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.
Winner!
Congratulations to VisitScotland whose POC idea was using AI technology for a travel planning tool. The POC concept was to provide personalised inspiration beyond popular destinations, address over-tourism and help spread economic impact across the country.
Shortlisted finalists
Our panel of experts shortlisted three finalists, based on the set of core criteria. The finalists were supported by Storm ID to assess the viability of the idea and then develop their idea into a 'proof of concept' (POC). The process culminated with the Digital Scotland 2025 conference on the 19th November 2025 at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre. There, the teams had the chance to showcase their idea in an AI leadership session.
VisitScotland
NHS Grampian
Dumfries and Galloway Council
Judging panel
Victoria Bew
Deputy Director, Incubator for Artificial Intelligence, UK Government (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology).
Victoria is Deputy Director, Strategy for i.AI, the Government’s incubator for Artificial Intelligence.
Michael Rovatsos
Professor of Artificial Intelligence, University of Edinburgh.
Professor Rovatsos has over 25 years of experience in AI research, where he develops AI algorithms and architectures to support collaboration between human and/or artificial agents.
Sean Harkin
Data Science & AI Lead, Lloyds Banking Group
Sean is Data Science and AI Lead at Lloyds Banking Group, leading the delivery of cutting-edge Generative AI and predictive machine learning solutions for improving customer journeys.
Paul McGinness
Founder and Chair of Storm ID
As a founder and the Chair of Storm ID, Paul brings over 25 years of experience leading digital and data transformation programmes in the UK and internationally across diverse sectors, including central government, justice, healthcare, and financial services.
Judging criteria
Social impact
Potential to improve your organisation and the services it provides
Responsibility & Ethics
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). 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.