Data Summit to challenge AI perceptions in most diverse event to date

• The Data Lab’s flagship conference opens today to discuss the road ahead for data and AI and how technological advancements are reshaping the world as we know it.
• Speakers include Katherine Rahill, NASA’s senior scientist of the human research division at Johnson Space Centre; Paolo Benanti, AI advisor to the Vatican; Anna Brailsford, CEO and Co-Founder of Code First Girls; and Moriba Jah, astrodynamicist and space environmentalist.
• Event takes place in parallel to UK government’s AI Safety Summit at Bletchley Park.

Nearly 600 delegates will gather at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre today for The Data Lab’s Data Summit. They’ll hear how data and AI influence the human condition from culture to net zero, privacy to disinformation, and religion to space travel.

The most diverse Data Summit to date, titled “The AI Renaissance: how is it shaping the human experience?”, will see a mix of data scientists, nuclear chemists, genomics experts, entrepreneurs, professors, astrodynamicists, journalists and broadcasters come together to share their advanced knowledge on the new future of innovation. With over ten countries represented among its distinguished guests, Data Summit 2023 will have its most international line-up yet. Moreover, 70% of its speakers are female, highlighting women leading the way in data and AI.

Held over the next two days, 24 speaker and panel sessions will take place across the tech and innovation stages. These include:

• Katherine Rahill,Senior Scientist of NASA’s Human Research Division at Johnson Space Centre, who will share insight into the future of humanity in space.
• CEO and Co-Founder of Code First Girls, Anna Brailsford, will be taking part in a fireside chat with the Chief Commercial Officer of the University of Strathclyde, Gillian Docherty, to discuss DEI in AI and STEM.
• Paolo Benanti, AI advisor to the Vatican, who will share his thoughts on AI, transhumanism and faith.
• Astrodynamicist and Space Environmentalist Moriba Jah, who will be making a case for space sustainability.
• Professor in the Interfaculty Initiative in Information Studies at the University of Tokyo, Yuko Itatsu, who will be discussing AI and social justice.
• Author of the highly acclaimed book ‘Privacy is Power’ and Associate Professor in Philosophy at the Institute for Ethics in AI, Carissa Véliz, will explain the importance of taking control of your data.
• Tim Gregory, Nuclear Chemist for the National Nuclear Laboratory Ltd, will take part in a fireside chat with a special guest to discuss the road to net zero.
• Broadcaster and genomics expert Vivienne Parry, who will speak on genomics and AI.
• Journalist and disinformation researcher Olga Tokariuk, who will share insight into AI and (information) warfare.

Deputy First Minister Shona Robison said:

“The Scottish Government is committed to the data sector and recognises that data and AI will be crucial if we want to achieve our economic and climate ambitions.

“The £42 million Techscaler programme launched last year has already provided essential support to 400 start-up businesses and our AI Strategy, which is being delivered in partnership with The Data Lab, will help us become a leader in the development and use of trustworthy AI.

“The public sector has been given a great opportunity to invest in and benefit from groundbreaking data and AI technologies through the CivTech process. By making better use of these technologies, we can improve the lives of people in Scotland through the delivery of more effective and sustainable public services.”

Brian Hills, CEO of The Data Lab, said:

“This year, we are welcoming the most diverse line-up to date. Being able to share the stage with leading voices in data and AI to discuss and debate topics that have completely divided opinion worldwide is a testament to the unparalleled experience the Summit offers.

“Regulation has been a recurrent theme in politics, technology and sci-fi for decades and has been a key discussion across both Data Summit and the AI Safety Summit in the UK this week. Given the pace of change for AI, the signing of the Bletchley Declaration marks a significant step in the right direction to managing what is considered ‘frontier AI’ but we must remember – no matter how the conversations continue this week, any guardrails or policies that governments and organisations alike must ensure flexibility is at their core so they can evolve just as quickly as the technology itself.

“It’s great to see that there’s a growing interest in understanding and awareness when it comes to managing the risks associated with using frontier models of AI, as demonstrated by the AI Fringe. However, it’s crucial that we also address the risks and negative impacts of current AI technologies, such as bias, transparency, and trust. SMEs are increasingly adopting these technologies, and it’s important that they and their teams have the knowledge and skills to use them in a positive way while also being mindful of their potential side effects. It’s encouraging to see a renewed focus on entrepreneurship across the UK, and we need to ensure that this drive is accompanied by a commitment to responsible and ethical use of AI.”

“In its seventh year, it will be an honour to stand on the Data Summit stage again. These conversations are key to unlocking data and AI’s potential, and The Data Lab is proud to lead and encourage such discussions in Scotland.”