Cities globally are "sprinting" to adopt AI, claims a pioneering study on the plans, investments and practices of 250 cities in 78 countries.

Many view artificial intelligence as a driver of greater productivity, efficiency and, ultimately, economic growth and competitiveness.

Deloitte, along with ServiceNow, NVIDIA and ThoughtLab have come together to study how these cities are harnessing all varieties of AI.

From machine learning and robotic process automation to Generative AI, now agentic AI involving systems that can make decisions and take actions autonomously pursuing goals with limited human supervision.

AI Powered Cities of the Future has found that of hundreds of worldwide locations only 49 - Edinburgh included - are ranked as AI leaders.

DIGIT reports the capital is also ranked the leading AI city in Britain, especially when it comes to "advanced standards in living and health."

Edinburgh - "Digital" Athens of the North

Euro-wide, Edinburgh is listed along with Tallinn, Helsinki, Bratislava and Montpellier. They might be in the "smaller cities" category.

Digitally they're sky high, making significantly more progress than others across health, security, sustainability and mobility.

Deloitte highlights this elite list is also better prepared to overcome challenges likely to stall growth.

Its global infrastructure, transport and regional government leader Michael Flynn:

"AI has the power to catapult cities into the future by leveraging data-driven insights AI can revolutionise urban planning and resource management.

"From predicting trends and managing traffic to making cities more resilient and sustainable."

ScotlandIS reports tech innovations are on a significant rise, the country's leading investor showcase EIE25 is set to be the most successful to date, and the annual DataFest is up-and-running.

However, the sector's representative body CEO Karen Meechan told "The Times" swift investment and implementation is necessary for the country to take full advantage of its potential to be truly an AI leader.

Scottish Development International reports digital technology is the country's fastest-growing sector for inward investment endowed with centres of excellence.

They are collaborating across cyber security, data, fintech, games, global business services, space and software and wastewater technologies.

Latest news sees leading Scots digital solutions company Exception under new ownership following a management buyout led by its head of transformation Alasdair Hendry.

He intends to take the 23-year-old business to the next level. It represents a model for the digital way ahead.

The MBO is poised to accelerate growth, invest in its people and sharpen Exception's focus on supporting businesses to make the most of AI, streamline operations and achieve greater efficiencies.

Retired CEO Scott McGlinchey hands over to Alasdair Hendry

Exception is one of over 11,000 Scots digital tech businesses employing a total of 76,000 people including 13,000 graduates, reports SDI.

Scotland's innovation hub nurtures companies to constantly push the boundaries across the full spectrum of tech.

The capital's digital and tech industries continue to grow at least one-and-a-half times faster than the whole economy.

Innovation labs are designed to encourage collaboration between companies, academic and public sector organisations.

Crucially, it means innovative products can be designed and tested in real world scenarios.

Edinburgh, poised as the data capital of Europe also aims to become the UK's top city for startups.

Tech Nation 2025 Report reveals the UK AI sector is worth £180 billion ($230bn) making it the largest AI market in Europe. Three-quarters of IT leaders state AI is driving their business growth.

Glasgow should not be overlooked as representing one of the UK's biggest tech investment hubs.

Aberdeen has a buzzing tech scene extending well beyond the energy industry but continuing to embrace that sector.

Dundee is world-renowned for its games industry and latterly esports, predicted to triple in size to £2.3 billion (£3bn) within a couple of years.