Two of Scotland’s technology and innovation centres have welcomed a £321 million government spending commitment to support emerging technology, including robotics and artificial intelligence.
The National Robotarium, based at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, and The Data Lab – the innovation centre for data and AI – have responded positively to yesterday’s Budget allocation for enterprise agency funding by the Scottish Government.
Shona Robison, cabinet secretary for finance and local government, referred to the spending commitment as part of government plans to create a ‘thriving economy’.
She then confirmed that her government will support emerging tech, including AI and robotics, and programmes like “our ambitious Techscaler initiative”.
Stewart Miller, CEO of the National Robotarium, said: “This significant £321 million investment from the Scottish Government to support emerging tech represents a critical step in securing Scotland’s position at the forefront of the global robotics revolution.
“As demonstrated by our pioneering work at the National Robotarium, robotics and AI technologies are already transforming industries from healthcare to offshore energy, and this additional commitment will accelerate Scotland’s ability to compete in a market projected to reach £223 billion by 2032. With the UK currently lagging behind other G7 nations in robotics adoption, this investment sends a powerful signal about Scotland’s ambition to lead rather than follow in the next wave of technological innovation.”
He added: “The timing of this support is crucial. Our experience shows that when we combine world-class research facilities with industry collaboration and skills development, we create powerful economic multipliers that generate high-value jobs and attract international investment. At the National Robotarium, we’ve already demonstrated how strategic investment in robotics can catalyse innovation, supporting successful startups and industry-funded projects that address critical challenges across health and social care, energy, and manufacturing. This new funding will help ensure Scotland can scale these successes, building the robust domestic capability needed to compete in the global marketplace while solving some of society’s most pressing challenges through technological innovation.”
The Data Lab also welcomed the commitment. It referenced the UK Government’s 2021 report – Drivers of innovation and productivity in the UK – which showed there were fewer new-to-market innovations across the UK, outside of London and the South East. The organisation said it was “on a mission to shift this trend and ensure that Scotland seizes the opportunity to attract more investment north of the border.”
Heather Thomson, Interim CEO of The Data Lab, said: “We welcome the investment in enterprise agencies, supporting emerging tech, including AI, and programmes like Techscaler, to support new-to-market innovations in Scotland. With the rapid and continuing advancement of technologies, including data and AI and its applications, Innovation Centres across Scotland are supporting companies to navigate these tech developments, advancing groundbreaking ideas, and accelerating these projects into new markets.”
And Karen Meechan, CEO of Scotland’s tech trade body, ScotlandIS, added: “It is reassuring to see the finance secretary commit to supporting Scotland’s pursuit of long-term growth. By highlighting AI and robotics the finance secretary has identified two crucial emerging areas of the tech sector, but it’s important to recognise that our industry is broader than just these two areas. From green data centres and connectivity specialists to cybersecurity and climate tech, Scotland has an enormous amount to offer and it’s important that our sector receives support which is commensurate with our overall economic contribution.”
Other spending commitments included:
- The Scottish National Investment Bank receiving £200 million in 2025/2026 to provide financial support for Scottish businesses while generating private sector investment
- Almost tripling capital investment in the offshore wind supply chain to £150 million in 2025/26, advancing the Scottish Government’s £500 million commitment to offshore wind
- Enterprise agencies receiving more than £320 million to help attract businesses and support expansion
- An enterprise package to boost entrepreneurship and develop clusters of high-tech companies receiving £15 million, with at least £4 million to help women start and grow their businesses.
And £100 million will be spent on expanding Scotland’s digital infrastructure, while £62 million is allocated to regeneration projects to revitalise towns and communities.
Deputy first minister and economy secretary Kate Forbes said: “The economy is the beating heart of any modern nation. It is where opportunity and national prosperity are the rewards for innovation and creativity.
“We have built a firm foundation over the past year with steady growth and a rise in wages. Now it is time to accelerate that progress. Businesses create wealth and it is the Government’s job to develop an environment that helps them grow, attracts investment and supports innovation. That in turn creates jobs and puts more money in people’s pockets.”
However, the Scottish Conservatives hit out at the budget as ‘short-changing’ business.
Craig Hoy, shadow cabinet secretary for finance, said: “Workers needed a game-changing tax cut, but the SNP gave them next to nothing. Scots will still pay higher bills than their counterparts in the rest of the UK.
“Businesses deserved much more than partially passing on some tax relief, but they’ve once again been short-changed by the SNP.
“For 17 years, the SNP has let Scotland’s public services decline and broken promises on an industrial scale.”