Leaders participating in a data and AI workshop with The Data Lab.
News
From cloud testbed to sovereign AI: what practical AI adoption teaches us about Britain’s digital infrastructure
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 […]
The Data Lab boosts board with seven new members to harness Scotland’s data and AI potential
The Data Lab, Scotland’s innovation centre for data and AI, has appointed seven new members to its Governance Board. The new board members assumed their terms in June with an initial appointment of two years. The Governance Board’s responsibilities include setting the strategic direction for the innovation centre, including providing guidance on the focus of […]
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 CEO supports continued investment in regional skills and employability
Heather Thomson, CEO of The Data Lab, has signed the Integrated Regional Employability & Skills (IRES) 2027+ Pledge to support the continued investment in regional skills and employability. The Data Lab leads the Data Skills for Work programme within The University of Edinburgh’s Data Driven Innovation initiative of the Edinburgh & South East Scotland City […]
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 […]
Looking back at DataFest 2026: Advancing AI discussions in Scotland
600 people gathered from across Scotland, the rest of the UK and abroad to attend this year’s sold-out DataFest conference at Edinburgh’s Assembly Rooms in May. A focus on intelligent futures Hosted by The Data Lab, Scotland’s Innovation Centre for data and AI, the event brought together participants from industry, academia, the public and third sectors […]
UK laws ‘not ready’ for humanoid robots, expert warns
Humanoid robots are moving closer to everyday life, but the UK lacks the laws and safeguards needed to protect the public, a leading researcher has warned. Dr Carl Strathearn, a lecturer in computer science and researcher in autonomous social robotics at Edinburgh Napier University, said the rapid growth of humanoid robots is outpacing regulation and […]
Scotland Women in Technology partners with The Data Lab to boost women into data and AI leadership roles
Scotland Women in Technology (SWiT) has today announced that it will fund two new cohorts of The Data Lab’s Data and AI Leadership Programme in a bid to boost AI leadership skills among women working in the Scottish tech ecosystem. This is part of a wider multi-year partnership between SWiT and The Data Lab to […]