Data Science Coffee Club

⌖ Edinburgh · Edinburgh Futures Institute, The University of Edinburgh

Hosted by Traveltech

University of Edinburgh students can spend a full day solving real-world festival challenges at this collaborative arts, culture and technology hackathon. Taking place on Friday 30 October 2026, from 9am to 5pm, the in-person event brings innovators, artists, developers, designers and festival enthusiasts together at the Edinburgh Futures Institute in Edinburgh. What to expect Festival partners will provide challenge prompts based on pressing issues faced by the Edinburgh Festivals. Participants will form multidisciplinary teams, combine their different perspectives and develop creative solutions designed to enhance the festival experience. The programme also includes insights from festival organisers and data visualisation leaders, covering challenges, opportunities and emerging directions across cultural events. Projects may explore how technology can help festivals reach wider audiences, strengthen their communities and make a more positive environmental impact. No specific technical experience requirement is stated; coders, designers and arts enthusiasts are all encouraged to contribute. Practical details: - Room 2.55, Floor 2, Edinburgh Futures Institute - 1 Lauriston Place, Edinburgh EH3 9EF - Eight-hour, in-person format - Food and refreshments provided - Organised by Traveltech Get tickets for the hackathon

⌖ 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 · The Slug and Lettuce George Street

Hosted by ⭐ Edinburgh Tech Network (ETN) ⭐

Meet Edinburgh’s software, product, data, AI and startup community over informal drinks on Wednesday 11 November 2026, from 7–10pm GMT. Hosted by Edinburgh Tech Network, this relaxed networking evening at The Slug and Lettuce George Street brings together people working in and around tech. It is designed for software engineers, product managers, data and AI professionals, startup founders and operators, as well as others building products, projects or careers in tech. There are no presentations, speeches or structured activities. Instead, attendees can exchange ideas, learn from their peers and explore potential collaborations or career opportunities through natural conversation. The gathering is generally self-hosted, with no designated host leading the evening; ask venue staff for the “Edinburgh Tech Network” table when you arrive. Attendance details - Venue: 113–115 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4JN - Places are limited to keep the gathering focused and conversational - RSVP on Meetup, then become an OkGather member - Membership costs £2.99 per month and is required to attend - Members receive 20% off food and drinks by showing their OkGather profile at the bar This event is part of a recurring series held on the second Wednesday of each month. RSVP for this event

⌖ Santiago · Hotel Mandarin

Hosted by Red Hat

Red Hat Summit: Connect Santiago 2026 explores how enterprises can adopt AI while retaining control of their data, infrastructure and technology strategy. Taking place on 27 October 2026 at Hotel Mandarin in Santiago, this Red Hat conference is designed for technology leaders and enterprise IT professionals working through the practical complexities of artificial intelligence adoption. It will be particularly relevant to teams operating at scale or within regulated industries, where governance, security and control cannot be treated as afterthoughts. What to expect The programme examines enterprise AI through an open-source lens, focusing on how organisations can pursue innovation without surrendering control of their underlying systems. The published themes include: - Data sovereignty and the enterprise AI challenge, considering the relationship between AI strategy, organisational data and infrastructure control. - Industry-specific applications, exploring AI in the context of real operational requirements rather than as a one-size-fits-all technology. - The open-source approach to enterprise AI, looking at how open technologies can support enterprise adoption and long-term flexibility. This is more than a high-level strategy conference. According to Red Hat, Summit: Connect offers access to technology experts alongside hands-on learning opportunities with Red Hat solutions. Attendees will also have options to meet Red Hat partners and exchange ideas with peers facing similar implementation questions. Who should attend? The event is aimed at technology decision-makers, enterprise architects, infrastructure and platform teams, cybersecurity professionals, and IT leaders responsible for introducing AI into complex organisations. It should also be useful for practitioners assessing how data sovereignty and industry constraints affect architecture choices. View the event and registration details

⌖ Ho Chi Minh City · Sheraton Saigon Grand Opera Hotel

Hosted by rockbird media

retailX Ho Chi Minh 2026 is an all-day conference on AI, omnichannel retail and digital commerce, taking place on 27 October in Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnam’s retail and e-commerce market is evolving rapidly as digital adoption, changing consumer behaviour and investment in modern retail technology reshape how brands attract and serve customers. Presented by rockbird media, retailX Ho Chi Minh 2026 will bring senior retail leaders, e-commerce professionals, brand executives and technology innovators together to examine the strategies driving this transformation. The in-person conference runs from 8:00am to 4:00pm on Tuesday 27 October 2026 at the Sheraton Saigon Grand Opera Hotel, 88 Đường Đồng Khởi, Ho Chi Minh City. What to expect Across keynote presentations, executive panels, interactive roundtables and real-world case studies, attendees will explore how retailers can use technology and customer insight to build sustainable growth. The programme focuses on: - AI-powered retail and emerging commerce technologies - Omnichannel and digital commerce strategies - Digital transformation within retail organisations - Customer engagement and experience innovation - Data-driven approaches to the changing consumer landscape - Emerging retail and consumer trends in Vietnam The emphasis is on practical insight rather than theory. Attendees can learn directly from leading Vietnamese retail and e-commerce executives, hear how organisations are responding to market change and examine examples drawn from real business activity. Business connections Networking is a central part of the eight-hour format. Alongside the conference sessions, retailX offers curated networking opportunities and one-to-one business meetings. These are designed to help attendees meet senior retail and technology decision-makers, connect with relevant solution providers and discuss potential commercial partnerships in a focused setting. View the event and registration details

⌖ Cambridge · The Glasshouse @InnovateCambridge

Hosted by Cambridge Centre for Data-Driven Discovery

Explore how the Financial Times turns data and AI strategy into organisational value with Chief Data Officer Kate Sargent at this University of Cambridge seminar. From research to real-world AI Taking place in person on Tuesday 27 October 2026, from 4:00pm to 5:00pm, this Beyond Academia seminar offers a practical perspective on deploying data science and artificial intelligence beyond the university environment. The session will be held at The Glasshouse @InnovateCambridge, 100 Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 1LQ. The Beyond Academia: AI & Data Science Applications series is designed to bridge the gap between high-level research and implementation inside organisations. Invited leaders and professionals examine the technical, architectural and operational realities of AI innovation while introducing attendees to career opportunities outside academia. Hear from Kate Sargent Kate Sargent, Chief Data Officer at the Financial Times, is responsible for the organisation’s Data and AI Strategy and for creating value from its data assets. Since joining the FT in 2023, she has led its award-winning Data & AI Governance, Data Science & AI, Analytics, Research and Business Intelligence disciplines. Kate brings 30 years of experience across major consumer-facing organisations in retail, travel and media. Her work focuses on using data to understand and influence customer behaviour and generate commercial value. Alongside her executive role, she is an industry commentator, board adviser and mentor, with a particular commitment to early-years skills development and increasing awareness of careers in data and analytics. Attendees can expect insight into: - How data and AI strategy operates within a global media organisation - The challenges and opportunities involved in implementing AI innovation - The role of governance, analytics, research and business intelligence - Translating data assets into practical and commercial value - Non-academic career pathways in data science and AI The format is an engaging one-hour talk with plenty of opportunity for audience Q&A, giving researchers and students direct access to an experienced data leader. Who should attend?… Register for this event

Sponsors: Bennett School of Public Policy · C2D3