DMA calls on Scots politicians to back data manifesto

DMA Scotland is calling on candidates in next month’s Scottish Parliament elections to demonstrate their support for the industry body’s “Democratise Data Manifesto”, which contains seven key objectives designed to support the data and marketing industry north of the border.

With the coronavirus pandemic having a significant impact on the Scottish economy, the DMA reckons that the new Parliament will have an opportunity to focus recovery efforts on the country’s budding data economy, to fully realise Scotland’s collective ambition of becoming the “data capital of Europe”.

The group claims the new manifesto’s objectives will also help to promote sustainable growth in the digital economy and ensure that all stakeholders are working towards a common goal.

The seven pledges are to: tackle the reversing of diversity; increase employment in key talent pools; neurodiversify the workforce; identify and plug the skills gap; demystify data and improve data literacy; build on Scotland’s ethical use of data and AI and, finally, boost international data trade.

The objectives were identified using insights gained through the Value of Data campaign’s recent Democratising Scotland’s Data Talent whitepaper, the Value of Data: The Worth of Ethics whitepaper, as well the DMA’s ongoing work with industry bodies across 35 nations on five continents, representing 15,000 organisations, to create global principles of trade.

With just under four weeks until the elections on May 6, candidates are being urged to publicise their endorsement with the hashtag #DemocratiseDataPledge on their social media.

DMA managing director Rachel Aldighieri said: “With the newly launched National AI Strategy for Scotland and the Data-Driven Innovation (DDI) programme, the Scottish Government has taken important steps to securing Scotland’s future as a data and digital powerhouse.

“To build on this work and realise the full potential of these investments, Scotland needs structured action plans across both the public and private sectors that work towards common goals with key industry stakeholders.

“Our new manifesto outlines key areas that will help to support sustainable growth in the digital sector. These objectives have been identified by DMA Scotland, our Value of Data campaign partners, and membership organisations, using insights from our campaign’s research.”