Digital infrastructure is often discussed in abstract terms: cloud, compute, connectivity, data centres, platforms and networks. But for organisations trying to adopt AI, infrastructure is not abstract. It determines whether an idea can be tested in days or delayed for months; whether an SME can access advanced AI capability without major capital investment; whether a […]
The Problem with Data Privacy Today – and a New Approach
In our latest guest blog, Iain Henderson, Volunteer with The MyTerms Alliance, explores the challenges facing today’s digital privacy landscape and the need to rethink how personal data is shared and managed. Iain introduces IEEE 7012 (nicknamed MyTerms), a global standard designed to support clearer agreements between individuals and organisations, and considers how new approaches […]
Security that doesn’t get bypassed: designing controls data teams will actually use
We’re delighted to hand the mic over to Hannah Nairn, Head of Information Security at Elementz, for our latest guest blog. Elementz is a Bronze Partner of The Data Lab, and Hannah brings her expertise in information security to explore the challenges organisations face as data teams adopt new technologies and ways of working. In […]
The Data Lab Innovation Challenge 2026: Challenges, Cohorts and Coffee
Marian is The Data Lab Academy Programme Manager at The Data Lab and leads the Innovation Challenge each year as part of our Scottish Funding Council-funded Masters Scholarship Programme. In this blog, she reflects on Innovation Challenge 2026 and the talent, creativity and resilience demonstrated by this year’s student cohort. The Data Lab Skills team and our […]
Open Isn’t Enough: Rethinking Data for AI Agents
We’re delighted to hand the mic over to Gautham Krishnadas for our latest guest blog. Gautham is the Co-founder of Dtechtive, which helps organisations such as the Scottish Government, make data more discoverable, trustworthy and AI-ready. His background spans industry-academia research, full-stack data science, user-centric product design and commercial delivery. He has a PhD in […]
Announcing the Winners of the The Data Lab Community’s Data Visualisation Competition
Celebrating creativity, insight, and storytelling through data. Now in its second year, The Data Lab Community’s Data Visualisation Competition is an opportunity to come together to celebrate storytelling through data. The competition provides a platform for data visualisers of all levels to hone their skills, demonstrate their abilities, and raise their profile to a global audience of data & AI professionals, students and enthusiasts. The […]
Stepping into 2026 – Reflections from our January Predictions Meet-up
January’s Predictions meet-up marked a personal milestone for me – it was my first Data Lab Community event as the new Chair. While I’ve been a member of the Community for years, this was my first opportunity to introduce myself in this new role – and to do so in front of 300+ registered attendees, […]
Marketing in the Age of AI
Breaking Through the Noise Every day, people are exposed to thousands of messages across all of their screens, apps, emails, and social media platforms. In this crowded digital space, organisations face a growing challenge: breaking through the noise with communications that reach the right people, with the right message, at the right moment. From personalising […]
Exploring the case for a Scotland-wide Artificial Intelligence Cluster
The Data Lab has been commissioned by Scottish Enterprise, in partnership with Optimat, to explore the potential for a Scotland-wide Artificial Intelligence (AI) cluster. The work forms part of the Scottish Government’s Innovation Strategy and the development of the emerging Scottish Cluster Scheme, which aims to strengthen collaboration and accelerate innovation across key technologies and sectors. Artificial Intelligence is already […]
Reflections on 2025: A Data Scientist Dives into Mainframe (and lives to tell the tale)
In this guest blog, we’re joined by Sarah Burne James, Client Adoption Specialist (Z Software) at IBM, who brings a fresh, fun perspective to the world of mainframes—complete with misconceptions, “aha!” moments, and a lot of cool tech. *record scratch* *freeze frame* Yep, that’s me. You’re probably wondering how I got here. You know that […]