Big Ideas

AI is the name for computer systems that can perform tasks that are typically associated with humans, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, predictions and language translation – they are designed to learn and improve over time through the use of algorithms and data analysis

Is AI going to take over the world and can it save the planet?

James Anderson of Panmure House. Image: Matt Marcus

Ad Feature The need for innovation and long-termism in finance

Dr Claudia Cavalluzzo, executive director of Converge, says: 'It doesn’t matter whether you call yourself an ‘entrepreneur’ or a ‘founder’ or a ‘creative’ because we don’t care about those labels.'

Converge launching for 2023, aiming to help more start-ups reach new heights

'If a company wants investment in the bank by September 2023, it will have to start raising in January,' says the Raising Partners boss. Picture: Elaine Livingstone.

Firms will have to get 'scrappy' to lock down funding in 2023

Dr Hina Khan joins Space Scotland as its first-ever executive director, and says she is looking forward to bringing a fresh perspective to the industry. Picture: Mark F Gibson/Gibson Digital.

Space Scotland targets accelerated ascent with duo of senior appointments

Valuable insights shared at a Productivity Clubs Scotland meet in Tayside

Ad Feature National forum formed for Scotland's SMEs to exchange enterprising ideas

Work has begun on a cutting-edge vertical-launch spaceport in Shetland, with the first rockets due to lift off next year

Countdown to rocket launch begins as Shetland spaceport takes shape

Image: Adobe Stock

In full: The Scotsman's Deals 2022

The 100MW Pentland Floating Offshore Wind Farm, off the north coast of the Scottish mainland, will be the largest of its kind in the world – generating enough renewable electricity to power around 70,000 homes

Step forward in plan for world’s biggest floating wind farm in Scotland

'We look forward to supporting local companies and local public sector bodies, to help them to unlock the benefits of 5G-enabled technology,' says Sharon Neely of the S5GConnect Halo Kilmarnock. Picture: Jim Walker/Write Image.

Good reception to Scotland 5G Centre unveiling new Innovation Hub in Ayrshire

PODCAST: Professor Thusha Rajendran look at the potential for robots to change Scotland

Ad Feature Robots: the future for Scotland

An artist's impression of Space Hub Sutherland, planned for Moine in the far north of Scotland -- which aims to be the world's first carbon-neutral spaceport on working croft land

Could space tourism flights cause the planet to heat faster?

The MDMC 'is accelerating life-changing medical devices from concept into commercial products', Dr Murray says. Picture: Lisa Ferguson.

The Big Interview: Dr Gillian Murray of Heriot-Watt University

Key personnel at Edinburgh-based Machines With Vision, into which Par Equity in February led a £2.5m investment. Picture: Stewart Attwood.

Scots VC firm Par Equity sees investment hit accelerator with busy Q1

Daniel Smith, founder at AstroAgency, GlobalScot and director of Space Scotland, is among speakers at the event. Picture: contributed.

Space tech focus of Edinburgh event to help UK-Swiss trade reach new heights

Ad Feature Sustainable Scotland: UK on verge of "something big" in offshore wind

'We’ve been tracking the Scottish market for over a decade and have been really impressed,' says Mr Robinson. Picture: Piranha Photography.

Scottish opportunity increasingly attractive to private equity - Stuart Robinson

Staff and participants from the 2021 programme. Picture: contributed.

Call for applicants for AI Accelerator helping start-ups reach global potential

'Transforming and improving business has been the theme of my career,' says Mr Miller. Picture: Lisa Ferguson.

The Big Interview: Stewart Miller, CEO of the National Robotarium

The IGS boss believes more of our food must be grown far closer to home, in ways that reduce emissions, which 'cannot be done with traditional methods alone'. Picture: Duncan McGlynn.

The Big Interview: David Farquhar, CEO of Intelligent Growth Solutions

Scottish energy development firm Intelligent Land Investments is working on large-scale pumped hydro storage projects, including Red John at Loch Ness and two other proposed schemes at Loch Ericht and Loch Awe

Storage wars: Why the UK must solve the biggest energy problem

From left: David Ovens, chair of SIS Ventures; Alastair Davis, chief executive at Social Investment Scotland; and Jill Arnold, head of SIS Ventures. Picture: contributed.

SIS Ventures aiming to raise up to £5m to help propel high-impact businesses

Mehrnaz Campbell, founder and CEO of Cheemia ReSet, one of the three firms taking to the #SMEstage next month. Picture: Donna Green Photography.

Three pioneering Scots SMEs secure prestigious slots at Can Do Innovation Summit

Picture: Shutterstock

How students are driving innovation in Scotland's fintech sector

St Fittick’s Park, home to award-winning wetland and reedbeds and myriad wildlife species, is the last public green space serving the community of Torry, on the outskirts of Aberdeen - the area is one of Scotland's most deprived, where residents have a life expectancy 13 years shorter than those living in the city's wealthier parts

Public fights loss of 'lifeline' park to green development in Aberdeen

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Ad Feature Datatown IoT project to be rolled out to schools

Grahame Case. Picture: submitted

Ad Feature COP26 travel blog: sustainable fightback should start in our homes

Aberdeen town centre. Picture: TSPL

Ad Feature COP26 travel blog: powering sustainable homes in Aberdeen

Cairngorm Brewery. Picture: submitted

Ad Feature COP26 travel blog: sustainable technology in the Highlands

Picture: TSPL

Ad Feature COP26 travel blog: could renewables revitalise Scotland’s steel industry?

