Open data isn’t enough.
As AI agents become more capable of discovering, retrieving & reasoning over data, a gap is emerging between what is published & what is AI-usable. In our latest guest blog, Gautham explores why this is & what organisations can do about it.
📖 thedatalab.com/guest-blog/o...
🌟 Meet our alumni: Michael Shaw, Technical Analyst at NHS NSS.
He works in the data services team, bringing data into the Seer warehouse & using SQL to analyse it for projects.
The Data Lab scholarship boosted his confidence, strengthened his applications, & helped him explore new areas.
Researchers have developed an AI tool, PhenMap, to help predict how NHS patients with bowel cancer will respond to the drug bevacizumab. The study suggests it could identify those unlikely to benefit — sparing thousands from ineffective treatment & serious side effects.
🔗 https://ow.ly/obbc50YJNaB
🚨 Speaker announcement 🚨
Will Millership joins the DataFest lineup! As Founder and CEO of non-profit PRISM, he’s preparing society for a future where AI systems may be conscious — or indistinguishable from those that are.
Get your ticket now. Prices go up April 28. https://ow.ly/xm2c50YJO2C
💼 We’re hiring: Applied AI & Data Scientist
Join The Data Lab and help deliver high-impact applied AI & data science projects for Scottish organisations. If you’re excited about applying AI to real industry problems, we’d love to hear from you.
⏰ Deadline: 28 April
🔗 : https://ow.ly/iief50YJPyv
Join us and Scot Gov for webinar 'We Build Together: Public Sector Open Data for Scotland'.
Learn about the development of the new platform for Scottish Government's open data services - modernising how open data is published, accessed & used.
🕐 23 April, 1 - 1:50 PM
https://ow.ly/meLQ50YyeY1
Join The Data Lab Community and Dundee Data Meetup for a session exploring how open data can unlock innovation, empower communities, and drive real change across sectors.
Register here: community.thedatalab.com/networks/eve...
🗓️ 28 April, 6 - 8 PM
📍 Dundee
🚨 Welcome Georgia Channing, AI for Science Lead at Hugging Face, to DataFest 2026! With a PhD from University of Oxford she builds open AI tools making science more accessible & collaborative.
🎟️ Get tickets before prices rise 28 Apr: datafest.global
Join us for: "Architecting the Future of National Open Data".
In this webinar, explore how LLMs can reduce friction in publishing & discovery, plus what “AI readiness” means for national-scale data.
🕑 16 April, 2 pm - 3 pm
🔗 https://ow.ly/EsxZ50YycPE
🚨 Welcoming Carl Strathearn to DataFest - computer science lecturer & researcher in autonomous social robotics at Edinburgh Napier University.
He builds hardware & AI systems for non-commercial, research-driven humanoid robots.
...he may even bring a special guest 👀🤖
🎟️: datafest.global/tickets
📣 Still time to apply
We have 2 funded scholarships available for MSc Applied Business Analytics at Glasgow Caledonian University, with a May 2026 start.
Find out more about our Masters Scholarship Programme here: https://ow.ly/b3e850YycmR
Explore the course here: https://ow.ly/SNRp50YycmP
🌟 Student spotlight: Chirlene Hall, Data Engineer @ McMinn Medical Communications
After 10 years in mental health nursing, she pivoted into data engineering—joining MSc Data Engineering at Edinburgh Napier via The Data Lab scholarship!
Now she’s built a citation system attracting 5 companies 👏
🚨 Welcoming Danny Quinn to DataFest.
Having been with DataVita since the start, he helped it grow into Scotland’s largest, most energy-efficient data centre provider.
He’ll discuss rising demand, growth zones, & the opportunity for Scotland to play a leading role.
🎟️: https://ow.ly/mMC050YC9LZ
Yesterday, we hosted an invite-only Business Breakfast bringing together senior AI, technology, & business leaders to explore a critical question: What’s missing in the global AI talent pool?
Thank you to our fantastic speakers & to everyone who joined us & contributed to such an engaging session!
Dex Hunter-Torricke is joining us at DataFest!
Dex has advised some of the most influential tech leaders & organisations, including Larry Page, Sergey Brin, Mark Zuckerberg & Elon Musk’s SpaceX, and previously led global comms & marketing at Google DeepMind.
