All public sector use of Artificial Intelligence to be
registered.
Scotland is to become the first part of the UK to make it
mandatory to register any use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
within the public sector.
Every project using AI will be logged on the Scottish AI
Register, a publicly-accessible database which provides a range
of information about the use of the technology in projects
developed by public bodies.
The Register is currently voluntary, with public bodies
encouraged to submit information.
Mandatory registration will begin with Scottish Government
departments as part of a phased approach across the wider public
sector.
AI is already being used across a range of public sector
functions. Mia, an AI-powered breast cancer diagnostic tool, is
currently being piloted in NHS Grampian.
Innovation Minister said:
“With our world-renowned talent for research, innovation and
ingenuity, Scotland is perfectly placed to capitalise on the
rapid growth of AI – but it must be used in a way that is open,
ethical and transparent.
“From cancer diagnostics to helping our net zero journey, AI is a
powerful and rapidly-developing tool the public sector can use to
help drive efficiency and deliver solutions.
“Making it mandatory for public sector use of AI to be registered
will not only give the public increased confidence that AI is
being used openly and transparently, but will also act as an
increasingly powerful source of best practice, helping ensure AI
is used in ways which is both economically and technically viable
and makes a positive impact across society.”
Neil Hunter, Principal Reporter/Chief Executive of Scottish
Childrens Reporter Administration said:
“Scottish Childrens Reporter Administration felt that being part
of the AI register was hugely important. As a public body working
in a sensitive area of service delivery we wanted to be fully up
front and open about our early exploratory work on potential
future uses of technology that might have a positive impact on
our skilled work.
“Our involvement in the register also unlocked a lot of support
and advice from across Scottish Government and partners on issues
of research and evidence, experience elsewhere from a national
and global perspective – and most critically for us – access to
expertise on issues of ethics, impact, rights and privacy. We are
at a very early and exploratory stage – but registration has
really helped us get access to the support and advice we need to
ensure that any future journey is well informed and genuinely
focussed on the public benefit.”
Jora Gill, CEO and Co-founder of ConnectingYouNow said:
“ConnectingYouNow.ai is leading organisational unified
intelligence, with a vision to make it easier for Citizens to
access the Public Service they need. We started with those with
sensory loss and those who are not digital experts. We therefore
understand the critical importance of fostering transparency,
ethics and trust in AI development and deployment. The AI
Register aligns seamlessly with our core value of enabling
responsible AI adoption.
“Being listed on the AI Register demonstrates our commitment to
open collaboration and knowledge sharing to advance the safe and
ethical use of AI for public good. We believe this level of
transparency is essential for building public confidence and
driving innovation that serves citizens' best interests.
“We wholeheartedly support the Scottish Government's vision for
the AI Register and look forward to continued collaboration to
unlock AI's potential responsibly and transparently for public
sector transformation.”
Background
Scottish AI Register
