All public sector use of artificial intelligence to be registered

Scotland is to become the first part of the UK to make it mandatory to register any use of artificial intelligence (AI) within the public sector.

Every project which uses AI must be logged with the Scottish AI Register – a publicly-accessible database which provides information about the use of technology in projects developed by public bodies. 

The register is currently voluntary, with public bodies encouraged to submit information about a project.  

The Scottish Government will bring in mandatory registration for its departments first, as part of a phased approach across the wider public sector. 

The technology has already been used across many areas of the public sector, such as Mia, an AI-powered breast cancer diagnostic tool, which is currently being piloted in NHS Grampian. 

Innovation minister Richard Lochhead said: “With our world-renowned talent for research, innovation and ingenuity, Scotland is perfectly placed to capitalise on the rapid growth of AI – but it must be used in a way that is open, ethical and transparent. 

“From cancer diagnostics to helping our net zero journey, AI is a powerful and rapidly developing tool the public sector can use to help drive efficiency and deliver solutions. 

“Making it mandatory for public sector use of AI to be registered will not only give the public increased confidence that AI is being used openly and transparently, but will also act as an increasingly powerful source of best practice, helping ensure AI is used in ways which are both economically and technically viable and makes a positive impact across society.”