Scottish Enterprise picks Insight to spearhead AI adoption programme

The solutions provider will support Scottish businesses in identifying high-value use cases, and turning pilot projects into scalable deployments as part of a government-backed scheme

Insight has been chosen by Scottish Enterprise to support a government-backed programme aimed at helping businesses across Scotland move beyond AI experimentation and into large-scale adoption.

AI remains one of the most heavily funded technology trends, but many organisations are still struggling to generate value from their investments.

Billions of dollars have been spent by enterprises adopting AI, however, according to a study by MIT, around 95 per cent of organisations are getting zero return.

The same report found that only five per cent of AI implementation projects moved beyond piloting the technology.

Failing to find value and move beyond experimentation is becoming costly.

The new appointment will see Insight deliver consultancy services as part of Scottish Enterprise’s AI Scaling Adoption Programme, working alongside Highlands and Islands Enterprise and South of Scotland Enterprise.

The initiative has been designed to help businesses identify practical AI use cases and develop implementation plans aimed at delivering measurable value.

A key objective is to help businesses progress promising AI use cases into wider implementation projects and move organisations beyond the pilot stage.

The programme places emphasis on governance, security, workforce skills, and organisational change, which are areas that have been identified as key barriers to successful AI deployment.

Lee Hughes, GM UK, Insight, said, “Our role is to help Scottish organisations understand where AI genuinely creates value, not to sell technology for its own sake.

“We're bringing together local engagement with deep AI expertise and real-world implementation experience.

"Wider adoption has the potential to strengthen productivity, skills and long-term competitiveness for businesses across Scotland.”

The appointment highlights a growing opportunity for channel partners.

For solution providers, AI adoption projects are increasingly extending beyond software procurement into consulting, governance, data readiness, and implementation services.

Insight’s role in enabling the Scottish Government’s AI Strategy

The Scottish Government’s AI Strategy 2026-2031 has set a vision for Scotland to become a leader in responsible AI innovation and adoption.

Insight aims to provide Scottish businesses with access to AI expertise and guidance.

The programme forms part of the Scottish Government’s ambition to establish Scotland as a leader in responsible AI adoption while improving competitiveness and productivity across the country.

Derek McCamley, head of business scaling services at Scottish Enterprises, said: “AI has the potential to be a significant driver of productivity and competitiveness for the Scottish Economy.

“Scottish businesses have the ambition to lead in AI innovation, but many lack the strategic framework to move beyond experimentation.

“The consultancy element of the programme, delivered by Insight, provides businesses across Scotland with expert support to identify opportunities for AI adoption, address barriers to implementation, and build a practical case for wider deployment.

“This helps organisations move beyond isolated pilot projects and realise meaningful business value through the strategic adoption of AI.”

Insight on becoming AI-first

The Scottish Enterprise appointment represents a win for Insight’s AI strategy.

The solution provider has spent nearly two years investing in its AI advisory, governance and implementation capabilities as part of its shift towards becoming an AI-first solutions integrator.

Speaking with CRN at the time, then-CEO Joyce Mullen said, “We need to enable our people to deliver on the promise of AI.

“Traditional training models? Too slow.

“We’re now focused on continuous, top-down and bottom-up learning.

“Every day we’re building new knowledge, trying new tools and applying them with real clients.

“That challenge is also our greatest opportunity.”

The latest contract provides a practical example of that strategy translating into large-scale customer engagements focused on AI adoption.