The Scottish Parliament's think-tank

Our work on Technology


  • Parliamentary Responses to Artificial Intelligence

    Parliamentary Responses to Artificial Intelligence

    A short review of the responses of Parliaments around the world to the development of artificial intelligence [AI].


  • Scotland 2030: Carbon Positive Jobs

    Scotland 2030: Carbon Positive Jobs

    Wednesday 5 February 2020, at the Scottish Parliament What jobs will there be in a net zero Scotland? With a climate emergency to respond to while new technology pushes at boundaries and disrupts our lives,…


  • Artificial Intelligence: A Misunderstood Revolution

    Artificial Intelligence: A Misunderstood Revolution

    This seminar in 2019 with writer Tom Chivers explored how artificial intelligence [AI] is developing and changing our lives. Includes report and podcast.


  • Digital Democracy: Engagement and Parliament

    Digital Democracy: Engagement and Parliament

    Seminar in May 2019 on how the Scottish Parliament can best engage with citizens in a digital age. Features podcast and presentations.


  • Scotland 2030: Autonomous Vehicles

    Scotland 2030: Autonomous Vehicles

    Are autonomous vehicles the future? How well developed are they already, what is likely to happen next, and how can Scotland exploit the opportunities they present? Scotland’s Futures Forum was delighted to work with Ivan…


  • Autonomous Vehicles: Opportunities for Glasgow

    Autonomous Vehicles: Opportunities for Glasgow

    On 4 July 2018, the Futures Forum held a seminar on the opportunities for Glasgow from the development of autonomous vehicles. Hosted by Glasgow City Council and produced in conjunction with Jacobs and Glasgow Chambers…


  • Autonomous Vehicles: Challenges and Opportunities for the Future

    Autonomous Vehicles: Challenges and Opportunities for the Future

    On 21 June 2018, Scotland’s Futures Forum hosted a seminar on the opportunities and challenges presented by the development of autonomous vehicles. A panel discussion chaired by Gail Ross MSP, Deputy Convener of the Rural…


  • Scotland 2030: Technology and Society

    Scotland 2030: Technology and Society

    On Friday 10 November, in conjunction with the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the Futures Forum held a Scotland 2030 Programme discussion on technology and society in Inverness. Chaired by the Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh MSP,…


  • Scotland 2030: Young People and Technology

    Scotland 2030: Young People and Technology

    On 27 October 2017, the Futures Forum held a joint consultation event with the Scottish Youth Parliament on the question of technology. Chaired by Maree Todd MSP as a Futures Forum director, the debate covered…


  • Technology: the driving force of human civilisation?

    Technology: the driving force of human civilisation?

    The first line of an article I read this morning proclaimed that: “Technology has driven human civilisation for thousands of years.” [1] Businessman Mukesh Ambani was discussing the opportunities for India to become a world…