AI: Bloom, Doom, or Vapour?

◎ Online

Hosted by Sathpal S. / Green Software - Scotland

Compare local AI models with fast frontier systems in this practical Green AI talk, hosted online by Green Software – Scotland on 5 October 2026. Local AI or the frontier? Running a model locally can appear to be the greener option, while lightweight frontier models promise efficiency through speed and scale. But which approach actually has the lower energy use and carbon impact? This one-hour virtual session examines that question without relying on assumptions or vendor-led claims. Marcus Knight, founder of BeGreenAI, will put local models head to head with fast frontier options such as Claude Haiku and GPT-4.1 nano. He will explore where each approach wins, and why neither side offers an obvious universal answer. The session is designed to help attendees make better everyday AI choices. You can expect to learn: - How local and frontier models differ in their energy and carbon implications - When reaching for a local model may make sense - When a fast, lightweight frontier model may be the better choice - Why model efficiency should be judged through evidence rather than assumptions - How greener AI decisions can also improve workflows, productivity and results Speaker and format Marcus Knight is an AI trainer and sustainability consultant working at the intersection of AI adoption and environmental impact. Through workshops, talks and strategic support, he helps teams audit how they currently use AI, reduce digital waste, and adopt greener tools and systems. His approach focuses on practical, evidence-based sustainable innovation while helping organisations get more from the AI products they already use. Hosted by Sathpal S. and the Green Software – Scotland community, this autumn event takes place online from 5:00–6:00pm BST on Monday 5 October 2026. The virtual format makes it accessible to attendees beyond Edinburgh, with the event link becoming visible to registered participants. Meetup’s event chat also gives attendees a place to connect and continue the conversation.… Register for this event

ClaudeChatGPT

Sponsors: Green Software Foundation

⌖ Edinburgh · ICMS, Bayes Centre

Hosted by Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA), International Centre for Mathematical Sciences (ICMS), London Mathematical Society (LMS), Big Ideas

BHOM26 is a free hybrid conference celebrating Black excellence in mathematics, taking place on 7–8 October 2026 at the Bayes Centre in Edinburgh and online. Held during Black History Month, the Black Heroes of Mathematics Conference 2026 will bring together mathematicians, educators, students and advocates from around the world. Across two days, attendees will hear powerful personal stories, discover mathematical research with real-world impact and explore emerging questions around artificial intelligence, mathematical modelling and large language models (LLMs). Talks and themes The programme combines research presentations with reflections on careers and representation in mathematics. Announced sessions include: - Jason Anquandah , More Than Numbers - Herbert Daly , Models, Methods and Misunderstandings - Justine Nasejje , Survival Analysis to Artificial Intelligence: A Mathematical Journey Towards Better Health in Africa - Oluwaseun Olushola , Population dynamics for a Daphnia-based biofiltration technology - Nira Chamberlain , Mathematical Modelling and The Rise of LLMs - Nneka Umeorah , Becoming a Mathematics Researcher: My Journey Through Finance, AI, and Networks - Imoleayomide Ajayi , a session exploring Chamberlain’s Law and AI fairness The African Gifted Foundation and speaker Kofi Jackson also feature in the programme. Alongside the talks, the in-person schedule includes lunch and registration, refreshment breaks and a reception at the end of the first day, creating space to meet fellow attendees and continue the discussion. A conference and youth festival BHOM26 stands out by pairing its global conference with a new Black Heroes of Mathematics Youth Festival. Delivered virtually for UK schools, the festival will give young people access to inspiring mathematical role models, interactive sessions and stories celebrating Black achievement. Schools interested in participating can contact maths@big-ideas.org.… Register for this event

