Tackling the big problems. University of Glasgow's new data science and AI centre will harness the technologies for ‘social good’
15 September 2023
Good afternoon and welcome to the weekly Futurescot Newsletter, keeping you up-to-date with news and analysis across the public technology and innovation sector.?
In our lead story today, we bring you news of a new data science and AI centre at the University of Glasgow, which pledges to focus on bringing together academics from multiple disciplines to harness the technologies for 'social good'.
Read the piece in full below as well the rest of our tech stories from the week. And don't forget to get in touch with your stories at [email protected]?or send a tweet or DM to?@futurescot_news, and please do share with your colleagues.
AI
University of Glasgow launches new data science and AI centre for ‘social good’
The University of Glasgow has launched a new data science and artificial intelligence (AI) centre designed to harness the cutting-edge technologies for ‘social good’. The facility will bring together hundreds of academics from varied disciplines to tackle global challenges including climate change, health inequalities and improving the quality of life in cities. MORE?
Upcoming events
Digital Justice & Policing: 7 November, Glasgow
Digital and data are transforming the way we deliver justice services in Scotland, from an enhanced user experience for victims and witnesses, to better coordination of evidence between policing and the courts.?Register now to join us for Scotland’s only Justice & Policing conference??
DigitalScotland Summit: 21 November, Edinburgh
Bringing together digital and data professionals from across the public sector, DigitalScotland is the leading forum to hear about how digital and data are transforming the way our public services operate and fulfil their mission to be modern, responsive and designed around the needs of citizens.?Don't miss out, register now to secure your seat at the conference??
Keep an eye on our?events page?for updates to our webinars and conferences.
STARTUPS
Almost 400 tech businesses get help from nationwide education and mentoring scheme
Almost 400 tech businesses have received help from a nationwide education and mentoring scheme for Scottish startups and founders. The Scottish Government-backed Techscaler programme has delivered the support to firms in its first year of operation, officials have stated. MORE?
AI
Scotland ‘open for business’ on AI, minister tells London event
Scotland is ‘open for business’ when it comes to artificial intelligence (AI), a government minister told a London audience this week. Innovation minister Richard Lochhead told investors and industry leaders in the capital that the country is a ‘world-leading destination for developing ethical artificial intelligence’.?MORE?
‘Living with AI’ launched as free course to help public understand the technology
A new free course called ‘Living with AI’ has been launched to give people a better understanding of artificial intelligence technology. Designed by the Scottish AI Alliance, the course seeks to ‘get the people of Scotland engaged, interested and informed about what artificial intelligence (AI) is and how it is used in our daily lives.’?MORE?
SPACE
Glasgow space tech firm in funding round led by Scottish National Investment Bank
A Glasgow space tech firm has secured almost ￡3 million in a funding round led by the Scottish National Investment Bank. Krucial, formerly R3-IoT, will use the financing, supported also by the University of Strathclyde, Scottish Enterprise and new investors Dubai-based AzurX, as part of plans to ‘scale-up’. MORE?
EDUCATION
领英推荐
Education Scotland renews partnership for Glow digital learning platform
Education Scotland has renewed its partnership for the Glow digital learning platform – used by 32 local authorities to provide online digital resources for schoolchildren. The national body for education’s deal with RM Technology will ensure educators and learners continue to have access to the ‘single access point for learning resources and software’.?MORE?
Tech experts urged to partner with Scottish schools to raise standards of digital education
Tech experts are being urged to partner with Scottish schools to raise the standards of digital education and tackle high computer science drop-off rates among students. The Digital Critical Friends initiative has been launched by Scotland’s tech trade body, ScotlandIS, as it seeks to address skills challenges faced by employers. MORE?
BUSINESS
BT Group reopens flagship Glasgow office after multi-million pound refurbishment
BT Group has reopened its flagship Glasgow office on the banks of the River Clyde after a multi-million pound refurbishment, the company said today. The telecommunications giant’s Alexander Bain building, which first opened in 2001, will house over 2,000 employees from across the group, which includes EE, BT and Openreach.?MORE?
CONNECTIVITY
Almost 7,000 homes in Stirling connected to full fibre broadband
Almost 7,000 homes and businesses in Stirling have been connected to a new full fibre broadband network offering gigabit-fast internet speeds. Premises will be able to access top speeds of 1,130Mbps after the first phase of nexfibre’s work was completed. MORE?
Telecoms careers showcased at Orkney International Science Festival
Telecoms careers – including satellite and infrastructure design engineers – were showcased this week at the Orkney International Science Festival. Kids got an insight into the world of internet connectivity jobs from Edinburgh tech consultancy Farrpoint, which travelled to the week-long event to boost awareness of the sector. MORE?
BRIEFINGS
Minister takes to LinkedIn for ideas to boost innovation economy?
Richard Lochhead, Minister for Small Business, Trade and Innovation, has taken to the social media platform asking people for comments on how to ensure Scotland's 'whole' innovation economy is greater than the sum of its parts. MORE?
National Eye Health Week ‘perfect time’ for eyecare innovation
National Eye Health Week is the “perfect time” for NHS Scotland staff to set their sights on fresh ophthalmic innovation, according to a health innovation body. InnoScot Health says the week, from 18 to 24 September, is a good time for healthcare professionals to come forward with proposals for forward-thinking eyecare solutions’. MORE?
Scottish Government sets terms for unlocking value of public data
The Scottish Government has published a report emphasising the importance of engagement and ethics in the private sector’s use of public sector data. Prepared by an independent expert group and titled Unlocking the value of data, it has been published to help data controllers in the public sector make decisions on releasing or sharing data when they think it could provide benefits to the public.?MORE?
PUBLIC SECTOR IT CONTRACTS
University of Glasgow awards ￡3m data centre contract
The University of Glasgow has awarded a seven-year data centre contract to Data Vita Ltd under a cloud services framework agreement. MORE?
Scottish Government awards 'Data Strategy for Digital Planning Transformation Programme' contract?
The Scottish Government has awarded a ￡187,000 contract to Deloitte for a 'Data Strategy for Digital Planning Transformation Programme'. MORE?
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