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 […]
DataFest
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 […]
Wikipedia founder to headline Scotland’s biggest AI gathering
Jimmy Wales, Founder of Wikipedia, headlines DataFest 2026 in Edinburgh this May. Edinburgh is set to host one of Scotland’s most compelling artificial intelligence events this May, as DataFest 2026 brings together one of the technology industry’s most influential entrepreneurs alongside leading figures from OpenAI, Skyscanner and the Mayor of London’s Office for two days of debate and discussion. Jimmy Wales is an American internet entrepreneur, best known as the Founder […]
Tickets for DataFest 2026 now live
Explore cutting-edge ideas DataFest champions Scotland as a hub for data and AI excellence. It’s a space to celebrate innovation, share ideas, and explore the future together. Entering its ninth year, DataFest 2026 will run under the theme “Intelligent Futures”. We’ll explore how data and AI are transforming the systems, industries, and societies of tomorrow. […]
Forefront of AI innovations explored at DataFest
The Data Lab’s annual conference discussed how data and AI will transform business and society as a whole. 500 delegates at Scotland’s leading data and AI event, DataFest, heard yesterday how data and AI have the power to unlock a brighter future and tackle global challenges such as climate change – but only if it’s […]
Full programme announced for DataFest25
Scotland’s premier data and AI conference, DataFest 2025, is pleased to announce its full events programme, including a pre-conference focused on skills development in the everchanging data and AI landscape. Hosted by Scotland’s Innovation Centre for data and AI, The Data Lab, DataFest will bring together Scotland’s thriving data and AI community at the Assembly […]
The Data Lab’s 10th anniversary looks ahead to the next decade of data and AI
The Data Lab, Scotland’s Innovation Centre for Data and AI, is celebrating a significant milestone this year as it approaches its 10th anniversary. Today, The Data Lab launches its anniversary programme of activities and events to mark the occasion and look ahead to the next 10 years of driving innovation, community building and skills in […]
Learning new skills and making connections with the FanDuel hackathon
At The Data Lab, we’re always thrilled to showcase the experiences and growth of our talented students from The Data Lab Academy. Jared Scott, MSc Data Science at Robert Gordon University participated in the Data Fest and FanDuel hackathon. In this insightful piece, Jared shares their journey through the event, highlighting the valuable skills and […]
Data Summit to challenge AI perceptions in most diverse event to date
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 […]
DataFest23 Fringe: Celebrating cutting-edge data and AI innovation
You’ve seen the Edinburgh Fringe, now it’s time to experience DataFest Fringe – Scotland’s premiere showcase of data and artificial intelligence! Our annual data and AI showcase is back for 2023; this year, it promises to be bigger and better than ever before. Each summer, August brings a flurry of excitement to Scotland’s capital (did […]