Scotland is to become the first UK nation to make it mandatory for public sector organisations to register how they’re using artificial intelligence (AI).

Moving forward, every project utilising AI will be logged onto the Scottish AI Register—a publicly-accessible database which provides a range of information about how public bodies are using the technology in their projects.

As it stands, the register is currently voluntary, with public bodies encouraged to submit information. However, and as part of a phased approach across the wider public sector, mandatory registration will begin with Scottish Government departments.

Speaking on the new approach, the plans of which were announced at today’s Scottish AI Summit, 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 is both economically and technically viable and makes a positive impact across society.”

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Neil Hunter, the principal reporter and chief executive of Scottish Childrens Reporter Administration, also said the following on the organisation’s involvement with the register: “Scottish Childrens Reporter Administration felt that being part of the AI register was hugely important. As a public body working in a sensitive area of service delivery we wanted to be fully up front and open about our early exploratory work on potential future uses of technology that might have a positive impact on our skilled work.

“Our involvement in the register also unlocked a lot of support and advice from across Scottish Government and partners on issues of research and evidence, experience elsewhere from a national and global perspective – and most critically for us – access to expertise on issues of ethics, impact, rights and privacy.

“We are at a very early and exploratory stage – but registration has really helped us get access to the support and advice we need to ensure that any future journey is well informed and genuinely focussed on the public benefit.”