AI Challenge
The Futurescot AI Challenge 2024 is a competition to bring together Scottish public sector organisations to solve problems through the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Winner announcement
Winner!
Congratulations to NHS Forth Valley whose idea of using AI technology to better manage and learn from complaints data. The judges said “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”.
Shortlisted applicants
Our panel of experts have shortlisted the following three applicants, based on the set of core criteria.
Shortlisted organisations are invited to attend a workshop. At the workshop, Storm ID will help to assess the viability of the idea; Storm ID will then develop their AI into a 'proof of concept' (POC).
This process culminates with the Digital Scotland 2024 conference on the 26th November 2024 at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre. There, the teams will have the chance to showcase their idea in an AI leadership session.
- The Scottish Parliament
- NHS Forth Valley
- National Library of Scotland
Judging panel
Professor Shannon Vallor
Professor Shannon Vallor holds the Baillie Gifford Chair in the Ethics of Data and Artificial Intelligence in the University of Edinburgh's Department of Philosophy. She is Director of the Centre for Technomoral Futures in the Edinburgh Futures Institute, and co-Director of the UKRI BRAID (Bridging Responsible AI Divides) programme. Professor Vallor's research explores the ethical challenges and opportunities posed by new uses of data and AI, and how these technologies reshape human moral and intellectual character. She is a former AI Ethicist at Google, and advises numerous academic, government and industry bodies on the ethical design and use of AI. She is the author of Technology and the Virtues: A Philosophical Guide to a Future Worth Wanting (Oxford University Press, 2016), and The AI Mirror (Oxford University Press, 2024).
Mr Paul McGinness
Founder of Storm ID and Lenus Health with over 20 years' experience in driving digital transformation across a range of industry sectors. Paul was an early proponent of using machine learning to develop predictive analytics resulting in a spin out of the Lenus business from Storm in 2020 to bring a highly innovative AI based solution to the health sector to support the diagnosis and management of people with long term health conditions.
Mr John Adams
Former Deputy Director for Digital and Data Services in the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. John is passionate about driving organisational value from data. He played a leading role in international open data initiatives and was an early advocate and promoter of data science and AI in the public sector.
Mr Steven Grier
Director of Devolved Government, Microsoft UK. Steven is a seasoned expert in the application of digital and data technology in the public sector and is actively encouraging and developing the adoption of AI across government in Scotland & Wales.
Judging criteria
Social impact
Potential to improve your organisation and the services it provides
Trustworthy, Ethical and Inclusive
Alignment with core principles and practices outlined in Scotland's National AI Strategy, AI Register and AI Playbook
Scalability
Ability to scale the application across other parts of the organisation or wider public sector
Innovation
How creatively the idea uses data and AI technology
Feasibility
The practicality and cost-effectiveness of implementation
Sustainability
Ensuring the application of AI is compliant with key Net Zero and Carbon Emissions Reduction targets
About the challenge
Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help the public sector to increase productivity, save money, and improve services, if harnessed effectively, responsibly and ethically. This competition invites public sector organisations to use AI to solve real-world problems.
It is open to all public sector organisations in Scotland, including the Scottish Government and its agencies and non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs), Local Government, Health and Social Care and arms-length organisations (ALEOs). The winner will receive the equivalent of £20,000 in technical support from Storm ID to further develop their proof of concept.
The Futurescot AI Challenge was conceived by Futurescot and our technology partner, Storm ID - two organisations bound by their mutual dedication to Scotland's digital technology sector.