News & Views

On Tuesday 24th June, the EDAS Future Leaders Network hosted a virtual event exploring one of the most talked-about topics in tech today: Artificial Intelligence and its role in shaping the future of economic development. Whether you missed it or just want a refresher, here’s a quick recap of the key takeaways from the session.

Meet the Speaker: Peter Devine

The event featured a fascinating discussion with Peter Devine, an AI engineer with a PhD in software engineering and founder of the UK-based startup Chert AI. Peter’s journey into AI began with research in natural language processing, including emotion detection and social media analysis. He’s worked in Japan leading R&D at an AI startup and now consults and builds AI products in Scotland.

The Rise of AI in Scotland

Peter kicked things off by reflecting on how AI awareness has surged since the release of tools like ChatGPT. While the underlying tech has been around for years, it wasn’t until people could interact with it directly that its potential really clicked. Now, businesses across Scotland are starting to explore how AI can streamline operations, boost productivity, and open up new opportunities.

Scotland’s Strengths in the AI Space

Peter highlighted several advantages Scotland has in the AI race:

· A strong service-based economy: Sectors like finance, law, and research are ripe for AI-driven innovation.

· Infrastructure potential: With abundant land, water, and renewable energy, Scotland is well-positioned to host data centres that power AI systems in the next 10-20 years.

· Trustworthy AI: There’s a growing focus on explainable and ethical AI, with Scotland aiming to lead in this space.

Real-World Examples

Peter shared examples of businesses already embracing AI:

· BobbAI, a platform supporting Scottish entrepreneurs with personalised, AI-powered business advice.

· Malted AI, who help enterprises to build smaller, more focused AI models with greater performance at a fraction of the cost

These examples show how AI can be used not just for efficiency, but to empower people and businesses with better, more relevant information.

Education and Skills

A big part of the discussion focused on AI literacy with mention of Scotland’s excellent universities which now offer artificial intelligence degrees including Edinburgh University which is world leading in natural language processing (the technology behind a lot of ChatGPT). However, Peter stressed that not everyone needs to become a coder—just like a baker doesn’t need to build an oven, professionals need to understand how to use AI tools, not necessarily how to build them. Self-study can go a long way and online resources like Hugging Face and YouTube are great places to start learning.

Job Displacement vs. Job Transformation

Naturally, the conversation turned to concerns about AI replacing jobs. Peter acknowledged the risks but emphasised that AI should ideally complement human work, not replace it. He noted that mundane tasks are the most likely to be automated, freeing people up for more creative and meaningful work. The key is thoughtful implementation and support for retraining.

Regional and Cultural Perspectives

Drawing on his experience in Japan and New Zealand, Peter noted that Scotland’s openness to innovation and strong networks give it a real edge. However, he also stressed the need for better connectivity between research institutions and businesses to fully realise AI’s potential.

Final Thoughts

The session wrapped up with a Q&A, touching on everything from universal basic income to AI in education. One standout point: AI is still new, and everyone from seasoned engineers to curious newcomers is learning as they go. The best approach? Stay curious, stay critical, and don’t be afraid to experiment.

Thank you again to Peter and all those that attended the event. Want to keep the conversation going? Join the EDAS Future Leaders Network LinkedIn group and share examples of how you or businesses have been embracing AI. To hear about our next in person event later in the year, sign up to the network here.

Podcast and Reading Recommendations

Code Dependent – Madhumita Murgia

The Coming Wave – Michael Bhaskar and Mustafa Suleyman

The AI Paradigm Shift and Local Economic Development – CodeBase

FT Podcast ‘The Economics Show’ – ‘Martin Wolf talks to David Autor: Could AI be a bigger threat to US jobs than China’