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Transforming Land Asset Management for NatureScot Using Artificial Intelligence

Informed Solutions has developed a first-of-its-kind digital solution architecture that takes advantage of AI, location intelligence, earth observation data and chatbot innovation to provide targeted, intelligent and area-specific access to information on protected areas and locations of critical environmental importance and sensitivity.

NatureScot (formerly known as Scottish Natural Heritage) is working with the Government Digital Service within Cabinet Office to undertake a GovTech Catalyst Challenge – an innovation hothouse engaging world-leading experts in the field of digital service design and development to demonstrate how ground-breaking innovation can transform engagement with farmers, land managers and developers in efforts to safeguard and improve sensitive habitats and environments across Scotland.

The challenge is to make use of previously under-used data on protected areas to provide immediate, clear information on planning to land managers, developers and the public. Through new and innovative digital services, users will be able to get the most relevant advice based on the specific location and development envisaged, with emerging technologies such as cloud computing and artificial intelligence able to predict potential impacts on protected areas. For example, a developer interested in a new project could use the portal to see the sensitivities or opportunities in a particular site, as well as any actions that may be required to avoid damage to important wildlife areas. 

Five companies* were chosen to work with NatureScot to develop prototype platforms using technologies such as geographic information systems, remote sensing, machine learning and advanced analytics.  

Brian Eardley, Protected Areas and Nature Reserves Team Manager at NatureScot comments: “We wanted to understand the potential for innovative technologies such as AI, Chatbots and location intelligence to provide rich, targeted information on environmentally sensitive areas to land managers, developers and others interested in land use changes to give a better insight in to the effects this might have on environmental assets across Scotland. Having the ability to automate routine enquiries would also allow us to focus our attention on critical, complex or high value land management decisions to support a nature rich future and contribute to the Green Recovery”. 

David Lawton, Technical Director at Informed Solutions comments: “To address the challenge, we worked with our alliance partners Environment Systems and LandInform to propose an innovative proof of concept, cloud-based information service that would integrate and exploit recent advances in digital service design, mapping, data analytics and AI capabilities to answer complex questions in a simple manner”.  

Combining the spatial data integration and analysis and Machine Learning capabilities of its InformedINSIGHT© platform with the Queen’s award-winning user-centred Natural Language Processing capabilities of the InformedENGAGE© digital experience platform, the service integrates Natural Capital models from Environment Systems.  

In developing a first-of-its-kind solution architecture that enabled Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing and spatial analytics capabilities to be integrated through cloud-based services and open standards APIs, the digital service includes   real-time integration of data derived from environmental and ecological models, across multiple data sources including SENTINEL-2 Earth observation data to provide a within-site view of environmental risks and opportunities.

Additionally, real-time integration with data from NatureScot’s case management system and real time integration of Natural Language Processing provided by InformedENGAGE© produce intelligent environmental models that are made available through a geospatially enabled digital platform allowing users to ask questions and gain real-time answers about specific areas of interest from chatbots.  

This integrated mapping and conversation-based user interface components will help users understand protected areas in more detail, joining-up and making sense of information that was previously ‘locked away’ in a growing volume of text documents stored in a variety of locations.

“Informed Solutions UK CEO, Seth Finegan comments: “This NatureScot GovTech Catalyst challenge is an incredibly important initiative, not only for this unique project to help protect land in Scotland, but for environmental projects the world over. We’re excited to be able to use our digital experience and data integration and analytics platforms to deliver a unique service that will help look after environmentally sensitive areas for future generations.

“It’s really encouraging to see government continue to invest in our digital futures through the creation of innovation challenges that encourage the adoption of innovative, data-driven services that will help look after our society, our economy and our environment”.

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*Informed Solutions, Exegesis Spatial Data Management, Natural Capital Research, Stevenson Astrosat and Two Worlds Consulting.

