FUTURESCOT

Ministers are tightening their grip on major datacentre developments amid a growing backlash from activists over their environmental and energy impacts. Local councils will have to notify the Scottish Government within a week of accepting any major datacentre application, under new rules designed to give greater ministers greater oversight over the process.

Three Scottish public sector organisations have been shortlisted for the Futurescot 2026 AI Challenge. Qualifications Scotland, Fife Council and the Scottish Courts & Tribunals Service will go through to the final stage of the competition – where they will face a public vote.

Around 300 staff at Scotland’s prosecution service have had their personal work details exposed online in a third party data breach. The breach occurred after Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service staff took part in an online data maturity last year organised by the Scottish Government and managed by an external supplier. The supplier – who has not been named – became aware of suspicious activity on August 5th and immediately began investigating the incident.

A digital health and care schools programme – which works to foster entrepreneurial and technology skills in young people across Scotland – has been nominated for a prestigious business award. The Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre’s (DHI) ‘DigiInventors Challenge’ has been shortlisted in the Inspiring Future Talent category at this year’s Glasgow Business Awards.

The Cyber and Fraud Centre – Scotland has launched a new security testing service designed to help organisations spot the ‘hidden’ risks of AI chatbots. The AI and Web Application Security Assessment tool will identify vulnerabilities introduced by AI-powered chatbots and other AI functionality integrated into websites and web applications.

A young goalie who has a condition which makes him prone to regular chest infections is benefiting from an ever-expanding ‘hospital at home’ programme. Ollie Doran, 11, who requires regular intravenous antibiotics, is one of an increasing number of patients of all ages in the Lanarkshire region who receives care at home from mobile teams of clinicians – instead of visiting hospital.

Glasgow has been named as the third most AI-ready city outside of London, behind Bristol in second and Manchester in first place. The city by the Clyde emerged in the top three according to a new AI Cities 2026 Index compiled by data and AI specialist SAS. The index, in its fifth year, evaluates cities outside of London across eight key criteria, including job opportunities, innovation funding secured, education opportunities, broadband speed, and business activity in the AI sector.

More girls are taking computing science at both National 5 and Higher levels in Scotland but the share of entries remains stubbornly low, according to the latest education stats. New data from Scotland’s science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) education statistics shows that girls taking National 5 computing science have risen by 1.8% and by 2.2% for Highers in the last four years.

Scottish local councils will come together in the coming months to consider a more ‘consistent’ approach to digital strategy and delivery. Joint delivery plans, shared initiatives or collective investment may help accelerate progress while still supporting local priorities, according to a July update from the Digital Office for Scottish Local Government. Local authorities are being invited to submit their digital strategies and plans to help identify common themes and inform discussion.

The boss of a Scottish recruitment tech platform has suggested Andy Burnham’s recent comments about AI hiring practices are ‘confused’ – and not the reason so many young people are missing out on jobs. Euan Cameron, CEO of Willo, a candidate screening platform, says the real problem lies with a shortage of entry-level opportunities in a low-growth economy and a labour market lacking the relevant skills employers seek.