Scotland needs to embrace AI for its potential to be realised, minister says

The minister said a Workplace Jobs Observatory – led by STUC – had been set up which could see in real time how AI was impacting on the workplace.

“This is a technology that is developing at pace,” he said. “I want to see ethical guard rails put on it by legislation and want to align with the EU norms.”

He said Tuesday’s meeting would look at what the Scottish government was doing to adopt the technology and to make sure people had the relevant skills.

“Where there are opportunities for AI I want us to be all over it,” he said. “And where there are things that people need to be reassured about I also want to be all over it because I’m here to represent the interests of the people of Scotland.”

Julian David, chief executive of techUK, who is also attending the meeting, said: “The opportunity AI offers Scotland is significant, but it will only be realised if businesses and government pull in the same direction.

“Today’s roundtable is a chance for industry to share what is working on the ground and for government to listen and act.

“By collaborating, we can help more businesses of every size make the most of AI.”