Laying the digital groundwork by connecting communities is a key responsibility of local authorities, and the right foundations can attract investment and drive inclusive growth
“If you build it, they will come” is a regularly quoted line by many. Often used in relation to innovation and providing an environment that empowers others to build and grow, it’s actually a misquote from the 1989 film ‘Field of Dreams’. Originally said by character Ray Kinsella (played by Kevin Costner) in relation to a baseball field, the line is arguably now more famous as its incorrect counterpart.
Read more: GB: How local government can lay the digital, groundwork for growth
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) does not have a plan for the wider digital transformation that is needed to replace its outdated IT systems, according to the National Audit Office (NAO).
Defra provides many critical digital services including disease prevention, flood protection and air quality.
Read more: GB: Defra has no plan for 'critical' digital transformation, report says
A new CCTV network which has been rolled out across Edinburgh will help manage the Capital’s Hogmanay celebrations and deter anti-social behaviour like the firework-throwing on Bonfire Night and the arson attack on the city’s war memorial, the council has claimed.
The new state-of-the-art CCTV system significantly expands security coverage and replaces analogue cameras with high-resolution Internet Protocol (IP) devices. And a new city operations control centre will be staffed and receive real-time data from the camera network 24/7.
The City Operations Centre aims to position the Scottish capital as a leader in the UK for smart security and surveillance as well as integrate other data sources.
The City of Edinburgh has officially opened its new City Operations Centre, which aims to position the Scottish capital as a leader in the UK for smart security and surveillance tools.
Read more: GB: Scotland: Edinburgh takes key step in smart city journey
The internet of things (IoT) is fast becoming a reality.
The combination of the UK’s developing edge computing platforms and high-speed, high bandwidth 5G and full fibre connectivity brings advanced artificial intelligence (AI) driven applications and services within reach of almost every business in the country. We now live in a world where machines interact with each other more than humans do.