Meeting of the Parliament

Time for Reflection Jim Wallace, Rt Hon Lord Wallace of Tankerness KC followed by Topical Questions Liam Kerr S6T-02150 1. To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it launched a court appeal against a ruling by the Scottish Information Commissioner, in light of this costing tens of thousands of pounds and it reportedly receiving legal advice that it was likely to fail. Daniel Johnson S6T-02160 2. To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that Young Enterprise Scotland faces closure due to it withdrawing its support. followed by Ministerial Statement: Legal Advice Relating to Scottish Information Commissioner Decision followed by Scottish Government Debate: Fiscal Sustainability Shona Robison S6M-15048 That the Parliament recognises that continued and further action is needed to address the sustainability of Scotland’s public finances; supports the creation of a five-year Fiscal Sustainable Delivery Plan, to be delivered alongside the forthcoming Medium-Term Financial Strategy; believes that tackling the social, economic and environmental challenges that Scotland faces is only possible through the delivery of sustainable funding for public services; supports the exploration of all avenues to deliver fiscal sustainability to ensure delivery of the core missions of tackling child poverty and the climate emergency, and agrees that the UK Government’s revision of fiscal rules means that it should immediately grant the Scottish Government increased capital, alongside additional borrowing and investment powers, to allow for greater investment to renew and enhance public infrastructure and deliver projects that support the transition to net zero. Craig Hoy S6M-15048.2 As an amendment to motion S6M-15048 in the name of Shona Robison (Fiscal Sustainability), leave out from "recognises" to end and insert "realises that a significant change of approach is needed to deliver sustainability in Scotland’s public finances; recognises that sustained strong economic growth is essential to this; is deeply concerned that the Scottish National Party administration has failed to deliver the growth- and business-friendly policies needed to realise sustained economic growth; notes with alarm the absence of reform and the growing inefficiency of government and its agencies, and the impact that this has on fiscal sustainability; reiterates the need to prioritise productivity and government efficiency, and to keep social security costs and public sector pay under close review; stresses the importance of proper investment and infrastructure development, and calls on the Scottish Government to use its fiscal discretion to ensure that this investment is not jeopardised for any reason." Daniel Johnson S6M-15048.1 As an amendment to motion S6M-15048 in the name of Shona Robison (Fiscal Sustainability), leave out from ", and agrees" to end and insert "; notes the Scottish Fiscal Commission’s Fiscal Sustainability Report and the specific challenges that Scotland will face in the next 50 years, including those posed by an ageing population, and required health spending forecast to increase from 35% to 50% of devolved spending, and calls on the Scottish Government to set out an approach to deal with the long-term fiscal challenges presented by demographic, climate and technological change." followed by Decision Time followed by Members' Business — S6M-13331 Emma Roddick: Recognising the Dangers of Artificial Intelligence (AI) That the Parliament recognises what it sees as the fast evolution and potential of artificial intelligence (AI); understands that there have been many warnings from those most closely familiar with AI capabilities who say that the regulation of and limits on AI’s use is required to ensure safety; notes reports that Professor Geoffrey Hinton, known as the “godfather of AI”, has warned of the need for greater social security investment when AI is entrusted with roles currently carried out by salaried humans, and the need to consider the implications and threat to humanity of AI being given military roles and resources; further notes with concern the conclusions of researchers who report that AI is already acting independently in unexpected ways; acknowledges, for example, that a recent study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) demonstrated AI models beginning to exhibit deception, apparently becoming aware of and adapting to safety assessments of its operation by deceiving assessors and operating differently while under observation, and notes the belief that, in order to effectively regulate the operation of and reach of AI, including in the Highlands and Islands region, policymakers have a duty to seek to understand how it works, what the dangers are, and how to protect society and vulnerable individuals from harm.