Scotsman 'Doing Data Together' Conference

The DMA's partnership with The Scotsman's Doing Data Conference in early November. The key focus of the conference was collaboration and the range of keynote speakers and experts in the conference's panels demonstrated a massive desire for cross sectors to join forces and collaborate for the greater good.

The agenda of the day had a wide focus across on many sectors important to Scotland's economy, featuring a wealth of rich experience and big names from within data and relevant sectors across Scotland. The first session focussed on data from collaboration in crisis, Covid-19 and data creating better public services, then we heard about the role of data innovation in the UK Government's industrial strategy. We then headed over to Masschusett's Institute of Technology to hear about Digital breadcrumbs, social physics and data co-operatives: why it’s time for communities to reclaim their data. Two panel discussions followed on can data deliver a revolution in the care system followed by how can open Finance and Data Innovation tackle Financial Exclusion? The agenda concluded with Professor Shannon Vallor from The University of Edinburgh why doing data right and fusing technology and ethics to create is a future worth wanting.

The post conference report is now available to view online and you can now watch it again or any sessions you missed. Don't forget to watch DMA Scotland’s Chair Firas Khnaisser's keynote presentation in Data and People section. You can still view our conference partner page and content until next year.

Firas Khnaisser, head of decisioning at Standard Life Aberdeen and Chair of DMA Scotland was a keynote speaker and panellist in Data and People section. Firas was joined by Katy Guthrie, Head of Data at ScotlandIS and Darren Seymour-Russell, Head of Data Science, Mudano (part of Accenture Applied Intelligence). The session explored the need for diverse data teams.

Our campaign partner Merkle were on hand at the Conference, providing delegates a drop in Data Clinic, to help with any burning data questions. The conference is over but Merkle’s Commercial Director Steve Farquhar is still on hand with any data queries.

Look out for the DMA Scotland Podcast: Data and People from The Scotsman launching early December featuring Firas. Firas is passionate about putting people and human values back at the centre of the conversation. Firas is joined on the podcast by Value of Data partner Olivia Gambelin, CEO, Ethical Intelligence - a company which helps companies navigate the ethical challenges around artificial intelligence. Olivia believes strength in human values, when applied to AI, will help us create robust technological solutions that people can actually trust.

DMA Scotland and the Value of Data campaign launched the Democratising Scottish Data Talent Whitepaper which was complemented by the Democratisation of Talent Webinar.

If you have any comments / questions or wish to get involved with The Value of Data campaign and / or DMA Scotland, please get in touch with Lisa McLauchlan.