When we think about start-ups, technology is often the first thing that comes to mind and, increasingly, the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on everyone's business plans.

But one of the more interesting trends I see emerging from Scotland's start-up community is not simply the growth of technology businesses. Analysing the landscape, a key development is the way technology, data and AI are being applied to sectors where Scotland already has expertise such as energy, life sciences and financial services.

This year's cohort of the Round One Investment Readiness Programme – of which Dentons is a partner for the second year running – showcases that diversity. The businesses span climate, energy and sustainability, responding to the energy transition and environmental challenges; education and skills, changing how knowledge and training are delivered; and health and wellbeing, looking at areas ranging from healthcare delivery to prevention and patient outcomes.

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Across many of these businesses, AI and data are not necessarily the idea themselves. Instead, they are tools being used to make a product better, solve an existing problem differently or open up a new commercial opportunity.

This reflects a broader trend we are seeing: AI is increasingly an enabler of innovation rather than acting as a sector in isolation. For example, in medicine AI is helping to speed up drug development, in finance it is working to detect fraud and there is hope it will make clean energy more affordable.

From innovation to investment

Scotland has no shortage of ideas. It has an active community of entrepreneurs, investors and advisers, as well as a........

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