Can Economists Explain AI? (Spoiler: Not really)

⌖ Glasgow

Lakehouse Day 2026 is a full-day, multi-track open data conference in Glasgow, covering Apache Iceberg, Hudi, Parquet and the wider lakehouse ecosystem. Co-located with Community Over Code Glasgow 2026 on Saturday 10 October, Lakehouse Day brings together the open-source projects, engineers and organisations shaping modular lakehouse architecture. The programme focuses on technologies under the Apache Software Foundation umbrella, including Apache Iceberg, Apache Hudi, Apache Parquet, Apache Gravitino and Apache Polaris, with opportunities to exchange practical lessons and build connections across their communities. What to expect The day combines keynotes with parallel breakout sessions spanning architecture, observability, transactions, streaming, security analytics and data-transfer protocols. Topics announced in the schedule include: - The rise of the Apache Lakehouse: ASF member JB Onofré explores how open table formats, REST-based catalogues and streaming technologies can support a modular, vendor-neutral data estate. The keynote covers ACID transactions, schema evolution, metadata silos and the separation of table format, control plane and compute concerns. - Lakehouse observability: Datadog software engineer Nikita Matckevich shares monitoring practices from a managed multicloud and multi-engine Iceberg environment. Expect lessons on lineage, data quality, cost, performance, query patterns, access audits and orphan-file management. - Iceberg at enterprise scale: Akamai senior software engineer Endi Caushi explains how the company’s Egnatia platform supports batch analytics and near-real-time security event data while delivering seven-figure annual savings. The session includes patterns for upsert-heavy pipelines, threat detection and platform modernisation. - Multi-table transactions: Cloudera principal engineer Qiegang Long presents an engine-neutral proposal for warehouse-grade BEGIN/COMMIT semantics in the Iceberg REST Catalog, accompanied by a live Apache Polaris proof of concept. - Apache Arrow and client protocols: A breakout revisits the case for columnar query-result transfer and Apache Arrow’s role across IPC, Flight, Flight SQL, Arrow over HTTP and ADBC. Who should attend?… Register for this event

⌖ Glasgow · Glasgow University Union (GUU)

Explore AI’s hidden social, cultural and environmental impacts at this one-day symposium in Glasgow on 13 October 2026. Making the Invisible, Visible The Lovelace–Hodgkin Symposium 2026 asks what artificial intelligence reveals, what it conceals and who gets to shape its future. Taking place at Glasgow University Union on Ada Lovelace Day, the event will examine the assumptions, infrastructures and exclusions beneath AI, and connect technical systems to wider questions of fairness, representation and public participation. Rather than limiting the conversation to academics and technology specialists, the symposium welcomes anyone interested in technology, society, creativity, ethics or social justice. Its programme combines talks with participatory and creative formats, giving attendees multiple ways to investigate how AI affects people, communities and the stories told about them. What the day will explore Sessions and activities will consider: - The inner workings of large language models - Unintended consequences created by AI systems - Missing, invisible and misrepresented data - Surveillance, mapping and the relationship between technology and power - Environmental and cultural impacts of digital technologies - The voices and experiences included in, or excluded from, AI - Storytelling’s role in shaping understandings of history and technology - How the public can participate more meaningfully in emerging technologies The format extends beyond conventional presentations. Expect a creative, interactive mix of talks, workshops, games, artworks, film and group discussion. Throughout the day, participants will be encouraged to consider who benefits from AI, whose knowledge its systems reflect and how technology influences perceptions of ourselves, our communities and possible futures. Film screening and discussion The symposium will conclude with a screening of the LifeMosaic documentary Mapping & Monitoring in Indigenous Territories. A discussion with the film’s producer will follow, connecting the documentary to the day’s central themes of participation, knowledge, representation and power.… Register for this event

◎ Online

Hosted by Global Institute for Science, Technology and Research

Explore new research in machine learning and applied AI at ICAMLAAI, taking place in Glasgow on 16–17 October 2026. The International Conference on Advances in Machine Learning and Applied Artificial Intelligence (ICAMLAAI) is a global forum for presenting original research, examining emerging trends and exchanging practical insights across disciplines. Organised by the Global Institute for Science, Technology and Research, the conference is designed to support research advancement, academic excellence and international collaboration. Who should attend? ICAMLAAI brings together researchers, engineers, academicians, scientists, healthcare professionals, industry experts and other professionals working across AI-related fields. It will be particularly relevant to people who want to: - Present or discover original machine learning and applied artificial intelligence research - Discuss innovative technologies and emerging developments - Connect academic research with practical, cross-sector perspectives - Meet experts and develop an international professional network - Find opportunities for interdisciplinary knowledge exchange and collaboration The published programme does not specify a required experience level. Its research-led format is best suited to academics, practitioners and professionals with an active interest in machine learning, AI applications or related disciplines. In-person and virtual formats Attendees can participate on location in Glasgow or access the conference virtually. The in-person agenda begins at 9:00am with registration and tea or coffee, followed by an inaugural speech and conference theme presentation. Poster and physical presentations run from 10:00am to 11:45am, with virtual presentations scheduled before lunch. An award function and closing ceremony complete the listed on-location programme. In-person participation includes direct networking, physical materials, live Q&A and complimentary refreshments. The virtual option offers global access through an interactive platform, alongside recorded sessions, digital resources and chat features. Its schedule includes virtual check-in and orientation, a break, and closing guidance covering digital certificates. Important date for contributors… Register for this event

