Image source: Scottish Government
Up to £9 million is to be shared between 14 companies developing AI solutions for public service issues through the latest funding round under Scotland’s CivTech programme.
The Scottish Government has announced details of the funding for CivTech 10, saying this is the first round to focus on AI.
The projects and companies to receive backing are:
- Technology developed by Rowden to help firefighters improve their situational awareness in emergency situations.
- A system to detect and monitor firefighters’ exposure to toxins created by FireHazResearch.
- Drones and an automated mapping system from EOLAS and the University of Edinburgh to monitor puffin colonies in a less invasive way.
- Sensors developed by Arctech Innovation to monitor breeding success, seasonal changes and harmful disease in puffins.
- Technology for public sector organisations to use data securely, developed by Verifoxx.
- A platform for citizens and policy makers to understand how AI and other emerging technologies could be used in the public sector, developed by CrownShy.
- A programme created by Talent Engine to provide detailed labour market insights to target skills and development training in Glasgow.
- An AI tool from Rethink Carbon to document woodland and peatland projects.
- A new approach to monitoring carbon balances from woodland and peatland projects from the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.
- Sylvera are developing advanced remote sensing capabilities to enhance monitoring of carbon projects.
- An AI programme to forecast pharmaceutical demand by postcode area to help reduce waste, developed by PharmovoAI.
- A planning tool created by Looper to help NHS Scotland reduce waste and emissions.
- An AI system to support teachers with administrative tasks, developed by SupportEd.
- A software from BobbAI to help entrepreneurs to access business growth resources and support services.
Scottish Business Minister Richard Lochhead said: “Scotland is well placed to harness the advantages of artificial intelligence with its rich history of innovation and high concentration of world leading universities and colleges.
“The rapidly growing AI sector offers opportunities for Scotland, from helping to detect health issues such as lung cancer earlier, to enabling businesses to work more efficiently.
“Through CivTech, we are revolutionising how public sector organisations work by collaborating with businesses to develop products which improve lives.”
Previous rounds of CivTech – in which companies and organisations respond to challenges set by public and third sector bodies – have seen £20 million invested into 90 companies and entrepreneurs since 2016.
