Scotland’s innovation centre for data and AI, The Data Lab, has a new Interim CEO at the helm.

Brian Hills will be responsible for leading the 50+ strong team, driving the growth of AI and data science skills across the academic and business community in Scotland.

In addition, Heather Thomson, Head of Skills, has joined the centre’s senior management team. A member of The Data Lab for three years, Heather will work with Brian and the wider senior management team to extend the reach of The Data Lab to ensure Scotland is seen as a ‘world leader in AI and data science’.

“This will be a pivotal year for The Data Lab as we continue to reinforce the power of data and AI to organisations,” said Hills, Interim CEO of The Data Lab.

He added: “SME recovery and growth following the pandemic are high on the agenda. Accelerating the value of data will undoubtedly be a contributing factor to the business community as part of this recovery, but there remains a lack of understanding on how firms can use data effectively.

“We will be looking at new ways that we can empower the sector to realise how data science and AI could contribute, while also opening up opportunities for growth.”

Recommended

• Telexistence competition seeks innovation through £1.3 million fund
• Grandmother uses ‘revolutionary’ microchip to aid with lost vision
• Smart Hub Lanarkshire launches first events of 2022

The refresh of The Data Lab’s management team will play into the innovation centre’s plans to further scale the reach of services and programmes being implemented.

This includes enhancements to the thriving Data Lab Community – an online platform which launched in September 2021 and which is designed to contribute to Scotland’s economic and social recovery in a post-pandemic and increasingly digital world. The community now has over 900 members from over 25 countries regularly contributing and collaborating.

Heather Thomson, Head of Skills at The Data Lab, said: “The data skills gap feels like a significant hurdle to overcome for academia and business.

“However, there are many routes and pillars of support available for individuals and organisations to understand what they can do to better use data. Joining The Data Lab senior management team will put addressing this gap at the forefront of the centre’s growth strategy.”

Get the latest news from DIGIT direct to your inbox 

Our newsletter covers the latest technology and IT news from Scotland and beyond, as well as in-depth features and exclusive interviews with leading figures and rising stars.

We will keep you up to date on the pivotal issues impacting the sector and let you know about key upcoming events to ensure that you don’t miss out on what’s going on across the Scottish tech community.

To subscribe, click here.