dramatic effect of digital technologies in Scotland, and the potential for the country to create competitive advantage in today’s global economy”.

Scottish businesses are transforming how they operate, it said, to keep pace with the rapid technological advances as artificial intelligence (AI), the internet of things (IoT), robotics, and advances in quantum computing enter the mainstream.

Launched today at an event hosted by the company in Glasgow City Chambers, the paper addresses themes such as:

  • Scotland as a leading digital nation;
  • Accelerating Scotland’s digital revolution;
  • Digital policing;
  • Cloud and cyber security services;
  • The Glasgow 2018 European Championships;
  • The future of health and wellbeing and digitisation of NHSScotland;
  • IoT in the delivery of Scotland’s utilities;
  • Building digital skills;
  • The role millennials will play in shaping Scotland’s future.

Scottish business sector experts discuss the opportunities and challenges associated with the digital transformation of Scotland’s businesses, infrastructure, and public services, offering suggestions to meet those challenges and deliver on the potential of a digital Scotland.

Speaking at the launch, Gavin Thomson, Senior Vice President – Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and Big Data & Security, Atos UK&I said: “Scotland is responding to the demands of digital change through world-class innovation and digital leadership.

“There is a breadth of talent and research in the rich tech ecosystem, supported by the Scottish Government and its digital strategy. There is now a need to develop the workforce and to build digital inclusion and maturity to ensure Scotland continues to be an outward looking digital nation.

“We firmly believe harnessing the digital and technological potential in Scotland wip to enhance citizens’ lives and enable organisations to deliver their key priorities.”

Commenting on the potential of a digitally transformed Scotland, Polly Purvis, chief executive of ScotlandIS, said: “A future smarter digital Scotland would be an international leader in digital technologies, such as AI, data science, Fintech and cyber, with world leading research and innovation in industry relevant fields.

“Both Edinburgh and Glasgow will be major start-up hubs, and Scotland’s cities top European locations for international technology businesses. All our citizens will understand the benefits of digital, be highly skilled in using digital solutions to improve productivity and the quality of life for themselves and others, and actively promote Scotland as a world-class location.”

This is the eighth paper in its digital vision programme and comes as Atos supports the Glasgow 2018 European Championships, as the Official Provider for the Timing, Scoring and Results service for cycling, golf, gymnastics and triathlon, and the digital media and central results service across all sports “enabling a robust digital presence to the event”.