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Full Stack Developers

About UsInformed Solutions delivers digital data and technology solutions that help make the world a smarter, safer, greener, and healthier place.Founded in 1992, we are a successful, growing International digital transformation consultancy. We deliver multi-Queen’s Award for innovation winning platforms and services that support large-scale digital transformation. Our digital, data and technology solutions are used by globally recognised public and private sector brands operating in a variety of sectors including Civil Defence, Healthcare, Sustainable Environment and Land Asset Management, and Digital Democracy.Our purpose is to create economic and social value by helping to build a more inclusive, fair, and safe society through ethical use of technology and data and investing in digital skills.The multi-Queen’s Award-winning data and AI-powered platforms and services we develop support large-scale transformation of services that make a difference.  They are used by millions of people every day in a connected, converged world.The OpportunityMake a difference and advance your career by helping deliver some of the UK’s most important #tech4good projects.You’ll join a talented team of dynamic and driven professional problem solvers; creative thinkers and solutions builders who thrive on helping clients meet the most exciting digital transformation challenges.At a certified Great Place to Work® you’ll experience a dynamic and nurturing environment that rewards initiative and flexibility and enjoy a career path tailored to your own aspirations.CultureWe are proud to nurture a workplace culture that is diverse, inclusive, rewarding, and egalitarian.We strive to live up to our values of Innovation, Excellence, and Integrity by thinking about things differently, always doing our best, and acting in good faith at all times.We’re a team of passionate problem solvers. We take pride in helping our clients accelerate and de-risk digital business change so that we can collaborate and co-design world class digital services that solve complex business and safety critical problems, particularly where place, location or geography are important. Our workplace culture reflects how we go about our work, the type of work that we choose to do, and our commitment and contribution to the sustainable social, environmental, and economic development aims of the communities that we are part of.  We focus both on technical skills and equally importantly, on the cultural fit of prospective new colleagues. Our success relies on fostering an environment where creativity and collaboration produces great outcomes for our people, our clients, and our partners.Why We Work at InformedLearn more about life at Informed Solutions by going to Informed.com/Careers

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About UsInformed Solutions delivers digital data and technology solutions that help make the world a smarter, safer, greener, and healthier place.Founded in 1992, we are a successful, growing International digital transformation consultancy. We deliver multi-Queen’s Award for innovation winning platforms and services that support large-scale digital transformation. Our digital, data and technology solutions are used by globally recognised public and private sector brands operating in a variety of sectors including Civil Defence, Healthcare, Sustainable Environment and Land Asset Management, and Digital Democracy.Our purpose is to create economic and social value by helping to build a more inclusive, fair, and safe society through ethical use of technology and data and investing in digital skills.The multi-Queen’s Award-winning data and AI-powered platforms and services we develop support large-scale transformation of services that make a difference.  They are used by millions of people every day in a connected, converged world.The OpportunityMake a difference and advance your career by helping deliver some of the UK’s most important #tech4good projects.You’ll join a talented team of dynamic and driven professional problem solvers; creative thinkers and solutions builders who thrive on helping clients meet the most exciting digital transformation challenges.At a certified Great Place to Work® you’ll experience a dynamic and nurturing environment that rewards initiative and flexibility and enjoy a career path tailored to your own aspirations.CultureWe are proud to nurture a workplace culture that is diverse, inclusive, rewarding, and egalitarian.We strive to live up to our values of Innovation, Excellence, and Integrity by thinking about things differently, always doing our best, and acting in good faith at all times.We’re a team of passionate problem solvers. We take pride in helping our clients accelerate and de-risk digital business change so that we can collaborate and co-design world class digital services that solve complex business and safety critical problems, particularly where place, location or geography are important. Our workplace culture reflects how we go about our work, the type of work that we choose to do, and our commitment and contribution to the sustainable social, environmental, and economic development aims of the communities that we are part of.  We focus both on technical skills and equally importantly, on the cultural fit of prospective new colleagues. Our success relies on fostering an environment where creativity and collaboration produces great outcomes for our people, our clients, and our partners.Why We Work at InformedLearn more about life at Informed Solutions by going to Informed.com/Careers

Informed Solutions

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