AI and the Future in Public Affairs

⌖ Edinburgh · Playfair Library Hall

Hosted by PauseAI UK

A Scotland-focused panel on AI responsibility brings politicians and technical and policy experts to Edinburgh on 1 November 2026. Hosted by PauseAI Scotland at the University of Edinburgh’s Playfair Library Hall, this structured discussion will examine a pressing question: who is responsible when AI goes wrong? Panellists will consider how Scotland’s political, technical and policy communities are modelling AI’s threats, uncertainties, opportunities and possible responses. The event description contrasts AI governance with tightly regulated fields such as aviation, pharmaceuticals and nuclear technology. It cites a 2026 UN report on AI, warnings from frontier AI professionals and a reported AI model evaluation security incident as context for the debate. Schedule - 13:30: Doors open - 14:00: Welcome and keynote - 14:30: Panel discussion - 15:30: Planned break - 15:45: Audience Q&A - 16:00: Closing and networking, with light refreshments The second half of the discussion is dedicated to audience questions, followed by informal conversation between attendees and panellists. The event is suited to anyone interested in AI safety, public policy and accountability; no specific experience level is stated. Individual panellists have not yet been published on the event page. The event takes place at Playfair Library Hall, University of Edinburgh, South Bridge, Edinburgh EH8 9YL, from 1:30pm–4:30pm GMT. Learn more about the organiser at PauseAI UK. Register for the panel discussion

⌖ Edinburgh · Stansted House, 3rd Floor, 12-14 Long Lane, London EC1A 9PN, UK

Hosted by The Investment Association (IA)

IA Conference Scotland 2026 brings investment leaders, policymakers and innovators to Edinburgh on 5 November for debate on AI, regulation and sustainable growth. Taking place at The Exchange, EH3 8EE, this flagship one-day conference from The Investment Association will examine how Scotland can strengthen its position as a global centre for investment management. More than 330 attendees from 110+ organisations are expected, including senior decision-makers, regulators and policymakers. What to expect The programme combines keynote speeches, leadership panels, fireside chats, presentations, interactive sessions and networking. Across 20+ thought-leadership sessions and more than eight hours of content, delegates will explore: - AI, digital transformation and technological disruption in asset management - Regulatory change, political developments and global market dynamics - Changing client expectations and the future of retail investing - Operational resilience amid cyber threats, geopolitical tension and supply-chain disruption - Talent, competitiveness and Scotland’s role in attracting capital - Sustainable growth and the investment industry’s contribution to UK prosperity An AI-focused debate featuring Dr Sonia Schulenburg of Level E Research will ask whether artificial intelligence is an incremental development or a fundamental shift for asset management, and consider how it is already reshaping the industry. Speakers and sessions The day begins with breakfast and networking from 08:00, followed by the main conference programme. John Owen, CEO of The Investment Association, will deliver his first address at the Scottish conference before moderating a leadership panel with Xavier Meyer of Aberdeen, Kirstie MacGillivray of Aegon, Sandra Boss of BlackRock and Scott Wallace of Aberforth Partners. Further highlights include: - A conversation with Stephen Flynn MSP, Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, on Scotland’s economic priorities and investment-led growth - A resilience fireside chat with Kenneth MacKay of M&G Asset Management - Miranda Seath’s launch of new IA analysis into boutique asset management in 2026, with a focus on Scotland - A discussion about how demographics, technology and changing attitudes to risk are transforming investing for individuals… Register for this event

Sponsors: FundGuard

⌖ Edinburgh · Codebase

Hosted by TechTalks Edinburgh

Learn how to judge whether AI-written code makes a codebase safer or riskier at TechTalks Edinburgh 10, taking place at CodeBase in Edinburgh on 10 November 2026. Legacy in Months, Not Years Lead Software Engineer Dmitriy Fedoryshchev will share lessons from modernising a 600-table, 21 TB legacy core into microservices after four previous attempts. His squad adopted a custom multi-agent system while following one central doctrine: only merge code that can be understood and explained. The talk explores how to assess agent-written code, identify the rules AI agents repeatedly break, and turn those rules into automated checks that agents cannot skip. Dmitriy brings experience spanning startups and enterprises, plus more than 100 merged open-source pull requests across 20 projects, including Anthropic, OpenAI and Microsoft. This meetup is relevant to software engineers, technical leads and anyone interested in AI-assisted development, maintainability and open-source tooling. Both experienced professionals and people earlier in their tech careers are welcome. Agenda - 6:00–6:30pm: Drinks, pizza and introductions - 6:30–6:40pm: Opening talk - 6:40–7:30pm: Main talk - 7:30–7:45pm: Q&A - 7:45–8:00pm: Networking and close - From 8:00pm: Afterparty at a nearby pub The event takes place at CodeBase, 38 Castle Terrace, Edinburgh EH3 9DZ. Partners include CodeBase, Dougray, Scottish Technology Club, Beyond Tech and Lyxonn. Photography and video will be captured for social media; notify the organisers if you prefer not to appear. Register for TechTalks Edinburgh 10.

