Events
Join us at our next hustings or events. All events welcome people from politics, technology, civil society, and beyond.
Pre-Election Events
Hustings and conversations ahead of the election.
Glasgow: Election Hustings on Tech and AI (Society and Media theme)
Impact Arts, 105 Brunswick St, Glasgow, G1 1TF and online
How is tech and AI reshaping society and the media—and what should we do about it? This Scottish Parliament election hustings is a chance to put those questions directly to the people seeking your vote. The event will bring together politicians and experts to discuss digital media, digital rights, and the rules that should shape our technological future. RSVP via the link above to secure your place.
- Patrick Harvey MSP (Green Party)
- Vonnie Sandlan (Scottish Labour)
- Anna Burnside Chair
- Professor Lillian Edwards University of Newcastle
- Pat Kane Artist and cultural commentator
Other speakers tbc
Register →Edinburgh: Election Hustings on Tech and AI (Economy theme)
Bayes Centre, University of Edinburgh, 47 Potterrow, Edinburgh, EH8 9BT and online
Organised with: ScotlandIS, Bayes Centre
How do we want the digital economy and AI to serve people, communities, and democracy? This Scottish Parliament election hustings is a chance to put those questions directly to the people seeking your vote. The event will bring together politicians and experts to discuss Scotland's digital economy, and the rules that should shape our technological future.
- Daniel Johnson MSP (Scottish Labour)
- Brian Bagelow Level Up Scotland, National Games Strategy
- Professor Fiona McNeill Edinburgh University
Other speakers tbc
Register →National Conversations
The Social Hub, 15 Candleriggs, Glasgow
Organised with: TechMeetup Glasgow
What is National Conversations about and why should people in the tech sector care? Your change to learn why we are organising these events, what we hope to change and how you can get involved.
- Gordon Guthrie Foundations of the Digital State
Institutionalising the Digital State
133-135 Bethnal Green Road, London, E2 7DG
Organised with: NewSpeak House
Digital transformation is traditionally seen as something the political class do to the civil service. In fact it requires transformational change to political institutions, parliaments and the structure of legislation - and the impetus and insights to make this change work can only come from the practitioners in the civil service. Gordon Guthrie will present the results of his independent report for Scottish Government, Foundations of the Digital State.
- Gordon Guthrie Foundations of the Digital State
Other speakers tbc
Register →The state and public sector
Cardiff tbc
Organised with: Transform Gov Talks
Public services in Wales are being held back by outdated systems, fragmented leadership and short-term fixes. People are frustrated. Trust is eroding. And the potential of our nation is being wasted. This event will look at building a more resilient, responsive Wales — one that works for everyone, for generations to come.
Post-Election Events
Follow-up sessions on delivery, reform, and implementation.
The state and public sector
Edinburgh tbc
Organised with: Transform Gov Talks
Every time you pass a law, you get a computer system. The Scottish Parliament is 25 years old, born at the same time as the modern internet age. It wasn't designed to give birth to digital systems, but it does. It's time to take stock and see what changes are needed to make Scotland the leading digital state in the world.
Silicon Valley is dead
Edinburgh tbc
JK Galbraith said of a particular day during the great crash of 1929 that "the end had arrived but was not yet visible". So it is with Silicon Valley. Trump took $10bn of the $14bn price of TikTok in its recent takeover. Hegseth threatened Anthropic with the Defense Production Act if they didn't comply with his wishes. This invitation only Chatham House seminar will explore the post-SV world with practitioners and politicians who have built economic and security models around the continued puissance of Sand Hill Road.