News
Ministers publish ‘horizon scanning’ report looking at future trends and how they might inform policy in Scotland
Ministers have published a new ‘horizon scanning’ report looking at future trends and how they might inform policy in an ‘increasingly complex and uncertain world’. The Future Trends for Scotland report looks at 60 global trends spanning areas including politics, the economy, society, technology, health and the environment, to inform strategic decision-making over the next 10 to 20 years.
Source: Futurescot
Scotland secures decade stretch as top UK FDI location outside London
Scotland secured 135 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects in 2024 and has cemented its reputation as the top UK FDI location outside London after marking a decade in the position. Despite a drop of seven projects (-4.9%) on the year before, this is still the second highest annual number of projects recorded, according to the latest EY Scotland Attractiveness Survey.
Source: EY
Boosting university spin-outs
New initiatives taking advantage of Scotland’s world-class reputation as an innovation nation have been announced by the Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes. A new package of funding has been launched to help transform Scottish university and college spin-outs into growing businesses. Just over £4.5 million will be split across the Proof of Concept Fund, the Spinout Pipeline Project, the Entrepreneurial Campus Blueprint, and a scheme to help prepare future generations for careers in tech-based businesses.
Expert government body created in bid to make Scotland 'leading tech nation'
A new government body has been created to ensure that Scotland is a leading tech nation on the global stage.
The Scottish Technology Council will assist ministers in maximising the country’s multi-billion pound technology sector.
Source: STV
The missing ingredient in Scotland's renewable transition: food and drink
When it comes to renewable energy, Scotland's food and drink producers have quietly emerged as one of the more proactive industrial sectors.
But while progress has been made, the journey to net zero is far from complete – and it’s clear that the sector is now reaching an inflection point.
Source: Business Insider
University set to host £750m national supercomputer
The University of Edinburgh has been announced as the home of the UK's next national supercomputer.
The significant investment represents a huge endorsement of the University and its future as a world-leader in supercomputing and AI, recognising the strength and value of Edinburgh’s expertise.
Chancellor confirms £750 million for Edinburgh supercomputer
Scotland will be home to the UK’s most powerful supercomputer, with the Chancellor confirming up to £750m to build it at the University of Edinburgh. The announcement comes ahead of today's Spending Review and as the Prime Minister kicked off London Tech Week by unveiling £1bn of extra funding to scale up the country’s artificial intelligence (AI) computing power.
Source: Business Insider
Data-driven programme designed to tackle global challenges
A flexible new postgraduate programme designed to tackle global challenges through genetics and data skills will launch in September 2025, supported by a dedicated e-learning team and aimed at training the next generation of experts in a range of industries and academic fields.
Scottish biotech start-ups are struggling to commercialise
The MRI scanner. Insulin. Football dugouts. All cultivated in Aberdeen.
All having a global impact, providing inspiration for further innovation – and all a small snapshot of what just one Scottish city has given the world.
Source: Business Insider
Approval for project creating tropical seafood using AI in a shipping container
Scientists are set to use a shipping container to help them develop tropical seafood using artificial intelligence on land in Midlothian.
Midlothian Council planners have given the go ahead for the container to be placed on Dryden Farm, Roslin, which is owned by the University of Edinburgh.
Source: Business Insider