🎟️: https://ow.ly/ZM4H50YB9zt
🌟Meet our alumni: Pablo Lopez Santori, Senior Data Engineer at FanDuel.
He started his career as a chef before discovering a love for programming, which led him to our Masters Programme and an MSc in AI. Since, he’s worked in ML and data engineering, and has presented at tech meetups.
2 months to go until DataFest 2026!
Join us for 2 days of world-class speakers, thought-provoking discussions, and networking opportunities across sectors and industries.
Have you got your ticket yet? Don't miss out.
🎟️ https://datafest.global/tickets
It was a pleasure to host Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar MSP, Deputy Labour Leader Lucy Powell MP, and Daniel Johnson MSP yesterday at The Data Lab, Bayes Centre.
A rare moment of sunshine providing a great photo opportunity on the terrace!
Great day at our All Innovation Centres Roadshow, bringing together Scotland’s Innovation Centres for a packed day of insight, collaboration and innovation - with contributions from Built Environment - Smarter Transformation, Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre, and IBioIC.
🎓 Fully-Funded MSc Scholarships 🎓
Looking to advance your career in data and AI? We offer fully-funded MSc scholarships at top universities across Scotland.
Applications for the 2026/2027 academic year are now open - explore approved courses here: https://ow.ly/SEiE50Ymn6V
Scotland’s new AI Strategy and AI Scotland launched at @edfuturesinstitute.bsky.social, bringing together 180+ leaders across business, academia & public sector.
A bold plan to unlock £23bn by 2035—driving jobs, innovation & responsible AI growth.
Read more 👇
thedatalab.com/news/new-ai-...
🌟 Alumni Spotlight: Stella Telford, Data Analyst at Research Data Scotland
Stella landed her job on graduation week, after finding the role on The Data Lab Community job board. She works on the ADR Programme, updating Scot Gov Education datasets & helping develop a Reproducible Analytical Pipeline.
We partnered with @interfaceonline.bsky.social on the Trailblazing AI Collaboration award at the Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards! Congrats to Red Star & @dundee.ac.uk-their AI heart failure platform identifies patients on outdated treatment, audits care against guidelines & supports optimisation
Delighted to share that we’ve been named finalists for 2 categories at the British Data Awards:
• Climate Change Initiative of the Year - for the Data Viz Competition
• Data Partnership of the Year - for our support on the Tide Breaker AI Accelerator Programme
predatech.co.uk/british-data...
⏰ Round 3 applications close next Friday for our MSc Placement Programme!
Scottish organisations — this is your opportunity to bring cutting-edge data and AI expertise into your operations.
📅 Submit your project proposal by 27 March
👉 partners@thedatalab.com
🔗 https://ow.ly/Jt2U50YlNiA
DataFest 2026 is CPD-accredited, so the time you spend at the event can count towards your continuing professional development goals.
And if you’re trying to make the case for an employer-funded ticket, being able to tie this to your development doesn’t hurt!
🎟️: https://ow.ly/JLT750Ywepu
Join us for "Building Insight at Scale: Supporting Smarter, Evidence‑Led Health & Social Care Services".
Discover Seer, the NHS NSS platform that helps the public sector turn data into practical insight & better decisions.
🕐Online, 25 March, 1pm - 1:50pm
🔗: community.thedatalab.com/networks/eve...
Yesterday, Núria and Michelle delivered a sold-out session on “Human skills in a tech-driven future” at The CIPD in Scotland Conference in Edinburgh.
Great energy in the room, with strong engagement and plenty of practical conversation about what upskilling really looks like in practice!
📣 Applications Now Open: Board Members
We're seeking several new members for the board as existing members complete their tenure.
We are seeking individuals from industry, the public & third sectors, universities & colleges.
Find out more: thedatalab.com/about-us/car...
✉️ Apply by 6 April
⏳ Final call
The survey exploring the potential for a Scotland-wide AI Cluster closes tomorrow.
This is your chance to help influence what happens next for AI collaboration, innovation and growth in Scotland.
Have your say today for a chance to win a £30 voucher: https://ow.ly/B6Gf50YlWAZ
