The Scottish Government has unveiled a new £1 million initiative to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) adopt artificial intelligence, marking a significant step in the country’s drive to lead in responsible AI innovation.
The programme provides tailored consultancy and grant funding to support businesses either implementing AI for the first time or scaling up existing use. Delivered in partnership with Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, South of Scotland Enterprise, The Data Lab and the Scottish AI Alliance, it forms the first major rollout under the AI Scotland transformation programme.
Business Minister Richard Lochhead launched the scheme during a visit to Edinburgh Trams’ Gogarburn depot, where a pilot project is using AI-powered wearable technology to monitor driver fatigue. The collaboration with Integrated Human Factors illustrates how AI can improve safety and operational efficiency in real-world settings.
Complementary efforts are under way across Scotland. In Aberdeen, CodeBase and Aberdeen City Council have introduced ‘AI Navigator’—a free support programme for local SMEs exploring productivity and cost-saving gains from AI.
The newly launched scheme also aligns with the National AI Adoption Programme, fully funded through March 2026. This offers further support including AI courses, rural roadshows and consultancy services—ensuring businesses across all regions can access AI expertise and guidance.
Industry experts have welcomed the integrated approach as a model for driving innovation while safeguarding responsible adoption. By combining public funding with expert support, Scotland is building a strong foundation for an inclusive, AI-enabled economy.
The coordinated investment signals Scotland’s ambition to lead not only in AI deployment, but in setting high standards for ethical and impactful technological growth.
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Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative reports on a new AI programme launched by the Scottish Government, with nearly £1 million in funding, aimed at assisting SMEs in adopting AI technologies. The earliest known publication date of similar content is 23 September 2025, when the Scottish Government announced the programme. ([gov.scot](https://www.gov.scot/news/embracing-the-economic-potential-of-ai/?utm_source=openai)) The report includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. Additionally, the narrative includes a critical commentary on BBC Scotland Business's coverage, which is a unique angle not found in other sources. The report appears to be based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. However, the critical tone towards BBC Scotland Business suggests potential bias. The narrative was published on 30 September 2025, which is more than 7 days after the initial announcement, indicating a moderate freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative includes a direct quote from Business Minister Richard Lochhead regarding the AI programme. This quote matches the one found in the Scottish Government's official announcement on 23 September 2025. ([gov.scot](https://www.gov.scot/news/embracing-the-economic-potential-of-ai/?utm_source=openai)) The identical wording suggests the quote is reused from the original press release. No online matches were found for other quotes, indicating they may be original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
4
Notes:
The narrative originates from 'Talking-up Scotland', a blog known for its critical stance on certain media outlets. The blog's focus on highlighting perceived biases or omissions in mainstream media suggests a potential for selective reporting. The lack of verifiable information about the blog's authorship and editorial standards raises concerns about its reliability. The critical tone towards BBC Scotland Business further suggests potential bias.
Plausability check
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative's claims about the Scottish Government's AI programme align with the official announcement, including details about the funding amount and the programme's objectives. The inclusion of a critical commentary on BBC Scotland Business's coverage is a unique angle not found in other sources, which may indicate original reporting. However, the lack of supporting details from other reputable outlets and the blog's known bias towards certain media raise questions about the overall plausibility of the narrative.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents information consistent with the Scottish Government's official announcement of the AI programme, but it originates from a blog with known biases and lacks supporting details from other reputable outlets. The critical tone towards BBC Scotland Business suggests potential bias, and the lack of verifiable information about the blog's authorship and editorial standards raises concerns about its reliability. Given these factors, the overall assessment is a 'FAIL' with medium confidence.