Sponsors: CodeBase · Dougray +3

⌖ Edinburgh · A&DS:SpACE (access via Middle Meadow Walk)

Hosted by Architecture and Design Scotland (A&DS)

Explore how generative AI is reshaping architectural practice at this in-person event in Edinburgh on 12 November 2026. Hosted by Architecture and Design Scotland (A&DS), the afternoon brings academics and practitioners together to examine how emerging AI tools are being adopted across architectural and urban design workflows. The discussion will cover AI’s potential to enhance innovation and productivity, particularly for small and medium-sized practices in Scotland, alongside its practical limitations. Speakers and topics Headline contributors include Dr Juliana Martins, Bahar Durmaz-Drinkwater, Kathryn Firth and Pei-Chin Lin. Attendees will hear perspectives from UCL Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment and Arup, followed by a panel featuring Graham Ross of Austin-Smith:Lord and other contributors. Topics include: - The changing role of designers and the future job market - Integrating generative AI into professional workflows - Intellectual property, authorship and accountability - Environmental, social and ethical implications - Opportunities and challenges specific to Scottish practice The event runs 12:30–17:00 at A&DS:SpACE, 1 Lauriston Place, accessed via Middle Meadow Walk. Registration opens at 12:30 with tea, coffee and water, followed by headline presentations from 13:00, a break and panel discussion. A&DS:SpACE is a collaborative venue focused on the built environment. Get tickets for Demystifying AI in Architectural Design

⌖ Location TBC · Prague, Czech Republic

Hosted by DevFest.cz

DevFest.cz returns to Prague on 30 October 2026 as the city's most distinctive developer conference, bringing together the Czech Republic's tech community for a full day of cutting-edge talks, hands-on learning, and networking. This in-person event focuses on the technologies shaping modern software development, from AI and machine learning to cloud infrastructure and open source innovation. What to Expect DevFest.cz 2026 covers a comprehensive range of technical tracks designed for developers at all levels: - AI & Machine Learning — explore the latest developments in artificial intelligence, neural networks, and ML frameworks - Android & Kotlin — dive deep into mobile development with Android's official language and ecosystem - Web Technologies — discover modern frameworks, progressive web apps, and frontend innovations - Cloud & DevOps — learn about infrastructure as code, container orchestration, and deployment automation - Flutter & Dart — build beautiful cross-platform applications with Google's UI toolkit - Security — understand best practices for secure coding, authentication, and threat mitigation - Open Source — engage with the communities and projects driving collaborative software development The conference format emphasizes practical knowledge sharing, with sessions led by experienced practitioners who've solved real-world problems. Attendees will leave with actionable insights they can immediately apply to their own projects and codebases. Who Should Attend This event is ideal for software engineers, mobile developers, DevOps engineers, security specialists, and technical leads working across the full stack. Whether you're building AI-powered applications, managing cloud infrastructure, or contributing to open source projects, DevFest.cz provides an opportunity to deepen your expertise and connect with Prague's vibrant developer ecosystem. The conference maintains its reputation for quality content and community atmosphere, bringing together local and international speakers who share both technical depth and practical experience. Past editions have attracted hundreds of developers who value substance over hype and genuine learning over surface-level overviews. Doors open at 9:00 AM Central European Time, giving attendees a full day to absorb new ideas, participate in discussions, and build relationships with fellow developers tackling similar challenges. The in-person format ensures meaningful face-to-

⌖ Location TBC · ITCS Munich (Munich, Germany)

Hosted by ITCS

ITCS Munich brings together tech talent and leading employers for a comprehensive tech career festival on 30 October 2026. This one-day event combines a tech conference, career fair, and festival atmosphere at ITCS Munich venue, creating Germany's premier destination for IT professionals, developers, and tech enthusiasts seeking their next opportunity or looking to stay ahead of industry trends. What to Expect The event features over 50 keynote speeches delivered across 5 parallel stages, covering cutting-edge topics in software development, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and digital transformation. Previous ITCS events have hosted 75+ exhibitors from Germany's most innovative tech companies, including major names like BMW Group, Airbus, Bundeswehr, Deutsche Bundesbank, and emerging players in the German tech ecosystem. Whether you're a seasoned developer, recent graduate, or career-changer exploring tech opportunities, ITCS Munich offers something for everyone. The format blends educational content with direct employer engagement, allowing attendees to explore job opportunities, attend workshops, and network with tech leaders all in one location. Who Should Attend This event attracts thousands of tech enthusiasts across all experience levels — from students and junior developers to senior engineers and IT managers. With exhibitors spanning fintech (Deutsche Bundesbank, MLP), aerospace (Airbus), automotive (BMW Group), government agencies (Bundesnachrichtendienst, Deutsches Patent und Markenamt), consulting (KPMG, msg), and cybersecurity (secunet), the diversity of opportunities is exceptional. ITCS events have built a reputation for creating meaningful connections between talent and employers, with dedicated representatives ready to discuss roles, company culture, and career paths. The festival atmosphere removes the formality of traditional recruitment events, making it easier to have authentic conversations about your future in tech. Conference Content The multi-stage format allows you to curate your own experience, moving between technical deep-dives, career development workshops, and industry trend sessions. Past ITCS events have featured content on cloud architecture, DevOps practices, AI implementation, data science, and emerging technologies. The "How to ITCS" format ensures both newcomers and returning attendees can maximize their experience. Beyond the Booths ITCS Munich isn't just about job hunting