Our response to the 2025-2026 Scottish Programme for Government

On 6 May 2025, The Scottish Government announced their 2025-26 Programme for Government.

Included in the ambitious plan were commitments to:

• Form AI Scotland, a new national transformation programme for academia, industry and government to work together in advancing the adoption of the technology;
  Launch a University Proof of Concept fund to help promising research projects develop into new companies;
  Establish a Technology Council of global business and scientific experts to advise ministers on how best to adopt emerging technologies;

In response to the announcement, CEO of The National Robotarium, Stewart Miller, said:

“Today’s ambitious Programme for Government demonstrates a clear commitment to positioning Scotland as a global leader in innovation, entrepreneurship and technology. The launch of AI Scotland as a national transformation programme is particularly significant, as it recognises the critical role that AI and robotics will play in Scotland’s economic future.

“As the UK’s centre for robotics and AI, the National Robotarium stands ready to be a key delivery partner in this vision, helping to implement the national AI adoption programme for SMEs and contributing to the Technology Council of global business and academic experts that will now advise the Government on applying and benefiting from emerging technological trends.

“The Government’s plan to establish a University Proof of Concept Fund is a welcome step that will help bridge the gap between research and commercialisation – something we’ve identified as crucial to building a robotics manufacturing ecosystem in Scotland. By supporting research projects with significant economic potential to progress towards forming new companies, this initiative will help ensure more Scottish innovations reach the market and create economic value within our borders.”