Fast Forward: Data, Digital & AI

A cross‑sector conference for evidence-based discussion and collaborative exploration of opportunities and challenges from the fast-moving development of technology.

Expectations for long-term business benefit from generative AI remain high while concerns grow about a potential AI bubble. We will interrogate where AI delivers verifiable benefit, and which uses genuinely justify their costs—in compute, energy, data and organisational change—recognising that GenAI needs the same fundamentals as any digital transformation: high-quality, accessible data, effective governance, and a deep understanding of context and business design.

Bringing together over 200 leading researchers and partners from industry, government and the third sector to build alliances and partnerships to grasp opportunities and solve challenges from fast‑moving technological change.

Join to bring clarity on verifiable benefit from GenAI implementation, surface alternatives (from robotics to quantum computing), and build relationships for systematic exploration of novel data, digital and AI technologies. See the full agenda below.

With this event, we aim to:

• showcase University of Edinburgh expertise in data, digital and AI

• deepen and broaden connections with partners across sectors

• catalyse collaboration and innovation creating real value

We invite attendees to contribute their perspectives, needs and questions on deploying data, digital and AI responsibly and productively—together with the University of Edinburgh and other partners.

Agenda

1000–1030 Registration opening 
1045–1145 Plenary – Opening and panel 
1145–1200 Break 
1200–1300 Plenary – Lightning talks 
1300–1400 Lunch and networking 
1400–1500 Parallel sessions  
1500–1600 Exhibition and networking  
1600–1700 Plenary – Close, reflections and opportunities 
1700–1800 Drinks reception

This event is by invitation only and you register through the email invitation we provide. If you have received an email invitation, please follow the link provided there to register. Please do not hesitate to contact us at epsrciaa@ei.ed.ac.uk if you encounter any difficulties in accessing the conference app.

Some spaces have been reserved for open registration of interest. Please register your interest via the below button and we will get back to you if there is a space.

To sign up for the parallel sessions and access other attendees, register using your personal invitation!

You will be automatically registered for the plenary sessions and exhibition & networking. These sessions will be added to your personal schedule once you register for this event.

Limited spaces available, register to sign up and secure your space now!

Explore cross-sector challenges and opportunities for applying data, digital and AI technologies. These sessions provide a knowledge-based space to discuss use cases and identify practical routes to implementation.

The parallel programme comprises one moderated panel and a set of participatory workshops. The panel convenes experts from technical and social perspectives for an evidence-led discussion, followed by questions and answers. The workshops open with short thought provocations, then move into facilitated breakout discussions to cocreate actionable next steps around real world use cases.

Topics

• Panel:

  • Responsibility, security and governance

• Workshops:

  • Data-driven innovation under regulation

  • Machine Learning with sparse data

  • Data driven discovery (e.g. materials, drugs)

  • Preparing your organisation for AI

With the parallel sessions we aim to:

• showcase University of Edinburgh expertise

• surface use cases and identify paths forward for data, digital and AI solutions

• clarify success factors and approaches to common obstacles to successful implementation

• co-create opportunities for collaboration around new solutions or questions

We invite attendees to the panel to contribute their questions and perspectives during the time for questions and answers. Workshop attendees are invited to share their experiences, questions and priorities, contributing to co‑created pathways for exploration and collaboration after the event.

For any questions, please contact the organiser at epsrciaa@ei.ed.ac.uk.