Powering Good: Insights from Nesta’s AI for Good programme

From smart assistants to search engine results and banking apps, artificial intelligence (AI) is already all around us and affecting our lives and work. But there are challenges around improving public trust in AI, broadening engagement in the processes for developing AI tools and better demonstrating their potential for social good.

At the start of 2020, Nesta in Scotland awarded £105,000 of grant funding to seven projects using innovative AI tools to help tackle social challenges.

This report summarises the insights from these cutting-edge AI innovators and their projects. It makes recommendations for wider consideration, based on the experience of frontline AI practitioners, on how Scotland can work to support more and better AI projects with a focus on social good.

Key findings

  • AI has the potential to help address social issues in Scotland.
  • To make this happen will require investment in socially-beneficial AI from the private and public sectors.
  • AI technologies should be developed and designed ethically in co-production with those affected by them to address inequalities and biases and ensure positive outcomes for everyone in society.
Part of
AI for Good

Authors

Kyle Usher

Kyle Usher

Kyle Usher

Mission Manager (Scotland) - A Sustainable Future

Kyle was Nesta’s Mission Manager for Scotland working on the sustainable future mission and based with the Scotland team in Edinburgh.

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Jessica Clark

Jessica Clark

Jessica Clark

Programme Coordinator - HARP, Nesta Wales

Jessica worked with Y Lab.

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Grant Collinson

Grant Collinson

Grant Collinson

Communications and Engagement Manager, Nesta Scotland

Grant leads on the development and coordination of our communications activities in Scotland.

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Adam Lang

Adam Lang

Adam Lang

Head of Nesta Scotland

Adam led the work of Nesta in Scotland, working across missions, practices and partnerships to deliver impact against our strategic objectives in Scotland.

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