Scotland’s recent £9 million investment in AI technology signifies a substantial government-backed initiative for leveraging technology to address various public sector challenges, including environmental conservation. This funding is part of the CivTech programme’s 10th round, which focuses on AI solutions for the first time. The programme has awarded up to £9 million to 14 companies developing AI products to tackle challenges faced by charities and public sector organisations .
According to Business Minister Richard Lochhead, “Scotland is well-placed to harness the advantages of artificial intelligence with its rich history of innovation and high concentration of world-leading universities and colleges. The rapidly growing AI sector offers opportunities for Scotland, from helping to detect health issues such as lung cancer earlier, to enabling businesses to work more efficiently” .
Key projects include the development of software to help identify toxic contaminants to address the risk of cancer for firefighters, an AI system to assist teachers with administrative tasks, and using drones and an automated mapping system to monitor puffin populations in a less invasive way. The CivTech programme has invested £20 million into 90 companies and entrepreneurs since 2016, demonstrating its commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship to improve public services and quality of life.
These AI projects underscore the potential for technology to drive significant improvements in Scotland’s environmental conservation efforts and beyond. By harnessing AI, the Scottish Government aims to enhance efficiency, innovation, and sustainability across various sectors.
A digital project that monitors puffin populations is among a range of innovations awarded funding from the Scottish government. The initiative is being led by the University of Edinburgh and uses satellite technology and camera traps to collect data on the puffin population on the Isle of May. This project is part of a broader effort involving an AI system designed to track puffins and salmon, developed by SSE Renewables in collaboration with Microsoft and Avanade. Other projects receiving funding focus on technologies designed to capture and analyse wildlife data, improve ecological monitoring, and tackle issues such as biodiversity loss and climate change.
The Scottish Government has committed up to £7.48 million towards innovative technology solutions through the CivTech 9 Accelerator program.
