On the 13th of January 2025 the UK Government published its AI Opportunities Action Plan to much fanfare and critique. The paper outlines the government’s recommendations to enable the UK to “shape the AI revolution” and avoid falling behind the progress being made by the USA and China. You can read the plan in full on the UK Government website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ai-opportunities-action-plan/ai-opportunities-action-plan.

While Scotland has its own AI strategy and ecosystem, any decisions made by the UK Government will significantly impact Scotland and its approach to artificial intelligence. Rather than responding straight away, we wanted to take some time to digest the proposal and research its potential implications. We spoke to our governance group to get their takes on the plan from their unique, personal perspectives. They have given their comments as individuals who are passionate about the ethical, trustworthy, and inclusive development and deployment of AI in Scotland. There are excerpts below and you can read their full statements at the bottom of this page.

Speaking as the Chair of the Scottish AI Alliance, Catriona Campbell said of the plan:

“The recent announcement by the Prime Minister on leveraging AI to drive economic growth and enhance public sector productivity marks a pivotal moment in solidifying the UK’s long-term vision for AI.

For Scotland, this initiative holds significant promise. Our nation is home to a wealth of AI talent and cutting-edge research, particularly from our renowned universities and startup ecosystem. By ensuring that this talent is retained and supported, Scotland can play a central role in the UK’s AI ambitions. The focus on democratizing access to AI infrastructure (and improving infrastructure in Scotland e.g. data centres) will enable the Scottish public sector, Enterprise and SMEs to compete on a level playing field, fostering innovation and economic growth across the region.

This collaborative approach will not only benefit Scotland but also contribute to the UK’s overall success in the AI domain. I hope this becomes a key focus in the government’s AI strategy, as it would significantly benefit both Scotland and the wider UK.”

You can read further comments from Catriona below. Do you have thoughts on the UK’s AI Opportunities Action Plan? Let us know on LinkedIn, BlueSky or Instagram.

Full Statements