This summary provides a public overview of recent correspondence on supercomputing, quantum technologies and artificial intelligence in a Scottish policy context. The exchange began with a briefing note on a possible Scottish Supercomputing, Quantum and AI Innovation Strategy (Briefing Note), which was submitted to Keith Brown MSP as the constituency representative. Mr Brown's office then wrote to the Minister for Business and Employment (Richard Lochhead) to seek clarification on current and planned work in this area, and a formal reply from the Minister was subsequently shared with the sender of the Briefing Note (Response). The Briefing Note and the Response are attached to this summary. Together they form an initial policy dialogue on whether and how a more coordinated Scottish approach to these technologies may be taken forward. The purpose of this text is to present the substance of that exchange in clear language and to encourage wider public and academic reflection on the government position that has been set out.
A central concept in the Briefing Note is a reflection on whether it may be appropriate to develop a more coordinated Scottish framework that links supercomputing, quantum technologies and artificial intelligence. It indicates that such an integrated approach could help connect national infrastructure, research activity, skills development and governance in a clearer way. The Note refers to the location of a national exascale supercomputer in Edinburgh as part of the wider context and raises the possibility that a more joined up Scottish perspective might support research capacity, economic opportunities and careful use of advanced technologies.
The Response recognises this interest and explicitly refers to the consideration of a 'coordinated Scottish framework linking supercomputing, quantum technologies and artificial intelligence.' It explains that some aspects of large scale computing infrastructure are reserved to the United Kingdom Government and notes that Scottish Ministers engage with UK counterparts so that Scottish interests are considered as new investments progress. The Response then places particular weight on what it describes as the Scottish Government’s 'cluster-building model.' It highlights the Critical Technologies Supercluster and related funding as examples of how innovation, skills and economic activity across areas such as quantum, photonics and semiconductors are being supported. It also refers to the AI Scotland programme and a new AI Strategy for Scotland. The Response states that, taken together, these developments 'demonstrate Scotland’s coordinated and strategic approach to AI, quantum and advanced computing rooted in our cluster-building model.'
The Briefing Note places its consideration within the wider landscape of United Kingdom and Scottish strategies. It refers to the announcement of a new exascale class supercomputer in Edinburgh and notes the existence of the UK National Quantum Strategy and National AI Strategy. At Scottish level it points to Scotland's AI Strategy, the National Strategy for Economic Transformation (NSET), and the Digital Strategy 'A Changing Nation.'The Briefing Note suggests that these instruments sit alongside one another and that a more joined up Scottish perspective could help connect UK funded activity with devolved responsibilities in areas such as skills, innovation and public services.
The Response, instead, concentrates on specific Scottish Government programmes. It notes that 'some aspects of national computing infrastructure, including large scale supercomputing assets, are reserved to the UK Government' and that ministers work with UK counterparts with the aim of 'ensur[ing] Scotland's interests are recognised.' It then focuses on the cluster building approach, referring to the Critical Technologies Supercluster, support for the Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics, and the development of AI Scotland and a new AI Strategy for Scotland. In this way the Response adopts a more programme focused view, presenting coordination through clusters and AI initiatives rather than through a single overarching framework, while leaving the detailed interface with UK level strategies to be clarified in future.
Response to questions and possible contributions
The Briefing Note raised several questions about how a more coordinated Scottish approach might operate in practice and suggested areas where such an approach could add value. The Response acknowledges these themes, while mainly describing existing and planned programmes rather than proposing new structures.
- On the existence of a framework, the Briefing Note asked whether a dedicated Scottish framework already exists or is being developed. The Response does not identify a separate framework but highlights the cluster building model, with the Critical Technologies Supercluster and its advisory board presented as the main route for coordination in related sectors.
- On the potential benefit of the exascale supercomputer in Edinburgh, the Briefing Note asked how universities, enterprises and public bodies in Scotland might be supported to make effective use of this facility. The Response notes that large scale supercomputing is largely a United Kingdom responsibility and that Scottish Ministers engage with UK counterparts to reflect Scottish interests. It does not set out detailed arrangements for access or skills development linked to this system.
