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…
Meet Edinburgh’s data science, machine learning and AI community over coffee on Wednesday 14 October 2026, from 11:00am to 1:00pm BST. Hosted by Emily T. for Edinburgh Data Science and AI, this first Data Science Coffee Club offers an informal alternative to the group’s usual speaker events. Head downstairs at Black Medicine Coffee in Edinburgh, buy a drink and connect with other people working in the field. There are no talks, slides, pitches or formal agenda. Instead, conversations may cover: - Current projects and technical problems - Interesting tools, ideas and approaches - Opportunities to collaborate or help one another - Developments across Edinburgh’s data science, ML and AI community The session is primarily for data science and machine learning professionals. You do not need to be a regular member of the Edinburgh community: professionals visiting the city are welcome too. If conversations are still flowing when the event finishes at 1:00pm, attendees may continue over lunch nearby. Register for the Data Science Coffee Club.
Meet Edinburgh’s tech community over informal drinks on Wednesday 14 October 2026, from 7–10pm BST, at The Slug and Lettuce George Street. Hosted by Edinburgh Tech Network and OkGather, this relaxed networking evening is built around useful conversations rather than presentations. There are no PowerPoints, speeches, structured introductions or organised activities: simply grab a drink, find the Edinburgh Tech Network table and meet people working across Edinburgh’s technology scene. The gathering is aimed at: - Software engineers and developers - Product managers - Data and AI professionals - Designers and UX practitioners - Startup founders and operators - People building products, projects or careers in tech Attendees can exchange ideas, learn from peers and make connections that may lead to collaborations or career opportunities. The event is generally self-hosted, with no designated host leading the evening; venue staff will direct you to the group’s reserved table. Venue: The Slug and Lettuce George Street, 113–115 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4JN. Places are limited. Attendance requires an OkGather membership, priced at £2.99 per month. Members can show their OkGather profile at the bar to receive 20% off food and drinks. RSVP for the event on Meetup
The AI Social Discussion Group’s first meet-up brings people together for an informal evening of AI conversation at Cumberland Bar in Edinburgh. Hosted by Nick B., this inaugural gathering runs from 7:00pm to 9:00pm BST on Monday, 19 October 2026. It takes place at Cumberland Bar, 1–3 Cumberland Street, Edinburgh. The event is focused on social discussion around AI and offers attendees an opportunity to meet fellow members of the new community. No detailed agenda, named discussion topics or additional speakers have been published, so expect an open, informal meet-up rather than a structured workshop or programme of talks. Attendees can also access the Meetup event chat to connect with others before the gathering begins. Learn more about the AI Social Discussion Group. Register for the meet-up
Data Day Edinburgh 2026 is an in-person data conference taking place in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, on 23 October 2026. About the event Data Day Edinburgh 2026 brings its data-focused conference format to Scotland’s capital for a full day dedicated to the field. It offers an opportunity to step away from day-to-day work and spend time exploring the wider data landscape alongside other people interested in the subject. The event listing positions data as the central theme. This makes the conference potentially relevant to professionals, practitioners and decision-makers whose work involves collecting, managing, analysing or applying data, as well as people following the relationship between data, AI and automation. However, the currently available event page does not identify a specific experience level or confirm whether sessions will be introductory, advanced or mixed. What to expect This is listed as an in-person conference rather than an online event. Attendees can therefore expect to participate on location in Edinburgh. The published information currently confirms: - Date: Friday, 23 October 2026 - Location: Edinburgh, United Kingdom - Format: In-person data conference - Core subject: Data A detailed agenda has not yet been included in the supplied listing. Speaker names, individual session topics, workshop details, networking activities, timings and venue information are also not currently specified. If these details are important to your decision, check the event page as the date approaches for programme updates and practical attendance information. Who should consider attending? Data Day Edinburgh 2026 is worth tracking if you work with data or want to understand developments across the field. That may include people working in analytics, data operations, product, technology, AI or automation, although the organiser has not published a formal audience profile in the available material. With the event scheduled for October 2026, prospective attendees have time to monitor the listing for announcements about speakers, content and ticket availability. Follow the official event page for the latest published details and booking options. View the event page and register for Data Day Edinburgh 2026