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Ad Feature Podcast: How small businesses can gain a market advantage through sustainability

Shaun Milne stops in on day three of his road trip

Ad Feature Podcast: The Road to Cop 26, Our Journey to Net Zero and Beyond

Barclays says its investment increases 'the strategic importance of the city to our future'. Picture: Michael McGurk.

Barclays officially opens 'milestone' hi-tech Glasgow campus

Amanda Pickford of ThermaFY . Picture: submitted

Ad Feature Podcast: A Greener Future Needs A Plan

Picture: Shutterstock

Ad Feature Live data project: air quality changes in Edinburgh after lockdown

An innovative Scottish firm has created a lifesaving robotic vessel that could mean the difference between life and death for maintenance workers and boat crews at offshore energy sites, which are often located more than an hour's travel time away from emergency air and sea rescuers

Man overboard: How a robotic lifeboat can help save lives at offshore wind farms

The £2.2 million Hydrogen in an Integrated Maritime Energy Transition (HIMET) project, being carried out at the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney, will centre around decarbonisation of ferry services and cruise terminal operations

Orkney to test green ferry and cruise ship solutions

BW Ideol’s damping pool foundation at the Floatgen project, west of Saint Nazaire in northwest France. Picture: Valery Joncheray

Buoyant: 4,000 Scottish jobs promised in plans for floating wind farm

An artist's impression of Space Hub Sutherland, which is set to be built on working crofts in the far north of Scotland after a landmark ruling by the Scottish land Court

Scotland’s spaceport gets final go ahead after historic court ruling

For Eos, the conclusion of the investment deal is the start rather than the end of the journey, he also says. Picture: Stewart Attwood.

The Big Interview: Eos Advisory managing partner Andrew McNeill

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Ad Feature Data Capital podcast: how Edinburgh is aiming to be a One Health hub

Picture: TSPL

Ad Feature How the DDI initiative helped the south east of Scotland bounce back from Covid

Picture: Cameron Prentice

How data is being used to tackle fast fashion's waste

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Ad Feature The importance of building trust with health data

North Berwick

Ad Feature How the DDI initiative is giving more power to tourism businesses

The National Robotarium. Picture: submitted

How DDI is making Edinburgh a data powerhouse - Iain Stewart

Picture: TSPL

John Swinney: Research Data Scotland will harness power of public sector dataset...

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How Edinburgh's space industry is fighting climate change

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How can One Health prepare us for the next pandemic

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How Scotland’s AI strategy will carve out an ethical £13 billion economic niche

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Ad Feature How algorithms are being used to reduce the mileage of fleet vehicles

Picture: Shutterstock

Ad Feature Ten ways to make build a diverse workforce

The Firth of Forth is home to Scotland's largest industrial cluster, including plants at Mossmorran and Grangemouth, and is responsible for a tenth of Scotland's total greenhouse gas emissions

What is a net-zero hub and why do we need one in the Firth of Forth?

Elon Musk: Tesla 'most likely' to accept Bitcoin again following suspension over environmental concerns (Photo: Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)

What has Elon Musk said about the future of Bitcoin payments to Tesla?

A feasibility study has identified a number of sites around the Cromarty Firth which it deems suitable for a planned new green hydrogen hub in the Highlands that will help decarbonise whisky distilleries and other businesses

Green flow the gases oh: Highland hydrogen hub a step closer

Construction is underway on The National Robotarium. Picture: submitted

Ad Feature Can robots help us to live longer in our own homes?

Signing up for this free webinar hosted by the Scotsman could transform your pension plans.

Ad Feature Pension planning: Scotsman panel answers your questions

Places like Bellhaven Beach near Dunbar could be lost. Picture: Geograph

Shaun Milne: leadership in Scotland needed over climate crisis

Picture: Scottish Water

How is one of Scotland largest employers rising to the challenge of net zero?

The SECC campus will host delegates from around the world

Podcast: 'Power of finance' key role at COP26

Mocean Energy’s prototype device at Rosyth

Ad Feature Scotland's wave energy industry buoyed by Mocean Energy and AWS Ocean milestones

The National Robotarium is being built on Heriot-Watt’s Edinburgh campus

Ad Feature Could smart factories provide Scotland's economy with a manufacturing edge?

The Scotsman Top Stories

SNP candidate Ash Regan. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

SNP considering allowing members to change vote amid leadership transparency row

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Picture: PA

SNP is not in a mess, insists Nicola Sturgeon

A Somali woman and child wait to be given a spot to settle at a camp for displaced people on the outskirts of Dollow in Somalia during the longest drought in the country's history, estimated to have killed 43,000 people

Climate change: IPCC report is ‘survival guide for humanity’