⌖ Edinburgh · Microsoft Offices, Waverley Gate

Hosted by Kerv

A hands-on public sector AI hackathon in Edinburgh on 8 October 2026, turning real service challenges into Microsoft Copilot solutions. Hosted by Kerv and Microsoft at Microsoft Offices, Waverley Gate, this practical, in-person event gives Scotland’s public sector leaders and teams the opportunity to explore where AI can make a meaningful difference. Across a full day from 09:00 to 16:45, attendees will use Microsoft Copilot, AI Agents, Power Platform and the wider Microsoft ecosystem to develop achievable concepts for better services, stronger citizen outcomes and more efficient operations. This is not a coding event. It is designed for people who understand public sector problems, whether or not they have a technical background. Microsoft and Kerv specialists will provide the tools, guidance and hands-on support needed to take part confidently. What to expect The day combines expert perspectives, beginner-friendly learning, facilitated teamwork and a final solution showcase. Participants will: - Explore current challenges and opportunities across government, healthcare and public services - Learn how Microsoft Copilot and AI Agents can support service improvement - Receive a practical introduction to using and building AI Agents - Work through sector-focused roundtables to define and prioritise real challenges - Develop solution concepts addressing service delivery, workforce productivity, citizen engagement, process optimisation and operational efficiency - Present their work to a judging panel and receive feedback from Microsoft and Kerv experts The programme begins with arrivals and coffee, followed by a welcome and a keynote on enhancing Scottish public service processes through AI, Agents, Dynamics and Power Platform. After an Agent crash course, teams will move into collaborative challenge-definition sessions. The afternoon is dedicated to building practical solutions, with specialists supporting each group before the showcase and judging session from 15:30. Who should attend?… Register for this event

Sponsors: Microsoft

⌖ Edinburgh · Jamaica Yard

Hosted by Founders Coffee Club

Meet fellow founders over coffee and stay to cowork at Jamaica Yard in Edinburgh on Thursday 8 October 2026, without pitches, panels or sales talk. Founders Coffee Club offers a deliberately simple alternative to conventional business networking. There are no speeches, no presentations and no selling: turn up, grab a coffee and have genuine conversations with other people building businesses. Taking place from 10:00am to 11:00am GMT+1 at Jamaica Yard, 3 Jamaica Street, this in-person gathering brings the Founders Coffee Club format to Edinburgh. The ticket also includes coworking for the day, so attendees can continue working from the venue after the scheduled networking hour. What to expect - Relaxed, informal networking over coffee - Conversations with fellow founders rather than structured talks - No pitching, presentations or sales activity - Coworking at Jamaica Yard for the rest of the day - A welcoming introduction if it is your first time attending The organisers recognise that walking into a room of new people can feel daunting. New attendees will be greeted and introduced to someone immediately, helping conversations get started without awkwardly navigating the room alone. Who is it for? This is a founders-only event. It suits founders who want to expand their local network, compare experiences and meet peers in a low-pressure setting. There is no stated experience requirement and no formal programme to prepare for, the emphasis is on open conversation and useful founder-to-founder connections. Founders Coffee Club hosts networking events for founders across the UK, with its Edinburgh gatherings scheduled for the second Thursday of each month. You can learn more through the Founders Coffee Club website, LinkedIn or Instagram. Tickets cost £15, and registration is subject to host approval. Request to join and get your ticket.

⌖ Edinburgh

A meetup focused on building AI-powered apps with no-code tools in Edinburgh, featuring hands-on demos, case studies and startup insights. Learn to build applications and automations.

GlideMakeZapier+1 more

⌖ Edinburgh · Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburgh

Explore AI-driven predictive analytics and data mining research at ICAPD, taking place in Edinburgh on 20–21 October 2026. The International Conference on AI-driven Predictive Analytics and Data Mining (ICAPD) is a multidisciplinary forum for researchers and academics working across science, engineering and technology. Organised by Science Cite, the conference aims to connect participants from developed and developing countries, encourage the exchange of ideas and support responsible, sustainable applications of science. Attendees can participate in person or virtually, making the programme accessible to an international audience. The physical event will be held at the Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburgh, 43 Jeffrey Street, in the centre of Edinburgh. Programme and format The published agenda combines formal presentations with opportunities to meet fellow attendees. The day begins with registration and welcome coffee at 9:00am, followed by an opening plenary, welcome address and keynote. Two extended conference sessions run before and after lunch, with the programme concluding with: - A group photo and final networking session - Closing reflections - An awards presentation The listed speakers are Arif Ullah, Dr Balakrishnan Subramanian and Dr Sundaram Arumugam. The conference committee includes Ankit Sharma, B.T. Hang Tuah Baharudin and Deepak Poddar. Who should attend? ICAPD is particularly relevant to researchers, academics, presenters and students interested in artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, data mining, data science and related engineering or technology research. You can register as a listener if you want to follow the presentations and make new academic connections, or attend as a presenter to share your own work with the conference community. The event page lists Scopus, DOI Directory, Google Scholar and Springer under its indexing section. Prospective presenters should review the publication and indexing information on the official conference website before submitting. Important dates - Submission deadline: 30 September 2026 - Registration deadline: 5 October 2026 - Conference dates: 20–21 October 2026 - Scheduled hours: 9:00am–5:00pm… Register for this event