Colin Cook

Director Economic Development, Scottish Government. Previously Director Digital. Views my own.

[Futurescot @Futurescot_News]

Edinburgh legal AI startup raises £52 million in series B funding round. Wordsmith AI secures one of largest tech deals in Scotland in recent years as it seeks to build 300 workforce globally and crack US market
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https://t.co/43IfY0Lsms

[Colin Cook @CSBCook]

Really enjoyed talking at this vital conference. We need a coalition of business, academic and public sector leaders to deliver our AI plans and that begins with sharing ideas

[Futurescot @Futurescot_News]

AI represents opportunity to ‘redesign public services and transform lives for the better’, says top Scottish Government official. Colin Cook, director of economic development, lays out 10-point plan to drive AI adoption in Scotland in 2026
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https://t.co/BkxUw2fWXe

[Futurescot @Futurescot_News]

He says the new strategy is an opportunity to ‘redesign public services, respond to the increasing demands, build personalised services and improve diagnostics’, all of which were at the heart of the groundbreaking Christie Commission review 20 years ago. #FSAIScot

[Futurescot @Futurescot_News]

The strategy aims to ‘harness the potential of AI to drive responsible and inclusive growth across our economy, and to make a positive difference at every level of society’, says Cook. #FSAIScot

[Futurescot @Futurescot_News]

Health and social care offer some of the greatest opportunities for AI but it needs to be done with strong governance, says Cook. #FSAIScot

[Futurescot @Futurescot_News]

These are the 10 immediate actions the Scottish government has committed to as part of the new AI Strategy, says Cook. #FSAIScot
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[Techscaler @tech_scaler]

Rethink Carbon started with a CivTech challenge and a clear purpose: use technology to help land managers make better decisions. Five years later, the picture is more complex and more interesting. 🔍️

The market didn't scale the way anyone expected. Customers were hard to find. Revenue was tight. Zoe and Mark kept iterating anyway, and the company has grown into something that sits at the centre of UK carbon infrastructure.

Figuring out the real problem, for the real customer, took a long time. That's not a failure; that's just how early-stage works in a niche market most people have never heard of.

Techscaler's international programme to Singapore gave Zoe something most founders rarely get: dedicated time away from delivery to research properly and think strategically. She spent weeks before the trip mapping organisations, reading up on carbon standards and reaching out cold to people working in the sector.

People in Singapore were open in a way that's different from home turf. Zoe came back with a sharper sense of where Rethink Carbon fits internationally.

In the UK, a large peatland project runs 20 to 100 hectares. In Indonesia, nothing starts below 5,000. That's the scale Rethink Codes, their upcoming platform for managing and validating UK carbon projects, is being built to eventually meet.

Access the full story via: https://t.co/ARTcmtRnb9

[Colin Cook @CSBCook]

I am really looking forward to speaking at this conference Looking forward to describing our national AI strategy and some of the opportunities it provides for the public sector

[Futurescot @Futurescot_News]

📣 Public Sector AI 2026 📣

We’re delighted to announce that Alison McLaughlin will be the Conference Chair at the event taking place on May 21st at the Technology & Innovation Centre, University of Strathclyde.

#FSAIScot

[Public Appointments @scotpublicappts]

Join a Board leading transformational change for the South of Scotland.

If you’re passionate about strategic thinking, collaboration and building a fairer future, @SoSEnterprise wants to hear from you.

Apply now: https://t.co/AJ0u05Hbpo

#Leadership

[Colin Cook @CSBCook]

Left the area when I was 5 but once Everton has touched you

[Men in Blazers @MenInBlazers]

Everton's Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was the surprise guest reader at a local elementary school for World Book Day, and the kids were absolutely thrilled 💙

[Calum Semple, CSA @ScotSciChief]

It’s almost #BritishScienceWeek 2026! 🔍This year’s theme — Curiosity: what’s your question? — encourages everyone to explore their passions and dig into the STEM questions that spark their imagination.
What will you discover? ✨#BSW26

[Calum Semple, CSA @ScotSciChief]

The Scottish Science Advisory Council provides independent advice to inform policy development across the Scottish Government. The Council is looking for new and associate members to work with @ScotSciChief & other senior advisers, more info https://t.co/2IRB6Pj3Ai

[Calum Semple, CSA @ScotSciChief]

Would you like to be part of the Scottish Science Advisory Council providing independent advice to inform policy across the Scottish Government? The Council is looking for new and associate members, find out more https://t.co/2IRB6Pj3Ai

[Colin Cook @CSBCook]

Cinderella @lyceumedinburgh is an absolute joy.

[DIGIT @digitfyi]

Pathways Forward, the social enterprise founded by private investor and Scotland’s chief entrepreneur Ana Stewart, has unveiled its newest Pledge cohort, and announced the appointment of Jo Forster as industry lead.

https://t.co/dH73s2HTyB
#tech #PathwaysPledge #womeninbusiness @pathwaysscot

[DIGIT @digitfyi]

Scottish business confidence climbed to 59% in August, driven by strong hiring plans and investment in staff, according to Bank of Scotland’s Business Barometer.

A net 70% of firms expect to grow their workforce over the next year.

https://t.co/vdrc9Hs0vc

#Tech | #News

[Public Appointments @scotpublicappts]

Help shape Scotland’s economic future.

Scottish Enterprise is looking for experienced leaders in investment, trade, or development to join its board.

Apply now: https://t.co/ZBpzck5dcq

#PublicAppointments @scotent

[Colin Cook @CSBCook]

An evening “wasted” with Tom Lehrer was the only record in my dad’s collection I ever borrowed..and I kept it borrowed for years RIP

[James L. Neibaur @JimLNeibaur]

And suddenly the world is less smart, less insighful, and less funny.
RIP Tom Lehrer

[Public Appointments @scotpublicappts]

Could you lead a board that drives strategic decisions for economic and community development across the Highlands and Islands?

Scottish Ministers are looking for a new Chair of the Board of Highlands and Island Enterprise.

Apply now: https://t.co/S2ZFtnZ3AX

@HIEScotland

[Prof B Buchanan OBE FRSE @billatnapier]

Could Scotland produce the next tech unicorn? Might it be Quorum Cyber? Here, Federico Charosky opens his heart about a range of things. Watch him at the International Conference for Digital Trust, AI and the Future: https://t.co/AaxoEmWUiw