The Data Lab, Scotland’s Innovation Centre for Data and AI, announced today the launch of its first-ever Geospatial Fringe programme next month, in response to the growing interest in the sector across the UK. With partners including NatureScot, the University of Edinburgh, the Association for Geographic Information and Location Data Scotland, the programme of in-person […]
Leveraging data in manufacturing: Unlocking potential and driving innovation
In the modern manufacturing landscape, where competitiveness and operational efficiency are paramount, data is the game-changer. As a manufacturer, you produce goods and a vast amount of data at every step of your operations. If exploited correctly, this data can illuminate inefficiencies, drive productivity, and even unlock new avenues for innovation. But where does one […]
Business experts cautiously optimistic about economic growth in Scotland and the UK
The Data Lab, Scotland’s data and AI innovation centre, hosted its first business breakfast exploring key factors impacting the economy. Speakers Dr Gary Gillespie, Chief Economic Advisor at the Scottish Government and Kirsty Brown, a member of The Data Lab’s Governance Board, highlighted that the economy continues to grow in spite of cyclical downturns, but […]
The Data Lab Community celebrates 5000 members
The Data Lab, Scotland’s Innovation Centre for Data and AI, has announced it has reached 5000 members in its online community of data and AI professionals and enthusiasts, doubling its membership numbers since last year. The Data Lab Community, which launched in September 2021 and is free to join, offers data and AI professionals, students […]
Why Scotland is the perfect test bed for data and AI experimentation
Scotland is a nation of innovators, and it has been for many, many generations. A quick glance back through tech history reminds us that Scottish trailblazers have been making waves across the globe for hundreds of years. The first telephone, the television, and Penicillin were all introduced to the world stage by Scots! However, The […]
New Head of Skills to empower people with data and AI capabilities
We are delighted to announce that Anna Ashton Scott has been appointed Head of Skills, following five years of leading the Data Skills for Work and the wider Professional Development programmes. Anna joined The Data Lab in 2019, initially leading the £1.2 million Data Skills for Work Programme, which supports workers to adapt to the […]
£3.5 million participatory AI auditing project to empower sector stakeholders
The Data Lab, Scotland’s AI and data science innovation centre, has joined a consortium of 29 other organisations from across the UK to contribute to the creation of a £3.5m project designed to maximise the potential benefits of predictive and generative AI, while minimising their potential harms arising from bias and ‘hallucinations’, where AI tools […]
The Data Lab upskills more than 1000 learners to address growing digital skills gap
The Data Lab, Scotland’s innovation centre for data and AI, has announced it has upskilled almost 1,000 learners in data literacy through its Data Skills for Work programme. The vast majority of which are based in Edinburgh and South East Scotland. Addressing the digital skills gap Led by The Data Lab, the Data Skills for […]
The Data Lab appoints Heather Thomson to Interim CEO position as Brian Hills steps down from leadership role
The Data Lab has today announced that its CEO, Brian Hills, has stepped down from his role. Following The Data Lab’s successful application to the Scottish Funding Council to be funded as part of a new 10-year Innovation Infrastructure programme, Hills is taking a new opportunity in the private sector. In his place, Scotland’s innovation […]
Funding advice: A guide to business start-up grants in Scotland
In this new era of data and AI technologies, Scotland (a nation of innovators for many generations) stands out as one of the finest and most desirable places to experiment with new ideas. The country is primed to maximise its natural resources and realise its technological ambitions. Data creation, processing and storage that underpin a […]










