AI Challenge

The Futurescot AI Challenge 2025 is a competition to bring together Scottish public sector organisations to solve problems through the use of Artificial Intelligence.

In association withStorm ID

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). Three short listed organisations will receive an AI Proof of Concept developed by Storm ID.

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.

Why take part?

The challenge offers multiple benefits for participants

  • Gain insight into the application of AI
  • Explore and accelerate AI use cases with no financial and minimal resource commitment
  • Shortlisted organisations will receive an in-person workshop and proof of concept to bring their idea to life. As well as a chance to show their idea at the biggest yearly public sector digital transformation event in Scotland

2024 AI Challenge winner

Congratulations to NHS Forth Valley whose idea of using AI technology to better manage and learn from complaints data won the 2024 AI Challenge. 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”.

Learn more about the winner

How it works

Stage1

Apply online

Your organisation submits an idea via the online application form. Illustrating how your concept uses AI to improve outcomes for citizens in Scotland. Submissions close on the 22nd August 2025.

Stage2

Develop and
present

A panel of experts shortlists three applicants, based on a set of core criteria.

Shortlisted organisations are invited to attend a workshop. At the workshop, Storm ID will help you to assess the viability of your idea; Storm ID will then develop your AI into a 'proof of concept' (POC).

This process culminates with the Digital Scotland 2025 conference on the 19th November 2025 at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre. There, your team will have the chance to showcase their idea in an AI leadership session.

Stage3

Winner

This competition closes with an overall winner chosen at the Digital Scotland conference in November 2025.

Judging criteria

The core criteria for short listing and winning entry will be as follows

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

Timeline

  1. 8thMay
    Launch of applications
  2. 22ndAugust
    Applications close and short-listing process takes place
  3. 5thSeptember
    Short listed organisations contacted and invited to take part in process for generation of 'proof of concept' (POC)
  4. 19thNovember

    Opportunity to showcase AI Proof of concept at Futurescot Digital Scotland event at Edinburgh International Conference Centre

    Winner announced and contacted