THE DATA Lab has been appointed by the Scottish Government to lead on co-ordinating a new nationwide strategy on artificial intelligence (AI).

The strategy will drive the use of AI to improve the wellbeing of Scotland’s people, as well as unlocking a potential £13 billion in additional economic output.

The Datal Lab will act as “an impartial convenor” and will oversee the process which will include a recently appointed steering committee, chaired by digital economy minister Kate Forbes, and a series of working groups.

READ MORE: From information to I, Robot: the reality of AI ethics

Ms Forbes said: “Scotland is well-placed to harness the potential of AI to benefit our citizens, economy, public services and society. I look forward to working with the Data Lab and others to produce a strategy that sets out our ambitions, principles and priorities and helps us to use AI to the advantage of Scotland and its people.”

Gillian Docherty, chief executive of the Data Lab, said the appointment was “an honour “. She said: “As an organisation, we completely align ourselves with the Government’s vision of ensuring the future AI strategy has Scotland’s people at its very core.”

READ MORE: Technology pioneer hails quality of staff available in Glasgow

She said: “The creation of such a strategy shows once again that Scotland has the potential to become a world-leader in the fields of data science and artificial intelligence, but that importantly, we don’t lose sight of what’s important to our citizens in the process. This is a very exciting time in Scotland’s history and it is vital Scotland’s people have their say in its future.”

The Data Lab says it is Scotland’s innovation centre for data and AI and, through hubs in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness, it fosters innovation through “collaboration, build skills and grow talent, and champion Scotland’s data science community”. The steering committee is made up of 15 members from bodies ranging from SCVO to SCDI.