The Data Lab
Programme
Monday 12th May
Kickstart DataFest 2025 at our Pre-Conference Day! Join us for a highly interactive and engaging experience where you can actively participate in deep-dive discussions and connect with the data & AI community.
14:30 – Registration opens
15:00 – 15:45
Skill Gap Analysis: Application of Data Personas for Targeted Upskilling
16:00 – 16:45
Future-proof or Fall Behind? Data & AI Skills for Tomorrow’s Workforce
17:00 – 17:45
Bridging the Gap: Opportunities for Cross-Sector Collaboration
18:00 – 18:45
Leading in the Age of AI
19:15 – Close
Tuesday 13th May
Our main conference day features a world-class lineup of industry leading speakers and thought-provoking panels, with extensive networking opportunities.
08:30 – 09:30 – Registration
09:30 – 09:35 – Welcome from Heather Thomson, CEO, The Data Lab
09:35 – 10:00
Rethinking AI and its Impact on Business and Humanity
Dr Daniel Hulme, Chief AI Officer, WPP
10:05 – 10:30
Panel: AI for Good – How Artificial Intelligence is Tackling Global Challenges
Dr Stephanie Earp, Head of AI, Space Intelligence
Prof Hadi Larijani, Director for SMART Technology Research Centre, Glasgow Caledonian University
10:30 – 11:00
Redefining Intelligence: How Reasoning is Re-shaping AI in 2025?
Colin Jarvis, Head of Forward Deployed Engineering, Open AI
Morning break
11:00 - 11:30
11:30 – 12:00
Policy v Progress: AI, Politics and the Battle for Regulation
Zoe Kleinmann, Technology Editor, BBC
12:00 – 12:30
Panel: What Does It Take to Build an AI Company in Scotland?
Ross McNairn, Founder & CEO, Wordsmith AI
Rachel Curtis, Co-founder & CEO, Inicio AI
Iain Mackie, Co-founder & CEO, Malted AI
Corine van der Schans, AI Policy & Delivery Team Leader, The Scottish Government
12:30 – 13:00
Unlocking the Future of Data Storytelling with AI
Duncan Clark, Head of Europe, Canva
Lunch
13:00 - 14:00
14:00 – 14:35
Speaker TBA
14:35 – 15:10
Panel: Developing an AI Strategy: Insights from the Experts
15:10 – 15:50
Beyond the Algorithm: Unlocking AI’s business potential
Orlando Machado, Chief Data & AI Officer, LEGO group
15:50 – 16:00
Closing Comments
Heather Thomson, CEO, The Data Lab
Drinks Reception
16:00 - 17:00
2025 Speakers
Look out for more speaker announcements coming soon!
Zoe Kleinman
Technology Editor
BBC
Colin Jarvis
Head of Forward Deployed Engineering
OpenAI
Orlando Machado
Chief Data & AI Officer
Lego
Duncan Clark
Head of Europe
Canva
Daniel Hulme
Chief AI Officer
WPP
Rachel Curtis
CEO & Co-founder
Inicio AI
Ross McNairn
CEO & Founder
Wordsmith AI
Iain Mackie
CEO & Co-founder
Malted AI
Stephanie Earp
Head of AI
Space Intelligence
Hadi Larijani
Director for SMART Technology Research Centre
Glasgow Caledonian University
Corine van der Schans
AI Policy and Delivery Team Leader
The Scottish Government
Heather Thomson
CEO
The Data Lab
DataFest 2025 Theme
This year we’re moving beyond the initial hype surrounding AI, entering a phase where organisations are applying AI in practical, impactful ways.
At DataFest 2025, we’ll explore real-world examples and share actionable insights from experts, helping you understand how AI is transforming industries and how to navigate its challenges.