AI is being adopted more rapidly in Scottish councils than elsewhere in the UK, according to a new study today.

Researchers at Heriot-Watt University intelligent automation systems lab (IAS) alongside AI specialists GoLLM found that almost a third of Scotland’s 32 local authorities are either piloting or using AI, with a fifth already actively using it in day-to-day work.

The 18-month study into artificial intelligence readiness found England’s metropolitan councils were pressing ahead, but fragmentation across county and district tiers, while Wales and the six counties remained in the early stages of adoption.

Scottish councils were however pulling ahead on multiple fronts, with 70 per cent having high levels of “data maturity,” ahead of other parts of the UK.

Dr Luciana Blaha, IAS lab lead at Heriot-Watt University, said: “Scotland’s progress is being driven by a co-ordinated national approach, strong collaboration across the public sector and close partnerships with universities.

“Scotland’s co-ordinated approach and strong partnerships put it in a strong position to be a key node for the next phase of public‑sector AI adoption, setting an example for the rest of the UK.”