A better connected country would also be a wealthier one, says IAN RITCHIE Back in the Seventies, ahead of a first visit to Skye, I called the tourist information office to book accommodation and was offered a ‘B&B with evening meal’. When I said I would prefer to eat out the agent replied, “and where […]
Ian Ritchie
AI creates the biggest university challenge
Artificial intelligence is both a threat and a necessary tool for academia, writes IAN RITCHIE Our ‘ancient’ universities have been around for a long time. St Andrews was founded in 1413, Glasgow in 1451, and Edinburgh in 1582. Over the centuries they have changed their courses and delivery methods to survive and remain relevant. Now […]
Meta critics finding their voice
The owner of Facebook is facing an increasingly hostile audience willing to fight its corner says IAN RITCHIE Sarah Wynn-Williams, author of a best-selling book on the inner workings of Meta, the giant owner of Facebook, Instagram and a host of other social networks, is likely to be a big attraction at the Edinburgh International […]
Low expectations of high growth pledge
Another ministerial promise to create business unicorns has failed to impress IAN RITCHIE Soon after has his re-election in May John Swinney told the Holyrood Parliament that the government will “establish a High‑Growth Unit to identify and support businesses with the potential to grow, and to grow significantly.” A new team, said the First Minister, […]
Scale-ups suffer from tech-blind markets
A reluctance by UK investors to support long-term risk is a drag on Scotland’s growth firms, writes IAN RITCHIE Scotland has earned a reputation as an innovative nation in terms of scientific research and the quality of its universities. It performs strongly in fields like AI, life sciences, photonics, space science, video games, renewable energy, […]