⌖ Glasgow · Barclays Eagle Labs Glasgow

Hosted by Scotland Applied AI Meetup (hosted by Michael Young)

Explore how AI is reshaping work, teams and organisational design at this interactive discussion in Glasgow on 21 October 2026. Taking place from 6:00pm to 9:00pm BST at Barclays Eagle Labs Glasgow, this in-person Scotland Applied AI Meetup examines a question facing organisations everywhere: as AI changes how work gets done, what will that mean for people, workplaces and companies? AI-driven change beyond the technology Rather than focusing only on tools, the conversation will connect the technologies driving workplace change with the human and organisational questions that follow. Topics will include: - How AI is changing working habits and the way tasks get completed - The psychology of adapting to new ways of working - The implications for individuals, teams and workplaces - How organisational design may evolve in response to AI - The opportunities, challenges and practical realities of workplace transformation The discussion features Veer Shah and Hazel Ellender from The OpenAI Deployment Company. It will be chaired by Michael Young, Founder and CEO of MBN Solutions and host of the Scotland Applied AI Meetup. An interactive format This is designed as a participatory discussion rather than a traditional presentation. Attendees will have opportunities to contribute throughout, compare perspectives and examine what AI-led change could look like in real organisations. The evening will conclude with an open Q&A, allowing the audience to put questions directly to Veer and Hazel and explore the issues most relevant to their own work. The event will be particularly relevant to people thinking about the intersection of AI, workforce strategy, organisational change and employee experience. It offers useful context for leaders, managers, technologists and professionals navigating changing working practices; no specific experience level is listed by the organiser. The venue is Barclays Eagle Labs Glasgow, BECO Building, 58 Kingston Street, Kinning Park, Glasgow G5 8BP. Register for this event

⌖ Glasgow

Hosted by JPMorganChase

A two-day social-impact data and AI hackathon in Glasgow, hosted by JPMorganChase on 23–24 October 2026. JPMorganChase’s Data for Good hackathon gives students the opportunity to apply analytical and coding skills to a genuine challenge facing a leading nonprofit organisation. Working with large social-good datasets, participants will turn raw information into useful insights, technical solutions and actionable recommendations, with guidance from experienced Data and AI professionals. What to expect Held over Friday and Saturday, the hackathon is an intensive, collaborative experience rather than a conventional careers presentation. You will work in an agile team alongside peers and JPMorganChase technologists, taking a project from initial analysis through to a clear recommendation for stakeholders. Depending on the challenge and your team’s approach, the work may involve: - Analysing large and complex datasets - Developing machine learning models and experiments - Building data platforms, pipelines or intuitive dashboards - Translating an organisation’s objectives into testable hypotheses - Considering governance, metadata, lineage, privacy and compliance - Presenting technical findings in a way that supports real-world decisions The event also provides opportunities to meet aspiring data and AI professionals from across the country, engage with recruiting teams and learn more about data-focused roles at JPMorganChase. Who should apply? This is an entry-level opportunity for students pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a quantitative or technical subject, such as Data Science, Machine Learning, Computer Science or Mathematics. Applicants must expect to graduate between January 2027 and September 2028, and no previous work experience is required. Strong candidates may already have experience with Python, SQL, prompt engineering, machine learning or data science principles. Familiarity with technologies such as AWS, Copilot, Snowflake, Databricks and large language models is also relevant, alongside quantitative problem-solving and the ability to communicate clearly with technical and business stakeholders. Internship pathway and practical details… Register for this event

⌖ Barcelona

GlobalAI–2026 (Oct 05–07, 2026 | Barcelona): a three-day conference exploring AI, machine learning, automation, and AI agents with keynotes, research talks, hands-on demos, and industry panels. Learn the latest research insights, practical strategies to deploy automation and AI agents, and how organisations are applying ML in healthcare, finance, transport and education. Ideal for researchers, engineers, product builders, startup founders and enterprise leaders seeking cutting-edge techniques and partnerships. Format: multi-track keynotes, paper presentations, panel discussions, poster sessions, and networking opportunities over three days.