The Scottish Government has unveiled a refreshed National Digital Strategy, outlining an expanded programme of actions aimed at boosting the economy, modernising public services and ensuring digital technologies help people across Scotland to thrive.

The blueprint, jointly developed with local government, builds on the original 2021 strategy and is being seen as a response to rapid technological change, including the juggernaut rise of AI.

The update introduces two major pilots: a personalised public services app due by 2026, and an AI-led efficiency pilot by 2028 focused on streamlining administrative tasks.

Public Finance Minister Ivan McKee said the refreshed approach “sets out our ambition to create a digitally connected country to create economic growth and help people and businesses thrive,” adding that it will “support work to deliver sustainable digital public services fit for the future and help widen opportunities that digital offers.”

Reflecting in a foreword on the changes since the strategy was originally published, McKee said: “Digital technology has transformed our lives at an unprecedented pace… propelled further by the rapid acceleration of technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), which are reshaping how we live, work, and deliver services.”

He noted that while the 2021 strategy’s aims remain valid, “it is evident that the world has changed. This 2025 strategy refresh is our response to that change.”

Councillor Katie Hagmann, COSLA Resources spokesperson, said local government is “co-author and co-owner” of the vision. “Through collaboration and shared action, we can build a future-ready, digital Scotland where everyone has the chance to participate and thrive, and no one is left behind,” she said.

The strategic vision, co-designed with COSLA and the Digital Office for Scottish Local Government, will now be delivered through regularly updated subject-specific plans that outline actions, ownership and measures of progress – we’ll go more into detail on the delivery plan in a separate feature as there’s a lot to unpack there.

The Vision

The government’s updated vision sets out its ambition “to build a nation where digital connects our people to opportunities, creates economic growth and delivers improved public services.”

The strategy presents digital as an enabler of opportunity and a driver of national wellbeing, aligning with the refreshed National Performance Framework.

It attempts to lay out a framework of a Scotland where people can access digital opportunities in everyday life, where businesses benefit from a vibrant tech ecosystem, and where public services are transformed through smarter, faster and fairer digital innovation.”

The strategy stresses that success depends on sustained collaboration: “It will take the effort of us all to work together to achieve that vision, but we will do so for the betterment of Scotland,” as says McKee in the strategy’s foreword.

Inclusive Access to Digital

A major focus of the refreshed strategy is addressing digital exclusion, which the government, rightly, links closely with poverty, limited opportunity and wider inequalities. Digital technology is described as “a gateway to opportunities,” from applying for benefits to accessing healthcare or employment.

However, the document notes significant barriers: affordability constraints, lack of skills or confidence, and concerns about privacy and security. These issues particularly affect older adults, people with disabilities, low-income households and those living in rural or remote areas, where infrastructure challenges may intensify exclusion.

The Scottish Government says it is already taking steps to improve connectivity and support people who are offline. This includes expanding internet access in social housing and widening the availability of digital lending libraries, which provide devices and skills support.

The strategy highlights evidence showing that localised, place-based approaches – such as Renfrewshire Council’s community-focused work – are among the most effective ways to tackle exclusion.

Looking ahead, the government outlines a Scotland where “everyone has the chance to thrive in the digital world.” It plans to expand access to the internet in rural and underserved areas, support people to get online “safely, securely, and with confidence,” and design inclusive public services built with user involvement.

Digital Skills in Education

The strategy positions digital and data skills as essential to how Scotland lives, learns and works, emphasising the need for people of all ages to adapt to rapid technological change. AI and other emerging technologies are recognised as “playing an increasingly important role in education,” supporting personalised learning and giving teachers new tools.

The strategy states that digital learning cannot be confined to classrooms; instead, Scotland must foster “lifelong digital learners” who continuously renew their skills.

Further actions include working with employers to improve understanding of digital and data skills needs, maintaining the university sector’s leadership in digital research, and increasing public awareness of both the opportunities and threats associated with technologies such as AI.

A Thriving Digital Economy

The strategy positions Scotland as “an innovative nation” with strengths in AI, quantum, photonics, data science and ethical data use. The government aims to translate this expertise into new products, services and businesses, building on existing progress in digital infrastructure and support for innovation.

The document cheerleads investment that has brought faster broadband to thousands of homes and businesses, and ongoing support from Business Gateway, enterprise agencies and cluster organisations such as FinTech Scotland. Digital trade is identified as a growing component of Scotland’s economy, enabling international expansion at reduced cost.

Cyber resilience is also emphasised as a core competitive strength: “A cyber resilient business is a competitively strong and trusted business.”

Looking forward, the strategy outlines plans to launch AI Scotland as a national change programme to boost AI investment and adoption; support clusters in key sectors including FinTech, GovTech and MedTech, as well continuing to expand digital infrastructure and strengthen cyber resilience across Scottish businesses, the third sector and wider organisations.

Sustainable Digital Public Services

Scotland’s vision for sustainable, future-ready public services is rooted in the national Public Service Reform Strategy, which emphasises locally delivered, person-centred and preventative services. Digital technology and data are identified as key enablers of this shift.

The strategy states that Scotland is already transforming services through digital innovation, supported by collaboration across government and an expanding focus on building reusable digital solutions. Skills development is highlighted as essential: delivering high-quality digital services requires a workforce confident in digital tools, data-informed decision-making and new ways of working.

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Examples included in the strategy illustrate the potential impact of innovation, from AI improving early cancer diagnosis to sensors detecting damp and mould in social housing to support early intervention.

Looking ahead, the government wants public services that are “smarter, faster, and fairer,” underpinned by strong cybersecurity to maintain public trust.

Key commitments include developing digital leadership and capability across the public sector, using data and technologies such as AI ethically to protect privacy and reduce cyber risk, and delivering collaborative digital programmes and common solutions designed around people and preventative outcomes.