Organised by DataKirk, Syncplex Lab CIC, and Hearts Innovation Centre, this free, one-day community event was designed with a singular, ambitious goal: to make Artificial Intelligence accessible, exciting, and hands-on for people of all ages and backgrounds across Scotland.
No stuffy lecture hall or impenetrable jargon. Only open spaces, live demonstrations, wearable tech, food, games, music and atmosphere. The carnival included a keynote address by my colleague and Economist, Dr Elena Papagiannaki. She helped frame the day’s perspectives by showing us how the public have fallen into one of four main camps regarding our AI futures.
The Skeptics
They see AI’s capabilities and limitations and question its long-term impact. They use phrases like “over-hyped” and are unlikely to experiment with AI tools, often viewing it as a potential net negative. Their voices are crucial, reminding us to remain critical and not get swept up in unchecked hype.
The Wary
This group, which includes many ethicists and cautious academics, acknowledges AI’s potential for dramatic change but is deeply concerned about the severe costs—whether environmental, societal, or ethical. They have a “p(doom)” number in their heads, raise red flags about safety, and often advocate for a slower, more deliberate path forward.
The Pragmatic
These are the industry stakeholders and economic pragmatists. They aren’t swayed by the promises of AGI but see AI as a useful tool for solving specific problems and boosting productivity today. They are the experimenters, quick to adopt a tool that works and move on from one that doesn’t.
The Optimists
The tech pioneers and innovators belong here. They see the immense potential of AI and trust that its limitations will be overcome. They believe future models will radically transform our world for the better, solving problems in medicine and the environment, and they encourage everyone to learn how to use AI so they “don’t get left behind.”
Panel discussion on our children’s futures
Panellists tackled some of the most pressing questions of our time. Rupert Goodwins, CTO of Civic Digits C.I.C, voiced concerns for the many young people in the room: the impact on future jobs. He noted that future jobs will be for AI users, and those who fail to engage with the technology risk being left behind in many ways. This echoed the findings of a recent YouthLink Scotland report, which revealed that young people are deeply aware of AI’s risks but also see its value in helping them study and find jobs.
Charlotte Bjuren, Senior Business Analyst for SSE plc, championed the message that “AI is for everyone,” and encouraged us all to be curious and understand the ethical use of AI. The conversation also highlighted how AI literacy is becoming a critical skill, supported by Scotland’s new AI Strategy 2026-2031, which outlines a vision for a globally competitive AI sector.
From Barriers to Belonging
A central theme of the event was breaking down the barriers that have made AI feel like an exclusive club. The very name, “AI For All,” is a mission statement. This focus is essential because, as Scotland’s new AI strategy acknowledges, building a “globally competitive AI sector” requires a skilled and diverse workforce . Events like the Carnival are crucial for reaching under-represented communities, building confidence, and creating genuine enthusiasm for AI across every generation.
What are people saying about AI today?
