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Celebrating Innovation: NHS Forth Valley Wins AI Challenge 2024

Portrait of Stewart Cruickshank
By Stewart Cruickshank

27 November 2024

The AI Challenge 2024 has reached an exciting conclusion, and we are delighted to announce the winner: NHS Forth Valley. Their groundbreaking work has set a new benchmark for how AI can be leveraged to enhance public services and improve lives.

A graphic of an abstracted map of Scotland

The Winning Idea

NHS Forth Valley’s solution focused on using AI technology to streamline the processing of complaints data, transforming unstructured information into valuable insights for service improvement. By automating data analysis, their approach not only saves time but also helps healthcare teams identify key trends, address recurring issues, and deliver better outcomes for patients and staff alike.

This innovative proof of concept stood out for its practicality and potential to make an immediate, tangible impact.

A smiling individual holding a trophy labeled "Futurescot AI Challenge 2024 Winner."
"NHS Forth Valley demonstrated that AI can deliver immediate, tangible benefits and make a real difference to staff and patients, along with high potential for scalability."

This endorsement highlights the transformative potential of their solution - not just for individual healthcare settings but as a scalable model that could benefit organisations across Scotland.

"The NHS Forth Valley team demonstrated an innovative and yet practical use of AI which we all felt has the potential to make a tangible difference to patients and staff."

The judging panel added that the NHS Forth Valley team also considered in good detail how it could be embedded safely into day-to-day practises combined with a strong vision for how the use of AI can be extended and also potentially scaled beyond their own team.

The judging panel felt it was a strong example of the type of innovation required to ensure NHS can continue to deliver services effectively in the future.

Celebrating All Participants

While NHS Forth Valley took the top honour, the AI Challenge 2024 showcased the creativity, dedication and innovation of all its shortlisted participants including National Library of Scotland and Scottish Parliament. Each project reflected the competition’s mission to harness AI for meaningful change.

Congratulations to NHS Forth Valley and all the participants of the AI Challenge 2024. Your commitment to innovation is paving the way for a brighter, smarter future. We look forward to seeing how these ideas continue to evolve and make a difference.

Stay tuned for updates on the incredible work coming out of this competition - and let’s keep pushing the boundaries of what AI can achieve. 

 

Photography provided by Robert Perry