- On alignment with United Kingdom strategies, the Briefing Note asked how Scottish policy might relate to the UK National Quantum Strategy, the UK National AI Strategy and the UK compute roadmap. The Response indicates an intention that Scottish programmes should benefit from wider UK developments and links this to cluster activity and AI Scotland but does not provide a specific alignment plan.
- On governance and reporting, the Briefing Note asked about structures for assurance, transparency and efficient use of advanced compute. The Response refers to the role of the industry led advisory board for the Critical Technologies Supercluster in shaping priorities but does not describe separate governance or reporting arrangements focused on high performance computing or AI.
- On possible contributions of a coordinated strategy, the Briefing Note suggested access principles, skills pathways, targeted programmes, ethical and environmental safeguards and regular reporting. The Response notes related activity, including support for the Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics, funding for cluster development, the Critical Technologies Supercluster advisory board and the development of AI Scotland and a new AI Strategy for Scotland.
These points overlap with some aspects of the Briefing Note, while other suggested elements, such as detailed access rules, a formal cross institutional skills pathway and explicit ethical or net zero commitments in this context, are not discussed. Overall, the Response gives a clearer picture of current and planned programmes, while the Briefing Note maintains a broader view of how different strands might in future be brought together.
Cluster model and AI Scotland
The Response gives a specific description of the Scottish Government’s cluster building model and AI focused programmes as the main instruments for coordination. It identifies the Critical Technologies Supercluster as a key strategic industry cluster and explains that Technology Scotland, as cluster management organisation, is mapping national capability and has established an industry led advisory board across quantum, photonics, semiconductors and related fields. It notes additional funding for the Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics and a wider cluster development package of over two million pounds for sectors such as space and robotics, offshore wind and fintech, and links these activities to the development of AI Scotland and a new AI Strategy for Scotland. The Response states that, taken together, these measures represent a coordinated and strategic approach to AI, quantum and advanced computing, rooted in the cluster building model and intended to ensure that Scotland benefits from United Kingdom level developments.
Overlaps and ambiguities
There is a clear area of common ground between the Briefing Note and the Response around innovation, skills and the role of advanced technologies in economic growth, with the Response describing investments in photonics, semiconductors, capability mapping and collaboration that are consistent with the Briefing Note’s interest in targeted programmes and research translation. At the same time, several aspects raised in the Briefing Note are not developed in the Response, in particular detailed access principles for supercomputing resources, a national skills pathway in high performance computing and AI, explicit sustainability or net zero objectives for compute use, and regular reporting on outcomes. The understanding of coordination also differs, with the Briefing Note discussing a possible national framework and the Response presenting coordination primarily through the cluster model, which leaves some uncertainty about how far planning might in future be integrated across different clusters and programmes. The role and scope of AI Scotland is introduced but only in outline. Overall, there is partial overlap in aims, while a number of questions raised in the Briefing Note remain open or are addressed indirectly rather than as formal commitments.
Conclusion
The correspondence from the Scottish Government is courteous and professional in tone and shows clear responsiveness to the issues raised through the MSP. The reply acknowledges the contribution made, sets out relevant programmes and investments and provides a structured account of current activity. It focuses on explaining existing and planned measures rather than inviting further exchanges, but it presents these in a constructive way and indicates that the matter has been taken seriously at ministerial level.
Overall, the Response can be viewed as a considered explanation of how the Scottish Government currently intends to advance supercomputing, quantum technologies and AI through clusters and dedicated programmes. It aligns with parts of the Briefing Note on innovation, skills and the importance of these technologies, but does not commit to a single integrated framework or address all of the specific points raised on access, governance and reporting. The picture that emerges is of a government approach that is active and evolving, while still leaving open questions about how different strands of policy might in future be more closely connected.