Ireland's International AI Summit 2026 marks the official launch of European AI Innovation Month, positioning Dublin at the heart of Europe's AI conversation. Hosted by Ireland's Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment during the country's EU Presidency, this flagship event brings together EU and global leaders, heads of government, CEOs, investors, innovators and academics at the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) on 14th October 2026. What Makes This Summit Essential Under the theme Harnessing AI to Revolutionise Europe's Competitiveness, the summit serves as a high-level platform for strategic dialogue on AI's future application across Europe and globally. Ireland's unique position as the EU headquarters for sixteen of the world's top twenty global technology companies and eight leading foundational AI model providers makes it an ideal setting for this critical conversation about Europe's technological sovereignty and competitive future. Programme Structure The full-day summit combines multiple engagement formats designed to explore AI from policy, economic and technological perspectives. Ministerial addresses and keynote speeches from global leaders will establish the strategic context, with confirmed keynote speaker EU Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen addressing technological sovereignty, security and democracy. These high-level addresses are complemented by panel discussions and fireside chats examining: - Competitiveness and innovation in the European AI landscape - Trustworthy AI development and deployment - Digital infrastructure requirements for AI advancement - Investment strategies and funding mechanisms - Skills and talent development for the AI economy Sector Deep Dives and Practical Applications Beyond strategic policy discussion, the summit includes European-focused sector deep dives examining AI opportunities across key areas of economy and society. These sessions highlight practical examples of AI adoption and collaboration, showcasing how businesses, public services and research institutions deploy AI solutions to improve productivity, deliver innovative services and address complex societal challenges. An Innovation Spotlight Exhibition will provide enterprises the opportunity to demonstrate cutting-edge AI applications and solutions, with expressions of
The 2nd MedTech Meets AI Conference brings healthcare technology leaders to Barcelona on 14–15 October 2026 for two days of practical AI insight and industry connections. Hosted by UBIQ Events, this specialist conference explores how artificial intelligence is being applied across medical devices, diagnostics and the wider life sciences sector. Rather than focusing solely on future possibilities, the programme promises real-world case studies, practical applications and expert perspectives on implementing AI in complex healthcare environments. What the conference will cover The two-day agenda will examine several of the most consequential areas where AI is reshaping MedTech: - Transforming disease detection through AI-assisted diagnostics - Medical imaging and the changing role of AI in radiology - Turning medical big data into useful diagnostic insight - AI-powered robotics and advances in surgical precision - Ethical and regulatory considerations for healthcare AI - The challenges, innovations and potential impact shaping AI’s future in MedTech These themes make the event particularly relevant to MedTech executives, healthcare innovators, AI strategists, medical-device professionals, data and analytics leaders, R&D teams, and life sciences decision-makers. The content is aimed at an experienced professional audience looking for implementation lessons, strategic insight and opportunities to compare approaches with peers. Industry speakers The announced 2026 line-up includes leaders working across innovation, AI research, analytics, robotics, manufacturing transformation and digital platforms. Speakers include Mayank Mohun of Siemens Healthineers, Karolina Henzel and Lukasz Nowicki of GE HealthCare, Donnacha Dunleavy of Medtronic, Sertac Guzel of Johnson & Johnson MedTech, and Abouzar Eslami, PhD, of ZEISS Medical Technology. Further perspectives will come from senior figures at Philips, Alcon, Fresenius Medical Care, Zimmer Biomet, Getinge and KARL STORZ. Additional speakers are due to be announced, giving attendees access to a broad cross-section of the organisations developing and deploying AI-enabled medical technology. Venue and tickets The conference takes place from Wednesday 14 to Thursday 15 October 2026 at Hotel Catalonia Eixample 1864, Carrer de Roger de Llúria, 60, in central Barcelona. The event combines
